Post-Majority Educational Support in CT

What are Educational Support Orders?

In the state of Connecticut, courts are permitted to order divorced, separated or unmarried parents to financially support their children through college or some other form of post-high school education. This support can be mandated for up to four full academic years or until the child’s 23^rd birthday. The courts are only permitted to impose this requirement on parents if it is deemed that this support would more than likely have been available if the family unit would have remained intact.

If the courts find that educational support would have been provided, a judge will consider the following factors when making a decision:

1. The parents’ financial standing
2. The child’s need for financial support to attend school
3. The child’s access to financial aid
4. The child’s commitment and preparedness for higher education
5. Any relevant factors about the child’s chosen school

Parents are given the right to discuss and agree on which institution their child will attend before these orders are made. If parents choose not to pursue this type of order as a part of their child support arrangement, the courts will allow parents to waive this right under the condition that they know the consequences and are informed that a modification cannot be sought at a later date.

What Obligations Does a Student Have?

In order for a student to receive post-majority educational support payments from their parents, they must adhere to several requirements throughout the duration of their benefits. If any of these requirements are violated, the student will lose their benefits the following academic period.

A student must do the following:

1. Enroll at least half-time in an accredited college or vocational institution
2. Remain in good academic standing
3. Make academic records available to the parents, including grades

It is important to note that a child does not have the right to sue their parents in search of educational support and that these benefits do not extend past undergraduate studies.

Consult with a Top-Rated New Haven Family Lawyer

If you are a parent looking to seek an educational support order from your spouse as a part of your child support arrangement, it is imperative that you retain the services of a highly skilled attorney to maximize your chances of securing the results you need. At Goldblatt, Marquette & Rashba, PC, our award-winning Hamden attorneys have more than 60 years of collective legal experience and can use their extensive knowledge to guide you through this complex legal process. With our team of compassionate and trial-tested lawyers by your side, your case is sure to be in excellent hands.