Divorce and the Rising Cost of College

Paying for college tuition can be a controversial topic. Depending on the child’s age when their parents get a divorce, the question of how parents will cover their child’s college expenses or even if they will help their child pay for their college tuition is an issue that should be included in divorce negotiations regardless of the age of the child. Of course, the closer the child is to college age, the more urgent the situation becomes.

The parent’s obligation to pay child support ends when the child turns 18 years old, or when they graduate from high school or the class of which the child is a member when they turn 18. (See T.C.A. Section 34-1-102(b)) Most parents in Tennessee are not required to pay for their child’s college education, but depending on how much income the parents earn, the court can require that parents contribute to their child’s college expenses. Most parents would like to be able to help their child get the best education possible. The cost of attending college seems to be skyrocketing, so students can use as much help as they can get from their parents in order to get off to a good start. Depending on the state where the divorce took place, the court can order the non-custodial parent to pay for their child’s college expenses.

Divorce and college expenses

There are those parents who are organized planners who opened up a college savings account when junior was still in diapers. In this case, depending on the age of the child, there is could be a significant sum already in the account.

For others, they must first decide who will pay and how the money will be managed after the divorce is final. They can work with their Franklin family law attorney to figure out how to estimate what amount should be set aside for tuition, room and board, travel expenses, books and other incidental costs.

The divorcing parents might also come to an agreement about how long they will be paying for their child’s college expenses, how many times they will be permitted to change majors, and what might happen if junior decides to drop out of school and backpack through Europe.

If you and your spouse both agree that you will both contribute to a college savings account, you can include the details of your agreement in you divorce settlement. If it is a topic that you have not yet begun to discuss, your Franklin divorce lawyer can advise you about options for setting up an account and coming to an agreement about who will contribute, how much each will contribute, how the funds will be managed and disbursed when it is time for your child to enroll in the university.

Paying for a child’s college expenses is an expensive proposition. An experienced family law attorney from the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates will discuss your case and help you find the answers you are searching for. Please contact us to schedule a consultation at our Franklin, Columbia or Brentwood office.