I expected to help with my children college education, I did not expect the children to choose expensive schools and room and board. My expectatiions were that the cost would be within the means of both parents. My ex has remarried a person who has a large income and they selected an instate school less than an hour from their home that is very expensive and just room and board is over 10K per year. I never expected "cost of an education" to include room and board. I expected also to have some say in the school based on my ability to pay.
2006-07-11 05:35:33 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Part of the answer may be based on whether or not the in state school is private of public. Since you said that the school is expensive, it sounds like you are talking about a private school.
Most children board at school, so room and board is a reasonable expense.
It would be reasonable to think that you would know when your children were in the process of selecting a school and that you would have discussed financial aspects with them prior to them filling out applications which would have been the correct time to have discussed this issue.
Had you done this, you could have offered to cover the cost of the best instate public school - room, board and tuition since this is what a court might order you to do anyway.
Now that the children have accepted an offer, I'm not so sure the court would be as likely to let you backtrack on your agreement. However, if your child applied to state school and the state school offer is still open, the court might accept payment of tuition, room and board for the state school as fulfilling your agreement.
If the total costs for one child exceeds 25% or some other reasonable percentage of your income, you might have more of a case for paying only state school costs.
Additionally college costs have increased more than typical wages. That would be a fact in your favor.
not an attorney
2006-07-13 17:17:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why wouldn't you expect room and board to be included as well? Any good school, the kid is going to live away from home. What did you think? That you were going to get off sending them to some second rate community college? You should want the best for your kids, and school choice does matter. A degree from say Notre Dame holds a lot more weight than a regular state school.
2006-07-11 05:40:43 · answer #2 · answered by AsianPersuasion :) 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Education costs include room and board and any other fees beyond tuition. It's expensive, REALLY expensive.
Be glad it's an in-state school. Out-of-state tuition is horrible. Besides, they're your kids, and it was in the terms of your divorce decree. You're stuck.
2006-07-11 05:45:01 · answer #3 · answered by Luann 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest having a sit down conversation with your ex. Don't accuse, or blame, just sit down and have a talk about your opinions. If things get too out of hand, simply end the conversation nicely and say you will be back to talk more when things cool off. Also, if I were you, I'd go to the meeting with a list of options, and that can help the conversation go on.
2006-07-11 05:39:40 · answer #4 · answered by Sandy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That should include room and board, as that is part of paying for college. What, are you not going to pay for books either?
2006-07-11 05:39:35 · answer #5 · answered by Hot Pants 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