Support after college

[frylover]

What is the name of your state? LA

I read somewhere that changes have been made to LA child support laws that allow a parent or child to petition for child support to continue while the child is in college.

Would this support amount be determined using the same formula that is used for minor children? Would any other factors be considered?

 

[VeronicaGia]

Allow the child to petition? That sounds insane, but stranger things have happened.

Mostly just bumping your post

 

[coosi]

Can college students over 18 get child support?
Full text of question: My daughter is over eighteen and attending college. I have heard that my ex-husband is responsible for child support past the age of eighteen if the child is still in school. What can I do to make him help with my daughter's education?

Answer: There is a statute that would extend the obligation for child support past age 18 if the child is in a secondary school. This is frequently misunderstood to mean college. However, college is not considered secondary education. In any event, any support question for a child over 18 would have to be considered in a court hearing. Under a recent change in the law, either your daughter or the custodial parent can seek a continuation in child support.

**This all I found, didn't find the law referred to. Came from a site called L-A Law...

Would this support amount be determined using the same formula that is used for minor children? Would any other factors be considered?

**I was looking up some of this for a different state yesterday. Sounded like the $$ would be calculated differently and be paid directly to the college, or if not, then to the student. There were "enumerated factors" to be considered. You should be able to find those posts. Lots of info there...

 

[lsut1ger]

No.

Not unless the college support was originally agreed to by the parents in a divorce or custody decree.

Otherwise, CS ends when the child turns 18. You could possibly go to court and get until 19 if the child is still in High school.

But no college. The kid will just have to get a job and pay his own way like those of us from 2 parent families have to.

 

[coosi]

No.

Not unless the college support was originally agreed to by the parents in a divorce or custody decree.

Otherwise, CS ends when the child turns 18. You could possibly go to court and get until 19 if the child is still in High school.

But no college. The kid will just have to get a job and pay his own way like those of us from 2 parent families have to.

Wrong.

I researched this the other day.

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=179427

 

[frylover]

Thanks, coosi, for the link to the other posts.

What I got from it was that if my husband's ex decided to make an issue of it and take him to court, he could conceivably be required to pay college costs.

In any case, the other info there was good. I'll research it some more but it doesn't sound like my husband would be on the hook for too much when all the factors were considered. His ex told him it was up to him to decide if he wanted to help their daughter or not, that she didn't care--but you never know.

Veronica, I don't know if any other state would allow the child in question to petition for support--but if it sounds bizarre or stupid than you can bet LA will do it!

 

[nextwife]

Why is this thread labeled "Support AFTER college"?

FYI- as one of three siblings who worked and paid their OWN way through college, and the child of an attorney who ALSO worked his way through college, I personally RESENT the courts imposing something I am philosophically opposed to. Which is, that our kids should need to EARN any post majority support that we as parents choose to give. And if my adult child disrespects me and treats me like crap, I should have the right to CHOOSE to reduce or stop supporting them or their education. To support them at MY discretion if I feel they are not doing their part toward college. And, working for something rather than having it handed to you makes you VALUE it more. If kids of intact families don't have anyone guaranty them college money, why are kids of divorce entitled to it?

 

[krispenstpeter]

And, of course, coosi has it wrong again. That thread she referenced regards WASHINGTON, not Louisiana, where this poster is from.

"Louisiana Revised Statue 9:309(C) allows for child support to be paid for a child over the age of majority if the child is unmarried, a full time student in good standing in a secondary school, and dependent on either parent. "

The age of majority in Louisiana is 18.

Therefor, if college is not stipulated in the original order and a petition to amend is not filed before the child's 18th birthday, the SOL runs and no further amendments may be filed.

College is POST secondary.

 

[djohnson]

I completely agree with nextwife. I earned my own way. It makes you try harder and appreciate more. There is no law to force parents to pay for college for children they have custody of or live with both parents. It shouldn't be a part of support either. If the parent wants to help and can, it should be up to that parent (once a child turns 18) to decide if they deserve it or not.

 

[nextwife]

MY dad became terminally ill and disabled when I was young. Sibs and I did fine getting our own college costs handled. Sis has two masters- one from Yale, and NOBODY else paid for her education. Brother is an attorney and also worked and paid himself. It's BS that you can ONLY go to college if your parents pay, or that your only option is a community college. WE have friends now who have kids in college paying their own way - but these are married couples so they can actually DECIDE if they can afford, or wish, to cover college or not.

And yes, we valued our educations and didn't blow it partying and getting high (this was the age of Aquarius) like some of our friends who knew mommy and daddy would just take care of it.

 

[frylover]

Sorry, the OP (that would be me) meant "support for college"--everybody makes mistakes!

At any rate, no post high school support was mentioned in the original order and the person in question is now almost 19, so I guess that's that.

And for the record, I agree that no parent should be FORCED to pay for a college education for their child.