Parent Won't Pay for Child's Tuition

My question involves child support in the State of: Massachusetts



My child is starting at a private school, ex is denying paying for half of tuition. It is the best option for my child currently, he cannot get into public school here unless i was a teen parent (weird huh?) I even have a letter stating this! Is it wrong if I ask for modification for visitation and for 50% of schools tuition? Its not even that expensive, he just does not want to pay me anything at all! I'm fine with the small amount of child support, i wont ask for more (30/week).. just asking to help pay for childs education.


Thank you.




I also posted another threat about moving to Utah and what I can do to legally move child out of state.

What do your current orders actually say about support?

What are your reasons for wishing to relocate?

It says they have to pay $30 a week. I've got custodial rights, and share joint legal.


I got an incredible job offer, and it would be best for my child to move there with me.

Okay.

Let me try again :)

What - word for word, minus names - does your order actually say about paying for private education?

If it says nothing, you'll have to convince the court why your choice of school should be the other parent's financial burden.

But this is moot if you're wanting to relocate. So, how does the other parent feel about relocation? MA is very tough on relocation cases; if the other parent objects you'll have to convince the court that it's in the child's best interested to be taken from the other parent.

How often does the other parent see the child? How old is the child?

it doesnt state anything unfortunately we both had terrible lawyers.

I can absolutely prove why this school is the best for my kid, I have spoken with his pediatrician, therapist, and have a letter that I "tried" to get him into public school but was denied because of a financial freeze the state has. My child has extreme anxiety (due to the separation from the visitation arrangement) and this will help ease him and help him socialise with other children his age, start him with a proper education, and give him the freedom he needs for his age.

I haven't talked about moving yet, i just recently found out so I'm trying to figure out what would be the best option, staying in Massachusetts or taking this wonderful oppurtunity. I just want to make sure my child is protected 100% with me, I would absolutely come up with an agreement with my ex on a long distance visitation schedule but I think they would fight me on it. The ex wasn't exactly happy about me getting Custody, and they have to pay child support (an extremely low amount at that.)

He sees the other parent on the weekends, and the child is almost 2.


Thank you! :)

Oh excuse me, our papers state that we will both sign papers regarding the childs health, education, yadadada as long as it is in the best interest of the child. Does this mean they have to sign the papers for the school? Or is that only regarding public education? Now im a bit confused!

I am skeptical that there's a school district, let alone as you claim an entire state, that will not enroll children in its public schools. What state and school district are we talking about? No, wait - the child is almost two? What public school district in the country enrolls one-year-olds? Are we talking daycare?

What is "separation from the visitation arrangement"? If you mean it is so traumatic to your child to be removed from his home state and proximity to his father that he needs counseling and should attend a special private school, you're making a pretty compelling case that the move is not in the child's best interest.

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Quoting applecider

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it doesnt state anything unfortunately we both had terrible lawyers.

I can absolutely prove why this school is the best for my kid, I have spoken with his pediatrician, therapist, and have a letter that I "tried" to get him into public school but was denied because of a financial freeze the state has. My child has extreme anxiety (due to the separation from the visitation arrangement) and this will help ease him and help him socialise with other children his age, start him with a proper education, and give him the freedom he needs for his age.

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In all actuality that might go against you; if your child is showing signs of separation anxiety, the court may believe the child needs MORE contact with Dad - not less. And at only 2 years old, there isn't a court in the land going to believe that he needs to be in private school unless he has severe learning or other disabilities.

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I haven't talked about moving yet, i just recently found out so I'm trying to figure out what would be the best option, staying in Massachusetts or taking this wonderful oppurtunity. I just want to make sure my child is protected 100% with me, I would absolutely come up with an agreement with my ex on a long distance visitation schedule but I think they would fight me on it. The ex wasn't exactly happy about me getting Custody, and they have to pay child support (an extremely low amount at that.)

He sees the other parent on the weekends, and the child is almost 2.

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I honestly think you'd have a VERY tough time convincing the court that spending LESS time with the other parent is best for the child - specially with the anxiety issues.

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Thank you! :)

Oh excuse me, our papers state that we will both sign papers regarding the childs health, education, yadadada as long as it is in the best interest of the child. Does this mean they have to sign the papers for the school? Or is that only regarding public education? Now im a bit confused!

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It basically means that if you can't both agree, the matter needs to go back to court.

Again Mom - I'm sorry, but the court is not likely to order Dad to pay for private school for a 2 year old. And I cannot see a relocation being approved based upon what you've said here.

The public school for children is a daycare/school. For his age, the child would have been enrolled into a classroom and had a more structured "school" schedule as oppose to a more daycare setting for children 6weeks - 1 years of age. Its a split daycare/school depending on age group. The school I am having the child attend is specifically meant for childs age group, has an entire curriculum based on what toddlers need to learn. Hope this helps. Sorry if I'm confusing.


I mean he has a hard time separating from me because OF the visitation agreement. I cannot even be there to drop him off, because the child just cries and gets extremely upset watching me leave. Childs separation anxiety started after visitation rights with other parent started (child was a year old) and yes because of childs age. I take the child to counseling to work on ways to help ease the childs feelings. If child spent more time at his home, with me the child would be a lot happier and probably be less stressed out. The day before child is supposed to leave for the weekend visitation, child gets extremely anxious.. child throws tantrums, refuses to eat, makes a mess of toys and throws clothes everywhere. Its the same day every week. When the child is home with me all the other days, child is absolutely fine. Happiest kid, eats well, no problems. (unless child watches me leave to go anywhere.. even the bathroom!)


I want to move, because we could have a fresh start, my child will be home with me more, and can see other parent (yes significantly less because of the distance) but that might ease anxiety. I haven't decided on whether the move would be better for us, I'm just wondering what type of legal action I would have to take to insure my child would stay with me, as I am the custodial parent. I'm weighing the pros and cons.

Thanks!

Honestly?

The child would be far less anxious if he was spending MORE time with the other parent. Not less. You're not helping, to be perfectly honest. It's only natural for there to be SOME anxiety. But this will pass, with time, as long as you aren't projecting your feelings.

Your child deserves to have regular, consistent access with both parents. You're actively trying to reduce Dad's parenting time for no good reason; that can be seen as a form of alienation and could, eventually, result in you losing custody.

The child is not yet two. How does he know it's the day before visitation unless he's picking up signals from you - and if he's picking up signals from you, perhaps its those signals that are making him so anxious.