- Minor child / children — a child under the age of 18.
- Non-minor child — an adult 18 or older (also called an emancipated child for some
purposes).
Why it matters: the court’s powers over parenting and support apply to minor children. College expenses (see above) are an exception — they can apply to a non-minor child if agreed in the judgment. And if the parents of a minor child cannot agree on decisions, Illinois courts generally require the parties to attend mediation.
What changes at 18: parenting time and most support end; the court’s authority over the schedule usually stops. But agreed college expenses and certain special-needs arrangements can continue past 18.
Watch out for: “my child is 18” doesn’t automatically end every obligation — check the decree for college or disability provisions before you stop paying.
