Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio
College tuition
My estranged son is now 18 & graduating from high school. His mother has been antagonistic since before our divorce, 1990; to date, she continues to be.
Thus, I have had no contact with my son for nearly 4 yrs. Now she insists that I pay 1/2 his college tuition. No one has told me what school he is to attend, the amount of his tuition, nor anything about his schooling or any other part of his life, in violation of our decree & subsequent court orders.
In our decree (1990, State of Georgia) there is a vague statement re: me (as father) paying part of his expense for college. But, nothing else has been said about college tuition in any of the court's orders in 14 yrs of litigation, all of which has been in Summit Co., Ohio.
Q: Can the court order my payment of college tuition for an adult son who is estranged and about whom the Father is provided no information about his health or well-being?
I would like to have a relationship with him; but for the past 4 yrs, it has been impossible; perhaps some day. For now, I have qualms about paying money to some unknown school for a unknown program & for a son who, for now, has no functional relationship with me.
Thank you
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: College tuition
Look to the divorce decree or any other subseqent orders from the Court. Normally, child support terminates when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, but in no event past 19 unless otherwise stated in the decree. By the way Ohio law requires that you be allowed to get information about your sons health and education.
I understand that the mother has placed severe stumbling blocks in you relationship with your son. Now that he is 18, get to know him and he will find out the truth about his mother. Keep on trying and do not give up.
Gregg Manes
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