<p>This case could be about a kid who wouldn’t abide by house rules, bailed out when she turned 18, and is now trying to stick it to her parents with the help of an opportunistic lawyer. Or it could be a kid who was kicked out of the house for some minor infraction by nutty parents who are now refusing to pay her high school tuition and are threatening to withhold college funds that were earmarked for her education. Where the story lies on this spectrum would affect my sympathies. I still find it hard to see where her legal recourse is, though–maybe there’s some sense in which the college funds were treated as “hers?”</p>
<p>What was mentioned in articles was that after a 3 hr visit, child protective svcs found nothing wrong and that she was just spoiled but this is according to the father. The part that is most disturbing to me right now is this girl’s facebook page, with all her pictures is referenced and linked on the Buzzfeed article - and it’s open, not deleted at all. I would think that a good lawyer might close all social media down to protect his client? Bet she didn’t think this news story would go beyond our little Morris County - and there it is, spreading not just nationally but intl.</p>
<p>I agree that it could be anywhere on the spectrum, as Hunt said.</p>
<p>However, I disagree with posters who say anything short of physical abuse, she should have stayed. Verbal and emotional abuse are very real, even if the person is not getting hit, and what goes on even in ‘nice’ families is really difficult for outsiders to see sometimes. I am not saying that this is the case here, but it could be. I wouldn’t be quick to label the girl a brat without knowing all the facts or at least hearing her side of the story.</p>
<p>I have read that the lawyer she is staying with is not the lawyer who is representing her. Depending on what type of contract the family had with the private school, they may be responsible for the whole year’s tuition. I doubt she’ll have a case to make them pay college tuition, especially if the money was not in her name. Of course, we don’t know how much money is in the college fund or if the parents planned to pay part of tuition with current income and/or loans. </p>
<p>There are now 3 threads on this subject. Maybe the Mods could merge them?</p>
<p>I wish that this could turn into a class action suit from young people whose parents are able to pay for college by financial aid formula, but won’t (or can’t ) and are barred from financial aid when they are adults by definition. It would turn the college financial aid structure upside down if that turned out to be a win.</p>
<p>Parents claim she moved out on her own accord because she didn’t want to “live under their rules.” According to the father the rules were that she be respectful, do her chores and return the belongings that she borrowed from her sister. This prompted the move out. Who knows, but my instincts tell me that Inglesio (host father) is not to be trusted. Pass the popcorn……………….</p>
<p><a href=“High school cheerleader, 18, sues her retired police chief father for at least $17,500 after he 'kicks her out for refusing to live by his rules' | Daily Mail Online”>High school cheerleader, 18, sues her retired police chief father for at least $17,500 after he 'kicks her out for refusing to live by his rules' | Daily Mail Online;
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<p>I can’t agree with this as a blanket statement. I had a lot of friends in hs that stayed with us and only two were due to physical abuse. Emotional and verbal abuse are just as real and harmful as physical abuse and they saw my house as a safe place. </p>
<p>If she’s staying with a lawyer that’s representing her, then yeah I can see the conflict of interest. </p>
<p>No lawyer would take this case for the money. There probably won’t be any–even if she wins, there won’t be enough to make a big payday for the lawyer.</p>
<p>Lots of information out there about the host, Inglesino. He’s not some guardian angel by any stretch. Probably just wants to get his money back for room and board, and transportation since someone has to be getting her back and forth to work or lent her a car. Just wish this lawyer would shut down her facebook and put the whole lot into counseling. What $12K in lawyers fees could there be for someone who moved out a few months ago and has everything about her life right there open for viewing on FB? </p>
<p>On her facebook she lists Inglesino’s D as her sister, no other family members. So I checked her page too. She posted the article and is getting blasted for taking this girl in and siding with her. I agree that someone should be shutting down both these facebook pages.</p>
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They sure should be! Considering the recent press that big mouths on FB have gotten (the $80,000 settlement blabbed by plaintiff’s Daughter Dearest), hard to understand why someone didn’t shut these FB pages down. Rachel Canning is going to be a name to remember. And she’s making sure of it, isn’t she?</p>
