How can I obtain college support for my daughter?

Q: How do I extend my child support past 18 in Washington state?

To extend child support past 18 in Washington state, you must petition the court for post-secondary educational support. This can be done if your divorce decree allows for support until the child is 23. The court will consider factors such as the child's educational needs and parents' resources when making a decision.

Full question:

In my divorce decree, it states: POST SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT--The court shall maintain jurisdiction up to age 23 persuant to RCW 26.19.090 to determine parental contribution for payment of the children's college expenses. My oldest daughter (there are 3 children) is now 17 and will be a Sr in High School next year. We have planned for all 3 children to attend college, but only have this note in the decree. What do I do to get this thing going and get an order for college support?

Category: Divorce
Subcategory: Child Support
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Washington

Answer:

In some states, courts can order support beyond the age of majority, known as post-majority support. You may need to petition the court to modify the existing support order to include college expenses. If the court finds it appropriate, it can replace the current child support order with one that covers your child's educational costs.

According to Washington law (RCW 26.19.090), the court must consider several factors when deciding on postsecondary educational support. These factors include the child's age, needs, and academic standing, as well as the parents' resources and the support the child would have received if the parents had stayed together. The child must enroll in an accredited institution and maintain good academic standing to receive support.

Additionally, the court may require that support payments be made directly to the educational institution or, if not feasible, to the child or the custodial parent. Support generally cannot extend beyond the child's twenty-third birthday unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as disabilities.

For assistance, consider consulting with a family law attorney who can guide you through the process of obtaining the necessary court order.

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.

FAQs

Does child support continue through college in Washington state?

In Washington state, child support can continue through college under certain conditions. The court may order post-secondary educational support, which allows parents to contribute to their child's college expenses until the child turns 23. This support is contingent upon the child enrolling in an accredited institution and maintaining good academic standing. It's important to petition the court for this support if it is not already specified in the divorce decree.

Which states allow child support through college?

Several states allow child support to extend through college, often referred to as post-majority support. States like New York, New Jersey, and Washington have provisions for parents to contribute to their children's college expenses. However, the specifics can vary by state, so it's crucial to check local laws and court rulings regarding post-secondary support.

At what age do you stop paying child support in Washington state?

In Washington state, child support typically ends when a child turns 18, unless they are still in high school. However, support can continue for college expenses until the child reaches 23 if specified in the court order. Parents may need to petition the court for post-secondary educational support to ensure contributions for college costs.

What is post-secondary child support in Washington state?

Post-secondary child support in Washington state refers to financial contributions parents may be required to make for their children's college education after they turn 18. Under RCW 26.19.090, the court can maintain jurisdiction to determine support for educational expenses until the child turns 23, provided the child is enrolled in an accredited institution and meets academic requirements.

Does child support continue during college?

Yes, in some cases, child support can continue during college. In Washington state, parents may be ordered to provide financial support for their child's college education until the child turns 23. This support is contingent upon the child attending an accredited institution and maintaining good academic standing, as determined by the court.