Clinton, NJ Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

I’m guessing that your current relationship with your father is not the best and he is angry and being angry, he is lashing out at you and trying to make you feel guilty or make sure that you know that he paid an amount towards your school costs in excess of his legal obligation. I don’t know how ( if ever) for you to repair your relationship with your father BUT legally, he has no legal right to require you to reimburse him for the amount he paid over and above what he was legally obligated to pay based on the agreement in place with your mother. If your father was to file a lawsuit against you for the excess payments, you need to send him a frivolous litigation letter, notifying him that any such claim is not proper and that you will be forced to retain counsel to oppose his claim and that all costs incurred by you in opposing it, potentially will be his responsibility under the frivolous litigation laws. 

To terminate or modify your alimony obligation, a motion seeking that relief must be filed in court and granted by a judge. Please call me to schedule a free consultation at (732) 888-4400. LAW OFFICE OF MARC B. SCHRAM, P.C.    

Generally, a party in a divorce case is strongly encouraged by the Judge to engage in good faith settlement negotiations. The Judges have ways to motivate people to participate in settlement conferences but they cannot actually force someone to negotiate in good faith. I think your instincts are good about him being unreasonable and it could very well be that your husband has decided to refuse to negotiate with you because he thinks that he can steamroll you when the case goes to trial since you do not have an attorney.