A big issue for separated or divorced parents is child support payments. The custodial parent (the parent that the child lives with a majority of the time) typically receives monthly payments from the noncustodial parent to contribute to certain expenses, including the child’s education. Some may wonder if that financial obligation continues throughout the child’s attendance at college or higher education. In Michigan, parents are not generally required to pay for their child’s college expenses. Read on for more information and reach out to an Oakland County child support lawyer for assistance and legal representation.
What Expenses Are Included in Child Support Agreements?
Child support payments in Michigan last under the child turns 18 years old and can include various line items. One thing to note is that child support obligations may last until the child turns 19 if they are still in high school and still living full-time with the custodial parent.
Some expenses that may be included in a Michigan child support agreement include the following.
- Childcare
- Education expenses
- Medical care
- Transportation
- Clothing
- Food
- Housing and household expenses
- Extracurricular activities
Although education expenses are included, that subject relates to preschool through high school education. Notably lacking from this list is college tuition.
Are Parents Required to Pay For College?
While some states can control a noncustodial parent’s higher education contribution, Michigan does not have the power to force a parent to pay for any amount of tuition or other college expenses. Whether two parents are married, separated, or divorced, neither one is required to financially support their child during college.
With that being said, parents can come up with their own agreement regarding their child’s higher education costs. If a college tuition provision is created it can be a great way to lay out the terms and conditions of each party’s financial obligation to their child’s college education. A college tuition provision should answer the following questions.
- Will one or both parents contribute to the child’s college expenses?
- How much funding will each parent provide? Are the parents willing to cover the entire cost of education or only some?
- What type of expenses will be covered? Will funding go only towards tuition or will it also include room and board, textbooks, supplies, etc.?
- Are there any conditions to the agreement that the child must meet? Will they have to maintain a certain grade point average or participate in extracurricular activities?
- Is the parents’ willingness to contribute financially dependent on the type of institution the child attends? Is it dependent on what they choose to study?
Ensure that the above topics and more are addressed to avoid conflict and confusion. When parents decide to draft an agreement on this matter they can work with professionals who can help determine what a fair amount of financial support will be. For example, an economic expert and skilled accountant may be beneficial to examine each parent’s financial situation and ability to pay.