Legal Question in Family Law in California

Must I pay College Expenses for my Son?

In 1992 I signed a court order (1992) says that my ex and I will share college expenses for our children.This has not been a problem until recently.My youngest son is a Freshman at CUSF.I have paid 1/2 of all the expenses for this year. He has a scholarship which covers tuition.

When I signed this order I did not realize that the circumstances that would preceed this child going to college.As a juvenile, he was in custody three times and in residential rehab for 7-1/2 months.He got kicked out of several schools until his Jr year when I paid for him to go to a private school-was kicked out of at the end of the year for drugs.I home schooled him though an accredited home schooling program (while in rehab) for honors classes/college prep.His brains and my persistance is how he got the scholarship.All of these costs have added up. He has gotten three misdemeanors for drugs and alcohol since turning 18/off probabtion and now on probation again.

He decided he wanted to go to Europe to study for the summer.My ex did not consult me on this but expects me to pay 1/2.(He paid for it and wants reimbursement.)My son does not appreciate any of this and I feel he should work and be contributing.Can the court order be changed?


Asked on 5/21/05, 8:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

PATRICK MCCRARY PATRICK MCCRARY

Re: Must I pay College Expenses for my Son?

The court order cannot be changed, but there is substantial question about what the meaning of "sharing" college expenses means and what you would be required to "share". Traveling to Europe is not something that most college students include in their education. Talk to a child support attorney and allow him to review your agreement and all circumstances. He should then be able to give you more definitive advice. Good Luck, Pat McCrary

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Answered on 5/23/05, 6:36 am


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