50% of US parents financially support their adult kids, with average payments of $1,474/month. What they're doing wrong

Read More: The average net worth of Americans is a surprising $620,654. But it almost means nothing. Here’s the number that counts (and how to make it skyrocket)

Helping your kids reach financial independence

Helping adult children financially isn't just a financial decision — it's also an emotional one, and that can make it tricky to navigate. The key, experts say, is to be intentional about the support you offer and to find ways to help them stand on their own. Here's how to get started:

Make sure your own retirement is on track

Before giving money, make sure your own finances are in order. Make sure retirement contributions are maxed (or on track), high-interest debt is managed and you have a six-month emergency fund. You won't be able to help your kids at all if you end up in a bad financial spot.

Have an open conversation

Talk openly about your own finances, what you can afford, and even past mistakes you have made. These conversations will help them understand boundaries you set later, and may encourage them to take a deeper look at their own finances.

Set boundaries

Review your own finances and decide what you can and can't offer. Maybe you're able to cover one-time costs like security deposits or a car repair, but can't commit to monthly bills indefinitely. Whatever your limits are, be clear and direct about the support you're comfortable offering.

Consider larger, one-time gifts vs ongoing support

A lump-sum gift or a family loan with written terms can be easier to manage than recurring expenses. Some advisors suggest using the annual gift-tax exclusion, $19,000 per recipient in 2026, as a natural boundary (4). This strategy can allow you to support your children without taking on monthly bills for an undetermined amount of time.

Scale back slowly

If you need to reduce support, taper it. For example, if you currently cover $500 in bills a month, cut back to $400 for a few months, then $200, and work your way down to $0. This gives your children time to adjust and may help ease any feelings of guilt.

Pair help with financial education

Covering bills can provide short-term relief, but it doesn’t always move adult children closer to long-term independence. Look for ways to pair financial support with skill-building. That might mean reviewing a budget together, talking through financial goals, reading a money book and discussing it or sharing a trusted podcast or resource. You likely won't be able to help forever, so the goal should be to help your kids build healthy financial habits (4).

Today’s financial landscape looks very different from what many parents faced 20 or 30 years ago, and offering financial support into adulthood can help level the playing field. Still, support works best when it’s intentional. Making sure your own finances are secure and that your help encourages independence rather than reliance.