What is an Educational Support Order in Connecticut?

An educational support order is an order entered by a court requiring a parent to provide for a child to attend an institution of higher education or a private occupational school for the purpose of attaining a bachelor’s degree or other undergraduate degree, or appropriate vocational instruction.

Orders may include support for any necessary educational expense, including room, board, dues, tuition, books, fees, registration and application costs, and medical and dental expenses including health insurance.  A court can order a payment to be made (1) to a parent to be forwarded to the college or school, (2) directly to the school, or (3) however the court deems appropriate.

The purpose of an Educational Support Order is to help children of divorced parents afford higher education.  The OLR bill permits judges to order divorcing parents, and fathers subject to paternity orders, to support their offspring who enroll in accredited college or vocational programs after high school until they reach age 23.  Support Orders apply to cases where the first child support order is entered on or after October 1, 2002.  Parents must ask the court to enter such orders, and can do so at any time before the child’s 23rd birthday.

Maya Murphy P.C. has proudly been included in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked among the top firms in the nation. In addition, Managing Partner Joseph C. Maya has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for his work in Employment Law and Education Law in Connecticut. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is awarded to firms and attorneys who demonstrate excellence in the industry, and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor.

Our firm in Westport, Connecticut serves clients with legal assistance all over the state, including the towns of: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newton, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and Woodbridge. In addition to assisting clients in Connecticut, our firm handles education law and employment law matters in New York as well. 

If you have any questions about employment law or education law in Connecticut, or would like to speak to an attorney about a legal matter, please contact Joseph C. Maya and the other experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or JMaya@Mayalaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.