Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

Medical bills and transportation

How are medical bills responsibility for minor children decided in the state of Missouri, I have been told that each parent is legally responsible for half of the medical bills and I was wondering if this was true or not. Also my ex has visitation of every other weekend and alternate holidays but he only sees the kids aprox 5 times a year his mother takes them on his weekends and up to see him and now he is trying to force me to drive 1 1/2 hrs to meet him half way (which I have everytime he has asked, which has only been 2times). He says so he has more time with them (but he will be losing 3hrs with them) I take them to his mothers and pick them up from his mothers everyother weekend and now he gives me 1 day notice to meet him and I did. I just want to know what my rights are?

Thank You


Asked on 10/25/02, 10:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Reiter

Re: Medical bills and transportation

Typically the time and cost of transporting the children from the custodial parent to the non-custodial parent is split equally between the parents. Often the judge will order the parties to "meet half-way" if transportation is by car as this takes care of both the time and cost elements. Neither parent is required to be the person that takes the children to meet the other parent(unless required in the court order or parenting plan) and often times parents will send a grandparent or other family member on their behalf. As far as medical bills, it depends on the Settlement Agreement between the parties or the court's order. Absent any express mention of responsibility for medical bills in either document, you will need to petition the court to force an ex-spouse to pay medical bills for which you believe she/he is partially responsible.

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Answered on 10/26/02, 9:50 am


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