If my parents are divorced and my mom has custody over me, how can I get my father to honor his responsibility to may my dental bill?
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If my parents are divorced and my mom has custody over me, how can I get my father to honor his responsibility to may my dental bill?
My father recently quit his job to create a Christmas light show. Since he quit his job, he says that he can no longer afford to pay half of my medical bill for a surgery to get my wisdom teeth out this week. I’m in quite a bit of pain and need to get them out but my mom can’t afford to pay the whole medical bill and my father did agree to pay his half before he quit his job. My dad doesn’t visit me like he is supposed to and he doesn’t seem to care about me or my brother. So could I, or my mother, take father to court to see if he can be forced to pay his half of the bill?
Asked on October 3, 2012 under Family Law, Virginia
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Most custody court orders will require one parent to pay child support and then order the parents to split any medical bills. If this language is included in the order, then your dad can be compelled to pay one-half of the expenses, espcially since he made the voluntary choice to be underemployed. Because you are a minor, your mother would have to be the one to file a motion to enforce.
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