Legal Question in Family Law in New Jersey

Re: Required to Pay 1/2 of College Tuition ?

Hi,

You raise several important issues that definately need to be addressed to the Court immediately in response to her motion. The New Jersey Courts can require parents to contribute to college costs. The courts look at:

In Gac. v. Gac, 351 N.J. Super. 54 (App. Div. 2002), the court reiterated the guidance offered in Newburgh v. Arrigo, 88 N.J. 529 (1982); i.e., that in evaluating the claim for contribution toward the cost of higher education, courts should consider all relevant factors, including [but NOT limited to]:

(1) whether the parent, if still living with the child, would have contributed toward the costs of the requested higher education;

(2) the effect of the background values and goals of the parent on the reasonableness of the expectation of the child for higher education;

(3) the amount of the contribution sought by the child for the cost of higher education;

(4) the ability of the parent to pay that cost;

(5) the relationship of the requested contribution to the kind of school or course of study sought by the child;

(6) the financial resources of both parents;

(7) the commitment to and aptitude of the child for the requested education;

(8) the financial resources of the child, including assets owned individually or held in custodianship or trust;

(9) the ability of the child to earn income during the school year or on vacation;

(10) the availability of financial aid in the form of college grants and loans;

(11) the child's relationship to the paying parent, including mutual affection and shared goals as well as responsiveness to parental advice and guidance; and

(12) the relationship of the education requested to any prior training and to the overall long-range goals of the child.

I would suggest that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney to help you through this motion. If you would like a free consulation please call my office.