Are parents legally required to provide financial support for adult child with disabilities?

Question

Are parents legally required to provide financial support for adult child with disabilities?

Anonymous Jan 7, 2015 2 views 2 answers

Child was born with profound cerebral palsy. Parents divorced when child was 15. Child support ended for father when she graduated at age 19. Mother fully supports child now and child lives with mother full time. Child receives SSI and mother can not work more than part time. Father no longer provides any financial help, is remarried, works full time. Child will never be able to support or ever take care of herself. Can the child (now an adult) or the mother compel him to provide support? Child and mother live in Iowa. Father lives in New York.

Thomas Moens · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T13:04:50+00:00

There is case law in Iowa which holds that parents are responsible for financially supporting disabled adult children. I would suggest that you contact a family law attorney in your area. If cost is a concern, Iowa Legal Aid may be able to assist you or refer you to someone who can help.

Justin Valencia · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T13:04:50+00:00

You should consult your attorney, but generally "yes" a disabled adult can still be cared and provided for by his or her parents.

Are parents legally required to provide financial support for adult child with disabilities?

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