If 1 of my 3 kids turns 18, how can I reduce my child support that I owe?

Question

Do I have to go back to court? Is it so expensive that I'm better off just paying for all 3 kids, even though only 2 are under 18?

Answer 1

You do not need an attorney. Anyone paying/receiving child support has the right once a year to ask for the amount to be reviewed by the court. Depending on what your original divorce papers said, they may reduce your payments. Most states say if the child is enrolled in an accredited college the support must continue. If your financial status has changed for the worse, they may lower your payments based on % of your income and your monthly living expenses. If your spouses income has increased they may take that into consideration as well. Call the local child support agency for your state. I have gone to court as the payor and the payee and never had an attorney. I also did most of my appearances over the phone as my ex lives in another state. I was even divorced over the phone...lol. Good Luck!

Answer 2

You can represent your self it's called PRO'SE, you don't have to pay for an attorney you are legally allowed to change your child support agreement once the child turns 18, you do not have to make payments on that child unless you owe back child support. Just go the courthouse or even on-line and print out the child support modification form..you will get a court date and you tell the judge your child is 18 and it will automatically be deducted from the amount you are to pay.

FREE OF CHARGE! NO LAWYER NEEDED TO MODIFY THIS IS THE LAW YOU DONT PAY FOR A CHILD OF LEGAL ADULT AGE!

Answer 3

Check the rules in the state where the child lives.

My husband pays $800 a month for his daughter, from when she was 7. By the time she turns 18, he will have paid over 100 grand for her, plus we buy her lots of things in between.

You should definitely check with a lawyer if only for correct advice.

If the mother dares to come after you, you will have a strong legal stance.

I disagree with people saying if you love them keep paying etc, I am sure you have paid well over the odds as my husband does. You can still buy them things, vacations whatever, but your money should have been partially saved for this purpose of college etc.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You need to look at your divorce decree and see what it says. If it says till 18, then you will not owe for that child anymore. And it will probably be better, because you can then just support your child directly without worrying about your child support being spent on things for mom.

Answer 5

First find out whether it stops at 18 or 21. I guess it varies from state to state. But your child support should be reduced by a third. My husband's stopped automatically when his son turned 18. Even though he is in college, my husband's child support stopped at 18. College students are adults, so therefore they should start supporting themselves. Most college kids of married parents are doing it, so can college kids of divorced parents.

Answer 6

If your child is still under your ex-wife's roof and attending school full time (college or university) I would not be so in a hurry to stir things up if I were you.....they may raise your child support considering the cost of college etc.

I have a 19 year old full time in college and believe me she is more expensive then ever with tuition, books and transportation. Her father never gave me one cent of support but he brags all the time about how he's proud of the young accomplished woman she is turning out to be....You won't be like him right!

Answer 7

Do a web search for the child support division in your state, they may have a website like my state does that has lots of good information on it, like what you are looking for.

Answer 8

In what state was the order issued?

THAT is the only question that needs to be answered.

Answer 9

I believe child supprt stops at age 18 unless they decide to go to college

Answer 10

Do you love all of your children? Then fork over the cash. They are worth it.