Additional Payment Question

[x0il_lamp]

Resident TX/MS (Decree NY)

I am suppose to pay 30% of my childs additional medical expenses, not covered by insurance. My ex just wrote me out of the blue an "order" to pay him x amount for my son's braces and an optional payment schedule, demanding the payments are to be made out to him personally.

For years I have been trying to get him to involve me/consult with me regarding my child (outlined in the decree), which he completey ignores. I have insurance also, which may cover more, but he wont consider that.

Can he just go and do what he wants and present me with a bill, I had no say so in? I would like to pay my share, but there is no way I can just pay him these ammounts without knowing ahead of time to make arrangements.
Would you know if insurance companies would honor payments directly to the insurance company (this way I could work out a different payment schedule)

Thanks in advance

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Write him back and tell him you would be more than happy to comply with his wishes the moment he presents you with a valid bill from the dentist who has already performed the work and that you will be making the payments DIRECTLY to the dentist.

Otherwise, tell him to POUND SAND!

 

[x0il_lamp]

Thanks for your response.

Ok he did send me a bill, and it looks like (from what I can read) he has already paid for it. And I am suppose to reimburse him.

I was actually to upset to check it more throughly.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

If that is what your court order says then yes. But there is nothing saying that you can't submit it to your insurance company for reimbusement is there?

 

[x0il_lamp]

Sorry , didn't mean to sound confusing. No, the court order just says that I have to pay for 30%, it doesn't say "reimburse", there is really nothing specific written on how or whom to pay. (my EX demanded in his letter the payments are to be made dircectly to him).
The court order also states for him to consult me regarding my son (medical etc), which he clearly violated.

I was just curious if I had the option to pay the dentist directly in order to work out a more realistic payment schedule. It should be his reposiblity to get reimbused from the doctor, if he already paid it in full, yes?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

If he has already paid the bill in full then pay him. It's a game and you don't need to play. If the bill he has sent does not show that the payment in full has been made, then send it to the dentist.

Also, send him a certified (RRR) letter demanding that he inform you of any future medical and dental procedures your child may need or you will file a show cause for contempt action for violating the standing court order.

 

[x0il_lamp]

Thank you very much for your time, my day just went better

 

[stealth2]

Also - consider calling the dentist and ask if you could set up a payment plan for the future. My kids' orthodontist does this - they contacted the ex directly and he set up payment for his share of the bills with them. It works out well - I pay my portion, he pays his, and that's ONE thing we at least don't have to argue about.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Also - consider calling the dentist and ask if you could set up a payment plan for the future. My kids' orthodontist does this - they contacted the ex directly and he set up payment for his share of the bills with them. It works out well - I pay my portion, he pays his, and that's ONE thing we at least don't have to argue about.

Ahhhh, but with you dear, there is ALWAYS something

 

[x0il_lamp]

Thank you too. I will do that.

I believe he wants to show me that "he's the man" and in charge by requesting payments made out to him directly in an affort to belitte me and to keep me down.


It's been quite a ride but I am a quick learner. Thanks again for your replies

 

[Inquiry123]

Cosmetic Dentistry...

Stealth / BB:

Can you help clarify something about "unpaid" medical/dental expenses in general, as it may benefit the OP...

Are braces, whitening, overlays, etc. ever considered to be elective or cosmetic items? Don't get me wrong...it's nice if both parents can concur and afford such items for themselves and their children...but what if one parent can't afford "everything" that the other parent deems necessary for the child?

It seems to me that in this instance, one parent made a financial decision on an elective item without consulting the other at all. In my opinion, that's a move that should make the sole-decision-making parent primarily responsible for their decision.

When my ex decided to have the children's teeth cleaned at a dentist that was not part of the "provider network", she forwarded me the bill for $440 and demanded that I pay my half. If the children had gone to a network provider, the bill would have been $30. I sent her the half that I was responsible for -- $15. I guess that's what can happen when one parent chooses to make unilateral decisions about financial matters.

At the very least, since it doesn't appear that the OP was consulted regarding the cost/payment schedule for the work, any attempt to reimburse her share at a reasonable pace would be viewed favorably by the court. What's the worst that could happen -- small claims court in TX?