A lot of headaches and stress can occur during a divorce when two spouses are navigating through items associated with their children. This is because children are of the utmost importance, and their wants and needs should be at the forefront of the decisions to ensure that they have the best care and situation possible.
One item that may be brought up in relation to divorce and children is child support. Typically, the parent with the majority of custody time, as defined by overnight custody, will receive child support from the other parent. The child support order should outline all the expected situations regarding support, a significant one being uninsured medical expenses. Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding that topic:
Uninsured medical expenses can include:
- Deductibles
- Co-pays and out-of-network costs
- Prescription drugs
- A range of treatments from physical therapy to mental health such as counseling
- Devices and medical equipment such as wheelchairs
- Dental and orthodontia
What to keep in mind:
A support order should clearly spell out how medical expenses will be handled. In Pennsylvania, the amount that each spouse owes depends on the respective spouse’s income and its percentage of the total income of the spouses. Thereafter, the expenses are allocated between spouses based upon the income percentages, usually with the custodial spouse being responsible for the initial $250 per year and additional expenses then split based upon the percentage. Spouses can also agree to a different manner of splitting the expenses such as 50/50.
The initial bill is usually paid by the custodial parent who then requests from the other parent the percentage that they owe. The support order should identify the process which will be used for reimbursements. Being how important the support order is, it is vital to lean on your experienced divorce/custody attorney to ensure the correct child support items are included and spelled out clearly.
RELATED: Learn about these 5 items you should consider adding to your parenting plan.
Child support issues often cause ill will and friction between separated parents. However, with an experienced and balanced approach, child support matters can often be resolved by agreement without extensive litigation.
Are you approaching a divorce and need someone to help guide you through the steps to protect yourself and your children’s future? If so, our attorneys who are well-versed in all family law matters can help. Contact us now to set up a consultation however it is most convenient for you—via telephone, video, or in person.
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