Do you still have to pay child support in Massachusetts if you are a full time student?

Answer 1

Just because you choose to go to school doesn't mean your child needs diapers or food any less or that the child's custodial parent should suddenly be forced to bear the entire financial burden.

Being a full-time student does not, in itself, exempt one from child support. A full-time student with little or no income/assets will not ordinarily be ordered to pay child support; however, the court may order the student to seek employment.

If you weren't a full time student at the time the court ordered you to pay child support and subsequently become one, you can go back to court and attempt to have the original order modified. The court may modify the orders to reduce the amount you have to pay, or they may decide you should still be able to afford the full original amount of child support (even if this requires you to get a job in addition to/instead of going to school).

Answer 2

child support, is for the support of children (most states agree this is under age 18)

and support usually continues thru the school year of that birthday. most states agree

support for adults attending higher education is encouraged, but it is voluntary and child support obligations are ended when the minor reaches majority.

Answer 3

The bottom line is "yes."

If there is a court order or custody agreement or whatever other legal document specifies that you must pay child support, then you must pay child support.

There's no automatic "oh, unless" clause (well, other than your own death; technically this may not remove the obligation, but at the very least it puts you beyond the reach of any consequences of not paying).

A court may be willing to modify the amount of child support if your circumstances change significantly, but until a court actually does modify the agreement, you must abide by the original one.

So, if you've recently become a full time student, then talk to a lawyer about having the order modified. Until that happens, keep making the payments.

Answer 4

It depends on the state where you reside. Most cases the child does need to be enrolled in a certain number of credit hours to receive child support benefits.

Answer 5

The courts have the final say in this matter, but they recognize that going into arrears due to inability to pay is not appropriate.