General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: NJ teen loses first legal battle to make parents pay for education [View all]avebury
(11,193 posts)She is not in college yet. I do think that they could finish paying the high school bill though.
It seems like the prudent thing would be for the parents to hang onto the money to see that she actually goes to college. If I were her parents I would be - "Show me the bill and I will write the check to the school." If they have had problems with her drinking, getting suspended from school, breaking house rules, I would be really concerned about her blowing the college money on other things and then coming back for more money. If she wants the money now, I would make her sign a release from requesting any money in the future for college and living expenses.
I had a roommate who had a son who was never going to go to college, couldn't even begin to show responsibility for keeping a job and learning how to take care of himself, and had psychological problems on top of all that. I would have hated to live in the state of NJ with that kid in the house. I have to admit that I am more apt to feel sorry for the parents. It is frustrating dealing with a kid who has a mind of his/her own and doesn't want to listen to a parent.