Which Parent Gets the Kid After High School Graduation?

In Florida, people become legal adults at the age of 18. This usually coincides with graduation from high school, and marks the beginning of an important new life chapter. It also marks the end of child support, which many divorced parents probably already know. But how does graduation affect child custody in Orlando? Where will the child live as an adult?

Your Child Has the Freedom to Decide 

When your child reaches legal adulthood, they are in control of their own destiny. This means that the child custody order no longer has any power over them, and they are free to live wherever they please. In other words, they may choose to live with either parent full-time. They might also split their time between parents, although they are under no legal obligation to do so.

In fact, they can even break off contact with one (or both) of their parents if they want. If another parent had guaranteed visitation rights, these rights become null and void when the child reaches adulthood. This may be difficult for a parent to accept, but they should remember they no longer have any right to force the child to do anything against their will.

Children Today Often Remain in the Family Home Well Into Adulthood 

Florida Today reports that about one-third of all people between the ages of 24 and 35 live with their parents in Florida. This is not exactly an encouraging statistic, and it speaks to the financial pressures facing young people today. Home ownership can be particularly challenging for this generation.

What this means is that your adult child is relatively likely to remain in the family home even after becoming a legal adult. Parents may incur considerable costs because of this, from food to additional energy bills and much more.

While child support is unenforceable after legal adulthood, parents might want to consider private cost-sharing agreements if the child will likely remain in the family home. However, these agreements are completely voluntary. Either parent can simply say “no” to sharing the costs of caring for an adult child.

The Prospect of College 

If the child decides to go to college, they may not continue to live in either parent’s home (assuming they’re attending a school far from the local neighborhood).

However, the child may eventually return – especially after earning a degree without much employment potential. There is also the subject of college tuition, which many parents resolve with private agreements.

Speak With a Child Time Sharing Lawyer in Orlando 

While child custody laws in Orlando are no longer enforceable after adulthood, you can still take many legal steps to protect your parental rights into the future. For example, you might be able to negotiate with your ex and create a private agreement regarding the cost of caring for the adult child. You might also discuss the cost of college tuition. Continue this important conversation by contacting Orlando child custody lawyer Steve Marsee, P.A. today.

Source:

floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/05/20/adults-living-home-parents-florida/73682267007/