Totally OT - anyone divorced from CT - child support questions

[DebMcDonald]

I got divorced in CT 16 years ago, now live in Mass, but was thinking of taking my ex-husband back to court for continued child support while she attends college, but I can't fine any specifics on it on.line. I know in Mass you have to continue child support until 23 or as long as a full time student, but from what I gather Mass as well as three other states are the only ones that do that. If anyone has any other information I would greatly appreciate it before I take time off of work and drive down there.

 

[Darcy03231]

I got divorced in CT 16 years ago, now live in Mass, but was thinking of taking my ex-husband back to court for continued child support while she attends college, but I can't fine any specifics on it on.line. I know in Mass you have to continue child support until 23 or as long as a full time student, but from what I gather Mass as well as three other states are the only ones that do that. If anyone has any other information I would greatly appreciate it before I take time off of work and drive down there.

I don't live in CT, but found the information on-line. It's on the court's website if you want to read it all.

Child support ends at age 18 or high school graduation. There is no provision for child support through college.

CT does have an educational support law where parents can be ordered to contribute to the costs of attending college until the child reaches age 23.

If your ex isn't contributing to college already, you could take him back for an order to have him contribute. This can be a double-edged sword though, because they can also order you to contribute a specific dollar amount as well.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Thanks, I'll have to look into that further, our divorce decree didn't spell out support for college at all, so on the day she graduated he stopped paying, he also never felt that college was necessary. We have currently paid for her titution in full this semester, but trying to ask for help from a guy that can't even acknowledge a birthday, christmas or gradution for that matter, and I'm not talking a gift, even a phone call or card would be nice, I just thought it would be nice for less student loans for her later.

 

[mrsklamc]

It looks like if you've been divorced for 16 years, you're out of luck. Only applies in CT when first support order was after 2002, and MA's laws won't apply to your ex.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/rpt/2002-R-0845.htm

 

[disneymom2003]

I don't live in CT, but found the information on-line. It's on the court's website if you want to read it all.

Child support ends at age 18 or high school graduation. There is no provision for child support through college.

CT does have an educational support law where parents can be ordered to contribute to the costs of attending college until the child reaches age 23.

If your ex isn't contributing to college already, you could take him back for an order to have him contribute. This can be a double-edged sword though, because they can also order you to contribute a specific dollar amount as well.

Educational support law to contribute to college? Sorry I think paying for your child's college should be optional. It's very nice if parens can afford and want to contribute but I don't think it should be mandatory.

 

[dfchelbay]

So if a child and/or custodial parent insists on going to that $100,000 tuition a year university, you will be made by court order to pay half of that...not a good idea. Going to college is not mandatory as is secondary school and no parent should be made to pay for it. I would think both parents would want to be continually in their child's life and share in these milestones...but that is not the reality of many people's lives.

 

[disneychrista]

This is something you and he should work out on your own.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It looks like if you've been divorced for 16 years, you're out of luck. Only applies in CT when first support order was after 2002, and MA's laws won't apply to your ex.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/rpt/2002-R-0845.htm

I read that summary. Among other conditions, both parents must discuss and agree on the academic institution the child attends.

I know some people who wish the Massachusetts laws contained that condition.

 

[Darcy03231]

I live in a state where the court cannot order either parent to pay for college education expenses. This law went into effect about 5 years ago.

Before that the court could order parents to pay for college. They limited the cost to the expenses of tuition, room & board, mandatory fees and books at a state college. Unless there were some huge mitigating factors (like one parent had a super high income and/or one had a really low income or was disabled) the usual split was 1/3 for each parent and 1/3 for the child. Any monies that had been saved for the child's eduction had to be used up first. Also, child had to maintain grades. If they didn't, court wouldn't make mom and/or dad contribute anything.

I really didn't think this was unfair as it made both parents equally responsible and put some responsibility on the child if he/she wanted to attend college. While I think most parents want to support their children in getting a college education, lets face it, some parents will do anything to get out of paying anything for their children.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

So if a child and/or custodial parent insists on going to that $100,000 tuition a year university, you will be made by court order to pay half of that...not a good idea. Going to college is not mandatory as is secondary school and no parent should be made to pay for it. I would think both parents would want to be continually in their child's life and share in these milestones...but that is not the reality of many people's lives.

No US university charges $100,000 a year tuition. Even if a parent was ordered by the court to contribute to tuition, the amount would be based on income, not the amount of half of the tuition. Enough hyperbole please.

OP - it's a bit late to bring up this issue. It should have been resolved years ago.