Planning for College After a Divorce

 Posted on June 28, 2018 in Family Law

Student loan debt can take a toll on your child’s future. Therefore, planning for your child’s college is crucial. If you are divorced, however, you may find planning for college to be particularly difficult.

You are likely wondering how your child’s other parent will make decisions about paying for college when it is time for your child to earn a degree. Here are some tips for planning for college after a divorce:

Plan Early

Planning early is the key to successfully paying for your child’s college. Even if your child is young, you should start thinking about how you will pay for their college tuition and expenses. Speak to your co-parent to determine how you will start saving. This way, there will not be any confusion as to how college will be paid for when your child graduates high school and is ready to continue their studies at a college or university.

Consider All Expenses

One of the most common mistakes parents make when planning for their children’s college is not considering all college expenses. According to Illinois law, college and post-secondary expenses are considered the following:

• Standardized tests like the ACT
• College application fees
• Tuition
• Supplies and books
• Housing expenses
• Health insurance
• Living expenses such as transportation, utilities, and meals

What to Think About When Dividing College Payment Responsibilities

When trying to determine how each parent will pay for your child’s college, keep these factors in mind:

• Each parent’s income
• Financial aid, scholarships, grants, and other financial resources your child has
• Your child’s 529 plan
• How your child performs academically
• The standard of living your child is used to and would have experienced if the divorce did not happy

It is important to note that Illinois will take the retirement needs of each parent into consideration when determining how college expenses will be assigned.

When Does College Support Come to An End

In Illinois, parents are legally obligated to assist in supporting their child until they turn 23 or 25 under certain circumstances. However, there are several reasons the court my state that the support is no longer necessary. This will usually happen if the child graduates, gets married, or is consistently earning poor grades.

Contact Our Hinsdale Divorce Lawyers

If you are seeking guidance on how to plan for your child’s college after a divorce, contact our highly skilled DuPage County divorce lawyers. We will inform you of how you and your child’s other parent can work together to make college more affordable for your child. For a free consultation, call us at 630-920-8855.

Source:

https://www.discover.com/student-loans/college-planning/who-pays-for-college-after-divorce.html