Sunday, January 4, 2009

when a person pays child suport does that person still have to pay health bills of the childs


when a person pays child suport does that person still have to pay health bills of the childs?
i am child support for my son and his father is coming after me with my sons medical bills. i told his father im paying child support and that is all i need to do and other people are telling me since im paying for child support i dont to pay for the medical bills. i am really confused on this matter
Grade-Schooler - 25 Answers



Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It should have been hashed out in the divorce, or custody papers. Usually the non-custodial parent carries medical insurance to pay for medical costs. Talk to your lawyer.
2 :
see what the settlement was for, conract a vulture, er, lawyer.
3 :
Do you have a divorce decree? It will be spelled out in there. If you don't have one, it could be a sticky subject. Get one.
4 :
Well since your paying child support thats what it is your doing your part,although if you have a job with good bennifits i suggest putting your son on your med plan.
5 :
yeah, it should have been settled in the final order you have, divorce or custody. if it only says child support, you don't owe for medical bills. if it's not hurting you financially to help though, then you should consider it. especially if there are a lot of bills. your son will be the one who ends up losing out if the father is not easily able to afford them either.
6 :
Well why don't ya'll get some insurance on him and that would help some. Thats what my dad did with me he just put me on his insurance.
7 :
It should be in your court papers. If you don't have any then I suggest you get some. My ex is responsible for paying child support, half of all medical bills and for paying the insurance premium on our son. You really should look into this legally so that you don't get in trouble for not paying for your end of the deal.
8 :
You should get legal advise becuase it depends on the states' laws. In Texas, the non-custodial parent (even if you pay child support) is still responsible for 50% of the unpaid medical bills (not covered by the insurance).
9 :
If you were married to this man and then divorced him, this should have been something that was taken care of by your attorney in the divorce settlement. If not (you were just dating him and have a verbal agreement that he'll pay childsupport) then you're screwed.
10 :
my husband pays child support on his kids, he is also responsible for keeping medical insurance for them as well. You need to know the laws of your state and go from there, every place is different
11 :
The court should have spelled that out in your divorce decree. If it is not spelled out I would have your attorney correct that quickly.
12 :
The person that pays child support is suppose to carry health insurance on the child. Sometimes pay the medical bills as well. If he doesn't offer to carry these benefit for the child you should tell him to, if he doesn't take him to court. From my experince this is how it works!
13 :
Yes, usually the parent paying child support still has to carry health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and pay half of all co-payments. Remember the other parent provides all housing, food, clothes, schooling, etc for the child/children.
14 :
Since it takes 2 people to make a child, it takes 2 people to support and care for that child. I think you should pay half medical bills.
15 :
Yes you should pay half of his medical bills. It is only fair, child support helps with his meals, clothes, schooling etc. Medical and dental are seperate. You should talk to a lawyer if you have any more confusion.
16 :
Do you have papers ordering child support? If so reread them. You only have to pay the medical bills if you were ordered to carry health incsurance on your son and you have not done so. If the judge who ordered child support did not order you to carry medical insurance, then no you are not legally obligated to pay the bills. You might talk to the father though about splitting the cost.
17 :
Look at your paperwork you got when the courts deemed you to pay child support. It will tell you how much you are suppose to pay, who gets to claim the child on taxes, medical bills, things like that. I would think it being your son you would want to pay at least half.
18 :
When my ex and I went through all this it was stated in our custody papers and what not but anyways. My ex has to pay child support plus HALF of all doctor bills, prescriptions and stuff like that. So that is something you would have to look at your papers and talk to your lawyer about. Good Luck Friend
19 :
I have custody of my children and when I went to court for both of them the judge ordered that the father pays 100% of the medical bills and pay child support. OF COURSE they have not done so. and if I wanted to be a total Witch I could take them back to court for the medical bills that I have paid since birth.... I live in CO. and that was how it was in 1997 and 1995. So check with those papers and it will all fall into place when you read those. and if it doesn't say then you should not be held responsible for the med. bills. Unless he takes and redoes the divorce or the child custody case.
20 :
yes, they are responsible for either providing medical insurance, or paying half
21 :
You should check your custody papers..the court breaks down all the details shared by the parents. In our divorce we split the medical records..after his insurance made the co-pay. They all differ!
22 :
In most states, any medical bills that are not covered by health insurance are split between the parents...so yep, you are liable for unpaid medical expenses, regardless of how much child support you pay. That's the legal answer...the moral and ethical one is...What kind of mother are you that you don't want to make sure your child is healthy????? Sheesh woman, pay your share of YOUR childs medical expenses and shut up about it...it is YOUR child too.
23 :
I don't know what state you live in, but I know the state I live in- If you are paying court ordered child support if there is health insurance available through your work , they can make you get the insurance for your child(ren) through your work. as far as any out of pocket medical expenses I don't know
24 :
You need to look at the child support order. My ex has to pay child support, plus half of all the extra cost, such as medical bills, extra-caricular activities, clothing and etc.
25 :
It should be spelled out in your order. If it isn't, consult your lawyer, since it differs from state to state. Keep in mind, though, that this is your son's health. Even if you are not legally obligated to, if he has a lot of medical bills you should help out if you can. Your son's health and happiness are what's most important!




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Posted by Child Health at 1:14 PM