Child Support And College: What Parents Should Know

Child support discussions are an important part of settling a divorce. When the children are young, your child support payments are used for typical expenses, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Some child support orders also include provisions for paying for school tuition. In some areas and in some situations, child support may extend into the age at which your children go to college. The question then becomes whether or not the parents have to help pay for college once they reach that part of their life. Here is what you need to know.

Do Parents Pay Child Support for College-Age Children?

When your children reach the age of going off to college, parents often enter into a college support agreement. this is an agreement that works similarly to child support. In many states, child support payments end at age 18. However, if your children are going to college, a college support agreement comes into play. The college support agreement should be done when you make your child support arrangements. As you make your college support agreement, there are several things to keep in mind. One is the cost of the college your child wants to attend. You may want to place some stipulations on the agreement, such as your child having to go to an in-state university. You also need to consider additional expenses such as boarding, books, transportation, and daily expenses.

What If You Didn't Make a College Support Agreement?

If you did not make a college support agreement when you made your custody arrangements, you can modify your support agreement to add in a college support agreement. Keep in mind that this is not a requirement, as parents are not required to pay for a child's college tuition. Both parents must agree to enter this type of agreement.

If you want to amend your child support order to include a college support agreement, you can make a modification in your support order. Certain states do not allow modifications within a certain number of years of the last modification. To modify the agreement, you have to approach the court with the request.

How Do College Support Agreements Work for the Parents?

If you are granted a college support agreement, the parents will divide the college expenses in the manner in which the judge determines. Most often, the college support agreement will run in line with the child support order in that each parent will contribute based on their income and expenses. The court also looks at where the child resides the majority of the time and how much the other parent pays in child support. At that point, the judge will examine the information and decide how much each parent should contribute to college expenses if any.

For more information, contact a child support attorney near you.