The Hawaii Supreme Court recently upheld a 2006 ruling that forced a father to pay child support for his 25-year-old daughter who was blind and studying to become a flute teacher, The Associated Press reports.

Typically, child support ends at 18, but these payments can be ordered extended to age 23 if a child is going to school. However, the ruling has opened the door to court ordered child support and educational support that goes beyond age 23. Certain factors will be taken into account in each ruling, such as both parents’ financial situations and the ability of an adult child to contribute to educational expenses, according to the news source.

The family law attorney for the mother in the case told the AP that the ruling is significant because it will forever change the way the courts deal with child support.

Other states have come up with new laws recently to handle child support cases.

In Ohio, the Lorain County government is trying to collect old debts. Non-custodial parents who have fallen behind on their child support payments were granted amnesty during the month of September. If these parents paid at least one month’s worth of owed child support, as well as a $25 fee, the person could have their licenses reinstated by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Chronicle Telegram reports.

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