Paulette Hamilton | May 14, 2026 | Child Support Cases in Orlando
It’s natural to wonder how child support fits into the picture as your child starts thinking about college. Most commonly, this state of affairs applies to parents who are going through a divorce and who already have a support order in place. A lot of Florida parents assume that child support automatically extends to cover tuition, but that is not actually the case under state law. Our Orlando child support attorneys walk you through the details in this blog post.
The short answer is that Florida generally does not require parents to pay child support once a child reaches adulthood. That said, there are a few important exceptions and planning strategies worth knowing about before you make any decisions.
When Child Support Ends Under Florida Law
In Florida, child support obligations generally end when a child turns 18. Every child support order in the state is required to include a specific termination date; the default is the child’s eighteenth birthday.
However, there are two notable exceptions to this rule:
- Children still in high school at 18: If a child is on track to graduate before turning 19, support payments can continue until graduation day. However, a court cannot extend support past age 19 under these circumstances.
- Children with certain disabilities: If a child has a physical or mental condition that began before age 18 and prevents them from becoming self-sufficient, a court may order support to continue into adulthood.
Outside of those two situations, the court usually does not have the authority to require a parent to keep paying child support once the obligation has legally ended. That includes the entire period when a child may be attending college.
Can a Florida Court Order Parents To Pay for College?
In most cases, no. Florida courts generally cannot require parents to pay for a child’s college tuition or other higher education expenses after child support has ended. Unlike some states, Florida law does not automatically obligate parents to continue providing financial support simply because a child chooses to attend college.
That does not mean college expenses have to be left to chance, however. Parents who want to contribute toward their child’s education can reach an agreement regarding tuition and other costs during the divorce process and include those terms in their settlement.
How To Plan for College Expenses During a Divorce
Despite the fact that Florida law does not mandate child support for college-age children, parents still have the option to address these costs on their own terms. The best time to do this is during the divorce process itself and before any final agreements are signed.
If both parents agree in writing to contribute toward college expenses, the court can incorporate that agreement into the final order and make it legally enforceable.
Some things to think through when putting together this type of arrangement include:
- Deciding who will cover tuition and in what proportion
- Addressing room and board costs, as well as textbook and supply expenses
- Setting aside funds through a 529 savings plan or a Florida Prepaid College Plan
- Clarifying how long the agreement will last (for example, four years of undergraduate study or until the child earns a degree)
- Spelling out what happens if the child transfers to a different school or takes time off from their studies
These agreements tend to work best when both sides approach the conversation early and with clear expectations. If you wait until your child is already applying to schools, it becomes significantly harder to reach a fair resolution.
Contact the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers To Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With an Orlando Child Support Attorney
College is a major financial commitment; trying to plan for it in the middle of a divorce adds another layer of difficulty. If you have questions about how child support works in Florida or want to explore options for covering your child’s education expenses, an experienced family law attorney can walk you through what to expect and how best to protect your interests.
For more information, please contact the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers in Orlando, FL for a confidential consultation with our experienced Orlando child support lawyers.
Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers – Orlando
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About the Author
Paulette F. Hamilton is the owner and managing attorney at the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers in Orlando, Florida. She focuses exclusively on family law, handling complex matters involving divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and property division. Known for her personalized, client-first approach, Paulette takes the time to understand each client’s unique goals and challenges—delivering thoughtful guidance and strong advocacy when it matters most.
