Over the past several decades, there have been changes in the way that most states handle the duration of child custody and visitation cases. In the past, it was usually assumed that these orders would remain into effect until the child reached the age of majority, which today is defined as 18. However, in certain custody situations, the order may remain in effect longer, such as until the child is able to support himself or herself financially. Additionally, in other cases, the custody order may terminate before the child reaches the age of 18. This is likely to occur if the child marries, joins the military, or dies before reaching the age of majority. Furthermore, some custody courts are now granting older children the right to have more say in their own custody and visitation schedules. For example, high school-age children may have a full slate of extracurricular activities that make long-term visits untenable. If you have specific questions about the laws that govern child visitation age policies in your state, talk to a court representative or schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney.