A divorce can be rough, not only for you but also for your children. It doesn’t matter whether they are still too young or old enough to understand. Divorce affects children, no matter what. The division of expenses is one of the biggest factors during a divorce. This is especially in the part of the custodial parent. These expenses may cover day-to-day living costs, education, and other activities as the children grow up.
Parents are only required to pay child support until their children reach their 18th birthday or until they graduate high school, whichever comes later. Parents cannot be forced to pay their children’s college education for their 18-year-old and above children.
Filing a College Support Order
Shouldering the costs of your children’s future college education can be burdensome if you do it alone. With the skyrocketing costs of higher education in America, there is something you can do about it.
As a parent, think ahead and include a college support order in your final decree of divorce. You can be as detailed as possible with the written agreement. This won’t be hard to petition because the Texas Family Courts always favor what is in your children’s best interests. That includes their physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being.
When developing the college support order, it is important to take into account the following:
- Costs for tuition
- Transportation
- Room and board
- Medical or dental fees
- Academic materials
- General living expenses
- Monthly allowance
- Other extracurricular activities that your children may take part in
You can also discuss what schools or universities you and your ex-spouse can afford and include it in the mediation.
Modification of Existing Child Support Agreements
If the final decree of Divorce has already been finalized and no college support order has been filed. There may be a small chance you can get your ex-spouse to pay for your child’s college tuition. Modifying your existing child support agreements. This option is for when you and your ex-spouse got divorced when your children are still too young to worry about their college education.
For that, you’ll have to consult an attorney and follow through with a court hearing to finalize what you and your ex-spouse will infinitely agree upon. In any case, you have to think about what’s best for your children, despite breaking off an emotionally romantic relationship with their other parent.
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