Having a disabled child can be financially challenging for parents because they want to ensure their child has all the resources they will need. Many special needs children require specialized care and support, education, and assistive devices which can strain financial resources thin, needs which continue into adulthood. When parents of disable children divorce, child support payments help cover these extra expenses, but many parents wonder what will happen when a disabled child becomes an adult? Is child support payable to support an adult child with disabilities?
Typically child support ends when a child turns 18/graduates highs school or until a child earns an undergraduate degree. However, if a child is disabled, Illinois law may require a parent to continue to pay support if an adult child’s physical or mental impairment limits major life activities. The court will award non minor support after considering factors such as both parent’s employment capabilities, income, and overall financial situation as well as the standard of living a child would have enjoyed dive the parents had remained married. The child’s own financial resources including any government assistance they are eligible to receive will be taken into consideration when determining if minor child support is payable and how much a parent should pay.
If you are a divorced parent of a disabled child approaching adulthood, it is advisable to discuss your concerns with an experienced Illinois child support attorney who can advise you on pursuing non-minor child support so that your special needs child continues to receive the support they need. Contact the Libertyville child support lawyers of Schlesinger & Strauss LLC for help today at 847-680-4970.
