White v. WhiteWhite v. White
A dual judgment of divorce was entered on June 15, 1995 dissolving the marriage between the parties. This is a post-judgment application to intervene by two children, ages 18 and 25. Both children seek to intervene in order to pursue claims against their mother, Mary White, for child suppоrt and college expenses. For the reasons that follow, the request to intervene by the 18 year old daughter, Laura White, is denied. The request to intervene by the 25 year old son, Brian, is granted; however, his request for an order compelling his 'mother to pay him child supрort and/or to contribute to his college expenses is denied.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Mr. and Mrs. White were married for more than 29 years prior to their divorce. They have two children: Brian was born on August 2, 1972 and Laura was born on November 19, 1979. In a written decision dated May 10, 1995, the trial judge noted that “Briаn is now 22 years old and emancipated.” The judgment of divorce provides that the parties are to have joint legal custody of Laura with Mr. White being the custodial parent. Mrs. White was ordered to pay child support in the amount of $75.00 per week. With respect to Laura’s college expenses, Mr. and Mrs. White are required to contribute “in proportion to their income.”
LAURA’S APPLICATION
Laura has certified that she is now a full-time student at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania and that tuition for the 1997-1998 school year is $10,963.00 per semester. Fоrtunately, Laura receives a financial aid award in the amount of $7,062.50 per semester. Laura acknowledges that her mother has “expressed an interest in helping me financially” and that she has promised to deposit money into a bank account at college for Laura’s benefit. Even though there has been no showing that
In her reply certification, Mrs. White indicates that she has an excellent relationship with her daughter and that Laura was “badgered” into signing her certification by “my former spouse and his lawyer.” According to Mrs. White, she is currently paying child support in the amount of $75.00 per week, pursuant to the judgment of divorce, as well as her fair share of Laura’s college expenses.
Whether or not Laura should be allowed to intervene is governed by Rules 4:33-1 through 4:33-3. Laura contends thаt since she has an interest in obtaining child support and financial assistance for college, she should be allowed to intervene. Rule 4:33-1, reads as follows:
Upon timely application anyone shall be permitted to intervene in an action if the applicant claims an interest relating to the property or transaction which is the subject of the action and is so situated that the disposition of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the ability to protect that interest, unless the applicant’s interest is adequately represented by existing parties.
Where intervention of right is not allowed, one may obtain permissive intervention under Rule 4:33-2:
Upon timely application anyone may be permitted to intervene in an action if his claim or defense and the main action have a question of law and fact in common ... In exercising its discretion the court shall consider whether the intervention will unduly delay or prejudice the adjudication of the rights of the original parties.
Permission to intervene should be liberally construed in apрropriate cases. Atlantic Employers v. Tots and Toddlers, 239 N.J.Super. 276, 280,
In Johnson v. Bradbury, 233 N.J.Super. 129, 136,
BRIAN’S APPLICATION
Brian graduated from high school in June of 1990 and enrolled at Seton Hall University that fall. Brian explained in his certification that “Due to my immaturity, 1 was unable to produce grades that were acceptable to my parents and subsequently disenrolled. It was agreed, between my parents and I, that I would spend a year at a less expensive college to bring up my grades and also to prove to my parents and myself that I had the initiative to attend a four-year college on my own.” In the summer and fall of 1991, Brian attended the County College of Morris. In October of 1991, Brian’s mother obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order that barred him from the marital home. The domestic violence order was eventually dismissed; however, according to Brian, his parent’s divorce, and the resulting disruption and emotional distress, had a negative impact
In the summer of 1992, Brian enrolled in the Nаvy and served until he was honorably discharged in the summer of 1996. In the fall of 1996, Brian returned to Morris County College as a full-time student to obtain an associates degree in biology. During the fall of 1996 and spring of 1997, Brian demonstrated his scholastic aptitude by attaining mostly “A’s.” He was included on thе Deans List in the spring of 1997. Thus, despite his initial lack of success, first at Seton Hall University and then at Morris County Community College, it now appears that Brian has the necessary motivation and academic ability to successfully complete college. Brian has indicatеd that he intends “to apply to Rutger’s University for the fall 1998 semester while finishing my Associates Degree at Morris County College.”
Brian has certified that his tuition costs are approximately $5,000.00 per year at Morris County College. This does not include the cost of his books, room аnd board or commuting expenses. To assist him in obtaining a college education, Brian has requested that “The court declare me unemancipated and order the plaintiff to pay child support to me on a weekly basis to be determined by the court.” Brian has not provided any information pertaining to his training and work experiences while in the Navy or the availability of financial assistance as a result of his military service. Moreover, Brian has not filed a Case information statement or provided any informatiоn regarding his assets, income or ability to obtain employment during the summer or on a part-time basis while attending college. Nevertheless, as part of his notice of motion, Brian seeks an order that will require his mother “to produce the appropriate financial information to determine child support payments by her to me to help facilitate my education.”
At the time of the divorce trial in 1995, Brian was on active service in the United States Navy and, unlike his sister, he was deеmed emancipated. Since Brian now seeks a court order declaring that he is unemancipated, he has the burden of proving that he is entitled to the relief he requests. In view of Brian’s legal status, his father, Mr. White, is not authorized to act on his behalf. Therefore, Briаn’s request to intervene so that he may independently pursue his claims is granted.
There is no doubt that from 1992 through 1996 Brian was emancipated. Slep v. Slep, 43 N.J.Super. 538, 543,
As a result of his military service, Brian is now eligible to receive educational assistance benefits pursuant tо 38 U.S.C.A. § 3001 to § 3036. The stated purpose of the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program is to extend the benefits of a higher education to members of the armed forces and to restore educational opportunities to servicemen and women. Clearly, it would be contrary to public policy if the availability of veteran’s benefits in any way impeded, diminished or jeopardized Brian’s right to pursue his present claim.
Whether or not Brian is ultimately entitled to receive parental financial assistance will require an equitable analysis including consideration of the guidelines enumerated in Newburgh v. Arrigo, 88 N.J. 529,
Brian’s present request for financial assistance, after being deemed emancipated, is analogous to a change of сircumstances application contemplated by Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139,
CONCLUSION
It hаs been reported that Crito said to Socrates “No man should bring children into this world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nurture and education.” Daly v. Daly, 21 N.J. 599, 604,
A review of the equitable considerations set forth in Newburgh v. Artigo, supra, and expanded in Weitzman v. Weitzman, 228 N.J.Super. 346, 358,