Lynch & Owens Podcast - A Massachusetts Divorce & Family Law Podcast

This AI-generated podcast is based primarily on four blogs from Lynch & Owens attorney Nicole K. Levy: (1.) Who Pays for School: College Expenses and Massachusetts Child Support Agreements, (2.) How College Expenses Affect Child Support in Massachusetts, (3.) The Challenge of Modifying College Payment Agreements in Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts, and (4.) Child Support for Adult Children in Massachusetts: When Does it End? It provides an overview of how courts determine college obligations in Massachusetts. As always, the views of the podcast do not always reflect the sources material, nor do the views expressed on the podcast represents Lynch & Owens. The blog and podcast are both presented for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. 

Creators and Guests

Writer
Nicole K. Levy
Nicole K. Levy is an attorney and family law blogger at Lynch & Owens, P.C. Her blogs frequently provide the content for the Lynch & Owens Podcast.

What is Lynch & Owens Podcast - A Massachusetts Divorce & Family Law Podcast?

We are a podcast focused on Massachusetts divorce and family law issues, brought to you by the attorneys of Lynch & Owens, PC.

Our podcasts are generated by Google NotebookLM, an artificial intelligence platform, based on blogs created by the attorneys of Lynch & Owens, P.C. of Hingham, Massachusetts. Note that the opinions offered in the show are generated by artificial intelligence and may differ from the source material. Neither our blogs nor our podcasts are legal advice.

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Host 1:

Welcome to the deep dive. Today, we're gonna be tackling something well, I'm sure it's a question that a lot of parents in Massachusetts think about a lot. Yeah. And that is, you know, how much do courts actually have a say when it comes to paying for college?

Host 2:

Yeah. It's a, it's a topic that a lot of people are kinda in the dark about and, maybe a little bit anxious about as well.

Host 1:

Yeah. Exactly. And we've got well, luckily, we've got some some good info to kinda clear things up a bit. Yeah. We are diving deep into 5 different blog posts from Lynch and Owens.

Host 1:

They're a law firm in Massachusetts. Mhmm.

Host 2:

And

Host 1:

they specialize in child support and, you guessed it, family law.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

So they've actually broken down this pretty complex topic into some, you know, some really good pieces that we're gonna be looking at today.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

But before we jump in, really important disclaimer. Right? Neither of us are lawyers.

Host 2:

That's right.

Host 1:

So this is not legal advice.

Host 2:

Not at all.

Host 1:

This is really just, you know, your deep dive into the basics. Hopefully, something that will be helpful to you before you even think about, you know, needing to contact a lawyer or anything like that.

Host 2:

It's just think of this as, like, the, like, the first step Yeah. In the process, you know, before you even

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

Think about calling anybody.

Host 1:

Exactly. Yeah. So to really understand, I think, how we got to where we are today, we need to rewind a bit. We need to go back to 2017.

Host 2:

Okay.

Host 1:

This is when the Massachusetts child support guidelines, they got a major overhaul

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Especially when it came to, you know, this whole idea of contributing to college costs.

Host 2:

It's interesting because, you know, before 2017, these guidelines were pretty you know, they were pretty vague. It was really unclear how judges were supposed to actually figure out how much parents should be contributing, and that obviously led to a lot of confusion.

Host 1:

Well, yeah, I was gonna say I bet that led to a ton of inconsistency too. Right?

Host 2:

Oh, huge inconsistency.

Host 1:

From case to case. Yeah. Okay. So it sounds like these changes in 2017, it was all about, you know, bringing some order to this whole process

Host 2:

Exactly.

Host 1:

Making it a little bit more predictable for families. Right?

Host 2:

Exactly.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

And one of the biggest changes was, I'm sure you've heard of this, the UMASS cap.

Host 1:

Oh, yeah. The UMASS cap. This is where things get interesting.

Host 2:

That's right.

Host 1:

So for our listeners who haven't heard of this, this basically means that judges in Massachusetts, they cannot order a parent to pay anything more than 50% of what it costs to attend UMass Amherst

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

For their child's undergraduate degree.

Host 2:

And that's in state, by the way.

Host 1:

In state, of course. Yeah. Yeah. So it's essentially, like, setting this, you know, this baseline for everyone. Right?

