Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

My step daughter will be 18 in December. We been paying child support and yesterday received a letter from DOR saying that child support will continue till she is out of college or year 2015. Can we stop earlier or transfer the payments to her directly?


Asked on 7/20/10, 7:00 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

You cannot stop earlier, you may if you have good and legally sufficient reasons be able to make the payments to her.

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Answered on 7/20/10, 10:51 am
Leila J. Wons Law Office of Leila J. Wons

Absent a court order or explicit provision in your Separation Agreement stating that child support will end when she turns 18, you must pay child support until she is emancipated. In Massachusetts, emancipation occurs at age 21 if the child is still financially dependent on the parent, or until 23 if she is enrolled in a full-time post-secondary education program. To discuss your options further, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Leila J. Wons

McGowan Legal

316 Main Street, Suite 500

Worcester, MA 01608

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Answered on 7/20/10, 11:15 am


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