Are a new spouse’s income and assets relevant to assess a parent’s financial resources in a college contribution case?
Yes. A current spouse’s income is very relevant to assess a parent’s financial resources, and it may impact the amount of a parent’s contribution toward college expenses. There is not set formula to determine how much of an impact a new spouse’s income has in a college contribution motion. Two current cases specifically hold that a new spouse’s income is relevant in college contribution motions. These two cases are Hudson v. Hudson, 315 N.J. 577 (App. Div. 1998), and Ribner v. Ribner, 290 N.J. 66 (App. Div. 1996).
