My husband's ex wife sent us a "bill" today (typed by herself on her home computer) via certified mail stating to "please remit $1100" to her to cover 1/2 the cost of my step daughter's braces that weren't covered by insurance. Divorce Decree states that they are to split 50/50 of balance of uncovered medical expenses (necessities?) I have dental insurance which covers the kids, my husband has dental insurance which covers the kids - each of our insurances paid $1000 of the bill (total of $2000). I don't believe the mother has orthodontic coverage. She paid off the braces (with a check from her grandmother) back in March 2007. It's now July 2008 and she is "billing" us. We had no say in the choice of dentists, the procedures, etc. No one gave us any estimate of what everything would cost. My step daughter got her braces on 2 years ago. This woman takes her bad days out on us, I swear. She's absolutely miserable and determined to make us that way too. Anyway, isn't there some "statute of limitations" that she would have needed to follow? It's like she figured she needs the extra money now, so she'll bill us for something that was already paid off over a year ago! And she didn't even pay for them! Mine and my husband's insurance and her grandmother paid for them - she wants a free $1100 from us! IS THIS FAIR??

Take them to court its not fair on u and your husband!!

How much was the total bill ? Ask to see all records or better yet call the office that did the work and find out. She can't just type something up with no backing and expect your going to pay it. If someone else paid on her behalf then that's really netween those 2. It seems what your saying is the bill was several thousand dollars ? Let us know what you find out and what state you live in.

We live in Ohio. I called the Orthodontist's office today and they are going to get everything together and mail it to my husband and I next week after the holiday. I requested the total bill, what portion our insurances covered, the remaining balance, and how/when that balance was paid. I'm thinking they cost around $4000 or so - after some research that appears to be the going rate. There is no way in hell we would ever just "cut her a check" - but she's the kind of person that will most certainly take us to court. She is NEVER satisfied. Oy vey!

Be sure to look at a final on the custody decree and see if anything is spelled out in it about medical decisions and about reimbersment of expenses. Some have state statuates and others have shorter time limits like 3 to 6 months to submit them. See if he is also supposed to be included in the decision making process for health care issues. This may be something to go to court over if your at a stage where you need to regain sanity from the insane. Good Luck .

Thanks so much for the advice. I will read through the decree with a fine toothed comb this evening. And insane is right - I swear she's going to give me an ulcer. Thanks again for your help! Happy 4th!

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Originally Posted by JoJo76

We live in Ohio. I called the Orthodontist's office today and they are going to get everything together and mail it to my husband and I next week after the holiday. I requested the total bill, what portion our insurances covered, the remaining balance, and how/when that balance was paid...Oy vey!

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I believe you are on the right track: total bill, less all sums paid by insurance, and divide the rest, 50/50. The fact that a grandmother paid doesn't figure in to the legal part of it, in my view. Love that daughter a lot and enjoy the hugs; that's what counts.

She is required to give you a copy of the actual dentist bill. And you have the right to know what the insurance paid against this. It should be shown on the dentist bill. If she is doing something not ethnical, there is no requirement to pay, if you can prove your insurance paid it. In fact you keep this as proof of her fraud for the next time you go to court.