Whos Obligation to pay childrens doctor bills

[cedarrose24]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? South Dakota
I have two children with my ex and there is a large amount owed in doctor bills. I have not filed for child support or custody yet but would like to gain as much information as I can before hand. All of my childrens doctor bills are under my name and there are some that have already gone to collections. I am waiting for my tax return and with that will pay on the bills, but knowing their father he won't pay on any of them. With that being said will there be a legal way so that he has to pay also?

 

[Isis1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? South Dakota
I have two children with my ex and there is a large amount owed in doctor bills. I have not filed for child support or custody yet but would like to gain as much information as I can before hand. All of my childrens doctor bills are under my name and there are some that have already gone to collections. I am waiting for my tax return and with that will pay on the bills, but knowing their father he won't pay on any of them. With that being said will there be a legal way so that he has to pay also?

has paternity been established yet?

with no court order, no paternity establishment, "dad" isn't legally required to pay a darn thing.

 

[cedarrose24]

He signed both of their birth certificates and is the biological father.

 

[Proserpina]

He signed both of their birth certificates and is the biological father.

As Isis noted, he's not legally responsible to pay for anything without a court order.

 

[Isis1]

He signed both of their birth certificates and is the biological father.

so that's a "no".

he doesn't have to pay anything until he is court ordered to do so,

file for paternity establishment, custody, visitation and child support. request from here on out, that dad be held responsible for half of all uncovered medical expenses. request dad be held responsible for half of the medical insurance payment.

some states provide for retro support. i don't remember south dakota being one of them.

 

[Gracie3787]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? South Dakota
I have two children with my ex and there is a large amount owed in doctor bills. I have not filed for child support or custody yet but would like to gain as much information as I can before hand. All of my childrens doctor bills are under my name and there are some that have already gone to collections. I am waiting for my tax return and with that will pay on the bills, but knowing their father he won't pay on any of them. With that being said will there be a legal way so that he has to pay also?

File for a CS order and ask that he be ordered to pay part of the medical bills. Since you didn't have an order it will be up to the Judge to determine if he has to pay for those particular bills or not.