Opinion ID: 1989979
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Modification of Stephen's Obligation to Pay College Expenses

Text: The parties' dissolution decree provided that after the application of the girls' education accounts, Stephen was to pay all of their college expenses to the extent they did not exceed the costs of an education at the University of Iowa or Iowa State University. The district court's modification removed the in-state limit and made Stephen responsible for all of the girls' college expenses regardless of what schools they chose to attend. The record indicates Lisa had been accepted at a private out-of-state college where her annual education costs could exceed $29,000. A parent's responsibility to support a college-age child is often limited to the cost of attending a state-supported university in the state of the student's residence. See In re Marriage of Van Ryswyk, 492 N.W.2d 728, 732 (Iowa App.1992); In re Marriage of Fountain, 492 N.W.2d 707, 710 (Iowa App.1992). We find no basis for treating this case differently. The original decree adequately provided for the girls' education costs and modification was unnecessary. Stephen shall pay for their college expenses in accordance with the provisions in the original decree.