Complicated Situation...

[Mr.Blank1.5]

Years ago (before I became a Catholic), my parents divorced for reasons that involved fraud and citizenship. The two are still legally divorced and have always lived under the same roof. They are also both non-Catholic. Not long after my conversion, I told my mother about how I disapproved of their actions and told them how much trouble they could potentially get into. They did not see things my way to say the least.

At the moment, I still live with them and they provide for me financially. When I fill out financial aid forms for college, I list my parents as divorced (since they are legally), and my mother as the primary provider (since she does make more than my father). Am I in anyway committing fraud or going along with my parents’ illicit actions?

 

[reggieM]

Here’s my view. You’re dependent on your parents and you have no choice in that matter – it’s part of the natural law. As such, you have made your opposition known to them. But you are not free to separate yourself from your parents. The family situation you are in is a reality that you have to live with. If you could make it different, you would – but you’re not able to do that. So again, you have no choice. Your parents’ moral failures are not your own. So, you have not chosen to go along with their behavior.
As for the application for financial aid – it kind of depends on what they’re looking for. The marital status of your parents may not have much impact. There are many divorced parents who live together with partners. So, it depends on what the application is seeking in asking that question. If you feel you are not able to answer it fully, you can give them a call to find out. They might be looking for household income rather than just your mother’s. In that case, you’d have to declare your father’s income also. Again, I doubt the marital status is much of an issue - but a call to the financial aid office could clarify that.

 

[phoenixrrt62]

Hum. I know nothing of the religious end of the problem…but…I think b/c of both parents living under the same roof, you’d have to incude both salaries? Just saying.
Perhaps your college could help? When I was in college, my VA advisor was very helpful.

 

[VetA]

Years ago (before I became a Catholic), my parents divorced for reasons that involved fraud and citizenship. The two are still legally divorced and have always lived under the same roof. They are also both non-Catholic. Not long after my conversion, I told my mother about how I disapproved of their actions and told them how much trouble they could potentially get into. They did not see things my way to say the least.

At the moment, I still live with them and they provide for me financially. When I fill out financial aid forms for college, I list my parents as divorced (since they are legally), and my mother as the primary provider (since she does make more than my father). Am I in anyway committing fraud or going along with my parents’ illicit actions?

i dont think so because as you have said they are legally divorced