Although I am uncertain about your specific questions about "can I stay in a campground for 1 month or so and set up my banking in NJ and then get my license and registration settled and then leave for my fulltiming life." But some potentially useful information -- based upon my research on several states, New Jersey health insurance providers solely offer emergency room coverage when you are out-of-state (at least that was the case with the insurance plans that I reviewed) -- so unless you regularly plan to visit NJ, that state may not be your optimal solution.

Additionally, depending upon when you decide to change your domicile, in January 2014 the Health Care Reform Act will cause related changes in all health insurance plans (i.e., pre-existing conditions will no longer be a reason for plan exclusion ... although I can't speak to affordability of the rates.) Obviously, specifics about the reform could be impacted by the Supreme Court's review of legality of all/parts of the Health Care Reform Act, but I believe that ruling will occur in June 2012. So, if your plans to start full-timing are not immediate, your domicile options may become simpler.

I am doing my research and based on my needs:

-lenient homeschool state

-pre-existing condition healthcare laws

New Jersey has lenient homeschool laws and they have to cover pre-existing conditions after a certain time.  Texas not so on the healthcare laws.

I am not currently a resident of NJ.

Here is my questions, can I stay in a campground for 1 month or so and set up my banking in NJ and then get my license and registration settled and then leave for my fulltiming life.

Now my tie to New Jersey is that my mother-in-law lives there but there is no way I could use her address. 

What would my other options be?  I don't want to do anything illegal.

Thanks for helping.

Brigid

Hi Brigid,

There is so much that goes into making the decision.  Very few RVers would choose New Jersey as it ranks near the bottom in total taxation.  However, depending on your expected income and income sources, it might not be too bad in your particular situation.

There are five states that require guarantee issue insurance for pre-existing conditions and New Jersey is one of them.  The question I would have is whether or not the insurance would cover you nationally.  Many plans only cover you in the particular state or in a particular region.  I would recommend digging into that question.

If you satisfy yourself as to taxation and health insurance issues, there are a couple of mail forwarding services in NJ (i.e. Postage Bin) where you can get an street address and have mail forwarded.  You would most likely have to have a street address for insurance purposes and more.

What is not clear is whether there is a minimum time required to be in NJ in order to establish residency.  It's twelve months for those looking to get in-state tuition, but it may not be that strict for your situation.  Do your best to find out from state officials.

It can get complicated.  Good luck! 

Lyn beat me to the post. 

Excellent points Lyn!

Howard, thank you for the compliment! 

Bridgit, if you have not already looked at the following site, it might provide you with some other details/insights about RVing with children: www.rv-travel-with-kids.com 

Although I am not sure if cost is a consideration in your choice of domicile, but changing your domicile from MD to NJ would also likely increase your costs (e.g., higher sales tax on a RV purchase, likely higher insurance rates on all your vehicles, etc.) More of a curiously question, why not retain your current MD domicile?

Maryland's homeschool laws require me to meet with the school twice a year.  I also even now cannot get regular health insurance.  I can get state funded health insurance which would not help me.  I also have no family here.  I am originally from NY and mother-in-law is in Jersey.  New Jersey also does not have personal property taxes so paying higher in car insurance will make it bearable.