You have a fundamental misunderstanding as to which branch of government makes laws and which branch of government reviews, and if proper overturns, laws.
Why not a conversation with Dad before hiring a lawyer?
I’m starting to feel sorry for the dad here. Again- no evidence that he’s a deadbeat, but also no evidence that anyone involved has sat down with him over a cup of coffee or an ice cream cone to discuss the kid’s educational plans, aspirations, etc.
I am NOT divorced, but sure as heck wouldn’t have pulled out my checkbook just because my kid started senior year and it was “expected” (and I could afford it). We had a continuing dialogue since middle school about where hard work gets you, what kind of educational environment might be a good fit, what our financial limitations were and what we’d expect our kids to do in exchange for us supporting them until college graduation, etc.
Why give the divorced dad less than this? An opportunity to figure out what might work for his kid- and how he, dad, might want to contribute to reaching those goals?
I’m hardly an advocate for divorced dads who won’t take care of their kids- but I’m not sure we’ve got the entire landscape in front of us.
Hire a family lawyer based on Newburgh v Arrigo? Oh please. Try talking to the dad first?
OP has seemed to be able to attend a highly competitive school, is Princeton high school area strict with boundaries? Minimal contact or court ordered support to the OP might mean dad covers the mortgage. Seems that wouldn't be cheap. Again, adults don't need to be fuelling flames of what might well be a simplified version of the facts as digestible for a teenager who feels she deserves a tippy top school. Again married people also decline this option. Advising a child to hire a lawyer is hyperbolic equivalent of encouraging a foot stamping tantrum It is disappointing IMO. Thread after thread after thread gives great advice to higher income earners with great stats, not really sure why this one is different.
**chooses ** not to help.
This thread wasn’t started about divorce woes and who can vent. Rather, what this student can do that’s reasonable.
IF you want to cite NJ law, then IMO, one should know enough about how it actually works. “The law is a beautiful thing,” but various circumstances and conditions are considered, to determine **if ** a law or *precedent * applies, and how.
So IF you want to leam on “law,” maybe take 2 minutes to read this.
http://www.divorcesource.com/ds/newjersey/college-tuition-payments-in-new-jersey-3904.shtml
OP hasn’t been back to update this thread in any case.