Child Support and College Costs

The obligation to pay for College Tuition Costs and Expenses in New Jersey

We have over twenty-one years of experience in helping families with emancipation disputes. Call now to speak with a lawyer at the Law Offices of Kevin Crawford Orr about the facts of your case.

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Law Offices of Kevin Crawford Orr • (973) 824-5520

Are Parents Required to Pay for College Tuition?

Generally, yes. New Jersey courts generally will require both parents to pay for college, but there are limits. Factors to consider include: (1) whether the parent, if still living with the child, would have contributed toward the costs of the requested higher education; (2) the effect of the background, values and goals of the parent on the reasonableness of the expectation of the child for higher education; (3) the amount of the contribution sought by the child for the cost of higher education; (4) the ability of the parent to pay that cost; (5) the relationship of the requested contribution to the kind of school or course of study sought by the child; (6) the financial resources of both parents; (7) the commitment to and aptitude of the child for the requested education; (8) the financial resources of the child, including assets owned individually or held in custodianship or trust; (9) the ability of the child to earn income during the school year or on vacation; (10) the availability of financial aid in the form of college grants and loans; (11) the child's relationship to the paying parent, including mutual affection and shared goals as well as responsiveness to parental advice and guidance; and (12) the relationship of the education requested to any prior training and to the overall long-range goals of the child.

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Do not go through the stressful and emotional process of an emancipation family law dispute on your own. At the Law Offices of Kevin Crawford Orr, we can help. Contact us today for more information.