Legal Question in Family Law in California
Private School - Do I have to Pay?
My wife is demanding that I pay half the tuition to send our children to a private school. We live in area where the public schools rank in the top 5% in the nation for academic excellence and the costs are equivalent to our home mortgage. Also, the children have both stated, that they do not wish to attend this school!
Would a court force a parent to pay for this private schooling?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Private School - Do I have to Pay?
The court will tell her if she wants to do that it will have to come out of her pocket.
Re: Private School - Do I have to Pay?
Assuming there is no prior agreement regarding private school, it is unlikely (but not impossible) that the court would make the order.
California Family Code provides 2 mandatory add-ons to c/s: daycare for work/education and special medical needs. There are also 2 discretionary add-ons: special educational needs and travel expense for visitation.
Re: Private School - Do I have to Pay?
Have you spoken with your wife (ex-wife?) about how she hopes the children will benefit from private school? What is offered there that isn't offered at the public school? From my perspective as a mediator, perhaps it makes sense to find out what her goals are with this request (beyond "you pay for private school") and maybe the two of you can find a way to give the children these benefits without them having to attend private school. Example: maybe they have a great soccer program at that school, and if the kids are interested in soccer, maybe you can help find a good team program through your local community center that would hone their playing skills without all that tuition. Or maybe the school offers great college prep, but there's also a good tutoring program offered through the school they attend now...see what I mean? That way you accomplish the goal without a big fight...and the kids ultimately benefit. Good luck.