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Can I pay Child support directly to child who is over 18

Can I have my child support payments made straight to my child when she turns 18?

Editor's Response

I talked to an attorney who knows much more about family law than I do, and she believes that family courts in Massachusetts would not allow that arrangement.  The right to child support belongs to the custodial parent, not to the child him or herself.  Admittedly, paying child support to the other parent when the child has reached the age of majority may seem counter-intuitive.  Nevertheless, the right of the other parent to child support continues from 18-23 as long as the child is domiciled with that parent and principally dependent on that parent due to attending high school or college full time (a child will still be considered domiciled with the other parent even if living in a dorm during the school year).  For more information or to post a question, visit our Massachusetts Divorce Discussion Forum. 

 


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