Advice on stopping payment to ex for son needed

m9g

I have been paying religiously every month for the last 17 years to my ex for my son.

He turned 18 back in March and this month his 2 year chefing course in 6th form finishes and he's unsure what he wants to do either get a job or go on another college course doing something totally different, he thinks he wants a break from chefing so doesnt know what college course to do if he decides to go down that route.

What I want to know is can I stop the payment to his mother when he finishes his course this month. I know I have to continue paying until he is 20 if he stays in full time higher education but as he is unsure what he wants to do i dont know if this will apply
, also if he goes to a local college to do another course in something totally different will i still need to pay?

Dont judge me on this, I can take pride in knowing I have paid for absolutely everything my son has ever wanted or needed since he was only a year old, my ex has not had to pay for a thing. I have another family and its not been easy having this payment every month but i've done it and more importantly wanted to do it.

Thanks for any advice

adouglasmhor

If he is in FT higher education, you pay.

m9g

adouglasmhor wrote: »

If he is in FT higher education, you pay.

Thanks but go back and read what i wrote again

m9g

one problem is if he cant decide what he wants to do and takes 6 months to decide should i really be paying for him to sit around thinking about it when in the end he might not bother going to college and in theory if he doesnt go back to college then I could stop the payments this month

adouglasmhor

m9g wrote: »

one problem is if he cant decide what he wants to do and takes 6 months to decide should i really be paying for him to sit around thinking about it when in the end he might not bother going to college and in theory if he doesnt go back to college then I could stop the payments this month

You're his father, why not talk to him about it instead of a bunch of strangers on the internet?

PintAndAPie

To answer your question, no, you do not have to pay if he is not studying. If he returns to higher education then you will need to resume your payments.

m9g

adouglasmhor wrote: »

You're his father, why not talk to him about it instead of a bunch of strangers on the internet?

I have spoken to him on numerous occasions but he doesnt know what he wants to do, he has a part time job chefing and earns quite well, I dont want to be giving my ex money for nothing every month if i dont have to as she works and her husband works

m9g

What i'm looking for is expert advice, so was hoping someone on here was an expert who can give solid advice

It might be a case of speaking to a solicitor or visiting the local CAB

m9g

PintAndAPie wrote: »

To answer your question, no, you do not have to pay if he is not studying. If he returns to higher education then you will need to resume your payments.

Now to me there is a grey area there, I know I have to pay if he continues in higher education but is just university classed as higher education because if he decided to enrole at a local college doing another course is that classed as further education or higher?

peachyprice

m9g wrote: »

Now to me there is a grey area there, I know I have to pay if he continues in higher education but is just university classed as higher education because if he decided to enrole at a local college doing another course is that classed as further education or higher?

There is no grey area, another course at college is further education. Higher education would only apply he went to Uni.

PintAndAPie

University does not constitute full-time non-advanced education and therefore child support will not be paid in relation to a child who is attending University. However it is possible to seek support for children attending university through the court if an agreement cannot be reached.