You want to see your child graduate college.
A major concern when negotiating a divorce settlement is the issue of college expenses. Vancouver, WA divorce attorneys often see parents who are very conscious of the future costs and want to make a plan that will help insure that their children are supported in higher education.
Do parents have a duty to help with a child’s college education? Should dividing these educational expenses be addressed in the divorce settlement or once a child is 18 does a parent’s obligation end?
Interestingly enough, Washington court cannot order a married couple to pay for their children’s college education; however, the court can order a divorced couple to do so.
Anticipating the cost of a university, community college or tech program is difficult. College support agreements would be complicated if the courts required a list of specific costs. This is why you may need help structuring a parent’s contributions to post secondary education support. Every state has different laws. You will need a family attorney from Washington State to help you explore the various options.
One important thing to remember is that if you want to have your ex-spouse help support your children after they graduate from high school then you need to make a formal court request at the time of your divorce.
Washington State Legislature provides that the court may, in its discretion, award college support. The court shall determine whether the child is in fact dependent and is relying upon the parents for the reasonable necessities of life. To be supported, a child must:
- enroll in an accredited academic or vocational school
- must actively be pursuing a course of study
- must be in good academic standing
- must make available all academic records and grades to both parents
- the court shall direct that parents’ payments be made directly to the educational institution if feasible
- court shall not order the payment beyond the child’s twenty-third birthday, except for exceptional circumstances, such as mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
To read the standards for post-secondary educational support awards click here.
Crystal Lambert can help you include college support in your divorce agreement. Click here to read more about Lambert Law or call them at 360-737-1473.