Sunday, August 11, 2002

A story released today by the Associated Press reports that Connecticut judges may order divorced and unmarried parents to pay for higher education, just as courts can order child support. The law, which takes effect Oct. 1, will allow courts to order support for undergraduate college expenses for children until they turn 23.

Critics questioned whether courts should be able to compel divorced parents to pay for college. They also insist that the law deprives divorced parents of discretion that married parents have over decisions about college.

"I don't think the courts are the answer to this," said state Sen. Robert L. Genuario, R-Norwalk, who voted against the legislation.

Twenty-one states have laws or legal precedents allowing such payments, according to a study by the Connecticut Law Revision Commission.

State Rep. Art Feltman, D-Hartford, a sponsor of the legislation, said children should not be at a disadvantage because their parents are divorced.

"I want to equalize the life chances of kids whose parents stay together and kids whose parents split apart," he said.

In Connecticut, the law will allow judges to enter a college support order as part of a divorce decree if the court determines that the parents would have provided such support in an intact family.

The courts can order payments as high as the cost of attending the University of Connecticut, which is about $12,600 a year.

The law also requires the court to consider parents' income, the level of need for support, the child's aptitude for higher education and the availability of scholarships and other financial aid.