NJSBA Family Law Section

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  • 1.  Judge Jones latest college contribution decision

    Posted 06-13-2014 01:49 PM
    Attached article is hot off the presses (literally).  Barbara, can you get us a copy of the decision?

    Adult Child's Estrangement May Be Factor Weighed in Tuition Obligation

    A college-age child of divorced parents who harbors continued antipathy toward the parent from whom he seeks tuition assistance can be made to attend counseling sessions as a condition of receiving it, a New Jersey judge holds in a precedential decision.


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    Nancy Marchioni Esq.
    Middlesex NJ
    (732)667-3668
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  • 2.  RE: Judge Jones latest college contribution decision

    Posted 06-13-2014 05:00 PM
    Text of the decision:






  • 3.  RE: Judge Jones latest college contribution decision

    Posted 06-13-2014 05:20 PM

    Judge Jones has provided some very thoughtful, well-reasoned decisions in the last couple of years.  This is another one.  Practical method of funding the college contributions for the next several years when all three of the parties' children will be in college. 

    Makes me think of all the times I have had clients come in to discuss divorce.  The parents  make a decent living, have a couple of kids, say 17 and 15,  and when I broach the subject of the children's plans for college and I ask whether they've put money aside to help with education costs, I get the blank stare.  Often enough to make it really annoying, the parent does not want to burden Johnny  with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans when he gets out of college so she suggests that both parent fund the education with loans (home equity loan, parent loans, etc.)  I hold my tongue but wish I could say "WHAT were you thinking?!?  The idea that college is going to cost tens of thousands of dollars never occurred to you during the first 17 years of your son's life?!" Ugh.  Just venting….

     






  • 4.  RE: Judge Jones latest college contribution decision

    Posted 06-13-2014 05:31 PM
    I concur wholeheartedly.  I truly appreciate Judge Jones' application of the law with a hearty dose of common sense.  Based on the footnote at the end, it does not appear that this decision is headed for appeal.  As far as Lisa's point, it is interesting to note that, on more than one occasion, either in ESP/mediation/court, when trying to resolve a divorce involving younger children, attempts to address the college issue are often met with "let's put in generic language acknowledging the obligation" with nothing more.  Almost guarantees that these parties will be back on a post-judgment motion.


    On Fri, Jun 13, 2014 at 5:21 PM, Lisa Radell via New Jersey State Bar Association



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    NANCY B. MARCHIONI
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  • 5.  RE: Judge Jones latest college contribution decision

    Posted 06-13-2014 05:46 PM
    I too have heard that far too often. That's what America has become--live for me;  live for today. 


    Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone