Des Plaines, Illinois Child Support Attorney
Does Child Support Income College Expenses?
Child support is the court-mandated amount of money that a noncustodial parent is legally required to pay to the custodial parent for the care of the children. Issues often arise when a child attends college, with the parents struggling to come to an agreement about who pays for college expenses. The Chicago area child support attorney at the Law Offices of Scott D. Rogoff is experienced with all matters of child support issues, including disputes about the payment of college expenses, and he will guide you through the child support process and help you protect the financial interests of your children and you.
If you currently make or receive child support payments and have a child that will soon attend college, do not hesitate to contact the Des Plaines child support law firm of the Law Offices of Scott D. Rogoff to schedule a free consultation.
Illinois Laws Regarding Payment of College Expenses
The issue of whether parents are required to pay for college expenses is governed by the state law of the parents’ residence as well as any agreements that may be in effect between the parents that governs the payment of college expenses. Some states require parents to pay for the child’s education, including college, while other states do not require parents to support their children after they have reached the age of 18 and/or graduate from high school.
In Illinois, judges are granted the authority to allocate college expenses, such as tuition, room, board, and books for children whose parents are divorced. Even when a judgment specifies formulas and/or allocations for college expenses, such judgments can be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances.
Unlike child support payments, however, the parents’ contributions to college expenses are not determined by state guidelines. Rather, the amount is left to the discretion of the judge presiding over the case by considering factors such as the income and assets of both parents, the financial resources available to the child, the child’s academic performance, and the child’s standard of living.
Some judges will provide a threshold for college expenses, indicating that no parent will be expected to pay more than a specified dollar amount. Some judges also stipulate that a parent does not need to pay for private school tuition if the child has been accepted to a public school and financial resources are insufficient to pay for private school tuition. Judges may also specify that the child is expected to apply for financial aid or pay for a certain portion of college expenses.
Get the Legal Advice You Need
Questions about who pays for college expenses and how much can be difficult and complicated for parents who are not married. Get the legal advice you need from an experienced Illinois child support attorney at the Law Offices of Scott D. Rogoff. Contact us at (847) 768-2194 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the payment of college expenses and any other child support issues.
