Child support can be a contentious aspect of divorce. It can be especially difficult when your child’s education is at stake.
According to the California Department of Education, about 7% of California’s children attend private schools. If your child is one of them, you and your spouse must decide how to split tuition expenses.
Reaching a settlement
You and your spouse might be able to discuss and agree on how to allocate your child’s education expenses. If you need guidance from a neutral person, mediation may be a good solution. Mediation can help reduce tension and resentment between you and your spouse as you work toward a solution that works for your circumstances.
Mediation is more likely to be successful if you and your spouse are on the same page regarding your child’s education. For example, if you want your child to attend private school and your spouse disagrees, it may be more difficult to reach an agreement about who should pay.
Going to court
When a couple can not agree on how to split tuition expenses, a judge must make the decision for them.
In California, the court may add discretionary expenses to a child support order, including educational expenses. If your spouse disagrees with sending your child to a private school, the judge might ask you to provide evidence that private school is best for your child.
Stability is essential for children during a divorce. If your child has been attending a private school for several years, the court might find that it is in your child’s best interest to remain enrolled there.
Every family’s situation is unique. When it comes to your child’s education, you or the court should make the decision that meets your child’s needs.