Whether you want to send your kids to a parochial school, an experiential learning academy or another type of private institution, you have some excellent options in and around Livonia. Still, even if you receive child support after your divorce, paying for private schooling may require some financial acrobatics.
Judges in Michigan use a standard formula to decide how much financial support each co-parent must contribute to raising the children. Broadly, this formula accounts for the number of overnight visits each parent has, health insurance costs, child care expenses and each parent’s income.
Special circumstances may affect child support
While judges in the Wolverine State must start with the child support formula, they also must make decisions that are in the best interests of the children. Consequently, the judge in your case may consider additional factors to help pay for special circumstances. Tuition and fees at a private school may fit into this category.
Your child may need private school
In theory, both public school and home school should give your kids the educations they need to succeed. In practice, though, your children may have an educational or emotional need for private schooling. This may be especially true if the young ones in your family are already in private school or have unique educational requirements.
Child support may cover private school
If a judge agrees private schooling is in the best interests of your children, the parent who has previously paid tuition and fees may be on the hook for continuing to do so. The judge may also rework each co-parent’s financial contribution to account for private schooling.
Because obtaining child support for private school can be challenging, it is important to take nothing for granted. Ultimately, you may need to document the needs of your children extensively to convince a judge to rule in your favor.
