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Child supportCollege

Does child support end at 18? What about college?

CAdeepwater1 month ago

My oldest is 17. Does support stop on her birthday?

1 reply

✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first

Daniel Okafor avatarDaniel OkaforVerified Attorney1 month ago

In CA, child support continues until the child turns 18 OR graduates high school, whichever is LATER (up to age 19). College is not court-orderable in CA — unlike some states, judges cannot require divorced parents to pay college tuition past age 18/19 absent a written agreement. If you want college covered, negotiate it into the judgment now while there's leverage. Common structure: each parent pays a percentage capped at a CSU/UC in-state cost equivalent.

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Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.