Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Upon re-enrollment in college, emancipated child became unemancipated

While a child once adjudicated "emancipated" can be adjudicated "unemancipated" (five cases on Westlaw), has anyone seen a child adjudicated "re-unemancipated" because the youngster decided to re-enroll in college after dropping out for a year?


Asked on 1/31/98, 1:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Alan Pransky Law Office of Alan J. Pransky

Emancipated then Unemancipated

Massachusetts Judges want to enable children to get a college education. The statutespecifically allows child support to a child in college up until age 23. Since most childrengraduate high school at age 17 or 18, the statute contemplates a child who does not goimmediately to college. Massachusetts judges rountinly allow an emancipated child tobecome unemancipated upon enrollment in college. I am unaware of any case challengingthis but the result is consistent with the purpose of the statute. I believe that an appeals courtwill order you to pay the support.

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Answered on 2/02/98, 11:25 pm


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