Q. I was divorced two years ago and have an 18-year-old daughter named Lucille with my ex-wife, Alberta.  Alberta remarried last year, adopted a 5-year-old child with her new husband and no longer working so she can be home for that child. Lucille is graduating high school in June of 2026 and going to college on a partial athletic scholarship.  Her school does not guarantee on-campus housing, so Lucille may need to live off campus.

Will the child support I pay Alberta change when Lucille goes to college? Will the fact that she left her job to care for her adopted child matter? How is it determined what each of us pay for Lucille’s apartment if she does not get housing?

A. Because Alberta made a choice to adopt a child and then quit her job, income can be attributed to her at her prior level so that the financial responsibility for her choices with her new family do not trickle down to your wallet. Once a child goes off to college, child support, if any paid at that time, is up to the discretion of the judge hearing your case if you cannot reach an agreement.  Also, when parents are paying for college, many circumstances warrant a reduction and/or elimination of child support.

Housing itself is generally considered an expense of going to college.  She should certainly try to get housing or else consider a different school where housing is an option.  If she is set on a school with no housing and you and Alberta are supportive of her choice, you should try to agree on how to pay for it. Off-campus housing can be paid out of 529 accounts if you have one.  If not, it should be shared in the same proportion as other college expenses.

There are other things you need to consider with off-campus housing, however. Which one of you is going to co-sign the lease for Lucille? If Lucille stays in the apartment all year round, it would make sense to eliminate child support.  Sometimes parents agree on an amount to send directly to the child each month to buy food and other necessities in lieu of traditional child support.

You and Alberta should try to agree now on how you will share expenses and, if you are at an impasse, file a complaint for modification with the court sooner rather than later.

Email questions to whickey@brickjones.com