Bruce Law Firm - November 2022

Children’s Health Care Costs Which Parent Pays?

Everyone knows children are expensive. But when you’re married to your child’s other parent, you’re usually on the same team. Most couples merge at least some of their finances, and you navigate questions about costs together. After a divorce, determining who will pay for what is a whole new ballgame, and one of the most significant expenses parents worry about is their children’s health care. Which parent is responsible for insurance and medical bills after divorce? The short answer, of course, is that all the details are laid out in the parents’ child support agreement and child support guidelines. If a parent has access to an employer-sponsored health care coverage and that parent has a “steady” job, then that parent will generally be required to carry the health care cost for the children by having it deducted from their paycheck. That parent then gets a credit for the payment on the child support guidelines, because they are having to pay something toward the children. When this happens, the courts typically increase the other parent’s child support payment to cover

the costs of the employer-sponsored insurance. Sometimes, a parent will purchase an affordable insurance plan on the private market. Other times, a child will be on a state-sponsored health plan.

Of course, health insurance rarely covers all costs. When your child visits the doctor, you often have out- of-pocket expenses like prescriptions, copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. The parents should ideally share these costs, and many co-parents privately agree on a solution. But the courts will get involved when necessary to ensure equitable cost-sharing. Note that equitable is not equal; the parent who makes more money will generally have more responsibility for the cost.

If your ex is not upholding their end of the child support agreement, Bruce Law may be able to help. Call our office today for a case review. We’ll help you understand your rights and determine the best path forward.

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Inspired by MomFoodie.com Roasted Pork Loin With Apples

Ingredients

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4 lbs pork loin

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3 garlic cloves

2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp salt, divided 1 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp cinnamon

8 apples

3 tbsp butter, softened

Jennifer Tirado

2 red onions

Directions

1. In a large bowl, season pork loin with garlic powder, 1 ½ tsp salt, and pepper, then cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 425 F. 3. Slice apples and onions, then chop garlic cloves. Season with brown sugar, olive oil, remaining salt, and cinnamon. 4. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, place a layer of apples and onions in the pan, put pork loin on top, then place remaining apples and onions around it. 5. Break butter into small pieces and place them on the pork loin and apples. Place dish in oven and let it bake for 15 minutes. 6. Reduce the heat to 350 F, then continue to bake for 60 minutes. 7. Remove dish and stir apples and onions. 8. Increase heat to 450 F, put dish in oven, and roast for an additional 8–10 minutes.

Amber Waring

561-810-0170 • 3

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