In the postdivorce case of Brinton v. Brinton, the father agreed in his divorce to pay for his children’s college expenses. His daughter received nearly a full scholarship to Auburn but turned it down to attend Vanderbilt. The father refused to pay, arguing that it was “unreasonable” to decline a nearly full scholarship at Auburn in favor of no scholarship at Vanderbilt. The daughter explained she chose Vanderbilt over Auburn because she wanted to attend “a really good school."
The trial court awarded the mother $96,055 for the principal balance owed, $28,783 for prejudgment interest, and $14,570 for attorney's fees, for a total judgment of $139,407. Father appealed.
The Court of Appeals held that the decision to forgo a nearly full scholarship at Auburn to attend Vanderbilt was reasonable. On appeal, the mother was awarded her attorney’s fees.
Thus, we have a judicial determination that Vanderbilt is vastly superior to Auburn.
You can read the opinion here.
The trial court awarded the mother $96,055 for the principal balance owed, $28,783 for prejudgment interest, and $14,570 for attorney's fees, for a total judgment of $139,407. Father appealed.
The Court of Appeals held that the decision to forgo a nearly full scholarship at Auburn to attend Vanderbilt was reasonable. On appeal, the mother was awarded her attorney’s fees.
Thus, we have a judicial determination that Vanderbilt is vastly superior to Auburn.
You can read the opinion here.
