Can a parent be held responsible for college expenses as part of a child support agreement?

In Massachusetts, a parent may be held responsible for college expenses as part of a child support agreement. This can only be done if the parents agree to it in writing. This is referred to as a “voluntary” agreement, meaning that both parties must have agreed to the arrangement in advance. If a voluntary agreement is not made, a court may still order a parent to pay for college expenses as part of the child support agreement. This is known as a “court-ordered” agreement. In this type of agreement, the court has the power to order parental contributions towards college costs. This is especially common in cases involving divorced or separated parents. In either type of agreement, the court will usually require the parents to contribute based on their respective incomes. The exact amount that is required is determined by the court on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that a court-ordered agreement is not a guarantee of full payment for a child’s college expenses, and the child may still be responsible for some of the costs. In Massachusetts, both voluntary and court-ordered agreements can be used to require a parent to help support a child’s college expenses. It is important for parents to discuss their options and responsibilities prior to signing any agreement.

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Can a parent be held responsible for college expenses as part of a child support agreement?

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