[tg390320]

I need to know if my ex husband can make me pay for old medical bills on my kids if he has custody of them and has had them for 8 years? He is trying to make me pay for them I am paying my child support and he is sking for more. Also the kids are 18 and15 and would love to move in with me since he is getting a divorce and they are staying with there exstepmom right now what do we need to do? Also there father is living with another woman on top of all of this

[JudyKayTee]

What does the Court Order say about child support? If it does NOT address medical bills he can't "suddenly" attempt to hold you responsible for them. He CAN attempt to get you to help pay for ongoing medical bills.

If you want custody of the children - and I don't know where you are - your 18 year old MIGHT be emancipated and can wherever he/she wants. You would have to file for custody of the 15 year old.

Have you tried to get custody during the past eight years?

The father living with another woman is legally immaterial. The children living with an ex-stepmother MIGHT be helpful to your position in this.

[cdad]

In many jurisdictions when there is a question of medical bills then the bill has to be passed along within a reasonable amount of time. Then it is usually 50/50.

Most have some sort of time limit for submission to the other party. So even if he does try to collect he may not get what he thinks. It is usually not retroactive.

[Fr_Chuck]

Who pays for medical bills and who pays for the health insurance for the kids is to be decided in the child custody agreement.

It is very common for the non custodial parent to pay for health insurance or at least pay for 1/2 of the children's medical bills not covered by insurance.

So yes he may go to court for this if the court order does not say it.

[JudyKayTee]

I cannot address other States but NY does NOT order medical bills retroactively. It WILL on occasion order support as of the date the papers were filed, not the date of the hearing.