Do you still have to pay child support if the child goes to college in CT?

Asked by: Mr. Dimitri Muller  |  Last update: November 24, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (15 votes)

This bill permits judges and family support magistrates to order divorcing parents and fathers subject to paternity orders to support their offspring who enroll in accredited college or vocational programs after high school until they reach age 23.

Does child support continue through college in CT?

College and Higher Education

Connecticut family courts have the authority to mandate financial contributions from one or both parents towards the expenses of a child up to age 23, provided the child is a full-time student at a “post-secondary school,” such as college or a comparable educational program.

Can my ex make me pay for kids college?

The sad fact is, for your child, that neither you nor your ex are under any legal obligation to pay for your child's college education. Your child is on their own and will have to rely on your generosity and that of the father, because the court cannot enforce a clause that was not present in the MSA.

What is the cut off age for child support in CT?

When does the child support order end? A. Usually, the duty to support created by a child support order ends when the child is 18 years old.

Do I have to pay child support if my child drops out of school?

Of course you must pay child support, school or no school is totally irrelevant. Child support is paid until it has finished its education, including university education.

Do I Have To Pay Child Support If My Child Is In College?

30 related questions found

What happens if your child drops out of school?

High percentages of young dropouts are either not employed or are not even in the labor force. The rate of engagement in high-risk behaviors such as premature sexual activity, early pregnancy, delinquency, crime, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide has found to be significantly higher among dropouts.

Does child support continue if child goes to college in Ontario?

Yes, child support can continue after the age of 18 for a number of reasons (although it will depend on the circumstances). In fact, child support can continue into the university or college years, for example where the now-adult child is working towards getting a degree – and in some rare cases, even two degrees.

Does child support automatically stop in CT?

Typically, child support payments do not end automatically. The party who is required to make payments should consult with a Connecticut lawyer for information on how to stop child support in their specific case.

What is the average child support payment for one child in CT?

In Connecticut, like with most states, a non-custodial parent's child support obligation is calculated as a percentage of their total income compared to the needs of the child. Generally, this is 23% of your net weekly income for 1 child, 32% of your pay for 2 children, and 39% of your pay for 3 children.

How do I stop paying child support in CT?

To terminate child support, you must file a motion with the court and ask the court to complete the order. The court will consider all relevant factors, including the child's needs, the parents' incomes, and the parent's ability to support the child.

Can a divorced parent be forced to pay for college?

In the state of California, there is no law that makes it compulsory for divorced parents to pay for their child's college tuition. In most cases, child support payments will not cover your child's college education or other college-related expenses.

Is my ex husband responsible for my student loans?

California law (CA Family Code §2641) considers student loan debt to benefit the individual, meaning the person's education will continue to benefit them after the divorce, so the other spouse shouldn't have to continue to pay for that educational debt.

Is paying for my child's college considered a gift?

Direct Payment for Tuition to a College for a Student

Michael Barker: A direct payment to the college. Payments made directly from a person to an educational institution that are used for tuition, not room and board, just tuition, those payments are not deemed a taxable gift.

Do you still have to pay child support if the child goes to college in South Carolina?

End of Support: Child support in South Carolina generally ends when the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later. College Support: Unless agreed upon in a divorce agreement or by a court order, child support typically does not continue through college.

How many kids before child support stops?

"Nowhere in the world would you get a pass on child support if it is proven to be your child. You have a legal obligation no matter where you are, no matter how many children you have," she adds. "Your child is entitled to be supported.”

Do you still have to pay child support if the child goes to college in New York?

The law in New York requires the “non-custodial” parent to pay child support to the “custodial” parent until the child is 21 years old. This means the obligation to pay support often extends through some, if not all, of the time that the child is in college.

How much do most fathers pay for child support?

Most fathers can expect to pay between 15-25% of their gross income for one child, and the amount increases with additional children.

Do you have to pay child support if you have 50/50 custody in Connecticut?

In other words, even if a parent is awarded shared custody they may still have a child support obligation. Part of the misunderstanding probably lies in the wording of the Worksheet for Child Support Guidelines. The Worksheet simply states, “shared custody”, as a criterion to deviate from the Guidelines.

How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?

Using a standard calculation, an individual earning $1,000 a week might pay around $250 per month for one child, though this figure can vary significantly based on specific circumstances and local county guidelines.

Does child support continue through college in Connecticut?

In the state of Connecticut, courts are permitted to order divorced, separated or unmarried parents to financially support their children through college or some other form of post-high school education. This support can be mandated for up to four full academic years or until the child's 23rd birthday.

Can child support be waived in CT?

Can Child Support obligations be “waived” in Connecticut? Child Support is considered to be the right of the child. It cannot be waived.

Does remarriage affect child support in CT?

If you're paying child support, you won't be able to lower your payments just because you have a new spouse and family, or just because your ex has remarried. The Connecticut Supreme Court has held that either parent's remarriage, by itself, isn't a change of circumstances warranting a child support modification.

Do divorced parents have to pay for university in Canada?

Crucially, paying your child's tuition will only be compulsory if your child is still a “child of the marriage” as defined by the Divorce Act (Federal legislation), or simply a “child”, as defined by the Family Law Act (BC legislation).

Do you have to pay child support if you give up rights in Canada?

What if I don't have access to my child? No one can force you to spend time with your children, however, you cannot end your legal obligation to financially provide for your child even if you stop seeing the child or participating in decisions about the child's upbringing. Child support is the child's right.

What is the legal age a child can decide which parent to live with in Canada?

There is no specific age – such as 12 or 14 – when children get to decide who they will live with. Each child is unique, and their views are one factor that a judge will consider when deciding what parenting arrangement is in their best interests.