Host 2:

That's right. But it's only the the thing is it's only for the amount that the court actually orders.

Host 1:

Right. Okay.

Host 2:

Parents can always decide to contribute more on their own, like, if they, you know, have a separation agreement or something.

Host 1:

Gotcha. So it's not like everyone's chained to this rule. Right?

Host 2:

No. Not at all. And even judges can, like, order a parent to pay more than the cap, but they have to write it down, like, justify it.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

But, yeah, back in 2017, attending UMass Amherst cost about $27,669 per year.

Host 1:

Oh, wow. That's that's a lot of money.

Host 2:

It is.

Host 1:

Okay. So so I can see why they, you know, why they had to come up with some guidelines. Yeah. But it does make you wonder. Right?

Host 1:

It does. Like, college costs are so different across the board. Right? You've got state schools, and then you have these really expensive private colleges. So is that UMass cap like, is it actually starting point for everybody?

Host 2:

I mean, that's a really good point because, you know, it's tough. Right? Like, you know, it gives you a good reference, but it doesn't really cover the fact that college can cost so many different amounts.

Host 1:

Right. It's like comparing apples and oranges.

Host 2:

Right. Exactly. Some colleges are like gourmet.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

And some are, you know, the fruit salad you get at the, you know, the supermarket.

Host 1:

Exactly. So but the guidelines, they're not dumb. Right? Yeah. They actually say that the UMass cap, it's not set in stone.

Host 1:

There are times when a judge can order a parent to pay more. Mhmm.

Host 2:

And a

Host 1:

lot of it comes down to, like, their ability to pay. Right?

Host 2:

That's right.

Host 1:

So if someone's really well off, you know, expecting them to just stick to, like, the state school standard. That doesn't really seem fair, does it?

Host 2:

No. And the task force that put together the guidelines, they were thinking the same thing.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

They said that if a parent has a lot of money and stuff, they might be expected to pay more than the UMass cap. You know?

Host 1:

Okay. That makes sense.

Host 2:

It's all about trying to be fair.

Host 1:

Okay. So what if you had, like, an agreement in place before all these changes in 2017?

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Right. Like, imagine a couple had agreed to split the costs 5050 even if their kid went to some really fancy private college. Yeah. Did that, like, did that all just go away with these new rules?

Host 2:

It's a little more complicated than that. Yeah. There's actually a case, Salie v Salie, back in 2016, and it kinda shows this perfectly.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

So this father, he tried to get out of paying for his daughter's college because of, like, how their agreement was worded. Yep. Yeah. So the daughter, she started at 1 college, but then she decided to transfer.

Host 1:

Oh, god.

Host 2:

And the father, he said, well, I never agreed to pay for that second college. You know?

Host 1:

Oh, wow.

Host 2:

And their agreement said they had to agree on college together, so he was like, I'm off the hook.

Host 1:

So he was trying to get out of paying because of a technicality.

Host 2:

Exactly. Oh, wow. But the court didn't buy it. They said, no. You knew about the transfer, and you didn't say anything at the time, so you still gotta pay.

Host 1:

So even with these older agreements, you can't just, like, disappear when the college bills show up.

Host 2:

Right. You

Host 1:

gotta be involved in those decisions from the beginning.

Host 2:

That's right.

Host 1:

Okay. Wow. So it really underscores, I think, why having a really clear agreement in the first place

Host 2:

Exactly. Is super important. Yeah. Like, having a lawyer write it up for you, you know, someone who knows the rules, can save you so much trouble later on.

Host 1:

Yeah. Really good advice. Yeah. So another big change that came in 2017 was this 25% reduction in, like, the base child support amount

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

For young adults, like 18 to 23.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

What was the reasoning behind that?

Host 2:

Well, before this change, you know, child support for that age group, it was completely up to the judge. Yep. So you never knew what was gonna happen. Yeah. This 25% reduction, it was meant to, like, make things more consistent.

Host 2:

You know?

Host 1:

So so now it's like the like the automatic setting?

Host 2:

Yeah. Pretty much. But judges can still change it if they think it's necessary.

Host 1:

Okay. So there's still some wiggle room there. Right. Are there any, like, any specific examples of when a judge might decide not to use that 25% reduction?

