Parents who divorce or separate while their children are still minors must share parental rights and responsibilities. They divide parenting time and legal authority. They each also have a degree of financial responsibility for their children.
Typically, child support in Indiana ends on a young adult’s 19th birthday. However, the teen may remain financially dependent on their parents for numerous years if they plan to attend college instead of immediately entering the workforce after graduation.
Choosing where a teen enrolls and assisting them with the financial obligations of college can put a lot of pressure on parents who share custody. Reaching an agreement in advance is often the best solution for a family.
Who makes the major college decisions?
A young adult enrolling in college is typically already 18 by the time they begin full-time post-secondary education. As such, they have total control over where they enroll. Their parents can potentially discuss their options with them and influence their choice. For example, encouraging a young adult who does not yet have a major in mind to attend community college before enrolling at a four-year school could be a cost-saving solution that does not derail their long-term plans.
Especially in scenarios where a young adult immediately intends to enter a four-year program at a college or university, parents may need to discuss the financial obligations of college. Indiana does establish support orders for young adults attending college.
These post-secondary support orders are somewhat different from traditional child support. They are less enforceable, which means that a cooperative agreement between the parents is often a better solution than litigating in pursuit of an order to help cover college costs.
Parents can reach an arrangement that is appropriate given the overall expenses the young adult might incur and the income of both parents. An agreed-upon arrangement in writing can provide financial clarity for the family and may limit opportunities for disputes about college costs in the future.
Parents concerned about paying for a young adult’s college education after a divorce may need assistance from an attorney familiar with Indiana’s child support rules. Sharing financial responsibilities for a college student is often the most practical and ethical solution for parents who share custody of a teenager with college ambitions.