Direct Child Support Payments May Not End When a Child Goes Away to College

Do I still Have to Pay Child Support If My Child Goes to College?

After years of paying child support directly to your former spouse, it would not be beyond the realm of reason to believe that you will stop paying the other parent and simply pay for the child’s personal expenses while they are away at college. As discussed by the Appellate Division in last year’s division of Colella v. Colella, however, you may be wrong.

Let’s talk about what happened in Colella. Here are the facts you need to know:

• The parties’ marital settlement agreement provided that Dad agreed to pay Mom weekly child support of $187 for the parties’ two daughters.

• A subsequent Order held Mom responsible for 28% percent of one daughter’s college tuition and expenses, and Dad responsible for the remaining 72%. Weekly base child support was modified down to $276 (it previously increased to $287 through cost adjustments).

• The first daughter graduated college and the second started at college and lived away from home. Prior to starting college, the second daughter lived with Mom.

• Dad sought to reduce his base support obligation to mom with contributions to be made directly to their daughter. He outlined in his motion how he pays on behalf of the second daughter college-related costs, auto repair car insurance, cell phone and medical expense payments. He indicated such expenses amounted to $17,000 annually, including the car insurance, cell phone, computer and “all of those other expenses for the parties’ daughter.”

• Mom responded that the daughter would still be spending over 40% of the year living at her home.

• The trial court terminated Dad’s direct child support obligation because the daughter lived on campus. In so doing, the court did not perform an analysis of the factors outlined in New Jersey’s child support statute as required by a case called Jacoby. Instead, it took into account Dad’s alleged “satisfaction of the Jacoby expenses . . .”

In reversing the trial court, the Appellate Division noted from Jacoby that a “child’s attendance at college is a change in circumstances warranting review of the child support amount. However, there is no presumption that a child’s required financial support lessens because he or she attends college.” It further provided, “[t]he payment of college costs differs from the payment of child support for a college student.” Delving further into its analysis, the Court noted:

Although child support needs lessen in certain respects, such as room and board, which are college costs, other necessary expenses may remain the same or actually increase when a child goes to college. These necessary expenses typically include: transportation, furniture, clothing, linens and bedding, telephone, supplies, sundries, toiletries, insurance, entertainment, and spending money. The student’s ability to contribute to those expenses must also be considered.

We have also recognized “the possible continued need to maintain a residence for a child who returns home from college during school breaks and vacations.”

Because child support determinations in this context are fact-sensitive, “courts faced with the question of setting child support for college students living away from home must assess all applicable facts and circumstances, weighing the factors set forth in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(a).”

As a result, the Appellate Court found the trial court erred by failing to consider expenses paid by Mom and by not properly analyzing the following factors under New Jersey’s child support statute:

(1) Needs of the child;

(2) Standard of living and economic circumstances of each parent;

(3) All sources of income and assets of each parent;

(4) Earning ability of each parent . . . ;

(5) Need and capacity of the child for education, including higher education;

(6) Age and health of the child and each parent;

(7) Income, assets and earning ability of the child;

(8) Responsibility of the parents for the court-ordered support of others;

(9) Reasonable debts and liabilities of each child and parent; and

(10) Any other factors the court may deem relevant.

On remand, the trial court was tasked with performing a fact-based analysis under the statutory factors, since some expenses may, but not definitely change while a child is away at college. As part of its analysis, the trial court was directed to consider “the costs associated with maintaining a residence for [the child] during school breaks and vacations” and such costs when the child was away at college.

The Takeaway

The case is important to both practitioners and litigants in how it emphasizes the fact-sensitive nature associated with determining whether a parent still has a child support obligation to the other parent when a child goes away to college. Simply because the child’s personal expenses are paid by that same parent does not mean there will no longer exist a direct obligation to the other parent, especially if the child frequently returns home or stays at home for extended periods of time during college.

New Jersey’s Requirements for Child Support While a Child Is in College

As you can see from this case, it’s easy to falsely believe that once your child turns 18, you no longer have to pay child support. This is especially the case because this applies to most states in the U.S. However, according to New Jersey’s child support laws, a child is not emancipated at 18 so long as they are a full-time college student. New Jersey requires parents to continue to support a child either through college or when a child turns 23.

Additionally, support for college expenses is usually in addition to child support payments. It’s important to address these payments at the time of divorce, when the child(ren) are much younger so it doesn’t catch you by surprise when it comes time for the child(ren) to apply for college.

What Happens If College Expenses Weren’t Factored In Originally?

In the event that college expenses weren’t originally factored in to the child support agreement, it may come down to the court determining whether financial contributions for college expenses are owed later.

When a court determines if a non-custodial parent is liable for a child’s college expenses, it considers the following factors:

• The child’s ability to cover his or her own expenses
• If the child is earning any income
• If either parent was planning to or able to cover the expenses if they were still together
• If it’s reasonable for the child to attend college and what the child’s college goals are
• The total amount needed for all of the college expenses
• The financial situation of the parents
• If the child has any financial assets
• Whether the child is living at home while attending college or if the child is living away at college

It’s also important to note that before a child can seek financial assistance from his or her parents, the child must apply for all scholarships, loans, and grants available.

The Importance of Hiring a Lawyer

As you can see, it’s often tricky to determine child support and college expenses. Our Livingston family and divorce lawyers will be able to discuss your divorce and child support case and help you determine what you’re required to pay.

Give us a call at {F:P:Sub:Phone} or contact us online today.