<p>Jcrsmom, It’s a whole other story when college expenses and support are part of the law in the case of divorce, and in the case of divorce are contractually spelled out. Even if a parent is required to pay for college, unless otherwise specified, the amount that could be paid could be as little as the community college tuition. I know families who have been to court due to the fact that these contracts were not specific enough. </p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>In my case, I was never married to my son’s father. We had no type of contract or agreement regarding college costs. But in Indiana the law is that custodial parents can go to court to seek assistance with college costs. I did and I now have a court order that states that my son’s father has a legal obligation to cover 53% of my son’s expenses (including tuition, living expenses, books, travel costs, and misc expenses) during the time he is an enrolled student. (But yes, that is limited to the maximum tuition of an instate public institution unless another agreement is made).</p>
<p>A quick search on New Jersey laws shows the following on a lawyer’s website:</p>
<p>“If divorced parents can’t agree, the decision on whether or not a parent should pay for college costs will rest with a court. In New Jersey, there’s a strong trend towards requiring parents, if they are financially capable, to pay for college expenses.” (<a href=“http://www.divorcenet.com/states/new_jersey/new_jersey_child_support_part_2”>http://www.divorcenet.com/states/new_jersey/new_jersey_child_support_part_2</a>)</p>
<p>In such states where a precendent has been set that some parents who are financially able have a legal obligation to provide support while their students are in college, it seems that it would be difficult for a judge to rule that these parents don’t have the same obligation.</p>
<p>I don’t know the laws in a NJ, but I personally do know a woman from NJ, whose divorce decree specified that her ex-husband was supposed to pay for college.</p>
<p>Her son was accepted to MIT, but the father could not be forced to pay even a cent because it was private college and not in-state public. I don’t know if it was the NJ law or divorce decree that played a role there.</p>
<p>Regarding children suing parents to pay according to financial aid formula, I think it is a slippery slope for many reasons.</p>
<p>What needs to be done is that federal government should make it easier for kids with uncooperative parents to get access to Stafford loans. This way most kids will be able to at least attend community college. The high-achieving kids will be able piece together merit scholarships, Stafford loans and part-time job to attend 4-year school.</p>
<p>FWIW -</p>
<p>Since I’m in Indiana and not NJ, the laws here may be different, but my son is OOS and I was still able to get the court order obligating his father to pay. Although the maximum amount the court would order would be limited to the amount of a IS public, that amount can then be used toward the costs of any school. In my case since my S is on a full tutition scholarship, the OOS school was actually much less expensive than our IS flagships, so it was not an issue in our case.</p>
<p>And making it easier to get more Stafford loans when parents are financially able to pay seems to be a slippery slope too. How many parents with sufficient assets would suddenly become uncooperative just because they knew their students could get more in loans. (And how could their relationship status ever be verified?) Don’t we already have enough problem with student loans???</p>
<p>Although I personally considered it my obligation to send my kids to college, I have a huge problem with courts mandating that all parents be required to pay for their kids’ college. </p>
<p>Jrcsmom,</p>
<p>I am not talking about student loans in general. Stafford loans are limited. You can only borrow 27K for all 4 years (5.5K for freshman year, increased amounts in subsequent years). Many parents make their kids get Stafford loans as skin in the game type of thing. </p>
<p>27K in loans is manageable amount, considering that the alternative is no college education at all.</p>
<p>Now even if the family does not qualify for financial aid, parents have to fill out FAFSA, which many find very intrusive. There is nothing in FAFSA that can prevent students from getting Stafford loans, parents ability to pay doesn’t count against getting Stafford loan. The only barrier is filling FAFSA out. I find this ridiculous and burdensome for some students and/or parents.</p>
<p>My friend was divorced and the ex wouldn’t pay for his S to attend private HS that S’s cousins were attending. He also balked at helping with college costs, so friend made sure that she only had kids accept Us that she could pay alone, in case ex continued to be balky (which he was). She didn’t want the kids’ future held up in court while the ex delayed and delayed paying whatever the court ordered. The court DID order that he help fund the kids private school and college, but she knew the reality could keep the kids hostage and she didn’t want that for the kid.</p>
<p>Both the friend and ex are attorneys and the ex earns many times what my friend earns. They supposedly have “joint” custody, but in fact mostly keep in touch with friend and limit contact with ex. He had them sleeping on a mattress on the floor when they visited and told them he owes them NOTHING once they turn 18. He remarried and expects them to tutor his new wife’s kids, who are all failing and way below grade level. Tough situation, but am glad that my friend was able to get her kids the education they deserved, in spite of difficult ex.</p>
<p>After looking at their FB pages this is so a reality show in the making, Real daughters of NJ housewives go to college. Sis/friend FB page shows what DD of police officer aspires to. Spoiled, entitled is all relative but I get a sense of what the parents were/are up against when their 17 turning 18 y/o DD wants to go clubbing with her “sis” ect</p>