divorce/children, medical bills

[smiley1]

What is the name of your state? OHIO

Hi! I have 3 children, 10,12, and 14. I have been paying all of their medical bills since the divorce, 1999. My ex was supposed to pay 32%, and recently, is now supposed to pay 41%. I never sent her a bill, my fault, didn't remember she was supposed to help. Now that she has taken the kids every 5 seconds to ER, and family doctor, we have a lot of bills. I have a new wife and baby and can't afford all the bills. I told her after looking over divorce papers that starting 2005 we will be splitting as stated by the paperwork. Well of course she hasen't paid anything. And she has hardly taken the kids to the doctor for some strange reason. Shocker huh?!! I just don't know how I get her to pay. The doctor won't send her a bill since the insurance is in my name. But I don't want to let it go for fear the doctor won't see the kids. I have always paid child support, taken kids for all visitations plus some, provided clothes etc. for our house since she never sends any etc. She needs to be held accountable. It's only $143. But in the past was a lot more of course. If I just don't pay it will it go on my credit and screw over the kids? Please help! I want to do the right thing, but I'm sick of being taken advantage of. Thanks for any help and advice in advance!!

[snostar]

What EXACTLY does the court order state regarding notice of bills and payment?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by smiley1

What is the name of your state? OHIO

Hi! I have 3 children, 10,12, and 14. I have been paying all of their medical bills since the divorce, 1999. My ex was supposed to pay 32%, and recently, is now supposed to pay 41%. I never sent her a bill, my fault, didn't remember she was supposed to help. Now that she has taken the kids every 5 seconds to ER, and family doctor, we have a lot of bills. I have a new wife and baby and can't afford all the bills. I told her after looking over divorce papers that starting 2005 we will be splitting as stated by the paperwork. Well of course she hasen't paid anything. And she has hardly taken the kids to the doctor for some strange reason. Shocker huh?!! I just don't know how I get her to pay. The doctor won't send her a bill since the insurance is in my name. But I don't want to let it go for fear the doctor won't see the kids. I have always paid child support, taken kids for all visitations plus some, provided clothes etc. for our house since she never sends any etc. She needs to be held accountable. It's only $143. But in the past was a lot more of course. If I just don't pay it will it go on my credit and screw over the kids? Please help! I want to do the right thing, but I'm sick of being taken advantage of. Thanks for any help and advice in advance!!

Yes, if you don't pay it, it will mess up your credit and possibly cause problems for your kids. Once you know exactly what your orders state regarding the medical bills (as the previous poster asked) then you will know what steps you need to take to resolve the problem. Most likely its going to take a trip to court.

[smiley1]

The divorce decree states she is supposed to pay the first $100 per child per year, then as of 09/05 41% there after. (It used to be 32%) And I pay 58% of the rest after she pays the first $100. She has not paid any of it!! I don't want to get a lawyer over $143. I think that would be more expensive. I just wanted to know if there is any way she would be held responsible since that's what the divorce papers state? I showed the doctor the papers and they just said they didn't want to get involved, I'm assumming then that's it's my problem since they won't go after her.




What is the name of your state? OHIO

Hi! I have 3 children, 10,12, and 14. I have been paying all of their medical bills since the divorce, 1999. My ex was supposed to pay 32%, and recently, is now supposed to pay 41%. I never sent her a bill, my fault, didn't remember she was supposed to help. Now that she has taken the kids every 5 seconds to ER, and family doctor, we have a lot of bills. I have a new wife and baby and can't afford all the bills. I told her after looking over divorce papers that starting 2005 we will be splitting as stated by the paperwork. Well of course she hasen't paid anything. And she has hardly taken the kids to the doctor for some strange reason. Shocker huh?!! I just don't know how I get her to pay. The doctor won't send her a bill since the insurance is in my name. But I don't want to let it go for fear the doctor won't see the kids. I have always paid child support, taken kids for all visitations plus some, provided clothes etc. for our house since she never sends any etc. She needs to be held accountable. It's only $143. But in the past was a lot more of course. If I just don't pay it will it go on my credit and screw over the kids? Please help! I want to do the right thing, but I'm sick of being taken advantage of. Thanks for any help and advice in advance!!

[BeachLuva]

Hello,

I can tell you what your future might be with this because I'm living it right now. Our decree says almost the same thing, except he's supposed to pay like 80% of the extra bills. He has paid and refuses to pay NOTHING. I filed a motion with my attorney in OH (I now live in FL), they went to the "pretrial" and somehow my ex managed, with his attorney, to not get the judge to order him to pay, AGAIN. I was not present. There is a trial set now, for it, for January. I already had to pay this attorney AGAIN to show up for me, and in the meantime I am paying ALL of the orthodontic bills myself. It's a nightmare.

My suggestion is to focus on getting health insurance that is VERY GOOD for your family and to never bother with your loser of an ex for this. It is just ridiculous to have to go to court over it, it will cost you SO MUCH MONEY, and they know this.

Good luck with it and LMK how it goes.
Amy in FL