did you structure college funding in your support agreement? if so, how?

[Anonymous]

OP,
Have you discussed this with your lawyer? I'm not sure what most folks do, maybe rely on the parents' good will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Children aren't entitled to college (I believe parents should help if they can and we plan too) and it should be that parents option depending on the situation, relationship and other life events. It depends on the state too as some allow for college and some don't (I think 18 and done and then work directly with child). You can ask for it, but if the other party refuses its their right. Or, you can use some of the child support money and put some of your own into a college fund so it will be there when child is ready to go.

leagle beagle here, in MD you can extend support to 22, Ithink. Def. beyond 18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But once a child turns 18, no agreement can force a parent to pay for anything so start saving now.

This is absolutely NOT true. The laws are state specific. There was a case several years ago in Illinois (I think....could be wrong on the specific state) where dad was threatened with jail time if he didn't come up with at least six months of college tuition for his daughter. The agreement between the parents was that they equally share in the cost of college costs. Dad claimed he couldn't afford to pay half. And the judge sent him to jail. He avoided spending time in jail by somehow coming up with the money.

There are still states that give a judge the power to force parents to pay for college costs for adult children. It sucks. But it's true. In most states the judge can't order it, but parents often put it in their agreements voluntarily. And if you agree to it, you are legally responsible for paying it just like any other contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Because as everyone has pointed out, once the child turns 18, there is no parental obligation to pay for college. "

Depends on the jurisdiction.

Not true unmarried kid in Ny is 21.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But once a child turns 18, no agreement can force a parent to pay for anything so start saving now.

This is absolutely NOT true. The laws are state specific. There was a case several years ago in Illinois (I think....could be wrong on the specific state) where dad was threatened with jail time if he didn't come up with at least six months of college tuition for his daughter. The agreement between the parents was that they equally share in the cost of college costs. Dad claimed he couldn't afford to pay half. And the judge sent him to jail. He avoided spending time in jail by somehow coming up with the money.

There are still states that give a judge the power to force parents to pay for college costs for adult children. It sucks. But it's true. In most states the judge can't order it, but parents often put it in their agreements voluntarily. And if you agree to it, you are legally responsible for paying it just like any other contract.

Clap! Clap! Claps! Leagel Beagle here again I was wrong about MD at 22. Here is a list I found state by state. Who hooo! Ct is 23! I am moving in 17 years
http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16441

[Anonymous]

No reasonable judge is going to demand child support & extra college tuition/payments. Usually at best its one or the other depending on the state. (of course a CP can get child support till 21 or 23 and use none of it on the "child" so often its just a form of alimony for the CP as there is no accountability on how the money is spend). I think its greedy. Married parents are not obligated to support after 18, so why should parents who divorce. If the NCP has no relationship with the child (especially in situations where the CP blocks it), why should they pay for a luxury like college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No reasonable judge is going to demand child support & extra college tuition/payments. Usually at best its one or the other depending on the state. (of course a CP can get child support till 21 or 23 and use none of it on the "child" so often its just a form of alimony for the CP as there is no accountability on how the money is spend). I think its greedy. Married parents are not obligated to support after 18, so why should parents who divorce. If the NCP has no relationship with the child (especially in situations where the CP blocks it), why should they pay for a luxury like college?

Let's be real kids now will not qualify to be managers at Mickey D's without at least a BA from the Univ of Phoenix. I guess you can call it greedy to plan out college tuition. I call it making sure I get put in the nice home vs the state run one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No reasonable judge is going to demand child support & extra college tuition/payments. Usually at best its one or the other depending on the state. (of course a CP can get child support till 21 or 23 and use none of it on the "child" so often its just a form of alimony for the CP as there is no accountability on how the money is spend). I think its greedy. Married parents are not obligated to support after 18, so why should parents who divorce. If the NCP has no relationship with the child (especially in situations where the CP blocks it), why should they pay for a luxury like college?

"Reasonable judges" order college expenses all the time. And not just tuition. It's usually something like "all costs associated with enrollment at an in-state university, trade school, or technical school to include but not limited to tuition, fees, books, housing and food". Again, the key is that state laws vary. There are still states that have laws allowing judges to force a parent to pay for college. It's not a matter of "why should they pay for luxury like college".....it's simply the law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No reasonable judge is going to demand child support & extra college tuition/payments. Usually at best its one or the other depending on the state. (of course a CP can get child support till 21 or 23 and use none of it on the "child" so often its just a form of alimony for the CP as there is no accountability on how the money is spend). I think its greedy. Married parents are not obligated to support after 18, so why should parents who divorce. If the NCP has no relationship with the child (especially in situations where the CP blocks it), why should they pay for a luxury like college?

Let's be real kids now will not qualify to be managers at Mickey D's without at least a BA from the Univ of Phoenix. I guess you can call it greedy to plan out college tuition. I call it making sure I get put in the nice home vs the state run one.

I fully support paying for college and we are planning now with a toddler BUT I don't think anything over 18 should be court ordered. I would like my child to go for a master's if they can as do I want my husband's children. We very much push college & graduate school and are willing to pay but as a parent, that parent needs to decide the terms & conditions of how/what happens with what stipulations vs. just being written a court ordered check with no accountability to that parent writing the check. I love your logic and I agree you have to have a BA to work at Micky D's & your future protection, but that's also why we save for retirement and college as you never know how family will be later one.

[Anonymous]

But I don't see how they can enforce something like that if the state ends child support at age 18.

[Anonymous]

Why not? A contract's a contract? You could have language for health insurance until age 25 for instance and it would be enforceable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I don't see how they can enforce something like that if the state ends child support at age 18.

it goes state by state. not all states terminate at 18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No reasonable judge is going to demand child support & extra college tuition/payments. Usually at best its one or the other depending on the state. (of course a CP can get child support till 21 or 23 and use none of it on the "child" so often its just a form of alimony for the CP as there is no accountability on how the money is spend). I think its greedy. Married parents are not obligated to support after 18, so why should parents who divorce. If the NCP has no relationship with the child (especially in situations where the CP blocks it), why should they pay for a luxury like college?

Let's be real kids now will not qualify to be managers at Mickey D's without at least a BA from the Univ of Phoenix. I guess you can call it greedy to plan out college tuition. I call it making sure I get put in the nice home vs the state run one.

I fully support paying for college and we are planning now with a toddler BUT I don't think anything over 18 should be court ordered. I would like my child to go for a master's if they can as do I want my husband's children. We very much push college & graduate school and are willing to pay but as a parent, that parent needs to decide the terms & conditions of how/what happens with what stipulations vs. just being written a court ordered check with no accountability to that parent writing the check. I love your logic and I agree you have to have a BA to work at Micky D's & your future protection, but that's also why we save for retirement and college as you never know how family will be later one.

As my now deceased grandma would say Tough Titty. It can be written into and order and you can comply or find your self in contempt and/or breach. (she liked beer too)

[Anonymous]

What part of "it's a contract" do some of you not understand? Many, MANY parents negotiate this issue as part of the divorce settlement, and it is ABSOLUTELY enforceable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What part of "it's a contract" do some of you not understand? Many, MANY parents negotiate this issue as part of the divorce settlement, and it is ABSOLUTELY enforceable.

You are missing that each state treats child support very differently and many end at 18 and in less it is part of the divorce settlement (and you are under no obligation to agree) it is not enforceable as kids are legally "adults" at 18 and at that point can negotiate or not what their parents will help with or not. My spouses did not have it as he refused to agree and was willing to pay depend on many factors. 18/done!