Legal Question in Family Law in Washington
Child support & medical expenses
In my support order my ex is required to pay a % of out of pocket medical expenses. He hs not and the amount is over 2,000. I was told by a local attorney that I could file something with the court to have it added to his child support and OSE will collect it. What form is this and what all do I need to do this? I have all bills & receipts of my payments.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Child support & medical expenses
There really isn't a form for unreimbursed medical expenses per se, so it's not as simple as it appears.
You'd need to file a motion for an order enforcing the original child support order, with a declaration (yours) attached, with exhibits attached to that showing 1) the original order 2) the bills 3) that the bills have not been paid.
You note it for hearing, and mail copies to your ex. It's not an order to show cause so it doesn't have to be personally served.
At the hearing, you present a proposed order containing a judgment summary for the judge to sign. If the judge thinks you are correct, the judge will sign your order. The order should detail that Support enforcement should collect an additional $ sum per month to effectuate the transfer of the unpaid proportion of medical expenses.
You can then send that order to Support Enforcement and they will enforce it.
Remember the clerks cannot give you legal advice. If your county Bar has a family law clinic, you can ask for help there.
Hope this helps - Elizabeth Powell