Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

I have 2 daughters now aged 16 and 18. I had full custody until about 6 months ago when they decided to try living with their dad. We went to court and we now have joint custody. My ex owes me 15,000.00 in back support. When we went to court the judge ordered he still pay me 300.00 a month and then they deduct 50.00 a week for him for my support for the girls. Now my daughter that is 18 will be graduating in February from high school and has informed me she will no longer be coming to my house for my parenting time. I would like to know if I still have to pay support for her and if I still get my parenting time. I was told if she went to college that I had to pay support until she was 21. But don't I still have parenting time rights? She just called and told me that she was going to get a full time job so she could save to go to college. How does this work for me to either stop paying support or keep my parenting time???? I appreciate any information you can give me. Thanks in advance.


Asked on 1/31/10, 10:50 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jay Rigdon Rockhill Pinnick LLP

Parenting time can not be ordered for a child over 18. If she is not willing to see you or talk to you at all, that can affect your potential liability for college expenses, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. Your best bet to maintaion your relationship with your daughter is to recognize that she has a measure of independence now and work to maintain contact on a voluntary basis, as opposed to a set period of days, hours, etc.

None of this affects child support for a child still at home, dependent and attending college under age 21.

Good luck.

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Answered on 2/05/10, 11:35 am


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