medical expenses

[Sandwalk]

What is the name of your state? Iowa
In my court order I am to pay for 50% of medical bills that are not covered by insurance. That is no problem at all for me. But, what I am wondering is-I pay for all of the insurance and everthing else that I have to pay for when uncovered medical expenses come up but should I be responsible for 1/2 of all other expenses like broken eye glasses, lost retainers etc. etc.?
My son is going to be 15 in December and I have paid for 2 sets of broken glasses in the last year. Now I get a call that he threw his week old retainers in the garbage. The list goes on and on. First off....I know he needs to be much more responsible but shouldn't the CP have to pay for some of this out of the large amount of Child Support that she gets? After all he is in her care and is constantly calling here for money because of (their)irresponsibility. I don't want to anger anyone with this question....just basically wondering if the CP should be responsible for things like this since I have already paid for these things once already. I am more than happy to help support my son even though she does not hold up her end of the deal when it comes to my visitation. She doesn't answer the phone when I call about visitation but, sure can pick up the receiver when it comes to needing more money!! Sorry so long....I am just wondering. Thanks.

 

[Sandwalk]

Yes, she SHOULD be responsible, but obviously she's taking advantage of the situation. Was it thrown away on purpose, or was it an honest accident. If she is that irresponsible, then maybe you need to file to modify your existing order.

As far as visitation, why aren't you holding HER responsible for violating a court order??? If she is denying you visitation per the order, she is in contempt. File contempt charges.

Please stop being a rug.

I should have clarified this...I am having my attorney write up a visitation modification as we speak. He is also filing contempt charges on her too. I went to meet her at the halfway point about a month ago for an exchange and she didn't show. I got all the documentation that I needed to prove that I was there (including a police report). Thank you for your response!! I hope that it was an accident!!

 

[babymakesone]

Unfortunately, accidents happen & some kids are irresponsible. As long as your court order states that you have to pay for 50%, that is what you have to do. Glasses would be considered medical as they are needed for help correct vision.

When the glasses are replaced, is he getting ones that he likes or not? I am wondering because if he doesn't like the glasses & wants different ones, he might be breaking them on purpose.

 

[LdiJ]

Yes, she SHOULD be responsible, but obviously she's taking advantage of the situation. Was it thrown away on purpose, or was it an honest accident. If she is that irresponsible, then maybe you need to file to modify your existing order.

As far as visitation, why aren't you holding HER responsible for violating a court order??? If she is denying you visitation per the order, she is in contempt. File contempt charges.

Please stop being a rug.

Why should she be responsible? Its not her fault that the child is breaking his glasses or accidentally throwing away his retainer. If you think that either of those two things are things that the CP can control....then you are living in fantasyland. Kids break glasses (heck even adults do too)...retainers accidentally get thrown away all the time (as do dentures...lol).

Now...if the parents want to make the teenager responsible for part or all of the cost that is certainly a viable option to encourage more caution. Dad can certainly make the child work off his half during his time if he thinks that is appropriate.

But claiming that the CP is irresponsible because these things happen is ridiculous.

 

[haiku]

at 15, the child should be the one mostly responsible for the replacement costs. working it off in chores in some way, if they don't have a summer job to pay the costs from.

 

[Sandwalk]

I have been in contact with my sons orthodontist. I always do this to find out the real deal before I hand out money. The truth is that the retainers that he threw away were only temporary before his permanent retainers were finished. He had the ones that he threw away for a week and the "permanent" ones were going to be ready in 3-4 days. Buying the new ones until the permanent ones were ready was an option because he will not use them again after he gets the permanent ones. Spending $150 for 3-4 days is crazy in my opinion. Since he did not really need them.....I'm not paying!!

 

[Sandwalk]

at 15, the child should be the one mostly responsible for the replacement costs. working it off in chores in some way, if they don't have a summer job to pay the costs from.

Right on haiku!!!