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  #1  
Old 05-02-2006, 08:02 AM
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step parent and college tuition

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

I am a stepmom to two teenagers. One plans on attending college next year. My husband and ex-wife have a custody agreement stating they will each pay for college based on their incomes. However now the ex is refusing to contribute anything because she doesn't make much money, plus now that I'm in the picture my income and my husband's income should be enough. Am I obligated to pay for my stepkids college? I have no problem helping out, but don't think I should be obligated.
  #2  
Old 05-02-2006, 08:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmom1
What is the name of your state? New Jersey

I am a stepmom to two teenagers. One plans on attending college next year. My husband and ex-wife have a custody agreement stating they will each pay for college based on their incomes. However now the ex is refusing to contribute anything because she doesn't make much money, plus now that I'm in the picture my income and my husband's income should be enough. Am I obligated to pay for my stepkids college? I have no problem helping out, but don't think I should be obligated.
You are not obligated.

Tell hubby to re-read his custody/support order and then if the ex does not follow, take her back to court for contempt. (note: he can't do anything until she is actually in contempt, which means AFTER the child has registered and the fees are not paid by the ex)
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  #3  
Old 05-02-2006, 08:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmom1
What is the name of your state? New Jersey

I am a stepmom to two teenagers. One plans on attending college next year. My husband and ex-wife have a custody agreement stating they will each pay for college based on their incomes. However now the ex is refusing to contribute anything because she doesn't make much money, plus now that I'm in the picture my income and my husband's income should be enough. Am I obligated to pay for my stepkids college? I have no problem helping out, but don't think I should be obligated.
Q: Am I obligated to pay for my stepkids college?
A: No

Have Hubby reread the C.O.
  #4  
Old 05-02-2006, 08:47 AM
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Oops, sorry I didn't get in there fast enough
  #5  
Old 05-05-2006, 09:38 AM
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fafsa form

Thanks for your replies. I think the confusion comes from the fafsa form which I believe states that you should list the step parents income along with the parent. Is this true? If so, I don't know why my income is relevant since legally a step parent has no obligation to contribute.

thanks again,

stepmom1
  #6  
Old 05-05-2006, 09:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmom1
Thanks for your replies. I think the confusion comes from the fafsa form which I believe states that you should list the step parents income along with the parent. Is this true? If so, I don't know why my income is relevant since legally a step parent has no obligation to contribute.

thanks again,

stepmom1
Because it is based on household income. The more income in the household the more the parents can contribute.
  #7  
Old 05-05-2006, 09:50 AM
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In other words, Dad has more available income to contribute due to your contribution to household expenses.
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  #8  
Old 05-05-2006, 03:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stealth2
In other words, Dad has more available income to contribute due to your contribution to household expenses.
This means that you are not obligated. However, in a round about way you are paying for the education because less of your husbands money will be available for your household.

Hope this makes you feel better.
  #9  
Old 05-07-2006, 01:08 PM
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who is the cusotdial parent in this case? on federal aid forms only the custodial household should be listed, not both parents.

it has actually been reccomended that a custodial parent not remarry until the kids are out of college because of this.
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  #10  
Old 05-07-2006, 04:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haiku
who is the cusotdial parent in this case? on federal aid forms only the custodial household should be listed, not both parents.

it has actually been reccomended that a custodial parent not remarry until the kids are out of college because of this.
Are you sure?...the financial aid office is asking for my ex's info on my daughter's apps....
  #11  
Old 05-07-2006, 07:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LdiJ
Are you sure?...the financial aid office is asking for my ex's info on my daughter's apps....
But it shouldn't ask for your ex's new wife's income if you have custody (that's assuming there even is a new wife).
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  #12  
Old 05-07-2006, 08:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ceara19
But it shouldn't ask for your ex's new wife's income if you have custody (that's assuming there even is a new wife).
That's a given...but Haiku was saying that only income from the custodial household was included.....and that seems to be contradictory to what it going on here.
  #13  
Old 05-07-2006, 09:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LdiJ
That's a given...but Haiku was saying that only income from the custodial household was included.....and that seems to be contradictory to what it going on here.
As far as I know, both parent's incomes are pretty much a requirement. Other then the obvious (a parent being deceased or unknown) I don't know of anyway around disclosing both incomes.
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  #14  
Old 05-15-2006, 04:14 PM
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the FASFA worksheet i looked at stated you used the "custodial" parents income....

"If your parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, give answers about the parent who provided more financial support during the past 12 months, or during the most recent year that you actually recieved support from a parent. If the parent is remarried as of today, answer the questions about that parent and the person to whom your parent is married (your stepparent)"

Ldj - i wonder if the school requirements are just different from the federal requirements...

I think it is a complete crock that i am expected to put down my financal info for my SS, even though I'm not supposed to be legally responsible for him! I especially am ticked about the part where I have to put down how much i have in savings! I don't think it's anyone's business how much money i save from my income... i shouldn't be penalized for being good with my money and saving for myself and any future kids of my own - plus i can't help but notice there is no where for us to show how much child support we are paying for my SD, and we can't put her down as a memeber of the household since she isn't living with us... thank goodness he is going to community college right now and my H is paying for everything without loans, so i don't have to worry about it too much yet, but now i'm trying to figure out if i want to put my savings somewhere, some sort of investment... wish i had a clue about that sort of thing!!!
  #15  
Old 05-15-2006, 07:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by texastepmom
Ldj - i wonder if the school requirements are just different from the federal requirements...
Could be...or maybe even state requirements. It is a state school.
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