Who Pays for College After Divorce in Connecticut? Educational Support Orders Explained

In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC discuss how Connecticut courts handle college expenses after divorce, including educational support orders in divorce, custody, and child support cases.Many parents assume that college contribution only comes up in divorce cases, but Connecticut courts may also address post-secondary educational support when parents were never married or when a child support case is involved. Matt and Nicole explain when a court can order parents to contribute toward a child’s college education, vocational school, tuition, room and board, books, and related expenses.This episode covers the key legal standard: whether it is more likely than not that the parents would have contributed to college if the family had remained intact. Matt and Nicole also discuss why it is important to preserve the court’s jurisdiction over college expenses during a divorce or custody case, especially when children are still young and college decisions are years away.Listeners will learn about important limits on Connecticut educational support orders, including the cap based on the cost of attending the University of Connecticut, the age limit of 23, the four-year undergraduate limit, and why these orders generally do not apply to graduate school. Matt and Nicole also explain how courts may consider 529 accounts, college savings, scholarships, financial aid, the child’s academic standing, each parent’s financial circumstances, and whether both parents were included in the college decision-making process.Whether you are going through a Connecticut divorce, negotiating a custody or child support agreement, saving for your child’s college education, or facing a dispute over who should pay for college, this episode offers practical guidance on what parents should know before college costs become an issue.Learn more about Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC:Website: https://dolanfamilylaw.com/Contact: https://dolanfamilylaw.com/contact-us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dolandivorcelawyerspllc7203Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolanfamilylaw/Email: [email protected]: 203-902-8395This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, contact a qualified family law attorney.