Can Child Support Be Extended into College?

When parents get divorced or legally separated, the non-custodial parent becomes responsible for providing child support to meet the child’s basic necessities. The confusion about child support for college-going children is one subject that commonly comes up. As a result, many parents worry if child support may be used to cover the cost of college education.

Keep reading to learn what family law solicitors say about college expenses and child support.

What Is The Purpose Of Child Support Payments?

Child support payments are often established to ensure that separated or divorced parents are working together to help their child’s well-being and development.

The parents may decide to discuss this privately or otherwise; the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) often determines it.

Since the resident parent is responsible for caring for the child’s daily well-being and expense, the non-custodial parent will be required to pay the resident parent a certain portion of their monthly wages. However, the payments will be less if the non-custodial parents also take care of the child for more than two or three days each week. And also, when a kid spends the night with a non-custodial parent, the weekly child support payment is decreased by one-seventh for such occasion.

When Does Child Support Stop?

Law requires parents to support their children until they reach the age of sixteen. Once a child reaches this age, it is now up to them to determine what to do. If your child continues to attend a non-advanced full-time education that is no higher than the A-level equivalent, your maintenance payments will continue until your child graduates or reaches the age of 20. The law was revised in 2013 to mandate that all UK children complete their education up to the age of eighteen.

However, if your child changes their mind and chooses to pursue employment rather than pursuing higher education, CMS payment will end.

The order may still be in effect if the non-custodial parent declines to continue providing financial support via a voluntary arrangement. The child’s time at higher education institutions may be covered if the custodial parent applies for child support to the court. However, you must submit an application before the child becomes 18 for this to be legally valid.

Before your child turns eighteen, you should look into the option of continuing child maintenance to avoid any gaps in payments that can be deemed unlawful. Family law solicitors in Wembley can determine if they will still be eligible for child support payments. Make an appointment by calling 020-3417-3700.

You can also reach out for legal advice in case of judicial separation or expert divorce solicitors in Wembley Middlesex.