The most recent word I have received is that the Senate version of the bill passed the Senate. So, if the bill gets out of the Committee tomorrow, it could be on its way to passing both Houses and being signed into law.

Many family law attorneys are concerned that changing the age of majority will have significant negative effects and cause substantial litigation. For example, questions have been raised about how this proposed law would affect existing child support cases and prior Settlement Agreements regarding child support and post-minority education expenses. Additionally, there is some concern about its effect on 19 year olds being able to remain on their parents health and hospitilization insurance.

The legislature is supposed to be taking these issues into consideration, but until we see the final bill, it is hard to know what the final impact would be.

UPDATE: To date, the proposed bills to reduce the age of majority have not been passed.  The age of majority remains 19 in Alabama.

A reader of this blog recently asked me a very good question: his child was only 18 (so not yet at the age of majority) but the child had joined the military. Does the obligation to pay child support stop under those circumstances?

As I explained in an e-mail to that reader the child support does not automatically stop. However, there is a statute in Alabama that would allow that parent to file a petition with the court and request that the child be declared emancipated, and if granted, the child support would then be terminated.

I explained to the reader that in that situation, my experience with our local judges is that they would grant his request, declare the child emancipated and terminate the child support.

To date, the bill has not passed.  The age of majority remains 19 at this time.  If that changes, I will publish it to the blog immediately.