QUESTION

Am I responsible for college money now or what happens?

Asked on Jul 02nd, 2013 on Divorce - California
More details to this question:
My daughter with my ex has now graduated from high school. She turns 18 actually in September. My ex is now trying to hit me up for college money for her, however I still cannot catch up on bills and Iโ€™m behind. I still owe the ex over $10,000 in arrears and now that my support will finally drop from 28% to 20% with 1 child left, Iโ€™m just hoping to finally catch up. Pending work if available, since I am constantly between jobs (laid off).
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5 ANSWERS

Generally speaking here in Arizona, absent some agreement in a family settlement agreement, the obligation to pay child support ends when the child reaches the age of 18, and has completed high school. There is no obligation to pay for a child to attend college. You should consult an experienced family law attorney to review your situation, It may be possible to further reduce the amount of child support you pay based upon your employment situation. No modification of support is effective without an order of the court. You will, of course, be required to pay whatever child support arrears there may be along with the interest that accrues thereon.
Answered on Jul 09th, 2013 at 11:58 PM

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Commercial Contracts Attorney serving Boise, ID at Peters Law, PLLC
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Your obligation for your daughter in Idaho ends when she turns 18 (pay through the month she turns 18). While it is expected for parents to help children out with college, it is not a legal requirement.
Answered on Jul 03rd, 2013 at 7:54 PM

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Personal Injury Attorney serving Reno, NV at Law Offices of Jill K. Whitbeck
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Whether or not you owe for college or child support beyond age 18 depends on the laws of your state and any specific language in your court orders. In Nevada, you owe child support on the oldest until she turns 18, even though she has graduated high school, but would not owe beyond that for anything unless you had a very specific court order that said otherwise. Review your court orders carefully, and then seek information on the specific child support laws of your state. Also, if you are being garnished for payments or have an enforcing agency involved, it is always a good idea to make very sure they adjust their orders in a timely manner. Do not presume that anything will automatically adjust simply because your oldest has graduated high school and will soon turn 18.
Answered on Jul 03rd, 2013 at 7:17 PM

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Divorce & Family Law Attorney serving Salt Lake City, UT at Utah Family Law LC
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Unless your decree of divorce (or some other valid, binding order of a court that has jurisdiction over you) contains a provision ordering you to provide some or all of the money for your adult daughter's college education, you have absolutely no obligation to pay for an adult child's college education. Your ex-wife either knows or should know that.
Answered on Jul 03rd, 2013 at 4:59 PM

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Family Attorney serving Sacramento, CA at Peyton & Associates
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Unless you agreed to contribute to child's college expense in your divorce, there is no legal duty to pay for it now. Check the language of your judgment to make sure you didn't agree to something you didn't know about.
Answered on Jul 03rd, 2013 at 4:50 PM

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