Chils Support-NJ

[zoey829]

My sister has a daughter who graduated in June and will be 20 in the fall. She enrolled into a community college in Sept. The father agreed to continue CS as long as the daughter was full time. She took 12 credits (full time) and took 12 credits in the spring. However, when the father got the report card he noticed she failed a class. So he is taking my sister to court to get the child emancipated. Saying she isnt taking college seriously and applying no afford. The class she failed was a basic math class.

I cant say I blame the father. Since it is a community college and she works on and off maybe 5 hrs a wk. Or he is asking that she takes more classes to make more of an attempt (or over the summer) Or contribute some how. Esp since she took no summer classes and only took 4 this semstaer and one of the four is the class she failed. Anyone have experince in this area.

Note- my sister signed a court order saying she would be full time. Remember she failed a class, not making her full time.

Any thoughts???

 

[Katiean]

I am not experienced in any child support matters in any state. But, I think being enrolled in the classes makes her a full time student not passing the classes. Also, I do not think summer courses are included in a full time student as a lot of classes that some students need are not available in the summer. I would think he would have had to make a grade point average stipulation to say SC will end if she fails a class. Maybe he could get the CS amended to state that she keep a 3.0 average to keep the child support. Failing a class just means she either didn't go or couldn't do the work. Maybe she made the effort and just couldn't make the grade?

 

[zoey829]

His point is, "so I have to keep paying when she cant make the grade?, Is afford on her part being instituted?". It was a basic math level class. I guess it is a tough call. Kids deserve to go to college if they are going to put forth the atempt. I guess both parties have to argue thier case!

 

[mydaddysjag]

If he agreed to pay the CS if shes a full time student, and she did indeed take the classes, then he should continue paying. A lot of classes arent available in the summer, and atleast in my area, most full time students dont take summer classes.

The actual question is did she actually attempt to pass the math class? Although it is just a basic math class, a LOT of people struggle with math. Sometimes things simply just dont click. I had trouble with math for years, even the basic classes. finally I had a really good teacher, and one day I just "got it". Now, I did fail a math class, but it wasn't because I didn't apply myself. I was there everyday, taking notes, doing the homework, and even seeing a tutor. It's a complete different story if she was skipping class, not taking her notes, not turning in homework etc.

 

[zoey829]

That is what needs to be determined. I hate to say it because she is my niece but.... more attempt could have been made. And now she sint even working. If she struggled in math she should have taken a math her 12th grade yr and not left earily! She does struggle in math she could have gotten a tutor in the summer. This was a basic math. The outline the attorny gace it said the college desribed it as bas computation. Sooooo my sister's attrony said it is up to the judge. And she needs to prove her true attempt!

If he agreed to pay the CS if shes a full time student, and she did indeed take the classes, then he should continue paying. A lot of classes arent available in the summer, and atleast in my area, most full time students dont take summer classes. The actual question is did she actually attempt to pass the math class? Although it is just a basic math class, a LOT of people struggle with math. Sometimes things simply just dont click. I had trouble with math for years, even the basic classes. finally I had a really good teacher, and one day I just "got it". Now, I did fail a math class, but it wasn't because I didn't apply myself. I was there everyday, taking notes, doing the homework, and even seeing a tutor. It's a complete different story if she was skipping class, not taking her notes, not turning in homework etc.