Full question:
I live in Colorado and my divorce was granted in Colorado. Both my ex-wife and estranged 20 year old daughter also live in Colorado. The divorce order requires that I pay for medical coerage for minor children and that I am responsible for a percentage of uncovered expenses. Do I still have an obligation to pay for my 20 year old estranged Daughter's uncovered expenses?
- Category: Divorce
- Subcategory: Child Support
- Date:
- State: Colorado
Answer:
In Colorado, child support typically ends when a child turns nineteen, unless specific conditions apply. These conditions include:
- Mutual agreement to continue support beyond nineteen.
- The child is mentally or physically disabled.
- The child is still in high school, in which case support continues until graduation.
- The child marries or enters military service, which leads to emancipation.
If your divorce order does not specify continued support for your estranged daughter beyond age nineteen, you may not be required to pay for her uncovered expenses. However, if there is a written agreement approved by the court for post-majority support, you may have obligations regarding her education or medical expenses. It's essential to review your divorce order and consult with a legal professional for specific guidance.
According to Colorado law, extraordinary medical expenses, which are uninsured costs exceeding two hundred fifty dollars per child per year, may be shared between parents based on their incomes (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-115). If your daughter is still eligible for support under any of the conditions mentioned, you may need to continue contributing to her medical expenses.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.