Forced to Pay College We Can't Afford

[ALDWYN JEROME]

NJ. I have a court matter coming up for hearing next week and I really can't afford a lawyer at this time. My son turned 18 a few days ago. I applied for emancipation of child support. However, his mother, my ex-wife, cross motioned because he is now attending college at Howard University in D.C. He was accepted to Howard, and I was only told 2 weeks before he entered. However, he only got $6,200.00 in grants out of a tuition of $34,450.00 for this academic year. Therefore, $28,250.00 has to be paid out of pocket. His mother expects me to pay 1/2, which results in $543.27 bi-weekly. I can't afford to do so. It will cause me extreme financial hardships. I was not included in the decision making and despite my request that he finds a Junior college or cheaper in-state college in NJ, his mother enrolled him in Howard and is asking the court to force me to pay this exorbitant amount. Please advise what recourse I can have or if you know of any prior rulings in my favor. Thank you.

 

[Antigone*]

NJ. I have a court matter coming up for hearing next week and I really can't afford a lawyer at this time. My son turned 18 a few days ago. I applied for emancipation of child support. However, his mother, my ex-wife, cross motioned because he is now attending college at Howard University in D.C. He was accepted to Howard, and I was only told 2 weeks before he entered. However, he only got $6,200.00 in grants out of a tuition of $34,450.00 for this academic year. Therefore, $28,250.00 has to be paid out of pocket. His mother expects me to pay 1/2, which results in $543.27 bi-weekly. I can't afford to do so. It will cause me extreme financial hardships. I was not included in the decision making and despite my request that he finds a Junior college or cheaper in-state college in NJ, his mother enrolled him in Howard and is asking the court to force me to pay this exorbitant amount. Please advise what recourse I can have or if you know of any prior rulings in my favor. Thank you.

What does your current court order state about his education?

 

[proud_parent]

OP might find the following articles to be informative:

Divorce Source: College Tuition Payments in New Jersey

Divorce Source: Payment of College Costs: Should a non-custodial parent be required to pay for a public college or a private college?