Opinion ID: 1275842
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Plaintiff's final proposition is crucial. Under the facts of this case, the award of $60 a month for a college education was excessive.

Text: In Gerk v. Gerk, 259 Iowa 293, 144 N.W.2d 104, we determined a college education may be a necessary which a parent is obliged to provide for a child. In that case at page 109 of 144 N.W.2d we said: The facts of each case are important. Factors governing a proper decision include the financial condition of the parent, the ability of the minor for college work, the age of the minor, whether the child is self-sustaining or not, the father's willingness to provide an education and other factors. Annotation, 56 A.L.R.2d 1208; 18 Vanderbilt Law Review, No. 3, pages 1400-1428, June, 1965. Here both the mother and father have reasonably good incomes. Both have a duty to support. The trial court found, and we agree, that Robert at least (we are not here concerned with James' needs) should have a college education available to him. While Robert has some income, the burden on the adults while he is in college is far above what he can earn while there. The $60 per month award is not unreasonable in light of the incomes of the five individuals. While plaintiff has some substantial back bills to pay and a reasonable need to continue her own education, her income would appear adequate to handle the situation. When she had custody of the boys the parties stipulated to a $170 per month support payment from the father and upon request for a reduction plaintiff (as was her right) refused to voluntarily reduce such amount to $120. At that time the father's income was less than plaintiff's income at the time the $60 payment was ordered. It is also noted the expenses incident to the education and support of James have undoubtedly increased during the two and three-quarters years since judgment. Plaintiff has paid nothing toward his support and no additional help for past expenses may be recovered from her. Addy v. Addy, supra, and cases cited therein. In attempting to balance the equities in this case, we think it reasonable to require plaintiff to furnish the help required of her by the trial court's decree. Plaintiff has an $812.12 judgment to use as an offset against her liability under the court's decree (or alternatively if the judgment has been paid since trial she has received the benefit of that amount.) The decree by its terms may afford a maximum liability of $540 per year for the past three school years or $1640. If Robert did not attend school for the full nine months per year the accrued liability will of course be less. [3] Affirmed. SNELL, MOORE, STUART and MASON, JJ., concur. GARFIELD, C. J., and LARSON, RAWLINGS and LeGRAND, JJ., dissent.