Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
my daughter is 21 years old, and thinking of taking a semester off from school, does my child support stop ? for how long ?
3 Answers from Attorneys
The answer to your question depends on the wording of the court order that compels you to pay child support. If you are divorced and have a separation agreement, then you need to read the language used. If not, then you need to read the court judgment.
Here's the law: "The court may make appropriate orders of maintenance, support and education for any child who has attained age twenty-one but who has not attained age twenty-three, if such child is domiciled in the home of a parent, and is principally dependent upon said parent for maintenance due to the enrollment of such child in an educational program, excluding educational costs beyond an undergraduate degree."
� if the child isn't attending for a semester, the paying parent can petition the court to at least suspend the child support obligation while the child is not enrolled.