New Jersey Info
New Jersey Divorce
Start Your Divorce
Find Professionals
New Jersey Articles
Divorce Facts
Divorce Grounds
Residency
Divorce Laws
Mediation/Counseling
Divorce Process
Legal Separation
Annulments
Property Division
Alimony
Child Custody
Child Support
Divorce Forms
Process Service
Grandparent Rights
New Jersey Articles
Agreements
Attorney Relationship
Custody & Visitation
Child Support
Collaborative Law
Counseling
Divorce/General
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Partnership
Financial Planning
Foreign Divorce
Mediation
Parenting
Property Division
Spousal Support
Info Categories
Contemplating Divorce
Children & Divorce
Divorce, Dollars & Debt
Divorce Laws
Divorce Process
Divorce Negotiation
More Information
Articles Checklists Research Center Cases of Interest Dictionary Encyclopedia Encyclopedia (pop-up) Blogs
For Professionals
Advertise With Us Free Network Page Join Our Network Submit Articles Sign In Network Sites
|
Settlement Agreements on the Issue of College Contribution
Can the parties agree by way of settlement for the payment of college?
The parties can always agree by way of a settlement agreement or via a consent order to fix the payment arrangement for college expenses. In the world of family court the constant mantra is to settle your dispute with your ex spouse. A settlement agreement is almost always enforceable it if voluntary, fair and equitable. Schlemm v. Schlemm, 311 N.J. 557 (1960). Thus, if the parties' agreement spells out with detail the terms of parental contribution, then in the majority of the cases the court will enforce it. If the parties agree to equally share for the cost of college for the child, then the court almost always will enforce this agreement. If the parties Property Settlement Agreement has no agreement as to college contribution, then the court must conduct an independent review of the Newburgh factors. In summary, the parties can waste all of their money fighting over who is paying for college. I don't agree with all of the complexity of New Jersey law on the issue college contribution. However, "it is what it is." In my travels, I have seen many warring ex spouses spend more on litigating college contribution issues than they did in their divorce case. If possible you should try to spell out the terms of college contribution in your Property Settlement Agreement, or your should try to resolve your case via a consent order.
Navigate:
Home
States
New Jersey Divorce Source
New Jersey Divorce Articles, News and Resources
Agreements
Settlement Agreements on the Issue of College Contribution
New Jersey is an equitable distribution state, meaning that the division of property in a divorce is to be done fairly, not necessarily equally. The court can take into consideration any factor it deems relevant when dividing property, but it must consider certain factors, such as how long the couple was married and the age and health of both spouses, the income or property brought to the marriage by each spouse, the standard of living that was achieved during the marriage, and the extent to which one spouse may have deferred career goals, among others.
|
![]() Find Professionals
Easily Connect With a Lawyer or Mediator
Have Divorce Professionals from Your Area Contact You!
|
Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Do Not Sell My Information
Established in 1996
Copyright© 1996-. All rights reserved by MH Sub I, LLC dba 3StepDivorce.