Getting divorced allows the Government into your life!

Getting divorced happens. It can be relatively easy or it can be one of the most difficult times of your life. However, the impact can also last a lot longer than the few months or the few years of the litigation.

The Court has the authority to make you pay child support. And in Mississippi, that can last until the child turns 21. The age is NOT 18 and it cannot be, even by agreement.

Additionally, the Court could make you pay for college, even beyond age 21.

The Court can make you pay for health insurance and non-covered medical expenses, like co-pays, prescriptions, dental, vision, and all out-of-pocket expenses.

The Court can make you pay for extracurricular activities; sports, dance, cheer and scouts. The Court can make you pay for daycare, after care, summer care and school expenses.

Cars, cell phones and private school expenses are usually not Ordered but under certain circumstances the Court could.

The Court can obligate you to hundreds and even thousands of dollars $$ per month that are to be paid or you might even go to JAIL!!

Interestingly, we really don’t contemplate any of these potential obligations when we get married…

Matthew Thompson is a child custody and child support attorney in Mississippi.