Do I have to pay for my child’s college expenses?

In a divorce, one of the issues that may arise is whether or not you will be required to pay for your child’s college expenses. Oftentimes, the parents will agree to pay for a portion or all of their child’s college expenses. Typically, the parents will agree to pay for the child’s college expenses up to the so-called “SUNY cap.”

The SUNY cap means that the maximum amount you would pay for your child’s college is capped at the cost of a State University of New York college. For example, currently, if your child lived on campus at a SUNY school, the tuition, fees, room and board cost about $20,000.00 per year. If your child went to a more expensive school that cost $40,000.00 per year, you would only be responsible for $20,000.00 of that cost. Of course, you could always pay more.

If the parents cannot agree on the issue of paying for college, then the Court will make a ruling on this issue. A Court may direct the parents to contribute towards to the cost of a child’s college education based on several factors, such as: (i) the parent’s ability to pay; (ii) if the parent’s attended college themselves; (iii) the child’s previous academic history; and (iv) any special needs of the child.

It is important to note that the Court could rule that you could pay more than the SUNY cap.

David Badanes and the Badanes Law Office have counseled numerous individuals on the issue of paying for their child’s college expenses and all the issues involved in a divorce. If you are considering getting a divorce, call David Badanes and the Badanes Law Office today at 631-239-1702, email us at; david@dbnylaw.com or visit our web site: www.dbnylaw.com. The Badanes Law Office has locations in Northport and Uniondale.