Legal Question in Family Law in California
Support for college
Hi,
We have a court order which specifies the father and I pay half of college. One of our adult children lives with him and he says I owe him money for that. I assumed half of college would mean books, tuition, room and board if the child went away to school, and have been paying that for the other children. Do I have to pay ''rent'' if the child lives at his home? That wasn't stipulated in the agreement - it only says half of college expenses. Previously adult children going to college lived with me and I didn't even bring it up. The father doesn't want to pay child support for the 16 year old living with me, because one college student is living with him and he feels it is even.
Thank you,
Lani
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Support for college
Father must continue to pay you child support for the chil that is still under 18. The child that is in college should send you copies of her expenses and you send 1/2 directly to her. The agreement sounds vague as to what you were going to pay.
Re: Support for college
You ought to use a mediator to work this out with your ex. There should be some common fairness in your situation. If he did not pay you room and board for the kids that lived with you, then he should not demand it from you. If you cannot agree, and one of you takes it back to court, then you will probably be ordered to mediation anyway before the court hears it.