Why Britney Spears will likely still pay child support when her son Jayden is 18

Britney Spears will likely have to continue paying child support to her ex-husband Kevin Federline, even though her younger son turned 18 this week.

The 42-year-old “Womanizer” singer will continue to pay child support to Federline, with whom she has sons Jayden, 18, and Sean (who turns 19 next month), even though her two sons are now adults.

According to Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, under California law, a parent must continue to pay child support until the child graduates from high school – even if the child is 18 years old.

“Under California law, jurisdiction for child support continues until the minor child reaches the age of 18, or, if the minor child has not completed high school by the 18th birthday, until the minor child completes high school, but in no event beyond the minor child's 19th birthday,” Kaplan tells PEOPLE.

“Jayden's child support in this case will be paid according to this law. His high school graduation will be in November.”

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A source told PEOPLE that Spears is happy to continue supporting her sons in any way she can.

“Britney has plans for the boys' future and will do what she can and always continue to love and support them,” the source says.

A spokesperson for Spears did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

In an interview in September 2022 with The Daily MailSpears' son Jayden spoke about his and his brother's developing feelings about their relationship with their mother.

Jayden noted that their relationship was still complicated at the time, saying, “I'm 100 percent convinced that this is salvageable.”

“It's just going to take a lot of time and effort,” he continued. “When she's better, I really want to see her again.”

Jayden turned directly to his mother and said, “I love you very much and hope the best for you. Maybe one day we can sit down and talk like this again.”

Spears' sons moved to Hawaii in 2023 with their father, his wife Victoria Prince, and their two children – Peyton, 10, and Jordan, 13. Federline at the time cited additional professional opportunities for herself as a result of the move and a job offer for Prince from a Hawaiian university.

In May 2023, Kaplan told PEOPLE that Spears had “agreed” to her sons traveling to Hawaii with their father.

“This is an opportunity for Kevin and his wife, and the guys are ready to escape the microscope of LA,” he said.

At the time, a source also confirmed to PEOPLE that Federline had initially approached Spears for permission to move. “Britney has always been staunchly supportive of her children and wants them to be happy,” the source said.