Advice on stopping payment to ex for son needed

A question about : Advice on stopping payment to ex for son needed

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

Best answers:

• If he is in FT higher education, you pay.
• 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
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• even though your sons course finishes next month. maintenance is still payable until the 31st August, as child benefit is still payable until that date.
  if he hasnt enrolled on a new course by the 1st sept then you van cease payment.
  the young person used to be able to sign up with connexions and that meant that all child related money was still payable including maintenance but im not sure if that rule still appies.
  hope that helps
• You mean when they are legally adults and should be learning independence and self-reliance?
  Do you think parents should pay for everything throughout their children's entire lives, then, Person_one?
• In another thread you were telling me my personal experience didn't count for anything! Now you want it to count for something?
  Perhaps read this. Some interesting arguments both for and against babying offspring in their 20s.