College tuition is not typically on the mind of divorcing
couples, but it should be. With the rising costs of college tuition around the
country, divorcing couples need to realize that the buck doesn’t necessarily
stop at divorce court. Take it from the New
Jersey father that was forced to pay his daughter’s tuition to Cornell Law
School, which amounted to approximately $112,500.
When creating a divorce settlement,
ask your
family attorney about college tuition so you don’t fall victim to any
surprises as your child(ren) ages.
Can Child Support
Apply After Age 18?
Most child support orders cover the first 18 years, and
the term itself can be misleading. What most do not realize is that child
support can still apply for adults in their twenties. This is why most
settlements will state that the support could continue after the child turns
18.
In most cases, child support is governed by the state.
But the terms listed in your divorce settlement could be the deciding factor as
to whether or not you receive or pay child support once your child is older.
You can always modify that child support arrangement once
he or she turns 18, but if the modification is not approved, a parent could be
forced to owe child support while their child is attending college or even
graduate school.
Paying for Tuition
and Choosing the College
Depending on your
child support agreement, you may be
able to pick the institution your child attends. While most couples disagree on
selecting the best institution for their child. However, including this
information in a divorce settlement can help to avoid conflicts later
on—especially if the institution is relatively expensive and/or prestigious,
such as a public versus a private institution.
Because it is impossible to put a dollar amount on a
future college tuition bill, most attorneys will use specific wording that
decides what costs the parent will be responsible for if their child goes to
college. These costs can include:
- Reasonable amounts for tuition per spouse;
- Reasonable amounts of support for books, course
materials, and student housing per parent;
- Who can decide which university the child
attends;
- How payments will be made and by what parent.
Going Through a
Divorce? Protect Yourself from Over 18 Child Support
If you already have a child support
order, we can assist you with the modification petition as well.
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