Child support and Medical/Dental Premium Costs

[childrenRpeople]

What is the name of your state? CA

Hello,
As part of our recent settlement, my ex is to start paying child support very soon. Upon reviewing our judgement, no where does it specify who will keep our child on the medical/dental insurance and how the premium costs get split. But, the judgement does specify that "each party will be equally responsible and shall each pay 50% of all unreimbursed medical, dental, orthodontic, pharmaceutical, hospital or psychological expenses incurred for the benefit of the minor child." My interpretation would be that we also split medical/dental premiums.
My ex just started working 2 months ago so my son has been on my medical/dental coverage since he was born. I guess we never thought to specify it since it was assumed that status quo would continue.
Here is my question (finally):
Should my ex be paying half of the medical/dental premiums above and beyond child support? I just want to be sure that my interpretation of the above portion of the judgement is accurate.

Thank you.

 

[winbenkat]

To answer your question, no, legally, the medical and dental premiums are not included in amount of "unreimbursed" medical/dental expenses - this just covers the co-pays, etc. Did you have an attorney draft your divorce/separation agreement, because this should be specifically spelled out, i.e., that one or the other of you is responsible for seeing that your child is covered by medical insurance. You need to see if you can modify your child support order to include insurance premiums, don't assume that you and your ex will always agree verbally on who is responsible for this expense - things change.

 

[stealth2]

winbenkat's right - if it's not specified, he's not responsible for helping pay the premium.

 

[VeronicaGia]

What is the name of your state? CA

Hello,
As part of our recent settlement, my ex is to start paying child support very soon. Upon reviewing our judgement, no where does it specify who will keep our child on the medical/dental insurance and how the premium costs get split. But, the judgement does specify that "each party will be equally responsible and shall each pay 50% of all unreimbursed medical, dental, orthodontic, pharmaceutical, hospital or psychological expenses incurred for the benefit of the minor child." My interpretation would be that we also split medical/dental premiums.
My ex just started working 2 months ago so my son has been on my medical/dental coverage since he was born. I guess we never thought to specify it since it was assumed that status quo would continue.
Here is my question (finally):
Should my ex be paying half of the medical/dental premiums above and beyond child support? I just want to be sure that my interpretation of the above portion of the judgement is accurate.

Thank you.

Was the judge made aware of the fact that you are insuring the child? If so, child support may reflect those costs to an extent.

 

[ajfai]

You need to start your own thread. What you have done is called hijacking someone's thread.

 

[stealth2]

Go to the list of threads, and slick the yellow button for a new post.

 

[childrenRpeople]

Did I hijack?

Do you mean me? I thought this was a new post.

Well, anyhow...

My ex agrees to help with the premiums above and beyond child support. Yes, lawyers drafted our judgement and yes, a judge approved it.

My ex and I are going to create an addendum that specifies that I will keep our child on my insurances and he will pay 50% of the premiums. We're going to get it notarized and keep it with the judgement.

Does this seem like a viable option?

 

[stealth2]

No, someone else did, and has since deleted their post.

Yes, it sounds like a viable option. You may also want to include verbiage should you lose your ability to insure the kids.

 

[childrenRpeople]

Good suggestion

That's a great suggestion...I will be sure to do that.
Thank you for the insight.

 

[rondaj]

I carry full health insurance on my son....my ex pays any balance(s) my insurance doesn't cover.