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Moehring v. Maute8/12/1993
In this post-judgment matrimonial motion, plaintiff seeks to compel defendant and/or the parties' daughter, Sheri Ann, to produce all documents related to settlement of a personal injury case arising out of an automobile accident in which Sheri Ann sustained severe injuries. Plaintiff further seeks a plenary hearing to determine whether he has a continuing obligation to contribute to Sheri Ann's college expenses in view of the personal injury award. Judgment of divorce was granted on February 29, 1980, and plaintiff is currently contributing to Sheri Ann's college expenses in accordance with an order entered on July 10, 1991.
On March 25, 1990, Sheri Ann was seriously injured in an automobile accident. She was hospitalized for a period of time and underwent extensive treatment and rehabilitation. Even though she was recovering from her injuries, Sheri Ann began her studies at William Paterson College and expects to graduate in May 1994 with her class. She has maintained a 3.3 grade point average, is vice-president of the National Honor Society in psychology and works part-time to defray her personal expenses. She has received grants and aid and those amounts are deducted from the tuition paid by the parties.
Plaintiff argues that if Sheri Ann has received a substantial settlement, as he suspects, she should pay her own college expenses "with her new found wealth." Plaintiff further argues that as her father, he is entitled to the information regarding the settlement. Defendant contends that Sheri Ann's settlement resulted from her pain and suffering and should not be utilized to pay her college expenses when her parents can continue to pay those expenses as they have for the past three years.
Sheri Ann is twenty-one years old and defendant argues that Sheri Ann can determine whether she wishes to disclose the settlement to her father. Sheri Ann submitted her own certification in opposition to the motion, and stated unequivocally that she does not wish to disclose the settlement to her father, from whom she has been estranged. Plaintiff acknowledges that his relationship
with his daughter is strained as a result of his active alcoholism during the marriage. He indicates he has now been sober for a number of years and would like to heal the relationship.
The sole issue before the Court is whether plaintiff is entitled to disclosure of his daughter's settlement and a hearing to reduce or extinguish his obligation to contribute to her college expenses. Significantly, in his motion, plaintiff makes no claim that he is unable to afford these expenses or that he has experienced "changed circumstances" which limit his ability to pay. Plaintiff's ability to pay is not the issue in this motion.
It is generally accepted that "financially capable parents should contribute to the higher education of children who are qualified students." Newburgh v. Arrigo, 88 N.J. 529, 544, 443 A.2d 1031 (1982). The factors to be considered in determining a parent's contribution to college expenses include:
(1) whether the parent, if still living with the child, would have contributed toward the costs of the requested higher education; (2) the effect of the background, values and goals of the parent on the reasonableness of the expectation of the child for higher education; (3) the amount of the contribution sought by the child for the cost of higher education; (4) the ability of the parent to pay that cost; (5) the relationship of the requested contribution to the kind of school or course of study sought by the child; (
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