No, the Georgia Courts do not require
child support to continue through college. “The duty to provide
support for a minor child shall continue until the child reaches the
age of majority, dies, marries, or becomes emancipated, whichever
first occurs.” O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(e).
Child support generally ends at age 18, but can be continued through
age 19 if the child is still in high school. The Courts do not Order
child support past the age of 19 unless the parties agree in clear
written language.
The Georgia Commission on Child Support
was formed to establish and regularly review, “child support
guidelines, development and maintenance of the Georgia Child Support
Calculator, recommending legislation, providing training throughout
the State to judges, attorneys, and the public, and many other
duties.” http://csc.georgiacourts.gov/.
This Commission ensures that child support is standard across the
entire state of Georgia.
Any variation on the standard child
support duty must be agreed to by both parties and be expressed in a
clearly written document consented to and approved by both parties.
Parties may agree that the child support amount will continue through
college or trade school age, while other parties may agree to split
the fees associated with the higher education. Additional child
support past the state minimum duty must be agreed upon by both
parties and will not be approved by the Court without both parties
written and signed consent. Shared college expenses for minor
children is not common when parties divorce and if not previously
discussed and agreed to by the parties it is not granted by the Court
in the State of Georgia.