The state of New Jersey has been a pioneer in the promotion of higher education, long requiring that parents with the financial means provide a college education for their children, whether the parents are still married or have divorce. As a consequence, when you are involved in a divorce in New Jersey, you need to include a plan for paying the costs of tuition, room and board and other college expenses in your property settlement.
When assessing your responsibility to contribute to the costs of a college education for your offspring, the court will consider a number of factors, including:
- The financial resources of both parties
- The cost at the educational institution the child has chosen, and whether or not the amount requested is reasonable with regard to the school or program chosen
- Whether the chosen program reasonably relates to the child’s elected career goals
- Whether your child would reasonably be expected to go to college, given your values and background; and whether the child shares your values and goals
- The financial resources of the child, including the child’s potential earning capacity while in school
- The aptitude and likelihood of success of the child in the chosen course of study
- The financial aid the child will receive
- In situations where the parents are divorced, the extent to which the parent would have made contributions to the costs of a college education if still living with the child
The obligation to pay some portion of your child’s college education in New Jersey is not limited to covering the costs of undergraduate study. A parent may have responsibility for graduate, post-graduate or professional programs, including medicine and law.
Contact the Cintron Firm
At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we offer more than 14 years of experience to people in New Jersey facing a broad array of legal challenges. Contact our office online or call us at 201-791-1333 or (201) 535-0323 to set up an appointment.
