Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New Jersey parents ordered to pay estranged adult daughter's college tuition
Ny Daily news ^ | 11/14/14 | BY MEG WAGNER

Posted on 11/14/2014 9:39:38 AM PST by GrandJediMasterYoda

New Jersey parents ordered to pay estranged adult daughter's college tuition Michael Ricci and Maura McGarvey said their daughter, 21-year-old Caitlyn Ricci, hasn't spoken to them since she voluntarily moved out in 2013. Shortly after she left home she sued for college tuition — and a judge demanded Thursday her parents pay $16,000 of her Temple University tuition. BY MEG WAGNER

Two New Jersey parents will have to foot the bill for their adult daughter’s college tuition ― even though she hasn’t spoken to them in two years, they claimed.

Temple University junior Caitlyn Ricci sued her estranged parents for tuition money in 2013. On Thursday, a Camden County judge ordered the divorced couple to cough up $16,000 every year the 21-year-old is enrolled in classes.

Caitlyn Ricci’s grandparents paid for the lawyer she used to sue their own son, WPVI reported. They said Ricci’s unsupportive parents ― Michael Ricci and Maura McGarvey ― kicked her out of the family home two years ago.

The divorced couple said they never turned their back on their daughter: Instead, she left her mother’s home, refusing to accept house rules like chores and a curfew, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: libs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-57 last
To: lacrew

There are a lot of bitter divorced fathers out there, for that reason.


41 posted on 11/14/2014 10:44:26 AM PST by gogeo (If you are Tea Party, the Republican Party does not want you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Steve_Seattle

I think Massachusetts does too. I once talked with a guy who was divorced up there. He turned down a really good job opportunity in another state because his kid was enrolled in a state college and if he left he would have been required to pay the out-of-state tuition.


42 posted on 11/14/2014 11:13:33 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Marie; gogeo; Steve_Seattle

Wow. I had no clue it could be that bad.


43 posted on 11/14/2014 11:23:46 AM PST by moovova
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Steve_Seattle

What happens if the parents move out of New Jersey? Does the state continue to hound them for the tuition money no matter where they live?


44 posted on 11/14/2014 11:25:55 AM PST by Cecily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Bloody Sam Roberts
Actually, this ruling opens up some interesting areas. Is it now legal to force one adult to pay for another adult's college education? Fine. I want to go back for my Master's Degree. I think Laz should pay. I'll sue him using this case as precedent.

******

If the parents are forced to pay, shouldn't they, in turn, then have the right to choose the college the daughter attends, say, a much cheaper college, like an in-state public college? I understand Temple is an expensive private college.

Myself, either I would appeal or I wouldn't pay.

Does this ruling apply to just her undergraduate studies?

What would have happened if the daughter had chosen an expensive college in Europe? Would the parents have been forced to pay those expenses also? In my opinion, the judge is way off base.

45 posted on 11/14/2014 11:34:53 AM PST by john mirse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Cecily

Yes...and the Feds will help.


46 posted on 11/14/2014 11:35:09 AM PST by gogeo (If you are Tea Party, the Republican Party does not want you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: gogeo
Jail. Contempt of Court.

******

What can parents do today to protect themselves from such a horrible ruling in the future?

47 posted on 11/14/2014 11:40:52 AM PST by john mirse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: gogeo

This young woman had better do well in life with her college degree or otherwise, because I have a feeling she shouldn’t count on future financial help or an inheritance from her parents. She will probably end up being an ingrate to the granny who helped her as well.


48 posted on 11/14/2014 11:43:12 AM PST by Cecily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: GrandJediMasterYoda

When our kids went to university, I told them “your parents managed to pay their own way through… you can do it too. Don’t expect any help from us.” In the end, we did help them out but that financial arrangement was part gift (based on how much skin in the game they were prepared to put) and part loan for which the repayment is structured over 10 years after graduation. In the end, I saw no other way to make it fair for all the kids since not all of them wanted to do post-secondary education. I’d be interested in hearing how others have done this.