Host 2:

Yeah. So the task force, they gave a good example. Let's say a kid is living at home while they go to college.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

The judge might not use the reduction because, you know, the parent they live with is still paying for a lot of things even if it's not dorm costs.

Host 1:

Yeah. Yeah. That makes sense.

Host 2:

Right. It's like they're trying to be fair and consider all the real costs involved.

Host 1:

So so when that when this 25% thing came out, did it, like, did it make a big impact?

Host 2:

Oh, yeah. Tons of parents rushed to file modifications to their child support. You know? They all wanted to take advantage of that reduction.

Host 1:

Yeah. They were paying attention.

Host 2:

For sure.

Host 1:

Okay. So I've always wondered this. You know, you have those regular child support payments.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

And then on top of that, you have these potential college contributions. Right. So how does that work in Massachusetts?

Host 2:

That's a good question. Usually, courts in Massachusetts say child support should keep going even if a parent is also helping pay for college.

Host 1:

Oh, so it's not like one or the other. It's more like you gotta balance both.

Host 2:

Exactly. It's all about finding a way that works for both parents and, of course, the child too.

Host 1:

But, you know, there are so many factors. Right? Income levels, college costs, where the kid lives. Like, how do judges even begin to figure out what that balance should be?

Host 2:

Yeah. It's tough. There's no magic formula. You know? Judges have to look at a lot of different things, and each case is different.

Host 1:

Yeah. It sounds like a hard job.

Host 2:

It is. So we've talked

Host 1:

about those big 2017 changes. Any updates since then?

Host 2:

Actually, yeah.

Host 1:

Oh, new info. That's always exciting.

Host 2:

Well, we got the 2023 Massachusetts child support guidelines.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

And there's another update coming in January 2025.

Host 1:

They're keeping busy.

Host 2:

That's right.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

But the good news is that the main ideas haven't really changed.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

The UMass cap is still there, and courts are still considering all those different things when they make decisions about college money.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

It's still all about trying to be fair to the parents and the child and looking at the whole family's financial situation.

Host 1:

Yeah. Quite a balancing act, I think.

Host 2:

It is.

Host 1:

I think we've covered a lot of ground here

Host 2:

We are.

Host 1:

In this first segment.

Host 2:

For sure.

Host 1:

Maybe this is a good place to just pause and let our listeners kind of absorb all this info before we move on.

Host 2:

Yeah. A little mental break never hurts.

Host 1:

Definitely.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

Okay. So let's, let's dive back into this world of college contributions in Massachusetts.

Host 1:

Yeah. I'm ready for more. You know, I think we've talked a lot about the kinda nuts and bolts of these guidelines, like the what. But I'm kinda curious about the why behind it all. Mhmm.

Host 1:

You know, like, what was the big thinking, the big picture thinking that led to these changes? What were they really trying to achieve here?

Host 2:

That's a great question. So the task force that created these guidelines, they were really worried about how much college costs were going up

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

And how it was affecting families, especially families going through divorce or separation.

Host 1:

Well, yeah. College is crazy expensive these days.

Host 2:

It is.

Host 1:

And, you know, if you're already dealing with, like, the financial stress of splitting up Right. Adding those extra costs on top Yeah. It's a nightmare.

Host 2:

Exactly. And the task force, they knew that. They wanted to make guidelines that didn't, like, totally bankrupt parents.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

They didn't want parents to, you know, empty their savings or go into tons of debt just to pay for their kid's college.

Host 1:

Yeah. It's about finding that balance. Right?

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Acknowledging that, yeah, parents have a responsibility Mhmm. But it also has to be doable, like, financially.

Host 2:

Exactly. And that's where the UMass cap comes in. You know? It's like saying, okay. This is a reasonable starting point.

Host 2:

If you can afford to do more, great, but we're not gonna force you to pay so much that you can't even make ends meet.

Host 1:

Yeah. Yeah. I like that. Setting those limits, but also knowing that there are gonna be exceptions. Right.

Host 1:

It's not one size fits all.

Host 2:

And that's where the idea of deviation is important. The guidelines say judges can change the calculations. Like, they can make them higher or lower depending on the situation.

Host 1:

That's like a safety valve. Right. Yeah. Allows for adjustments based on what's actually going on in each case.

Host 2:

Exactly. It acknowledges that, you know, things aren't always straightforward. Right. Sometimes you need to personalize things a bit.

