“Does child support include higher education degrees for the children? I paid part of the college tuition for my daughter who graduated from college. I thought I was done with support, but now she is talking about going to law school . Do I have to pay for the second degrees too? “

This is an interesting topic that comes up in some divorce cases.

In most states, the obligation to support a child only lasts until the child becomes an adult (usually 18 years, but longer under special conditions). Some states allow parents, during divorce, to negotiate child support for a longer period of time.

Generally, secondary education is considered sixth through twelfth grade (middle school and high school). It would not be unusual for parents to be ordered to support their children during this period of time.

A college education is considered higher education, and parents are generally not required by law to pay for their children’s higher education. Similarly, parents are not responsible for the graduate education of their children.

To get an effective answer to your question, you should contact an attorney to review the specific language of your divorce decree and interpret it in light of negotiations with your ex-spouse and the law in your state. You may have already met your obligations under the support order.

You should contact an attorney licensed in your state to further discuss the details of your situation. Cordell & Cordell represents men in divorce cases across the country.