By Emily J. Barry
Cordell & Cordell Indiana Divorce Lawyer
The presumptive age for termination for a non-custodial parent to pay child support in Indiana will be lowered, in most cases, to 19, effective July 1. Prior to July 1, Indiana’s support obligation continued until age 21.
Additionally, child support was treated as an obligation distinguishable from post-secondary (or college) expenses, meaning, that while child support may be eligible to be lowered for a non-custodial parent based on college expenses, if possible, a non-custodial parent may also be ordered to contribute to college expenses.
Now, the Indiana legislature has modified the child support obligation portion of a non-custodial parent’s duty to financially support their children above the age of majority.
A non-custodial parent may also be obligated to provide educational needs. However, the time frame is more limited for a child (or custodial parent) to petition the court for the child's "educational needs."