Does A Person Have To Pay For The College Costs For Their Child?

The courts have viewed education as a necessity. The recent trend in New Jersey has been to require parents to pay for the college costs for their children.

When a court makes a decision as to whether or not to require a parent to pay for a child’s college education and related expenses, the Court must consider the complete set of facts of each case. The Court will analyze the following factors to assess if a parent should pay for a child’s college costs:

1. The effect of the background, values and goals of the parent on the reasonableness of the expectation of the child for higher education;
2. The amount of contribution sought by the child for the cost of the higher education;
3. The ability of the parent to pay that cost;
4. The relationship of the requested contribution to the kind of school or course of study sought by the child;
5. The financial resources of both parties;
6. The commitment to and aptitude of the child for the requested education;
7. The financial resources of the child, including assets held individually or in custodianship or trust.
8. The capability of the child to earn income during the school year or on vacation;
9. The child’s relationship to the paying parent, including mutual affection and shared goals as well as responsiveness to parental advice and guidance;
10. The relationship of education requested to any prior training and to the overall long range goals of the child.

There is no requirement for a parent to pay for graduate school expenses.

For more information on Paying for the Children’s College Costs In NJ, a personalized case evaluation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (732) 733-2830 today.