Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Help understanding ''Joint Legal Custody''

My ex-wife recently moved about 100 miles away. I have custody of the children. I know that joint legal custody states that I have to inform my ex-wife about all ''major medical issues'', but what exactly does that mean? Do I have to call her everytime that the children have a Dr. appt? My ex is a real pain on this matter. She will schedule appointments from her home town for the kids in my our town during the day while I am working and then informs me that I have to take them. She even schedules appointments without getting a referal and then my insurance declines to cover it. I only find out about it when I get collection notices in the mail. I guess that leads to another question. Am I responsible for the bills that she created by not following the rules of the insurance. (it is the same insurance that we have used for 7 years so she cannot claim that she did not know about getting a referal)


Asked on 1/19/04, 5:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mary Ann Wunder Wunder & Wunder

Re: Help understanding ''Joint Legal Custody''

Generally when there is joint custody, that means that both parents are informed of regular doctor visits. If your former spouse has moved away and continues to make doctor appointments for the children and informs you to take them, you need to contact the doctors to reschedule appointments if these are not convenient - which will help keep a handle on the "unreferred" visits. Otherwise, send her a letter and explain the insurance again - don't just yell at her on the phone or when she is picking up the children. If that does not work, then take her back to court and request the court to clarify the medical expense issue and/or have her held in contempt for interference.

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Answered on 1/20/04, 10:10 am


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