Does Child Support in Maryland End at 18 or Does it Continue into College?

[Anonymous]

I think the more common way to approach college financing in Maryland divorces is to require contributions to something like a 529 plan while the child(ren) is still a minor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude but if it only goes through age 18, why would a non-custodial parent sign an agreement saying that he/she is required to pay for college? I grew up in MD and when my parents divorced, my dad only paid through age 18 for me and my brother. If that is the law, why would a parent sign something that required them to pay beyond age 18?

Because the parent (custodial or not) wants what is best for the child.

And sometimes they just want out at any cost.

[Anonymous]

Most divorce is by agreement, not by decree. Divorce agreements provide for many costs that are not mandated by law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the judge can stipulate that it goes through college.

Nope. While many upper-middle class couples will include stipulations about college expenses in their agreement, the judge cannot order any support beyond the age of 18, unless the child will not have graduated high school by age 18, in which case support continues until graduation or 19th birthday, which ever comes first. Support will only continue after that point by court order if the child is found to be unable to support himself or herself due to a disability, in which case support will be indefinite.

[Anonymous]

My sister's divorce attorney counseled my sister and her ex-husband not to put anything about paying for college into the divorce agreement. They both totally intend to pay for college for their two girls, but the attorney said that he had seen a number of occasions where the kids used the fact that the parents were legally obligated to pay to hold both of the parents hostage while they partied away their time at college on their parents dime. Most kids would not do this, but it might be better to leave yourself some flexibility in how college expenses are divided up so that the parents can make the best decision for their kids at the time that college is actually on the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude but if it only goes through age 18, why would a non-custodial parent sign an agreement saying that he/she is required to pay for college? I grew up in MD and when my parents divorced, my dad only paid through age 18 for me and my brother. If that is the law, why would a parent sign something that required them to pay beyond age 18?

Are you really questioning why parents would put into writing an agreement that involves doing more than the bare legal minimum for their children? I mean, there's no law saying you have to give your kids piano lessons, or take them to visit their grandparents, but I'm sure many divorce agreements include stipulations about paying for or providing things that aren't legally required.
It's worth remembering that college financial aid formulas generally assume both parents will be contributing, regardless of custody. My friend was screwed by this - even though non-custodial dad told the school that he had no intention to ever provide a penny for her tuition or expenses, her aid was figured based on both her mom AND dad's household incomes.

Nobody is custodial parent for a child over 18 (once done with high school). I went to college, and both of my parents incomes were calculated for financial aid, even though NEITHER of them were contributing (they are married). That's life, suck it up.

[Anonymous]

Child support will end for my kids at 18, but my ex is required to pay for college--in our settlement agreement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Nobody is custodial parent for a child over 18 (once done with high school). I went to college, and both of my parents incomes were calculated for financial aid, even though NEITHER of them were contributing (they are married). That's life, suck it up.

So, college is for kids with wealthy and willing parents. Others are banned until the age of 24, when they can get independent student status.
I do not know why this is so. Are the kids being punished for not being good children? Can there really be no other way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister's divorce attorney counseled my sister and her ex-husband not to put anything about paying for college into the divorce agreement. They both totally intend to pay for college for their two girls, but the attorney said that he had seen a number of occasions where the kids used the fact that the parents were legally obligated to pay to hold both of the parents hostage while they partied away their time at college on their parents dime. Most kids would not do this, but it might be better to leave yourself some flexibility in how college expenses are divided up so that the parents can make the best decision for their kids at the time that college is actually on the table.

why would the kids know what was in the divorce agreement? it's private, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

hi all our situation is a bit different I never married the woman that have my twins but I have been paying child support. I am in the military and just wanted to know will this child support stop at the age of 18? do I still have to pay child support if they go to college. really need your help I pay $1500 a month for child support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude but if it only goes through age 18, why would a non-custodial parent sign an agreement saying that he/she is required to pay for college? I grew up in MD and when my parents divorced, my dad only paid through age 18 for me and my brother. If that is the law, why would a parent sign something that required them to pay beyond age 18?

Some people want to do right by their kids and have no problem steadying to that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude but if it only goes through age 18, why would a non-custodial parent sign an agreement saying that he/she is required to pay for college? I grew up in MD and when my parents divorced, my dad only paid through age 18 for me and my brother. If that is the law, why would a parent sign something that required them to pay beyond age 18?

Some people want to do right by their kids and have no problem steadying to that

Steadying is attesting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude but if it only goes through age 18, why would a non-custodial parent sign an agreement saying that he/she is required to pay for college? I grew up in MD and when my parents divorced, my dad only paid through age 18 for me and my brother. If that is the law, why would a parent sign something that required them to pay beyond age 18?

Some people want to do right by their kids and have no problem steadying to that

Except that if it's in the agreement it means you're obligated even if your kid makes no effort to maintain a relationship and/or is a total screw up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:hi all our situation is a bit different I never married the woman that have my twins but I have been paying child support. I am in the military and just wanted to know will this child support stop at the age of 18? do I still have to pay child support if they go to college. really need your help I pay $1500 a month for child support.

What does your child support agreement say? Unless it specifically says otherwise, the law of the state that established the child support governs. In many states, that means 18, but it goes until 21 in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same for me. My dad made a pretty good salary and since he "never went to college and I got a good paying job" he didn't contribute much for my college. I would never sign an agreement stipulating how much $$$ I would need to contribute to my kids' college education 10+ years in advance (in a divorce agreement). Who knows where they will be financially when the kid turns 18 and starts college? I'd be legally "on the hook" for the amount or % of the tuition b/c of the divorce agreement. What if I had lost a job recently? What if I were unemployed? Just doesn't make financial sense to agree to something so far in advance.

If a father who cares enough about his child to continue to support that child through college, there is no need to put anything in writing! Just because a father or anyone else paying child support does not involve the court in the additional support his child beyond the age of 18 and graduation from HS. Going to college is NOT a right when it involves forcing a parent to pay tuition. Join the military, get a grant, work and pay your own way, borrow money, and if your parents pay for your college...pay them back!!! If a parent is forced to pay for college, the child should be required to maintain a 3.0 or above GPA.