Are parents required to support a child while in college?

In the state of Washington, parents are typically required to support their child until the child turns 18, or graduates high school, whichever comes later. If the child is accepted into college, then the question of parental support becomes more complicated. Generally, Washington’s child support statutes do not provide an obligation to support a child while attending college. However, if the parents have explicitly provided for college tuition in a divorce agreement, or in the event that the parents both elect to voluntarily pay for their child’s college education, then they are obligated to fulfill that promise. Moreover, if a family court judge finds that the child is an emancipated minor (for example, if the child is self-supporting, married, in the military, or living away from home), then the court may require that the parents pay for some portion of the child’s college tuition. If parents can demonstrate a financial hardship, the court may reduce or suspend the parental support obligation. In sum, parents in Washington are typically not required to support a child while attending college, unless they have agreed to do so in a divorce agreement or at their own discretion. However, the court may compel them to provide for the child’s college education if the child is emancipated or if the parents can demonstrate a financial hardship.

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Are parents required to support a child while in college?

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