Handling College Expenses After an Illinois Divorce

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Child Support

When you get a divorce and you have children, chances are there will be some sort of child support involved. In Illinois, child support ends when the child turns 18 or until the child graduates from high school -- whichever comes later. Even though your child has graduated from high school, that does not mean that your support for the child has ended. If your child decides to pursue some type of post-secondary education, you are responsible for contributing to their education. This type of support is considered to be “non-minor support” and lasts until the child turns 23. It is best if you and your spouse come to an agreement as to how college expenses will be handled, but a judge can allocate college expenses if need be.

Covered Expenses

The main thing most people think about when discussing college expenses is tuition. While that is typically the most expensive expense, it is not the only expense that is covered under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Other expenses that you may be responsible for include:

• Up to five college applications;
• Up to two standardized college entrance exams;
• One standardized college entrance exam preparatory course;
• Educational fees;
• Housing expenses;
• Meal plans;
• Medical expenses, including insurance and dental costs;
• Reasonable living expenses during the academic year and break periods; and
• Books, supplies and other things needed to attend school.

Determining Who Pays What

The state of Illinois recognizes that not all families have the financial resources available to pay for post-secondary education costs. When making determinations about requirements for paying college costs, judges look at the following factors:

• The current and future financial resources of both parents to meet their needs, including saving for retirement;
• The standard of living that was established for the child during the marriage;
• The financial resources of the child; and
• The child’s academic performance.

Contact an Aurora, IL Divorce Lawyer Today

College is not cheap -- that is no secret. When it comes to divorce and deciding who pays what, college expenses are determined just like any other financial obligation that the couple has. At the Law Offices of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we can help you and your spouse come to a decision on who will pay what for your child’s college expenses. Our skilled DuPage County divorce lawyers will help you make your divorce go as smoothly as possible. Call our office today at 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050k513.htm