Divorced Parents Refusing to Pay Estranged Daughter's Tuition Will Not be Held in Contempt

The divorced parents of a 21-year-old Temple University student will not be held in contempt for failing to pay her tuition, and they will not be forced to pay while the case is being appealed, 6 ABC reports.

A judge handed down the decision in court on Monday. Caitlyn Ricci appeared in court, but her parents, Michael Ricci and Maura McGreevey, didn’t, according to the report.

Ricci and McGreevey have been ordered to pay her $16,000 tuition to Temple University. They have yet to pay, and are appealing the case.

On Monday, Maura McGreevey’s attorney reiterated his client’s view that there must be financial parameters surrounding Ricci’s college education, according to 6 ABC.

Michael Ricci and Maura McGarvey were married two-and-a half years, and they worked together to raise their daughter until two years ago.

New Jersey law states divorced parents may be required to contribute to their child’s education, regardless of age.

Assemblyman Chris Brown (R-Medford) is working on legislation that would overturn that law, based on the ruling in this case.

Earlier this month, a judge reaffirmed his decision that they must pay $906 for the time she spent attended Rowan College at Gloucester County, N.J.

Now that she attends Temple, her tuition is higher than it would have been had she remained in state, as her parents requested.

She is a graduate of Washington Township High School in Gloucester County, according to nj.com.