For parents going through divorce, child support-related issues will often make up the bulk of concerns and a big portion of time. You need to understand how child support is determined in Florida, what an arrangement covers, and how to get a fair plan. One question you may ask is if child support pays for college tuition. According to College Tuition Compare, Florida students pay $3,891 for in-state residency and $15,494 for out-of-state. This is lower on average than most of the country. However, for most parents, it still is a significant expense. Child support looks different for every couple depending on numerous factors like the parent’s income paying support. This is why a parent needs to understand what support payments cover. Can you get child support for college students in Florida?
Does Tuition Fall Under Child Support in Florida?
Florida does not require parents to pay for their child’s college tuition. Child support is no longer eligible once the child turns 18. For most children, this negates the potential payment of college tuition. If you want to cover college costs in your divorce settlement, you must agree before the judge rules on your arrangement. This means you have to provide a written document that both parties sign. If no such record exists, the other parent has no obligation to assist in college expenses.
Child Support for College Tuition
Many parents want to know whether or not they also have to contribute to college tuition when paying for child support. According to College Tuition Compare, a Florida student can expect to pay $4,242 for in-state education per year and $16,535 for out-of-state tuition.
However, Florida state laws do not require a parent to pay child support to cover college tuition. This is mostly because child support orders end when the child turns 18. As most people will attend college after that age, it renders the provision of tuition aid moot.
Settling Tuition Costs in Advance
The best way of handling one parent paying for some of a child’s college tuition is to figure that out in advance. Agree to the divorce settlement itself before the judge finalizes it. The decision to legally bind both parties must be written down in a document that both parties then sign.
When you make this agreement, you should consider expenses besides tuition. For instance, the document can include books, housing, traveling expenses, and other potential costs. The payments can also come in many forms. For example, your spouse may not agree to any amount regardless of the price, but they might agree to a college fund to which you both make regular payments. College is one of the most expensive aspects of being a parent. If you want your ex-spouse to contribute to your child’s education beyond high school, you need to make that arrangement before the divorce concludes to make child support payments in Florida that accommodate these needs.
Additionally, it is possible to come up with numerous payment methods. For example, it is possible to set up a college fund that both parents contribute to over time.
For more information, contact a Tampa child support lawyer at our firm.
