Florida Law requires that medical and dental insurance be made available for children of divorced parents if it is reasonably available through employment. Generally, medical and dental deductibles and expenses not covered by insurance should be shared by the parents in the same percentage as each contributes to the obligation for child support. In other words, if the parties split child support 60/40, uncovered medical and dental costs should be split likewise.

As to a child’s education, parents have no obligation to provide educational expenses or support beyond the age of 18 unless the child is still in school and expected to graduate before he or she attains 19.

It is a commonly held misconception that a parent is obligated to provide a college education for a child. There is no obligation to do so under law and if you are in the process of a divorce or in the process of arriving at a marital settlement agreement, you should be sure to consult with an attorney with regard to medical and educational expenses before you commit yourself in writing. Once you voluntarily enter a written agreement, modification is extremely difficult to obtain, if ever.