child support- when does it end?

Question

hi - im a senior in high school and i was wondering-

does child support end when i graduate high school this year, or can I go to court and make my father pay for my college too?

Some people i have talked to say its not possible and then some others say that it depends on the state (illinois btw...)

so im curious, what do you think?

Answer 1

It depends on what it says in the divorce/child support papers. NO two divorces are alike. Some support decrees say support is paid until the child is 18, some say 21 as long as the child is enrolled in school. Some say until the child is 23/24 as long as they are continuing their education. Some even say 16 or until the child "otherwise" emacipates themselves. That means that if a child leaves the custodial home before they are 18 child support ceases, it means that if a underaged girl becomes pregnant child support for her ceases because by being sexually active and becoming pregnant she has "otherwise emancipated" herself. In my daughter's case she get's child support until she is 24 because she is going to college full time. YOU can't MAKE your father pay for your college education if it's not in the divorce decree. My ex pays my daughter's because it IS in the divorce decree, but then HE got the house and the car, that was the "trade off". If you want to know what you are "entitled" to you will HAVE to ask your parents because it is in THEIR divorce papers. You can't rely on what someone else's parents have in their divorce decrees.

Answer 2

I believe Federal law states that child support ends when the child turns 18 or graduates, whichever comes last. My son turned 18 before he graduated, but the courts required child support to continue until he graduated 6 months later. Child support is not required to continue while a child attends college, which I specifically asked the judge, who said no because they become "emancipated" once they turn 18 or graduate and the parent is no longer obligated to pay child support, although they can keep them on a heath insurance plan if the child is in college, but the courts do not necessarily order it -- that's the decision of the insurance company and the obligatory parent. If arrears are owed, then the parent still must pay until the amout owed is paid in full, regardless of the child's age or status.

Answer 3

If your parents were married, it would probably depend on the terms of the divorce decree/child support order. In many cases that I am aware of it ends when the child reaches the legal age of maturity - 18. In my case, I was 16 when I graduated and my dad was in arrears (had a couple of years that he did not pay), so it continued until I was 20.

As for paying for college, you should talk to you hs guidance counselor. You will want to complete financial aid forms in Jan 08, so you'll want to know the possibilities beforehand. If you dad is "legally" off the hook when you turn 18, you may want to find out if you can take any college level courses during your senior year. That may help ease any financial burden that you might be facing.

Good luck.

Answer 4

First it does depend on the state laws where you live. But most all state make him/her pay support until 21 if the child is going to college. If they don't then the support stops at 18.

Answer 5

If you will turn 18 while still in high school our State or your father can have child support stopped.
Your Mother needs to take your father back to court for continued child support and for your father to help pay for college.
I've been there done that--only my son turned 18 while still in high school and child support stopped. His father and wife saw it as "he was emancipated" even though he was still in high school, not married, not enlisted in the Armed Forces or living on his own.
Your mom needs to take care of this and if she can't afford an Attorney, she can do Pro-se Motions--she files all the reports--what she wants/expects on her own--they go in front of a Judge and the Judge makes the decision.
I hope this helped.

Answer 6

Court-ordered child support usually ends when the child:

Marries,
Dies,
Is emancipated,
Turns 18 and is not a full-time high school student, or
Turns 19,
Whichever occurs first.

Parents may agree to support a child longer. The court may also order that both parents continue to support a disabled adult child that is not self-supporting.

Answer 7

Most courts will not make a father pay for college. Child support ends when a person is no longer deemed a child which is 18. In your moms papers odds are it says he is to pay until you are 18/married/deceased which ever comes first.

Trying to MAKE him pay for college is a long shot try for some government grants.

Answer 8

I live in Illinois and I was told by my lawyer that I am responsible for 1/3 of college fees for my son. My ex is responsible for 1/3 and my son is responsible for 1/3. I believe this is a special law in regards to divorced families. You have a very good chance in getting your dad to pay part of your fees. However, it will be calculated according to the "average" college cost for the state of Illinois.

Answer 9

it depends upon the agreement in the divorce decree, or child support agreement...

some stop payment when the child is 18 or graduates from high school. other times, the parent continues paying support until college is overwith (but rarely).

sometimes it is stated in the divorce agreement that the father might pay college expenses.

taking your father to court for college is bordering on rediculous. i'm not trying to put you down, hon.. just saying, if you want to go to college ask him if he would kindly send you.

you can't make your father do anything he can't or does not wish to do, but asking never hurts.

that's what i think.

take care.

Answer 10

Child support ends when the child turns 18. Any state. At 18, the child is considered an adult and no longer needs child support.