When do we stop paying child maintenance?

My step daughter will turn 19 in Novemeber this year. My husband pays £150 a month to her mother in maintenance. My husband was never registered on the birth certificate as her father but has paid towards her since she was born. She is currently doing a hairdressing course at college. She doesn''t have a job but manages to afford going out drinking every week. I''m concerned that my husband is paying for his daughter to go drinking every week whilst she''s at college and not getting a job and taking responsibility for herself.
How soon can we stop paying towards her?

On what basis is he paying? Court Order, CSA or private agreement?

Private agreement

Hi Hercfreak,

Welcome to wiki!

Maybe you could sit her down and explain you''ll fund her until her 20th birthday and this would give her time to focus on getting a job and re-assessing her spending habits.

WR

She leaves college in Jul next year. I have no intention of paying for her until she turns 20. I''ve a feeling if we keep on paying we''ll never be able to stop. I am currently pregnant with our baby and I don''t want to have to keep paying for her to sit on her backside whilst trying to raise another child.

I would think that doing a college course that will give her a skill/qualification in order to get a job is hardly sitting on her backside. I wonder also whether her mother is supporting her financially whilst she does this. If that is the case then I am fairly sure it would cost you and your husband a lot more than 150 pounds a month to keep her.

It is perfectly normal for students to go out drinking at weekends, not a sign of laziness or fecklessness!

What kind of relationship do you and her Dad have with her?