Author: jmillner

The world seemingly resolves around our credit scores. The difference between a good, a fair, and a bad credit score can make a significant difference of hundreds of dollars in monthly payments, and in some cases, being accepted or rejected for loans. Credit is an oft overlooked issue in divorce cases. A positive credit rating is critical to establish a new residence, purchase vehicles, and start a new, single life.

In some instances, the actions of one party can have the effect of damaging the credit rating of the other. This often happens in the context of one party failing to pay the mortgage on the home or other joint responsibilities. This can be due to financial stress of a divorce, such as maintaining two residences, or as a result of intentional, malicious actions of a party.

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It’s college application time and parents across the state are praying for the essay fairy to arrive and save them. Having gone through it twice, I am sympathetic to all of those who are now going through what is a rite of indoctrination in parenting. Then, just when you think you get a break, now you have to figure out how to pay for it!

Even though those acceptance letters won’t be in the mail until April (unless your student is applying early action, or to a school with rolling admissions), it’s not too soon to start thinking about it. This takes on a whole other level of stress when you are divorced or separated from your child’s other parent.

New Jersey law clearly provides that a divorced or separated parent’s obligation extends to higher education. Unlike our neighbor to the west, support does not stop after high school when a child has the capacity to attend college, or a trade school. Not only is there an obligation to contribute towards college, child support does not end when your child goes off to the dorms. It may change, but it does not end.

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It’s hard to believe that summer is over and I’m already following behind school buses on my way to work. Believe it or not, while fall has barely started, and it’s still almost 80 degrees outside, winter and the holidays are just around the corner. If you don’t believe me, just walk into your local CVS and see all the holiday displays!

Fall also means one other thing: now is the time to start thinking about holiday parenting time and making sure that you and your ex are “good” on the schedule. Most divorced or separated parents do not realize how much lead time is necessary to have a dispute decided by a judge in the event a resolution is not reached between the parents or caregivers. That’s why it’s time to start thinking about these issues now rather than waiting until the end of November, right before Thanksgiving.

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