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Thousands of parents in Texas pay for their children to attend private schools each year, while other families also bear the cost of sending their kids to college. When these couples split up and divorce, paying for education expenses can be a point of contention.
It is important to understand how child support and education expenses in Austin interact. In general, these payments may be used to cover far more than just basic needs. An experienced child support attorney from our firm could answer your questions on how these funds may be spent.
Child support is designed to provide for a variety of expenses for children of unmarried or divorced parents, starting with their basic needs. It pays for the cost of clothing, food, and housing, among other things. Another key expense related to children is their education. However, the law does not specify the extent of what a parent owes.
Texas provides taxpayer-funded public schools, allowing young people to receive an education without any direct cost to the family. However, many parents opt to send their kids to private or religious schools instead of publicly funded options.
While the law does not specifically mention the cost of private school, judges often include these expenses when determining an appropriate award. It is not uncommon for issues involving educational expenses and child support in Austin to result in disputes during the divorce process. Some couples are able to reach an agreement on the amount of child support paid to the custodial parent, including the cost of private school. However, when an agreement cannot be reached, the court will ultimately decide.
In addition to the cost of private primary or secondary school, these payments may also be used to cover expenses related to daycare. It is helpful to remember that child support payments can be used to cover far more than just the bare necessities like clothing or food. These resources commonly cover educational expenses, and that is not limited to paying for high school or college.
In fact, the courts will take into account all of the relevant factors when determining what an appropriate award may be. This includes evaluating daycare and other educational expenses in Austin before setting child support amounts. The duty to cover these costs extends to young children who are not old enough for school.
Unlike daycare and private school, judges will not include the cost of college or university in child support obligations. This is because the duty to make these payments ends at the age of 18 or the day a person graduates high school—whichever comes later.
That said, the courts will enforce voluntary agreements made by the parties regarding the cost of college. They can also resolve disputes over terminating or amending these agreements.
There are complex issues to consider when it comes to child support and education expenses in Austin. If you are going through a divorce or involved in a custody dispute, now is the time to discuss your options with a lawyer at Kimbrough Legal. Call today to schedule a consultation.
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