In 2014, 21-year-old Caitlyn Ricci took her divorced parents to court to force them to pay her college tuition and she won. The judge ruled that of her $26,000 annual bill, Caitlyn was to pay just over $9,000, her dad was to pay 60% of the balance and her mom the rest. Mom and dad are appealing the decision.

In media reports, general public opinion seems to be against Caitlyn in support of her parents arguing that they have no obligation to pay for Caitlyn’s college and that Caitlyn needs to get a job.

Caitlyn’s situation doesn’t automatically apply to other divorced parents but the case highlights an often contentious area in divorce negotiations. And since there’s almost always less money after divorce, single parents are frequently faced with some hard decisions around paying for their child’s college education.

Joining Mandy to share their experience around divorcing parents and paying for college is financial advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Jamie Sladky, and retired magistrate and mediator, Simon Mole.

Jamie Sladky is a financial advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC located at 1212 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO.  Jamie can be reached at 303-323-4293 or jamie.sladky@raymondjames.com

Follow Mandy on her blog at Since My Divorce, on twitter as @SinceMyDivorce and on Facebook. Got a question or comment? Email Mandy atmandy@mandywalker.com.