Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois

college expenses

Hi, there was nothing mentioned in my husbands divorce decree about higher ed costs, we were willing to pay half of tuition. Then his 18yr old daughter got a job and we were told we only had to pay 1/3 of tuition. Well,we recieved a summons to court continued on original case file and are now ordered to pay 1/3 of tuition which is 400.00 above actual bill including books, he has not heard nor seen his daughter since legal matters started (6 months ago). Can his ex legally do this since his daughter was 18, months before? Or does the daughter need to take both parents to court for expenses? Any information on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank You


Asked on 4/22/06, 4:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Zedrick Braden III Ainsworth & Associates PC

Re: college expenses

If your husband's daughter got a job, she may

have waived her right to seek contribution from

your husband for college tuition and expenses. This depends on whether the job was a summer job

or whether she got the job through the work/study

program. If the job is work/study related or a

summer job, your husband will most likely be

ordered to pay a portion of his daughter's college tuition and expenses based upon his ability to pay. However, there appears to be

some precedent for the courts requiring that the

college student account for efforts to obtain

academic/athletic scholarships. I am sure that

you have additional questions that I will be

happy to answer.

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Answered on 4/24/06, 3:40 pm


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