What is a parent's financial responsibility to their children?

[lorraineb]

I was just reading the post about the 18 year old suing her parents to pay for her college education and it got me thinking. What are, in your opinion, the financial responsibilities of parents to their children? Are there certain things that they absolutely have to pay for? What things do you think they should pay for, but it's not mandatory?

http://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2014/03/05/1021279_can-teen-sue-parents-to-pay-for-college.html

My parents paid for part of my college education and I was very thankful for that. I never thought it was a requirement of them. They even made me get a part-time job when I was 16 if I wanted to have extra spending money and have gas money for the car.

[snafu]

I listened to broadcasters discussing this case. Doesn't it all come down to the values of the individuals and their personal, one-on-one relationships with each other? Before an 18th BD, parents are expected to set household rules and requirements for the benefit of the entire family. After 18 y/o, it's presumed the rules would be updated and agreed for everyone who lives in the dwelling. If DD disagrees with parental terms and conditions, she is free to make her own arrangements and take total responsibility for her own needs. Parents may wish to contribute to costs for their children's university education but there is no obligation.

Parent's who borrow against their mortgage, retirement fund and knock themselves out trying to pay scare me. I see these new adults as university students and am sometimes horrified by their lack of commitment to their chosen program.

[ua_guy]

As far as I know, paying for a child's college education is voluntary. I would say a parent's committment to a child's education legally ends with the child completing state mandated educational requirements (GED/High School Diploma), or whenever the child turns 18, whichever is sooner.

Paying for college is expensive. I would expect that the case would be ruled in favor of the parents, lest we start setting precedent that financing a college education is the legal responsibility of the parents (and to what end?).

[pen]

Currently, schools assume that families will help a child with education costs. I believe it is best if parents help where they can, so long as the parents other savings for retirement etc. are met. That said, if the parents won't help, it is their choice. I do wish it were possible for students to prove that mom and dad are not helping in these cases and qualify for need based financial aid. Students can't necessarily show this just by having parents not claim them as a dependent for taxes.

[Gailete]

Students can't necessarily show this just by having parents not claim them as a dependent for taxes.

I suppose it depends on where you live, but some kids can declare themselves as emancipated minors to show that they are on their own and parent aren't helping with any costs. I grew up in a family where it was expected that upon HS graduation you would quickly find a job and be on your own. For me that day arrived 5 months before I was 18. I don't think parents are or should be required to provide for college. I do think that the parents are responsible for training up their kids so that they have the skills to be on their own when that graduation happens. They need to know how to cook, do laundry, clean a house, use a checkbook, set a budget, etc. Of course many younger parents these days don't really know any of that themselves.