Host 1:

Yeah. So can you give us some examples? Like, when might a judge actually decide to deviate from these guidelines?

Host 2:

Sure. Let's say a child has special needs, you know, things that require extra financial support like medical care or special education programs.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

In those cases, a judge might increase the amount a parent has to pay to make sure the child's needs are met.

Host 1:

So, basically, they're recognizing that some kids just have higher costs Right. And making sure that's taken into account.

Host 2:

Exactly. On the other hand, a judge might decrease the amount if a parent is having a really tough time financially.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

Like, maybe they lost their job or they're dealing with a medical condition, something that makes it hard to pay as much as the guidelines say.

Host 1:

Yeah. So it's not about punishing parents who are genuinely struggling.

Host 2:

That's right.

Host 1:

Okay. That's good.

Host 2:

The main goal is to be fair, considering both what the child needs and what the parents can actually afford.

Host 1:

It's like finding that sweet spot. Right?

Host 2:

Yeah. Exactly.

Host 1:

Where everyone's needs are considered.

Host 2:

Basically, these guidelines, they're like a starting point.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

A framework that can be adjusted depending on the specific case.

Host 1:

Okay. So we've talked about how these guidelines aren't super rigid.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

So how does this actually work in practice? Like, do parents usually pay the college directly, or is it more common for them to pay the other parent?

Host 2:

Yeah. That's a practical question, and it really depends on the situation and what's in the court order or separation agreement.

Host 1:

Okay. So there are different ways to do it.

Host 2:

Absolutely. Sometimes the court might say a parent has to pay a specific amount right to the college. Okay. That way, it's super clear. You know, everyone knows exactly where the money is going.

Host 1:

No room for any funny business.

Host 2:

Right. But sometimes the court might say a parent has to pay their share to the other parent, and then that parent takes care of the college expenses.

Host 1:

So it's like an indirect payment.

Host 2:

Yeah. Exactly. But in those cases, it's really important to keep good records of how that money is being spent.

Host 1:

Yeah. I can imagine things could get messy if you don't.

Host 2:

Oh, for sure. That's why having a really detailed separation agreement or court order is so important.

Host 1:

Yeah. It

Host 2:

should spell out exactly how those college payments are gonna work so there's no fighting later on.

Host 1:

So planning ahead is key. Absol Speaking of planning, what advice would you give to parents who are, you know, trying to prepare for these costs? Mhmm. Like, even if their kids are still young, are there things they can do now to get ready?

Host 2:

That's a really good point, and people often forget about it. The sooner you start planning and saving for college, the better off you'll be when those tuition bills start coming.

Host 1:

It's about being proactive

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

Instead of waiting till the last minute and then freaking out.

Host 2:

Exactly. One popular way to save is to open a special college savings plan, like a 5 29 plan.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

These plans have tax benefits, and they help your money grow over time.

Host 1:

Yeah. 5 29 plan seem to be the go to for college savings. Right?

Host 2:

They are really popular.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

But there are other options too, like Coverdell Education Savings accounts or even just a regular savings account that you use just for college.

Host 1:

Okay. So there are a bunch of different tools out there to help parents get a head start.

Host 2:

Exactly. And even if you can only save a little bit each month, it can add up over time. It's about making it a habit to save and making those future college expenses a priority.

Host 1:

That's great advice. Mhmm. What about situations where, like, parents don't agree on how much to save? Yeah. Let's say one parent really wants to save for an Ivy League school, but the other one is more focused on keeping costs low.

Host 1:

Mhmm. How do you navigate that?

Host 2:

That happens all the time. It shows why it's so important to talk openly and be willing to compromise.

Host 1:

Which I'm sure is easier said than done.

Host 2:

Wait. Wait. It it can be tough, but it's worth it. Talking honestly about your financial goals and what you imagine for your child's education can help you find some common ground. Yeah.

Host 2:

And remember, as your kids get older, include them in these conversations.

Host 1:

Oh, that's a good idea.

Host 2:

They should know about the financial side of things and have a say in what happens.

Host 1:

That's like making those money conversations a family affair.

Host 2:

Right. The more you talk openly about finances, the better your child will be at making good decisions about their education and their future.

Host 1:

That's a really good point. So we've talked about the court's role, but what about the agreements between the parents?

