Responsible party for medical expenses

[NorthStar00]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Alabama

Per my divorce decree I am required to keep health insurance on my son. I have joint legal custody and his mother has full physical custody of him. Per the decree unpaid medical expenses are split. I have not signed a "responsible party" form and would like to know if she able to assign me as the responsible party without my signature. Multiple times I've been solely responsible for uncovered bills. I have paid them to avoid collections. Is there a way to prevent this from happening?

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Alabama

Per my divorce decree I am required to keep health insurance on my son. I have joint legal custody and his mother has full physical custody of him. Per the decree unpaid medical expenses are split. I have not signed a "responsible party" form and would like to know if she able to assign me as the responsible party without my signature. Multiple times I've been solely responsible for uncovered bills. I have paid them to avoid collections. Is there a way to prevent this from happening?

You could tell the doc's office that you didn't sign and you won't be responsible for the bill. Then again, as a parent, you may very well be responsible under your state's laws. I cannot say whether or not you are.

 

[justalayman]

Per the law you are automatically a responsible party. Per your divorce decree you are a responsible party although only for 50%. The doctor can seek payment from you. If you pay more than your divorce requires you should seek repayment from the other parent.

 

[Silverplum]

Per the law you are automatically a responsible party. Per your divorce decree you are a responsible party although only for 50%. The doctor can seek payment from you. If you pay more than your divorce requires you should seek repayment from the other parent.

I don't know about the OP's state, but many states divide percentages of responsibility based on each parent's income in a court order. The poster may be responsible for more or less than 50%.

Yep, I checked, and AL uses the 'Income Shares' model to calculate responsibility: http://www.alacourt.gov/ChildSupportInfo.aspx

 

[TheGeekess]

Y'all need to check OP's posting hx.

 

[justalayman]

I don't know about the OP's state, but many states divide percentages of responsibility based on each parent's income in a court order. The poster may be responsible for more or less than 50%.

Yep, I checked, and AL uses the 'Income Shares' model to calculate responsibility: http://www.alacourt.gov/ChildSupportInfo.aspx

That's regarding child support issues. If a creditor sues op they will be awarded the full amount in a judgment. The op can then seek recompense from the other parent for anything they would owe. The Creditor is not a party to the divorce or child support order so the division of liability within those situations simply doesn't apply to the creditor