I got divorced in 2004 and I have primary custody of my children. I now understand child support will end at high school graduation. I did not understand this in 2004. Thus, there are not any provisions in the custody agreement to ensure my ex will help with their college expenses. It is very likely that my ex will not help with their college expenses.
What realistic things would have to happen in order to get the custody agreement modified now to include my ex helping with college?
There is nothing you can do to obligate him to pay for all or part of college expenses unless he agrees to do so. If you can reach an agreement you can draft an amendment to your separation agreement that details your new agreement. Because child support terminates at 18 or at high school graduation, judge’s do not have the ability to order child support to last longer nor do they have the ability to order a parent to pay college expenses. There is no legal remedy to obligate him to pay these expenses, unless he agrees to modify the separation agreement.