Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Re: Child support after 18

You continue to pay support while he is enrolled in college unless the agreement is modified by the court. If the agreement says so, she would also pay college costs to the extent the agreement states

Re: Child support after 18

Without a copy of the agreement/order, it is difficult to give a definite answer. Usually, emancipation is defined in the agreement, and usually follows MA law in requiring continued support for a child enrolled full-time in a post-secondary school.

This is separate from paying college costs, in which agreeements usually require the student/child to get the most in grants, loans and scholarships before turning to the non-custodial parent for help. Most agreements also limit such payments to the financially ability of the non-custodial parent to do so. If your spouse's agreement does not have such a limit, it may be inferred by a judge anyway. Clearly you need to have me or another lawyer review all the documents and your spouse's financial situation to give you a specific answer to your situation.

Keep in mind also that if there has not been an increase in child support for several years, a court contest may result in an increase in support more devastating that the college costs.