Yes, child support can continue after the age of 18 if the child is still enrolled in college or pursuing higher education, as determined by the court or the terms of the child support agreement.
Complete answer
Yes, child support can continue after the age of 18 if the child is still enrolled in college or pursuing higher education. This continuation of child support is often referred to as post-secondary support. The specific rules regarding the continuation of child support vary from state to state and can be determined by the court or the terms of the child support agreement.
According to the American Bar Association, “States typically grant courts the authority to order child support for adult children attending college or vocational school.” This means that even after reaching the age of majority, parents may still be obligated to financially support their child’s educational expenses.
One interesting point to note is that not all states automatically require parents to support a child through college. Some states may have specific guidelines or requirements that need to be met for child support to continue. These requirements can include factors such as the academic progress of the child, the financial ability of the parents, and the willingness of the child to contribute towards their own education.
To provide a clearer picture, let’s take a look at a hypothetical example in the form of a table:
| State | Continuation of Child Support in College |
|---|---|
| State A | Child support automatically continues until the child completes their undergraduate degree. |
| State B | Child support may continue if the child is enrolled full-time in an accredited educational institution. |
| State C | Child support may continue based on the child’s academic performance and the parent’s financial ability. |
It’s important to consult the specific laws and regulations applicable in your state or jurisdiction to determine the rules regarding child support continuation after the age of 18 for a child in college. Remember that these laws are subject to change, and professional legal advice should be sought if you have questions or concerns regarding child support obligations.
In the words of Margaret Mead, a renowned cultural anthropologist, “Children must be educated to some extent, and their education is bound to be a costly undertaking.” This quote highlights the need for continued financial support to ensure that children have the opportunity to pursue higher education and secure a better future.
In conclusion, while child support generally ends when a child reaches the age of majority (usually 18), it can continue if the child is enrolled in college or pursuing higher education. The specific rules and requirements for post-secondary support vary by state, and it’s crucial to understand the applicable laws and consult legal professionals for guidance in these matters.
See a video about the subject
In this video, the speaker dispels a common misconception about child support payments. While many believe that they can stop paying once their child turns 18, this is not always the case. In Oklahoma, parents are still obligated to pay if their child is in high school and has not yet graduated or turned 21. Failure to pay can result in being held in contempt of court. Options to reduce or eliminate the obligation may exist, such as if the child moves in with the paying parent, but it is important to understand that the obligation does not automatically disappear. Outstanding child support arrears continue to accumulate interest and can still be pursued even after the child becomes an adult or the paying parent passes away. Seeking legal assistance may be beneficial in navigating these complexities.
Other approaches of answering your query
Can Child Support Continue After 18 If My Child Goes to College? No, legally, a parent is not required to pay support while a child is in college. Nor does the parent need to provide for their child’s college expenses as a part of their child support obligations.
Can Child Support Continue After 18 If My Child Goes to College? No, legally, a parent is not required to pay support while a child is in college. Nor does the parent need to provide for their child’s college expenses as a part of their child support obligations.
The Court controls whether or not a child is supported throughout college, but no matter how long the child is in college, all support will stop once they turn 23. Typically, child support will end at age 21 for children who go through an undergraduate program.
Based on the facts set forth in your question, the custodial parent cannot apply for child support while the child attends college.
A judge cannot require a parent to pay child support past the end of the school year that the child turns 18 years old. If the child graduates before they turn become a legal adult, child support will continue until their 18th birthday.
Parents typically stop making child support payments when a child turns 18 and the child graduates high school. Or if the child is still in high school full-time and can’t support themselves, it might continue until they are 19.
In most states, child support ends when a child turns 18 or when the child graduates from high school, whichever occurs first. In other states, the age is 21.
One more word about child support for young adults: The Termination of Child Support Law caps child support payments at the age of 23. So, unless you’ve made a special qualifying request, child support terminates when the child reaches the age of 23. If additional support is needed, it is called “Continued Support” by the courts.
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Does child support continue if the child goes to college in Louisiana?
As a response to this: In Louisiana, no law requires a parent to continue paying child support while their child is in college. In Louisiana, the obligation to pay child support ends when the child reaches the age of majority, which, in Louisiana, is age 18.
Does child support end at 18 or after graduation?
When Can a Parent Stop Paying Child Support in Pennsylvania? Parents must pay child support until the child reaches 18 years of age—commonly known as the “age of maturity”—or when the child graduates high school (whichever occurs later).
Does child support continue through college in PA?
Pennsylvania law does not mandate that a parent pay support for a child to attend college. Child support in Pennsylvania is paid until a child reaches the age of 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later (Exceptions may be made for children with severe disabilities that would prevent them from being employable).
Can child support continue after 18 if child is in college Florida?
Answer to this: Once your child turns 18, you cannot go back and seek extended child support, even for dependency. Florida courts have ruled that nothing in the law prevent orders that extend through postsecondary education to finance college expenses.
Do you still pay child support after child turns 18?
Response: Ending Child Support Usually, court-ordered child support ends when the child turns 18 years old if he or she graduates from high school. If your 18-year-old child is still a full-time high school student and still lives with a parent, child support ends when your child graduates or turns 19, whichever occurs first.
Can child support payments continue after a child turns 18?
The reality is that in most states you may be required to continue paying child support after your child has reached the age of 18, particularly if your child is in college or has special needs. It is also possible that your divorce decree mandates that you keep paying even though your child is legally an adult.
Do you still pay arrears after the child turns 18?
You should continue paying the same child support amount after your child turns 18 if you owe child support arrears. After a child turns 18 and child support would normally end, all the money you pay as child support goes to pay off the arrears since no new monthly amount is owed.
Do you still pay child support after child turns 18?
As a response to this: Ending Child Support Usually, court-ordered child support ends when the child turns 18 years old if he or she graduates from high school. If your 18-year-old child is still a full-time high school student and still lives with a parent, child support ends when your child graduates or turns 19, whichever occurs first.
Can child support payments continue after a child turns 18?
The reply will be: The reality is that in most states you may be required to continue paying child support after your child has reached the age of 18, particularly if your child is in college or has special needs. It is also possible that your divorce decree mandates that you keep paying even though your child is legally an adult.
Do you still pay arrears after the child turns 18?
Answer to this: You should continue paying the same child support amount after your child turns 18 if you owe child support arrears. After a child turns 18 and child support would normally end, all the money you pay as child support goes to pay off the arrears since no new monthly amount is owed.