Anybody going through a divorce, whether they are in the military or not, wonders how long they will be tasked with paying child support. In many states, child support ends when a child turns 18. But what happens when there are special circumstances? Could you be forced to pay child support even after your child reaches the age of majority? These are questions you need to have the answers to before you start the divorce process.
Your Child Is Mentally or Physically Disabled
Many states have laws that require a parent to provide child support until the child's 18th or 21st birthday, but a child who is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves may require additional funds and care. A diagnosis of autism, anxiety disorder, OCD, or bipolar disorder could mean that your child is considered disabled. They may require financial support for much longer. The issue could be up to the court's discretion if the other parent brings up the issue to a judge.
Your Child Is Attending School
If your child is attending college, the court may determine that you are still responsible for paying their expenses. The judge may decide that the child relies on your support to get through school and complete their education. If the other parent is already contributing to college tuition or living expenses, the court may decide that you need to contribute as well. Each case is different, so ensure that you speak with a professional about the issue first.
Who Gets the Money?
One of the biggest concerns among parents who pay child support is who the money will support. If you have a child over the age of 18, you may feel strange sending the money to the other parent. This is an issue you can bring up with the courts. You might be able to arrange to make payments to your child or directly to the school he or she attends.
What Should You Do?
One of the first things you should do if you are going through a divorce is to hire a divorce lawyer. All divorces can be complicated, so it makes sense that military divorces can become even more complicated. Make sure to discuss the prospect of paying child support, spousal maintenance, and other fees to your spouse. You should never try to go to court alone, especially when your finances are on the line.
Share13 December 2019
When I started my first small business, I had no idea how much I really didn’t know. I was fully prepared to deal with customers, sell product and even handle complaints and returns. What I wasn’t aware of was that there is so much more to it. I was lacking the legal expertise to protect the company and myself. I wanted others to benefit from my experience, mistakes and lessons learned, so I started this blog. From employment law to the legal business contracts you’ll have to sign when you form partnerships, business law is complex. I hope that the information here will help you to be better prepared when you start your business so that you’ll know when you need to call an attorney and when you can handle things yourself.
