Receiving child maintenance once child has gone to university ?

[Bernie54]

Hi, can I ask if anyone still receives child maintenance from their ex once the child has gone to university ?

My Daughter (18) goes to university in September, she lives full time with me atm, and will stay with me when she returns for the holidays. Our original maintenance agreement states to pay until 2028, with regular reviews etc.

AIBU to expect this to continue? At least in the holidays anyway? Anyone else in this situation. For context I’m a low earner. He is not.

It’s not enforceable after 18 however parents can come to any arrangement they want. My exh paid until the kids had both left university but amounts changed depending on whether he paid directly for things

It’s normal for maintenance to the other parent to stop. Some parents contribute to uni living costs however they see fit, some don’t.

When I went to uni my dad gave me money directly. During the holidays when I was at home I passed that on to my mum as keep.

Thank you I will do that

Why are you teaching your son that familial relationship only counts for money and that he should be supported as an adult?

That sounded reasonable 😊

But it’s far from amicable, correct?

I don’t know what you mean?

Clever….

You stopping work should have been reflected in your divorce settlement. Wasn’t it?

Yes hence maintenance payments to continue until 2028

That doesn’t stop her being an adult. She will be entitled to benefits according to her disability if she is unable to work. Parental support for children ends when they leave full time eduction (in terms of benefits and child maintenance). From now on they are expected to fund their own life via whatever means are open to them

I’d assume he will look to pay your daughter directly and terminate interaction with you on financial matters

How old are you now OP and are you in a position to look for higher paid employment?

Full loan and PIP she has more than many students. Legally he doesn’t have to pay maintenance unless at college, but he may choose to continue until she is working. But if he doesn’t, nothing you can do.

when I was divorced we agreed, and wrote into the official agreement, that exH would pay until DD left full time education. In practice, I told him to send it directly to her once she went to university - but I could afford to keep the home for her to come back to in the holidays without it. Not everyone could.

I’m 54 if I did a return to nursing course I wouldn’t get paid plus it was mental health nursing, I couldn’t cope with that now. I work full time hours and I just don’t know where to start with getting a better job. Pathetic I know! My ex destroyed me emotionally

Moral obligations and legal obligations are very different.
He won’t have to pay. He might choose to, but he doesn’t have to.

Presumably he wants his child to be appropriately housed, fed and watered during holidays? Why is it the sole responsibility of the OP to sort this for their joint child?

Exactly my point. Thank you

My cousin had some kind of legal agreement where all her children received maintenance whilst in education, including further education.

If your daughter has an EHCP and is autistic, she may well be entitled to claim additional benefits while studying at University. I would look into this.

If she’s getting PIP and you’re both planning on sending her money, that should be more than enough? Will she be getting a part time job?

As an adult it will be expected that your daughter support herself, either:

• through work

Or

• if her needs are too great for her to manage full time work, possibly via benefits.

Your ex- husband will not be required to provide any financial support to you. If you end up supporting her as an adult and can't afford to - she may have to contribute to your rent/bills etc from her own wages or benefits.

Presumably he wants his child to be appropriately housed, fed and watered during holidays? Why is it the sole responsibility of the OP to sort this for their joint child?

Most students work during holidays, i know quite a few who don't have a bedroom to come home to and stay in their university town, or are off travelling around.