One question that many parents have when they have a child support agreement in place is whether they are legally required to make tuition payments for the child once they head off to college. A legal requirement to make college tuition payments can be incredibly overwhelming for many parents because of the increasingly alarming rates of college tuition today.
However, the answer is not so cut and dry. One situation can be very different than the next so we have to look at it on a case by case basis. The bottom line is if the parents went to college and the parents got a college education, their child is entitled to get his or her college education. In those instances, the parents will be responsible for paying for that child’s college expenses. Normally, it’s not a 50/50 proposition, though it can be. Oftentimes, it comes down to the pro rata share of what each parent respectively earns. If the parents earn the same amount of money, their child’s tuition is going to be paid 50/50. However, it is rare that two parents make the exact same amount of money. If the child’s father earns 75% more than the child’s mother does, there is a very high chance that the division is not going to be 50/50. It comes down to a case by case scenario of what each parent’s respective incomes are and that’s how the judge makes the final decision.
If you have questions about your obligations to pay college tuition for your child, contact an experienced family law attorney who can provide you with assistance.
Peter V. Mandi, Esq. is an experienced divorce and family law attorney located in Bohemia, New York. If you require strong and dedicated legal representation, contact Peter V. Mandi & Associates, Inc. today for a free consultation.
