Child Support for post-secondary education

[sjp]

I hope you don't mind me posting this question again. I did post on the introduction site and would like some more opinions before deciding how best to proceed.

My 20 year old daughter will be starting university full-time this September and living away from home during the school year. My current home is her permanent address. Our 16 year old son is living with me. My spouse has stated he is willing to pay child support as per the guidelines for our son, but is only willing to pay child support for our daughter during the months she may be living at home (ie: summers). Is he required to pay child support for her even if he doesn't want to pay it to me and pays it directly to her? My hope is that we can stay in our family home until my son completes highschool.

 

[NBDad]

Unless you have an agreement otherwise, then yes, usually child support for a child pursuing post secondary education is continued until they finish at least one program/degree.

He is also responsible for a proportional share of the costs of her education. You MAY want to suggest that instead of placing him on the hook for CS + a share of education, that he instead pay the CS amounts directly to her as his "share" of the education costs.

That way it gives your daughter some financial room, AND makes you look reasonable if he refuses and you go to court over it.

 

[LostFather]

Unless you have an agreement otherwise, then yes, usually child support for a child pursuing post secondary education is continued until they finish at least one program/degree.

He is also responsible for a proportional share of the costs of her education. You MAY want to suggest that instead of placing him on the hook for CS + a share of education, that he instead pay the CS amounts directly to her as his "share" of the education costs.

That way it gives your daughter some financial room, AND makes you look reasonable if he refuses and you go to court over it.

I have to wonder that if the daughter has taken out a loan covering tuition and housing, which would from what I see from my step daughter, covers food as well. Would there be the need to continue the CS for 9 or 10 months of the year? Could he ask for a variance? I mean the CS is to provide a roof and food etc, so if that is now being covered at university, then I wonder if there could be an argument made?