Montana child support payments are obligations you might have to your co-parent in order to share the economic burden of raising your children. The court might order these payments based on a variety of considerations, but college tuition is not likely to be one of them.
The reason for this is that your obligation to pay child support has an age limit. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, your payments in Montana should end when your child turns 18 or graduates high school — 19 at the latest. There are some exceptions to this rule, so please continue reading for more information.
One of the biggest exceptions to the college tuition rule is if you and your spouse make an agreement on the subject. These types of deals are legally binding when included in your final divorce papers — absent a modification, that is.
Negotiating for your children’s college education during divorce could help ensure that they have an opportunity to pursue higher education. There are a number of ways that you might be able to manage these payments, and the strategy should be based on your situation.
Another exception has to do with the age limit. In the case of disabled children, child support payments might not end at the age of 18. Your case may also have unique aspects that you should address.
There are many things to consider when planning for your child’s future. Even if you have friends or acquaintances who have gone through a divorce in Montana, please remember that your family is unique and deserves an individualized plan. By the same token, please do not use this article as legal advice. It is only meant as general information.