How Maryland Courts Handle College Expenses After Child Support Ends

Even though child support is considered a legal duty up until the child turns 18 in Maryland, for some parents, it is not the only monetary issue that will be discussed when the child reaches adulthood. Most commonly, separated parents inquire about their obligation to contribute towards their child’s college tuition when child support payments stop.

When does child support typically end in Maryland? 

In Maryland, most child support cases terminate when the child reaches the age of 18. If the child is attending high school, however, the responsibility for child support can last until the child turns 19. The jurisdiction of the court regarding child support typically stops when the child either graduates from high school or turns 19.

It is common for parents to believe that child support also covers college education. This, however, is not the case; the Maryland courts have no power to force parents to cover the cost of their child’s college education.

Agreements about college expenses matter 

There is a possibility that there could be certain provisions included by the parents voluntarily that address potential future expenses related to college tuition.

When such provisions are made in a written legal agreement between the spouses, it becomes easy for Maryland courts to enforce them. If, for instance, the parents’ settlement agreement clearly states that each parent would be responsible for 50 percent of the college tuition, then the courts would make sure that it was enforced.

On the other hand, without such an agreement, the courts cannot compel a parent to pay any college fees in the future.

What counts as college expenses 

Costs associated with college tuition may not be limited to tuition fees only. There could be disagreements among parents on which expenses fall under the current agreement. Some typical disagreements include:

• Residence on campus or residence off campus
• Meal plans
• Books and equipment
• Costs of transportation
• Study tours/programs
• Public colleges vs private colleges
• Graduate education costs

Since there are likely disagreements, having well-crafted agreements is crucial. Ambiguous terms can result in misunderstandings leading to litigation.

Modifying existing agreements 

In some cases, parents might have experienced dramatic financial changes prior to their child’s entry into college. This could arise due to the parent being fired from their job, an illness, getting remarried, and so forth. Whether the modification will be permitted depends largely on the language used in the contract.

Some contracts stipulate that it is not modifiable, while other contracts make provisions for modifications based on specific conditions. If you reside in Maryland, you should contact a family law attorney.

Planning ahead can prevent future conflict 

It is easy for college expenses to be a source of serious stress for separated or divorced parents. If possible, addressing the issues at an early stage can help prevent problems in the future. Some topics to discuss include:

• Percentage contributions
• Expense limits
• School choice
• Academic qualifications
• Scholarships
• Financial aid deadlines

Talk to a Bel Air, MD, Family Law Attorney Today 

Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered, represent the interests of Bel Air, MD, parents during custody disputes. Call our Bel Air family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your case right away.