[cs_content _p=’21696′][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_image _id=”4″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”5″ ][cs_content_seo]Post-Secondary Education\n\nCan Child Support Continue Past 18?\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”6″ ][cs_content_seo]With the growing cost of college, the thought of financial support suddenly disappearing after a divorce can be daunting. There is some potentially good news.
The courts can and often do order child support to continue past age 18 to help supplement post-secondary education. You must, however, actually have a “child attending school.”\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_headline _id=”7″ ][cs_content_seo]Support Payments After The Child Turns 18\n\nCan Child Support Continue Past 18?\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]Child support generally ends once a child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever comes later. At this point, the government sees them as a legal adult, and they’re on their own.
Yet, realistically, for many parents, the cost of supporting a child after they turn 18 continues as they pack up and head to college or another form of continuing education. The expenses include tuition, books, and housing.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_headline _id=”9” ][cs_content_seo]What is a “Child Attending School”?\n\nSkip Ahead\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”10″ ][cs_content_seo]In Oregon, post-secondary support covers various educational endeavors for a “child attending school.” This includes GED programs, four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, and vocational schools.
The laws for post-secondary support vary from state to state. For instance, in Washington, the age of post-secondary support can extend to the age of 23. Alaska, however, prohibits judges from imposing any continuing educational support.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_quote _id=”11″ ][cs_content_seo]If you live in Oregon, support for a child attending school is required unless otherwise negotiated.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”12″ ][cs_content_seo]The court can order a parent to pay child support or to continue the support obligation until that child is 21 years old. Once the child turns 21, regardless if they remain in school, they are no longer eligible for support.
This doesn’t mean you can’t offer them support, but from a legal standpoint, you’re no longer obligated.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_headline _id=”13″ ][cs_content_seo]What are the Requirements for a Child Attending School?\n\nSkip Ahead\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”14″ ][cs_content_seo]Oregon has explicit guidelines to meet for a child attending school to qualify for and receive continued support. In order to be eligible:
The Oregon Child Support Program and the parent making payments must be notified of the intent to continue education before the child’s 18th birthday.
The child can’t be married or emancipated.
The child can’t be an active member of the military.
These are the main takeaways of the Oregon State requirements of eligibility. For more details, ORS 107. 108 outlines all the guidelines you must follow.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_headline _id=”15″ ][cs_content_seo]What is the Oregon Youth Authority?\n\nSkip Ahead\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”16″ ][cs_content_seo]If the child is a part of the Oregon Youth Authority, any and all reporting duties of the child attending school will be made by the OYA.
All payments will be distributed and dispersed by the Department of Justice and given directly to the child. Good cause must be presented to the court to have financial support distributed differently.
Related Reading: Common Child Support Questions Answered\n\n
[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_headline _id=”17″ ][cs_content_seo]Can You Modify the Existing Child Support Plan?\n\nSkip Ahead\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”18″ ][cs_content_seo]If either party wants to make modifications, you can amend the agreement as circumstances change.
As stated, in Oregon, support for a child attending school is mandatory unless otherwise negotiated. If one or both parents wish to modify the support order, the court will make these amendments. Though possible, this is often difficult.
In-Depth Reading: Child Support Modification: What You Need to Know\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_headline _id=”19″ ][cs_content_seo]What If My Child Quits School?\n\nSkip Ahead\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”20″ ][cs_content_seo]Support for a child attending school is only required if specific criteria are met and maintained. If the child quits school or no longer meets the requirements, the court no longer needs support. Attending school is, obviously, a key component, but there’s also more.
For the financial obligation to continue, the child must:
Enroll in an accredited institution and actively pursue their career goals.
Maintain good academic standing, as defined by the school.
Provide both parents full access to all academic records and grades.
Have a course load deemed no less than one-half of what the school determines to be full-time enrollment.
The time between graduation or completion of school and the beginning of the next scheduled term, semester, or course must not exceed four months.
No additional breaks have been taken, except those scheduled by the school.
Though it usually ends when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, child support can continue for educational purposes. This applies to college, vocational programs, and other educational settings, provided the child meets specific requirements. Laws and eligibility requirements vary from state to state, so research the regulations in your area.
Related Reading: Jurisdiction: Why Where You File Your Case Matters\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”21″ ][cs_element_layout_row_2 _id=”22″ ][cs_element_layout_column_2 _id=”23″ ][cs_element_layout_div _id=”24″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”25″ ][cs_content_seo]Recent Posts\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_button _id=”26″ ][cs_content_seo]See All\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_div][cs_element_layout_div _id=”27″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”28″ ][cs_content_seo]{{dc:post:title}}\n\n{{dc:post:publish_date}}\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_div][/cs_element_layout_column_2][/cs_element_layout_row_2][cs_element_image _id=”29″ ][cs_element_search_inline _id=”30″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”31″ ][cs_content_seo]Goldberg & Jones, PLLC\n\n111 SW Columbia St. Ste 1150
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 731-8888
(503) 731-9968 (fax)\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_image _id=”32″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”33″ ][cs_element_global_block _id=”34″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”35″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”36″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”37″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]