@FCCDAD: When I say parents should pay for their kids whether they have custody or not, I mean they have an ethical responsibility to financially support minor children so the kids have adequate food and shelter. Nobody should expect parents to dig up money they don’t have to pay for whatever college their child wants to attend. Don’t commit to paying more for college than you and your wife. can handle. If your wife isn’t working steadily now, I’d give your daughter the amount you can pay now. If that’s zero, then that’s what it is. If more turns up later, great. But she doesn’t want to be one of those kids posting in their sophomore year looking for options because her parents money ran out. Best of luck to you.