Divorce often raises financial questions: who keeps the house, who pays support, and — in rare cases — who foots the tuition bill. And we’re not talking about the kids’ tuition, but a spouse’s. Case in point: a divorced couple in Singapore in which a judge rejected a woman’s request for her ex-husband to pay her university fees, calling her stance “extremely unreasonable.” It’s an interesting situation that shows how courts view post-divorce financial responsibility.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, this case might give you some food for thought about how a US court could rule. So, in today’s blog, we tackle the thorny topic of paying an ex-spouse’s tuition fees.
Paying for your ex’s degree: fair move or a scholar’s folly?
The case involves a 29-year-old American woman and her Singaporean ex-husband whose six-year marriage ended in a fight about tuition fee payments. The woman asked her ex to pay approximately US $88,000 for her tuition, as well as spousal maintenance, following their brief marriage.
The couple had signed a prenuptial agreement stating that neither would seek financial support in the event of a divorce. Maybe we’re biased, but we consider it a good sign when lovebirds think to seal their affection with a little legal agreement that protects their assets, otherwise known as a prenup.
Then, two weeks after they were married, they signed a second agreement saying the husband would cover tuition only if the wife’s parents stopped paying and if she sent him her billing statements each semester.
When she sought tuition reimbursement during the divorce, the judge found she hadn’t met those conditions, had kept her finances separate, and was young, educated, and employable. And so the judge ruled: no maintenance and no tuition support.
If you ask us, it’s hard to find fault in that ruling. Spousal maintenance covers necessities, not personal advancement.
Would a US court decide differently?
Not by much.
In the United States, spousal maintenance (or alimony) helps the lesser-earning spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living and gain independence. That second goal, rehabilitation, can include education, but only when schooling is necessary for employability, not for self-fulfillment.
In Washington State, judges may approve rehabilitative alimony to cover job training or degree completion when it clearly leads to self-sufficiency. But courts won’t fund a midlife career change or a “dream degree.”
When tuition might actually be covered by alimony
A spouse could succeed in having education costs covered if:
- Schooling directly supports employability. Completing a nursing program or renewing a teaching license qualifies.
- There was a career sacrifice. If one spouse gave up education or work to support the other’s career, the court may compensate for that imbalance.
- The divorce agreement includes it. Courts will enforce a written promise to pay tuition.
Even then, judges prefer short-term, practical, and clearly defined educational plans.
When the answer is a cold, hard “no”
Requests usually fail when:
- The marriage was short and both parties are financially independent.
- A valid prenuptial agreement waived support.
- The degree is unrelated to self-sufficiency.
- The requesting spouse has assets or earning potential.
In such situations, courts tend to echo the Singapore judge’s sentiment: spousal support isn’t a scholarship fund.
Lessons from the case
The Singapore judge rejected the wife’s claim because she was capable of supporting herself and had never depended on her husband financially. An American court would likely say the same. Maintenance is about need and fairness, not second chances at college.
As a family-law attorney may put it, you can’t make your ex your FAFSA (that’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Going back to school after a divorce? Here’s how to plan
If education is part of your post-divorce journey:
- Negotiate it early. Tuition support should be part of your settlement, not an afterthought.
- Link it to employment. Courts like it when your classes clearly lead to financial independence. No one’s paying for Advanced Basket Weaving Appreciation 101.
- Stay realistic. Judges prefer programs with clear start and end dates. Basically, short-term, focused, and not your lifelong PhD dream.
- Seek legal advice. An attorney can help you structure or modify support terms.
In other words, courts may help you get back on your feet, but they won’t pay for your shoes or your degree.
Are you considering going back to school and are unsure how it fits into your divorce or support plan? Call us at LaGrandeur & Williams. Our legal experts can help you understand your rights and craft a realistic strategy.