49 posted on 11/14/2014 11:48:15 AM PST by hecticskeptic (In life it's important to know what you believeÂ….but more more importantly, why you believe it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: john mirse
What can parents do today to protect themselves from such a horrible ruling in the future?

Short of changing the law, both state and federal, I don't know.

That would require a culture change, which will not happen soon.

Short of that, don't have children.

It's a dog's stew of choices.

50 posted on 11/14/2014 12:34:22 PM PST by gogeo (If you are Tea Party, the Republican Party does not want you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Cecily
I don't know.

There's only one family.

I hope that when/if maturity hits this young woman can create a working relationship with her parents.

51 posted on 11/14/2014 12:36:08 PM PST by gogeo (If you are Tea Party, the Republican Party does not want you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: john mirse
In my opinion, the judge is way off base.

As I read in other posts his ruling is right in line with their state law. If those posts are correct....""Here in NJ, when parents divorce, they are required to pay their children's college tuition."

52 posted on 11/14/2014 12:52:01 PM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are not inclined to commit crimes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: moovova
Judges think they are gods now...I thought only doctors were the ones...They want to make up laws, run for the legislators office...
53 posted on 11/14/2014 12:57:39 PM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Steve_Seattle

Well, I have seen divorced fathers forced to pay for their children’s college tuition, even if they turn 21...I’d have to do a lot of legwork to find the case though.


54 posted on 11/14/2014 2:17:47 PM PST by scrabblehack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: GrandJediMasterYoda
Caitlyn Ricci’s grandparents paid for the lawyer

They are as dysfunctional as the kid.

55 posted on 11/14/2014 3:27:49 PM PST by hattend (Firearms and ammunition...the only growing industries under the Obama regime.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: john mirse; Bloody Sam Roberts
If the parents are forced to pay, shouldn't they, in turn, then have the right to choose the college the daughter attends, say, a much cheaper college, like an in-state public college? I understand Temple is an expensive private college.

YES! As far as I know, that is: In the case of divorce, the parents are required to pay their children's* college tuition for four years, BUT (1) that doesn't mean they have to pay for the most expensive college, and (2) they're responsible for the amount AFTER all scholarships, tuition aid, etc. have been applied.

Temple is a public university, but it's expensive for out-of-state students. The daughter apparently had two years at a NJ community college and then transferred to the university.

* Note: I used the word "children" to mean adult children; I realize they're adults at college age.

Does this ruling apply to just her undergraduate studies?

In divorce cases, the parents are responsible for the first four years (bachelor's degree). I don't know if that's what this ruling says, though.

I wanted to find a website with more info for you. And I found http://www.divorcenet.com/states/new_jersey/payment_of_college_costs

Interestingly, it says this:

There are certain situations in which a contribution to college is arguably not warranted. The most obvious situation is when a child is alienated from a parent and refuses all contact despite the parent’s efforts to maintain a relationship. Even though there is no relationship, the child still requests that parent be held responsible for college. A very perplexing question then arises. Is the child who unreasonably refuses to have a relationship with a parent entitled to a contribution to college? The answer to this dilemma is determined on a case-by-case basis.

56 posted on 11/14/2014 9:23:37 PM PST by Tired of Taxes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: hecticskeptic
In the end, I saw no other way to make it fair for all the kids since not all of them wanted to do post-secondary education. I’d be interested in hearing how others have done this.

So far, only my firstborn is in college. Fortunately, thanks to his SAT score, he qualified for practically a full ride at one college.

My other children will do their best with the SAT and hope for scholarships, too; otherwise, they can start at community college and transfer later, or they might opt for career programs instead.

Either way, I'm not worried anymore. I've heard now from the firstborn about all the trouble on campus, so I'm not sure it'd be so bad if the younger ones didn't go straight to university.

57 posted on 11/14/2014 9:36:57 PM PST by Tired of Taxes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-57 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson