College Expenses

Is The Cost of Your Child’s College Education An Issue In Your Divorce?

Because divorce can be a painful and confusing time for your children, you want to do everything possible to stabilize their lives. As you navigate the divorce process, seeking insightful guidance from an experienced family law professional gives you the peace of mind that every decision you make is informed, thoughtful, and aligned with your child’s well-being.

While custody arrangements, child support, and parenting time are primary concerns when your child is a minor, financial plans for post-secondary education are an essential issue for the future. There’s no time like the present:

• The tuition and fees for attending a public four-year college in Illinois are in the range of $13,784 to $22,904
• Tuition and fees for attending an Illinois community college range from $4438 to $7552
• Annual tuition for an out-of-state university or private non-profit 4-year college can average anywhere from $30,780 to $43,350.

Parental contribution to a child’s secondary educational expenses is not mandatory under Illinois law. However, a court can still order divorced or unmarried parents to cover those expenses. The court also has the authority to decide the proportion of each party’s contribution.

If your family hasn’t previously made provisions for college expenses, a qualified lawyer can help.

Michone J. Riewer™: A College Expenses Lawyer You Can Rely On

The attorneys at Strategic Divorce™ have years of experience assisting parents in college contribution cases and other family law matters in Lake Bluff and the greater Chicagoland area. They’ve helped many clients like you resolve financial parentage issues.

Michone J. Riewer™ and her team can help you:

• Assess your child’s eligibility for financial contribution
• File or respond to petitions for contribution in court
• Assess family members’ available financial resources for contribution
• Represent you and your interests in negotiations, hearings, or mediation

When Do College Expenses Become An Issue, And How Are They Resolved?

Under Illinois law, a judge can order divorced or unmarried parents to contribute to the cost of their child’s post-secondary education. These costs include:

• Fees for applications, test prep courses and standardized tests
• Tuition and related fees
• Housing
• Medical and dental expenses
• Books and supplies
• Other reasonable living expenses

When there is no prior agreement or judgment regarding college expenses, either parent can file a petition for contribution in family court. The court will determine how expense contributions will be shared based on:

• The present and future financial resources of each parent
• The child’s financial resources, such as scholarships, grants, loans, existing 529 plans and part-time employment
• Whether the child maintains good academic standing (specifically, at least a “C” average)

While both parents are obligated for college expenses, the court will determine each party’s share of that contribution. An experienced college payment agreement attorney can ensure that your and your ex’s share of the financial burden reflects your respective abilities to pay.

Let Michone J. Riewer™ Help You Prepare For Your Child’s Educational Future

If you’re ready to resolve financial obligations for your child’s college expenses, we’re here to help. Michone Riewer™ can guide you through the process and ensure you and your ex make equitable and fair contributions to your child’s education.

Contact Strategic Divorce™ Today To Begin

Be the parent who delivers on their child’s educational future. Call Strategic Divorce™ today at (847) 234-4445 or visit our client contact page to schedule a free consultation.