Q: Is it possible for support to continue for college student living at home, if the loss of it would have a severe affect?
I am low income, no matter how hard I work and trying to get support for my son who'll be living at home for college. I'm struggling even with support & I will not be able to support him myself. In addition he has a learning disability that would make it difficult for him to succeed at school and work enough hours to pay me rent. His father earns 6x what I do and would have no hardship. I know its not "required" but if I understand correctly a judge can order support if they choose to. Do judges ever show compassion in these situations?
A: Unfortunately, compassion is not what's going to help you in this case. In PA, absent a written agreement to the contrary, child support ends when a child is 18 years of age and has been graduated from high school. If a child is incapable of supporting him or herself due to a mental or physical disability, support can be extended, but, to prove this, you'll need the report and probably testimony of a medical expert who will tell the court that your son cannot support himself. If you want to try to pursue this, I urge you to consult in person with an experienced family law attorney to discuss the nature of your son's learning disability and your ability to provide the required medical proof.
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