http://www.illinoisdivorce.com/family_law_articles/child_support_and_college.php

I always thought child support ended when a kid turns 18. A friend told me now that judges are requiring divorced fathers to also pay for a kids college. Now I believe parents should do what they can for kids but there has to be an end to ball and chain. The old joke of 18 year financial nightmare may not be true. It could be a 25 to 30 year nightmare.

I have to pay until my son gets out of High School, which is 6 months after he turns 18.

In most European countries and most South American countries I know, the man has to pay child support until the kid finishes college as well. I think there is an upper limit (i.e. 25 or something like that). I have never heard of this requirement in the US as well... at least my kid is a little lazy and is only going to a community college to begin with, so it won't be too expensive :-)

I was ordered to pay any college education fees for my three sons by the judge in my California divorce almost 20 years ago. Not a new law it would seem.

Requirements to support college costs are common, and have been so for many years. Me, I don't see why that should be an issue. The kid is still your kid, right? Just because the wife and husband didn't keep it together is no reason to screw over the kids. Most divorced fathers I know don't have a problem with supporting college costs. At least you know that's not cash the ex is siphoning off.

Agreed - I have every intention on helping pay for college even without a court order. But being required and doing it voluntary are two different things. Doing it voluntary you keep the control, plus you can plan it around your own financial situation versus being ordered and told by a judge what you need to pay.

Given there is no legal requirement that one pays for his childrens' college education while still married, it seems a bit absurd for a judge to order a man to do this once he is divorced.

That is actually a pretty good arguement as well! My parents did not have the money to send me to college, which I ended up paying for myself by working a full time job and going at night time.

(Message edited by lovingmarvin on August 17, 2009)

So I am not divorced, and do no want to pay for my kids to go college.

Should my kids be able to sue me?

If kids from married families cannot sue their parents, why should kids from divorced parents be able to sue their parents?





mm

Well, the kids are not technically suing their parents. That's not what child support amounts to. Child support is the court's attempt to assure as best as possible that the kids not get screwed in the deal. Courts end most forms of support at age 18 or so, but now that a college education is for all practical purposes "the new high school diploma," courts are very often including support for college--should the child choose to attend--in the support order, or amending the order as the child gets close to college age.

True, parents who are married can jointly decide not to pay for their kids to go to college. But once a coupe divorces, they may disagree on such an issue. Since the court can't know how that will play out in the future, the court will err on the side of supporting the kids to continue their educations.

This is quite interesting, and disturbing. 18 is the age of majority in this country. As of this age, one is no longer a minor or "child" but legally an "adult." There is no legal requirement that parents pay for college, buy cars, or give money for downpayments on houses, among other things.

They are required to provide adequate shelter, food, and seek medical care when necessary (obviously can't require them to "provide" health insurance in this country).

Yet judges are now forcing divorced fathers to pay for a college education? What is the legal basis for ordering that? It doesn't matter how important a college education is these days - the kid is 18. An adult. Might as well require the purchase of their first car, because everyone needs one to get around, and buy their first house, because they have to live somewhere after they move out, don't they?

I wonder how many of these types of orders were fought and overturned by higher courts?

I'm not a father, but I'm sure most fathers want to help their kids out. But as I get older and wiegh the risks of marriage and child rearing it seems to start being insurmountable. For instance a man gets married and has kids young in his 20's he still has a couple of good years in him after the kids are gone. A man getting married and having kids in his late 30's or 40's is taking on a commitment that will not be legally ended until after his is possibly dead.

What if your kids don't talk to you? Even when you are nice to them. Why should I have to pay for a kid that does not like me?

I went to a state college. Why should I have to pay for a kid to go to Harvard?

Other kid does not want to go to college. Is paying $250,000 for one to go to college and the other gets nothing fair?

What if the kids flunks out, is he gping to repay me?

Just so you know, I helped my kids in college, but if I was not getting along with them, I still don't see why I should have to pay.

I don't see why I should have to pay for a better class education then I got!

So if you kid does not go to college, will he / she be allowed to sue you to set you up in business? How much should the get for their business?

I think we would like to help our kids, but as Jimmy Carter once said, "The world is not fair."

If your ex is nice to you, and you get along with your kids, you will prpbably help, BUT I CANNOT AGREE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE TO BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR A KIDS COLLEGE.

MM

Most people who have kids want the best for their children. They will do what they can to help them get a head start in life. They do this out of love, not out of a sense of obligation.