Are parents required to support a child while in college?

In California, parents are not legally required to support a child while in college. However, if they have an obligation to do so, it is the responsibility of the courts to decide who should pay for the child’s college education and what amount of support should be provided. When making a decision about college expenses and support, California courts must consider a variety of factors. These include the financial circumstances of both parents, the educational expenses of the child, the current and potential earning capabilities of the child, and the lifestyle the child would have if their parents remain together. It is important to note that the court will not necessarily order one parent to provide the entirety of the college support. Depending on the circumstances presented to the court, one parent may be ordered to pay a certain portion of the child’s college expenses and the other parent may be ordered to pay the rest. In California, both parents have the responsibility to pay for and support the child’s education until the child reaches the age of 18 or completes high school. Even if parents are separated or divorced, they are both responsible for the education of their child. However, this obligation stops once the child reaches the age of 18 or completes high school. At that point, the parents are no longer legally obligated to support the child while in college.

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Are parents required to support a child while in college?

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