Legal Question in Family Law in California
financial/health care obligation
If both parents are court ordered to be 50/50 responsible for health care and/or pay 50% ea. of out of pocket expensives and one does not, does the parent with no, say Dental Inusurance have the right to make appointments and order treatment without the consent of the insured parent?
And, have the bill sent to the insured parent? This same uninsured parent has not paid 50% of the past balances as court ordered.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: financial/health care obligation
Review your custody orders. Do you have joint legal custody (the right to be involved in decision making about your child)? Even better, do the orders elaborate what decisions you two should make jointly? Does it mention medical decisions? If so, there is at least part of your answer. But regardless, you can communicate with the other parent about these issues, and assuming joint legal custody, try to get more involved in your child's medical/dental etc care so you know what is going on. Be proactive. Let providers know that you want to be involved. If communication isn't working between you and the other parent, mediation is something you might want to explore.