Question about responsibility
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| Tue, 12-05-2006 - 11:49am |
I'm separated, not yet divorced. My STBX and I are arguing over what he should pay. I did that online caculator for our state and figured out how much he has to pay for child support. Then asked him to pay half of all medical expenses...whatever my insurance doesn't cover. Our youngest also has braces and I asked him to pay half of that bill monthly...he had them before we separated. He says that child support covers all of the expenses for the kids. Meaning he pays his child support and that's it. Nothing else. I pay for their medical and dental insurance. Two of the kids are on daily meds and I pay the co-pays for those monthly. I've been told child support is seperate and he has to pay that plus medical. What is like for your situation? Am I right in asking him to pay this? I mean, it's not like I'm asking him to pay all their medical expenses, it's only half.
Rhonda

You are right...child support is separate. You *need* to get court orders stating x amount of child support PLUS 1/2 medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance, 1/2 extra curriculars, 1/2 daycare, etc. he may even be ordered to pay 1/2 the health insurance (if you are carrying it on the kids).
Speak with your attorney. Get this all in writing!!
How are YOU doing??
Hugs
Deb
You can file on your own. Go to your courthouse--to the clerk's office. There's paperwork you can fill out. You'll need to send them to your ex via certified mail. First you'll pick out a court date and time-I think this is on the "rule to show cause" form. This gets filled out on the form and you mail it (certified-return receipt) or have it delivered via PI. Then you will write what it is you are hoping for "Child support to be ordered, as well as 1/2 medical, dental, etc". Look online for examples.....
I dont suggest doing it on y our own throughout the duration though. But initially you can do this.
Email me if you have questions....
Deb
The boys are good--oldest will be 13 on Saturday! yikes!! Im ok. Very tired from working alot because I too dont receive child support (yep, still even after he's been in jail). Oh well. the courts have it now.....
Hugs and hang in there!!
Edited 12/5/2006 7:50 pm ET by debs1999
My divorce decree states that I get child support and that I am responsible for health insurance for Joey. That being said, there is a clause in there stating that xh will pay for half of all medical bills--half the co-pay, half the perscription, half the whatever, but, knowing that he is less than good with money, I pay the doctors and then get reimbursed, but truly, I haven't bothered in a long time--not that my son has had a major medical expense like braces, but its just not worth the hassle of notifying him and then getting angry and upset when he doesn't pay, because he's 9K back in child support, I don't see him forking over anything additional anytime soon... and it just gives me a level of peace that I don't have that stress or fight...
So in my case (and in most cases) CS and medical expenses are treated separately--and if he doesn't like it, tough...
Julie
Yep - child support is the monthly payment to cover current and normal expenses..
you may like read this
http://family-law.lawyers.com/child-support/Child-Support.html
http://www.divorcenet.com/states/new_jersey/child_support_extraordinary_expenses
of course, the last one concerns only New Jersey, but but other states have similar approach...
I am no lawyer, but it looks to me like you are as good as gold... now it is a matter of go and get it!!!
I still think that you should be able legally to request the money.. but the problem is rather, if he does not have it, he will not be able to pay it. In a federal country, it is difficult to follow up for child support - lots of guys prefer to disappear (I'll never understand!!!).
I really hope for you that you will find a good solution.
Hey Gal...
I'm in GA too... have you filed for enforcement? If he's working, taxes are likely being pulled out somewhere and last year I did get my xh's tax refund, courtesy of the IRS--even if he's job hopping, I would still file...
Good Luck!
Julie