What is the financial obligation of parents for continuing education of their children?

By that, I mean, past the age of 18, should a child choose to go to University, College, or other 'paid' education directly after high school, what obligations do the parents have to assist in this, by law.

My sister has been in University for 4 years, and due to her failing so many courses, needs to take 2 more years. My parents offered to help pay for 4 years of post secondary, so, are no longer giving her money to go to school, or pay for her to live (as, by choice, she lives not at home.) She claims that the financial aid section of her university has told her that she can go to court and 'sue' my parents for financial aid with the rest of her schooling as she continued straight from high school into this schooling.

I was under the belief that past the age of 18 in Canada (or at least Ontario), parents often help their children, but are under no obligation by law to assist. I would really appreciate some proof either way.

there are no obligations by law...just morally or ethically depending on the relationship of the parents and child.

how disrespectful that your sister would take the money from your parents for 4 yrs, demand another 2 yrs because of her failings then tell them she can sue them ! your sister needs to grow up and see what the real world is about. your parents have done enough for their ungrateful and selfish daughter. really, does your sister really think this will make a good or better relationship with your parents? she's lucky she got the 4 yrs paid for. either way parents do not OWE their children anything other than the basics and once an adult they do not even OWE them that. personally i think your sister would be laughed out of the courtroom. you need to go to your parents and tell them how much you appreciate them and their generosity then go to your sister and explain the real world to her.

A parent has, legally, no obligation whatsoever, to any child above the age of eighteen, unless that child is mentally incapable of decision making and the parent is the legal guardian. Even then, at eighteen, the child becomes an adult and as such becomes eligible for SSI benefits, so that financial obligation is no longer the parents responsibility, although guardianship may still continue.

actually if the child is unable to get other funding such as OSAP since you make too much money then there is that legal obligation. There has been legal precedent for this where someone successfully sued his own parents for the amount of his education since he was unable to gain the assistance he required through better means

Your sister's claim is laughable. Parents are not required by any law to foot the bill for higher education. It's customary for them to do so, providing they can afford to pay for it, but it is not mandated by any law.

No parents do not have to pay for college, however when you apply for financial aid, they go by the income of the parents until the child is 24. I think that is ludicrous, but it is how it is in FL.

They have no financial obligation to their children once they reach 18. Perhaps it is different in Canada, but I doubt it. Your sister is trying to manipulate your parents.

none. Parents aren't obligated to pay for your education.

Oh, you're in Canada....I don't know what your rules are....

NONE is the correct answer. At 18 they can tell you to get lost if they so choose

THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION WHAT-SO-EVER! The only way they are responsible to continue paying for her education is if they divorced & in the separation agreement it was determined that one party would pay for the education. Also, in some states it is a REQUIREMENT that the parents pay for the education in the event of a divorce - but in the form of child support.

If none of these situations apply to your family, your sister is talking out of her a** (quite feasible considering her lack of academic intelligence as shown by the many failing courses she's received) or someone at her school is.

No obligation whatsoever provided she is able and above 18. She can sue her parents if she likes but she will end up with a legal bill and a losing case if any lawyer will entertain her story. She needs two more years full time which means she has failed a ridiculous number of classes not just a few. If I were your parents I wouldn't bet on that horse either. I would have told her that she can pick an apartment and I will pay her first and last and from then on she is on her own. Your parents need to worry about your education (assuming that you are younger) and their retirement, they were more than providing for your sister.

I recommend to her that she get a job and continue part time if she intends to graduate. She will eventually realize the opportunity that your parents had given her.

My advise to you is to stay out of it and learn from her mistakes. Make sure though that you are cordial with your sister, explain to her that this problem is between her and your parents and because you don't know who is right and you love both sides dearly that you don't want to be involved. You may be able to motivate her to do it by herself ask her if she needs help looking for a job.

To avoid this situation my parents provided me with my first years tuition and then payed me, the value of the class, for passing from that point on so I had money to enroll into my second year. I failed a class and did that ever hurt because not only did I have to make up a class in the summer to stay on track but I had to pay for it too. This is a method I intend to use for my children.