Can a parent be forced to pay for their kids College?

Question

The statement "College expenses might occur" in a divorce degree sounds very confusing

My question was not should the parents help paying for college. Sometimes ex spouses use the court system to make the other parent look bad (see your mom/dad didn't want to pay for your college) or to cause purposly financial hardship.

Answer 1

If the parent signed divorce papers and it specifies they would pay for it, then you would be liable. If on the other hand, without a definite amount or a definite 'yes', then you would not be expected to pay such expenses.

Answer 2

Depends first on the State and then on lots of factors including: whether or not the child has an aptitude to succeed in college, the age of the child, and the ability of the parents AND possibly the child to contribute toward payment of college expenses.

You can do a google search for your particular state, but if you think this will be a legal matter, you should have a consultation with an attorney anyway. Remember, child support will eventually end and as a parent, you should want your child to succeed in life, even if that included paying for some college. :)

Answer 3

Once a child reaches age 18, the child can be FORCABLY EMANCIPATED and forced to go out on their own to make a living. The parent who has "custody" of a child can evict that child from the household once the child is 18.

In most states, parents must keep their chidren in school until at least 16 years of age. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-old children might succeed in court in suing for room board and clothes to finish high school.

But you can't force your parents to give you a college education.

Answer 4

An agreement to pay college tuition included in a divorce settlement is generally enforceable (tho' some states may limit it). The language you quote is meaningless out of the context of the rest of the agreement. Take it to an attorney and get a real opinion.

Answer 5

Very misleading. Kind of like, "scattered thunderstorms may occur."

Many states allow a divorce court to order payment or contribution to college expenses for a child.

Answer 6

Yes, a court/judge can order that a parent provide..X amount of support/monies for their child's college education, as well as their health care, living expenses.

The amount of monies that a parent will be requested to pay, towards their child's college education, etc...
Will depend on the parents ability to "pay."

If a parent is making minimum wages..of course he/she would not be ask to pay ..say....20k a year, in college tuition.

Answer 7

i agree the wording is a little vague. is the kid going to college or not? if a child is enrolled in college a parent can be ordered to pay child support past age 18 to pay for college expenses.

Answer 8

If a divorce decree mandates it, then yes.

That statement in the decree is pretty vague. Would really need to see the whole document to try and disect what it meant. May well be up for further judicial review.

Answer 9

If it is agreed in the divorce that the one or both parents will pay for the child college education then that is exactly what it means.

Answer 10

I think if it is in a divorce decree, yes they can. It is my personal opinion that kids should pay for college themselves, cuz then then study insteady of partying mommy and daddy's money away.