People who are in unhappy marriages sometimes delay pursuing a divorce. They may try to work on the relationship for their own protection or for the overall stability of the family unit. Particularly when there are still minor children living with the parents, avoiding divorce may seem like the best option available.
Children, especially teenagers, are often well aware of the tensions within their families. They may have an easier time healing and developing healthy relationships for themselves in the future if their parents model appropriate behavior instead of simply staying together for the kids.
Parents who want the brightest future possible for their children may worry about the impact that divorce could have socially, emotionally and financially. Could a divorce negatively impact a teenager’s ability to attend college later?
Divorce can be expensive
There is a possibility that divorce could impact a child’s ability to afford college. Their parents may not be able to provide the same level of financial support after splitting their assets and using the same income to cover the living expenses of two separate households. In some cases, parents even dip into savings to pay for divorce, which can diminish the resources available to cover college costs.
Additionally, child support typically ends either when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school. If parents intend to cooperate to cover college costs, they may need to negotiate arrangements to do so, as child support won’t last through the college years.
Children struggle during and after divorce
It is quite common for the children of divorcing parents to experience a slump in academic performance. Their intense emotions related to the divorce may manifest as impulsive, even self-destructive behavior.
Previously well-behaved children may start having disciplinary issues in class. It is also common for children to see a drop in their overall grades. Particularly when they are sophomores or juniors in high school, issues with academic performance could impact eligibility for college enrollment and opportunities for financial aid.
Parents may need to ensure that they offer appropriate emotional support to their children during and after divorce. They may also need to address college expenses and appropriate ways to support the children financially as they prepare for divorce.
Recognizing that the end of a marriage can alter the opportunities afforded to the children in a family is important. Parents who understand the rules that apply to child support can invest the necessary time and energy to address post-secondary education expenses for shared children during divorce negotiations.