Paying co-pays,etc

[Sandwalk]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

I have insurance on my son as it is court ordered. My ex has always sent me all of the bills so that I could pay for half of the co-pays not covered by my insurance. As a matter of fact...the minute that she would get them she would immediately send them to me and demand payment asap. Well...what I am wondering is that she has not been sending me the bills or asked me to pay for half of the co-pays since last October for sure. I know for a fact that my son has been to the doctor (he has a disease that needs to be tested often). I am not complaining but, I guess I am wondering how long she has to get these bills to me and if she can make me pay for them after a long length of time? Our co-pay is only $10.00 each visit and each prescription etc. but just wanting to know what the real deal is. I have never complained about paying for any of this but, I can not pay them if she does not send the bills. Also, there is no time frame in our court order. Thank you.

 

[betterthanher]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

I have insurance on my son as it is court ordered. My ex has always sent me all of the bills so that I could pay for half of the co-pays not covered by my insurance. As a matter of fact...the minute that she would get them she would immediately send them to me and demand payment asap. Well...what I am wondering is that she has not been sending me the bills or asked me to pay for half of the co-pays since last October for sure. I know for a fact that my son has been to the doctor (he has a disease that needs to be tested often). I am not complaining but, I guess I am wondering how long she has to get these bills to me and if she can make me pay for them after a long length of time? Our co-pay is only $10.00 each visit and each prescription etc. but just wanting to know what the real deal is. I have never complained about paying for any of this but, I can not pay them if she does not send the bills. Also, there is no time frame in our court order. Thank you.

You should send her a letter, certified w/return reciept AND via regular mail, inquiring about any bills that haven't been sent.

In that letter, ask her (firmly) to send any bills that need reimbursment within seven days of reciept of this letter. At least you are inquiring, therefore if she tries to surprise you with a mountain of bills down the road, you would have something to show that you inquired and if taken to court, she might have to eat the cost on those.

Just an idea.

 

[Sandwalk]

Thank you....that sounds like a good idea. I will do that....unfortunately I forgot to mention is my first post that the ex absolutely does not respond to letters that I send her. I have sent her several letters including one concerning the 8332 form for taxes and never once got a response. But, I will send her a certified letter/receipt so at least I will have the proof that I have tried. Thanks again!

 

[NCP Dad in TN]

That doesn't matter. My ex is the same way. That's why you send TWO letters... one regular mail, and one Certified Mail, which she has to sign for. She can refuse the Certified Mail, but you will have proof that you sent it if she does. If the letter you sent regular mail does not come back, you can assume she received it. The point is you will have proof that you DID try to contact her, and she will appear uncooperative if this goes to court.

 

[Sandwalk]

Good thinking! I really don't know what she gets out of acting like that. I will send 2 letters and see what happens. Thank you!

 

[betterthanher]

Good thinking! I really don't know what she gets out of acting like that. I will send 2 letters and see what happens. Thank you!

In the letter, also state at the end that this is also being sent regular/first class mail, in addition to certified w/return reciept. What you are doing is establishing a "pattern" -- and so is she. But, her pattern will not look favorably in the court if an issue ever comes up.

When applicable, I send stuff certified w/return AND regular mail. Many people won't accept or pick up certified mail. I, for one, don't if I don't know who it's from.

What issue with the tax form is it? Is she supposed to sign it and refuses (is this in a court order)?

 

[Sandwalk]

OK I will send both certified and regular. I always keep copies of everything that I send to her also. She is absolutely impossible to deal with.
The tax form is the 8332 form that is was suppose to sign for me to be able to claim my son on my taxes. I did send her the form and she never did send it back for me to include in my tax forms....she never ever acknowledged that I sent them to her. I have since sent her another letter about the form but once again she didn't respond. In our court order it says that we are to claim him every other year and this year was my year. I filed my taxes online and when I filed them it said that I needed this form from the ex. So...when I sent in the info that they wanted I just made a copy of the part of our divorce decree that says that we are to claim him every other year and sent that in. That is the proof that I used when I would go somewhere to get my taxes done before. I attached a note telling them that I had asked her to fill out the form and that she refused. Hopefully that will be enough.
Thanks for you advice!

 

[betterthanher]

OK I will send both certified and regular. I always keep copies of everything that I send to her also. She is absolutely impossible to deal with.
The tax form is the 8332 form that is was suppose to sign for me to be able to claim my son on my taxes. I did send her the form and she never did send it back for me to include in my tax forms....she never ever acknowledged that I sent them to her. I have since sent her another letter about the form but once again she didn't respond. In our court order it says that we are to claim him every other year and this year was my year. I filed my taxes online and when I filed them it said that I needed this form from the ex. So...when I sent in the info that they wanted I just made a copy of the part of our divorce decree that says that we are to claim him every other year and sent that in. That is the proof that I used when I would go somewhere to get my taxes done before. I attached a note telling them that I had asked her to fill out the form and that she refused. Hopefully that will be enough.
Thanks for you advice!

Given the fact that you're talking about $3100, I would file a show cause for contempt against her.

 

[Sandwalk]

WOW...how do I go about doing that? Could I do that myself or do I need to go through a lawyer? Would it be a good idea to send her another certified letter stating that if she does not send the form back to me I will file contempt charges on her? Thanks!

 

[betterthanher]

WOW...how do I go about doing that? Could I do that myself or do I need to go through a lawyer? Would it be a good idea to send her another certified letter stating that if she does not send the form back to me I will file contempt charges on her? Thanks!

Nope...you can do it yourself. You will need to explain in your motion for show cause that you've asked repeatedly and it states in your order (include a copy of the order that addresses this). You might want to wait to see what happens. If you get flagged and there is a delay, THEN you should file the contempt motion.

 

[Sandwalk]

That sounds great...thank you very much! I will wait to see what happens.