When parents split up or divorce in Texas, child support becomes a big issue. Texas child support laws aim to ensure both parents chip in for their child’s needs, but many parents aren’t sure how to handle educational costs—like tuition, school supplies, and after-school activities—in child support plans.
In Texas, child support covers basic living costs, but dealing with educational expenses can get tricky. Knowing how these costs work can help parents make smart choices and steer clear of future disagreements.
1. What Does Child Support Cover in Texas?
The Texas Family Code doesn’t specify how a parent receiving child support should spend the money, but it aims to cover the child’s basic needs, including:
- Housing
- Food
- Clothing
- Health and Dental Care
The Texas Child Support Guidelines determine the amount of child support. These guidelines look at the paying parent’s income and how many kids need support. They give a standard amount for support, but judges can change this amount based on what the child needs or other special situations.
However, the base child support payment doesn’t include educational expenses beyond the minimum. It won’t cover things like private school tuition and costs for extracurricular activities.
2. Educational Expenses Often Get Separate Treatment
Guideline child support doesn’t cover educational expenses, so child support agreements or court orders deal with these costs, if they address them at all. This can be a big deal when kids go to private school or need extra money for special education, tutoring, or after-school activities; those things are often expensive and can be a burden if only one parent is paying them.
Parents should plan to tackle these expenses in their child support agreement or by asking to change an existing order. Courts might include provisions for education costs if they think it’s best for the child.
When deciding whether to add educational expenses to child support, the court looks at:
- The financial resources of both parents
- The child’s educational needs
- The child’s best interest
Parents should discuss educational expenses when they negotiate their child support arrangements to prevent future disagreements.
3. Private School Tuition
Standard child support payments won’t cover private school costs like tuition, uniforms, and supplies. This places the burden squarely on the shoulders of whichever parent wants the child to go to private school, especially if the parents disagree on what school the child should attend. When parents can’t agree on private school tuition, they need a court to decide whether to include these costs in a child support order. In these situations, parents might split the cost, or a judge could order the parent who’s been holding out to help pay for private school tuition if it’s determined to be necessary.
4. College Expenses and Financial Aid
Texas law doesn’t require parents to keep paying child support for post-high school education like college or university. This rule kicks in when the child turns 18 or finishes high school, whichever happens last. Still, parents can choose to help with college costs if they want to. They can talk about this during divorce or custody discussions.
Parents thinking about college might look at these options:
- Contributions to a College Fund: Some parents start a 529 college savings plan or other savings accounts when their kids are young. This helps make sure savings are ready when the child goes to college.
- Post-Secondary Education Agreement: Parents might agree to keep helping with tuition, housing, books, and other school costs after the child turns 18. They should put these agreements in writing to avoid mix-ups or someone backing out later.
- Financial Aid: A child may also qualify for financial aid, scholarships, or grants, which can help pay for school. These funding sources may lower how much parents need to spend from their own pockets.
5. Tips for Handling Educational Expenses in Child Support Agreements
To steer clear of arguments and make sure educational costs are split fairly, consider these pointers:
- Spell Out Your Expectations: Make sure any agreement or court order spells out who pays for tuition, school supplies, after-school activities, and other school-related costs.
- Think About Setting Up a College Fund: If you want to plan ahead for your kid’s college education, starting a special savings account or 529 plan can help cut down on worries down the road.
- Keep Tabs on What You Spend: Both mom and dad should hang onto receipts and papers that show what they spent on educational expenses. This comes in handy if you don’t see eye to eye or want to change things up later on.
- Talk to a Lawyer: If you’re not sure how to deal with school costs in your child support agreement, it’s smart to chat with a family lawyer. They can make sure your kid’s education needs are taken care of.
Conclusion
Child support arrangements in Texas face challenges when it comes to educational costs. The law doesn’t include these expenses in basic child support by default, but parents who plan and communicate well can handle educational costs in a way that puts the child’s needs first.