College Expenses
Illinois College Expenses Family Law Attorneys in DuPage County, Illinois
While child support typically terminates when a minor child turns 18 or graduates from high school, in Illinois parents can still be required to contribute to a child’s post high school education expenses. This order can be part of an initial child support order or a post-decree modification. At Momkus McCluskey, LLC, our family law attorneys are experienced in working with child support orders that include college expenses. We understand how parental contributions to college education expenses are determined and effectively advocate for our clients’ interests and the interests of their children.
Court Considerations for College Expenses
The best case scenario is for parents to come to a mutual agreement on how much each party will contribute to a child’s college (or trade school) expenses. This saves time and money for both parties and avoids the unpleasantness of litigation. If this is not possible, however, and a petition is filed for the court to determine this matter, the decision is left to the discretion of the judge.
The court considers numerous factors when determining parental contributions to college expenses including:
- Financial resources of both parents (and stepparents in some cases)
- Alternative resources for the child such as college saving funds, scholarships, grants, gifts and financial aid
- Academic performance of the child
- Type of college chosen and the costs of attending that college (private tuition versus public tuition)
“College expenses” is a broad term that covers school tuition, room and board, dues, books, transportation costs and medical expenses while in school. Petitions to the court for help with college expenses should be done once the child has chosen a school to attend so that actual costs can be considered. The child is not without responsibility in these arrangements. Generally speaking, the child must keep up good grades and continue progressing towards a degree in order to continue to receive financial support.
Our attorneys are familiar with all of the requirements for petitions for college expenses. From our offices in Lisle, IL and downtown Chicago, we work closely with clients on all family law matters to ensure a positive outcome.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney skilled in handling petitions for college expenses, contact Momkus McCluskey, LLC.
