Kane County College Expenses Attorneys

Knowledgeable Child Support Lawyers with Main Offices in St. Charles, Illinois

Changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) that took effect as of January 1, 2016, impact how college expenses for non-minor children are handled in a divorce. The previous version of the law was open to interpretation for what qualified as "college expenses," and consequently, often led to protracted litigation when parties disagreed about what should be included. The new law has more definitive parameters and is meant to bring clarity to these matters.

At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we have a thorough knowledge of how contributions to college expenses will be determined by the new law. Our attorneys will help you understand how this law will apply in your case and represent your interests in negotiating or litigating these matters.

Contributions to College Expenses in Kane County

College expenses have previously been covered in Section 513 of the IMDMA. Numerous revisions have been added to this section to better define exactly what is expected of both parents and students. These changes include:

• Terminating contributions to educational expenses at age 23 unless there is "good cause" to continue and at age 25 regardless of the situation.
• Including the cost of up to five college applications, two standardized college entrance exams, and one standardized college entrance exam prep course.
• Better defining parameters for what types of expenses will be covered and at what standard. Costs are now capped at what a University of Illinois education would cost.
• Requiring a child to sign consents to allow a supporting parent to have access to the child's academic records (unless there is a safety issue).
• Allowing the support obligation to be terminated if the child's grade point average falls below a "C" (without good cause), if the child completes a bachelor's degree, or gets married.
• Providing that a college savings plan (i.e. 529 plan) is a resource for the child.
• Directing the court to consider present and future financial resources of both parents when determining the contribution to college expenses.

If you have any questions about interpreting the IMDMA in regard to college expenses, our St. Charles, IL child support attorneys can answer your questions in a private meeting.

What Expenses Does College Child Support Cover?

If you are responsible for covering child support expenses for college, it is natural to want to know what exactly your money is going toward. Under Illinois law, child support can be put toward various necessary expenses for your child's continuing education, such as tuition, medical expenses, course materials, and living expenses such as food and transportation.

Can I Request a Modification to College Child Support?

Sometimes, your financial situation may change to a point where a court order for an order of child support may no longer be feasible. If you experience a major change in circumstances, you can petition the court to modify the amount of support you pay. For instance, if you suffered a serious injury that affects your livelihood, you could ask for a reduction in the regular payment amounts. At Shaw Sanders, P.C., our Kane County child support lawyers can represent you in a petition for a modification of child custody.

Contact a St. Charles, IL Child Support Attorney

If your divorce involves children, making decisions about how college expenses will be handled is an important part of the proceedings. For more information, contact Shaw Sanders, P.C. by calling 630-584-5550 to arrange a complimentary consultation. We will further explain how college expenses are handled in a divorce or parentage case in Illinois and discuss your specific legal options. Our firm is located in St. Charles, and we work with clients in Geneva, Aurora, Batavia, Wheaton, Yorkville, Elgin, and throughout Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, and DuPage Counties.