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Like, how do things like separation agreements or court orders actually affect these college decisions?

Host 2:

Those agreements are super important in Massachusetts.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

They basically determine how those college contributions are handled.

Host 1:

So it's not just, like, a suggestion. Yeah. These are legally binding documents.

Host 2:

Right. Exactly. So you have to make sure they're written up properly and that both parents understand what they mean.

Host 1:

Yeah. Okay.

Host 2:

That's crucial.

Host 1:

So what are some of the main things those agreements usually cover? Like, when it comes to college, what do they spell out?

Host 2:

Well, they often say which expenses are included. Like, are we talking just tuition, or does it include stuff like room and board, books, travel, all those extra costs that can really add up?

Host 1:

Yeah. So it's about getting really specific and avoiding any confusion.

Host 2:

Right. They also usually say how those costs are gonna be split between the parents. Like, is it a 50 50 split, or does it depend on how much each parent makes?

Host 1:

So it's about creating a clear formula for how you share the costs.

Host 2:

Exactly. And sometimes these agreements even say whether parents have to help pay for graduate school or other programs after a bachelor's degree.

Host 1:

So it's about thinking long term, not just those 4 years of college.

Host 2:

Absolutely. You gotta think about those future costs and make sure everyone agrees from the start.

Host 1:

Okay. So what if the parents can agree on these things? Like, what if they just can't see eye to eye on how to handle college contributions?

Host 2:

Well, that's when mediation can be really helpful.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

And if that doesn't work, they might have to go to court.

Host 1:

So it's about finding a solution even if you need someone else to step in and help.

Host 2:

Right. And in those cases, the court's gonna look at things like what's best for the child, each parent's financial situation, and any agreements they already have in place.

Host 1:

Okay. So they take everything into account.

Host 2:

Yep. The goal is to come up with a plan that's fair, reasonable, and works for everyone.

Host 1:

Okay. So we've covered a lot here, but there's one more thing I wanna ask about. Mhmm. What happens when a kid wants to go to a college that one or both parents don't like?

Host 2:

Okay.

Host 1:

Like, let's say the kid wants to go to some expensive out of state school, but there are good, more affordable options in state. Mhmm. How do you deal with that?

Host 2:

Oh, that's a question that can cause a lot of debate in families. It often comes down to supporting your child's dreams but also being smart about money.

Host 1:

It's a tough situation. That's for sure.

Host 2:

It is. Legally speaking, the answer depends on the situation and any agreements the parents already have.

Host 1:

Okay. So there's no easy answer.

Host 2:

Not always. Yeah. If their agreement says they only have to pay for an in state public college, then they might not have to pay as much if the kid chooses a more expensive school.

Host 1:

So those agreements can really set the limits.

Host 2:

They can. But even then, a court might decide to change things up if they think it's really important for the child's future to go to a specific school even if it costs more.

Host 1:

So there's always room for some flexibility

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Based on what's best for the child's education.

Host 2:

Right. Exactly. But in the end, parents and kids need to talk openly and honestly about these choices, weighing the costs against the benefits.

Host 1:

It's about finding that balance between dreams and reality.

Host 2:

That's it. It takes communication, planning, and everyone being willing to compromise.

Host 1:

Yeah. I think that's a good theme for this whole discussion, really.

Host 2:

It is.

Host 1:

This has been super helpful. I feel like we've really broken down this whole topic of college contributions in Massachusetts. Yeah. We've talked about those 2017 changes, the UMass cap, what judges look at, those separation agreements Mhmm. And even those tricky situations where parents and kids might not agree on college choices.

Host 2:

Right. We covered a lot.

Host 1:

We really did. Yeah. So what does all this mean for our listeners?

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

What are the big takeaways they should be thinking about?

Host 2:

Well, if you're a parent in Massachusetts and you're thinking about your child's education, you really need to understand these guidelines and how they could affect you financially.

Host 1:

Mhmm.

Host 2:

Don't wait until your kid's about to graduate high school to start talking about this stuff. Start early, be honest, look at your options, and don't be afraid to get legal help if you need it.

Host 1:

Yeah. That's such good advice. Knowing what's going on can really save you a lot of stress later.

Host 2:

Absolutely.

Host 1:

So before we wrap up this deep dive Mhmm. I think it'd be good to leave our listeners with something to think about.

