| In Rhode Island (RI) Divorce and Child support cases, | | | | especially when it is in the middle of a school year and |
| Can I get the father or mother of my child to be | | | | it would be disruptive for the child to transfer to a |
| ordered to pay for private school education? | | | | public school. Parents can certainly negotiate payment |
| No, unless there is a contractual obligation, a stipulated | | | | of private school education and the judge of The |
| consent order or there is an ongoing divorce. | | | | Family Court will usually approve the settlement in a |
| Most judges take the position that there are suitable | | | | court Order. That stipulated consent order could be |
| public schools for children to attend. However, If there | | | | enforced in a Family Court contempt proceeding. |
| is something in writing such as a property settlement | | | | Can I get the father or mother of my child to be |
| agreement obligating one parent to pay for the private | | | | ordered to pay for college? |
| school education of the child, then the parent may be | | | | No, Unless there is a written contractual agreement |
| obligated to pay for the private school education. | | | | obligating payment of college expenses. Rhode Island |
| Article by Rhode island attorney David Slepkow | | | | child support terminates when a child turns 18 and |
| (401-437-1100) | | | | graduates high school but not longer then the child |
| Also, the parent could be ordered to pay for private | | | | attaining the age of 19. |
| school education in a divorce on a temporary basis, | | | | |