Host 2:

I agree.

Host 1:

You know, we've talked about the legal stuff, the practical stuff, the financial stuff, but there's another side to all of this that's worth exploring.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

And it's about the values you wanna teach your child Mhmm. About education and being responsible with money.

Host 2:

It's about more than just paying for college. You know?

Host 1:

Yeah. It's about setting a good example and having those real conversations about what it means to invest in their future.

Host 2:

Exactly. So here's a final thought for our listeners. Now that you know how courts in Massachusetts handle college contributions, what things do you think are most important when you're deciding how much to save or contribute to your child's education?

Host 1:

That's a good question to think about.

Host 2:

It is.

Host 1:

Might even spark some interesting dinner table conversations. Mhmm. You know, it's funny how these conversations about, like, how much to pay for college, they always seem to turn into the bigger conversations about, no, your kid's whole future. Yeah. Like, it's not just about the money.

Host 1:

It's about helping them figure out what they're passionate about, what they're good at, you know, finding the right path for them.

Host 2:

Totally. It's about, like, investing in their future, not just with money, but also, you know, emotionally supporting them and all that.

Host 1:

Yeah. For sure. It's about talking openly, setting expectations, and really pushing your child to think hard about their choices and what they wanna do in life.

Host 2:

And speaking of, like, what they wanna do, you know, one thing we haven't really talked about is how the whole college admissions process itself can affect these decisions about, like, who pays what. Right. Like, what if a kid gets a big scholarship or a really good financial aid package? Does that change things?

Host 1:

Oh, that's a great point. Yeah. Scholarships and financial aid can totally change how much college ends up costing.

Host 2:

For sure. And in Massachusetts, judges actually have to consider those scholarships and aid packages when they're deciding how much parents have to pay.

Host 1:

So it's not just about the sticker price of the college. Right?

Host 2:

No. You

Host 1:

gotta look at any financial help the kid's getting too.

Host 2:

Exactly. And remember, those scholarships and aid packages, they can be super different from one school to another.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

So it's always good to tell your kid, like, hey. Look at all your options and apply for as much financial aid as you can.

Host 1:

It's like bargain hunting but for college.

Host 2:

Exactly. It's a smart move, both for your wallet and for opening up more opportunities for your kid.

Host 1:

Yeah. Okay. So let's bring this back to our listeners for a sec. We've talked about how courts in Massachusetts deal with college contributions, the whole UMass cap thing

Host 2:

Uh-huh.

Host 1:

What judges consider those separation agreements.

Host 2:

Mhmm.

Host 1:

So what does it all actually mean for you guys? What are the big things you should be thinking about?

Host 2:

Well, if you're a parent in Massachusetts and you're, you know, thinking about your kid's education, you really gotta understand these guidelines and how they could affect your finances.

Host 1:

Yeah. Don't wait till your kid's senior year to start having these conversations.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Start early. Be honest with each other. Look at all your options. And if you need help understanding the legal stuff, don't be afraid to ask a lawyer.

Host 2:

Really good advice. Being proactive can save you a ton of stress down the line.

Host 1:

Totally.

Host 2:

So before we wrap up this whole deep dive, I think it'd be good to leave our listeners with something to think about. You know?

Host 1:

I agree.

Host 2:

We've talked about all the legal stuff, the practical stuff, the money stuff, but there's another side to all of this.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

It's about what values you want to instill in your child, you know, when it comes to education and money.

Host 1:

It's more than just writing a check.

Host 2:

Yeah. It's about showing them how it's done, being a good example, and having those real conversations about what it means to invest in their future.

Host 1:

Exactly. So here's our final thought for everyone listening. Now that you know how MA courts deal with college contributions, what do you think are the most important things to consider when you're deciding how much to save or contribute to your child's education? That's a really good question. Maybe one that'll spark some interesting conversations around the dinner table.

Host 2:

For sure. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive, everyone. We hope you found it useful and learned some new stuff.

Host 1:

Absolutely. And remember, this is all just for informational purposes. It's not legal advice. So if you have specific questions or need help with your own situation, definitely talk to a qualified attorney.

Host 2:

Yeah. Good advice. And until next time, keep learning, keep exploring, and keep diving deep with us.

Host 1:

See you next time.