Question about braces and cost and payments
I am curious about what others here have done. The ex called my DH at work today and said that she was at the orthodontist and he would need to start paying $96 a month for braces.
Well, while we knew that she was looking into getting braces for his daughter, we have had no warning that she was going this week. Now I strongly agree that kids need braces and everything, but back up to January 22nd. The ex called pleading with my husband that she needed to claim their daughter this year on her taxes because the motor blew in her car. So my DH said that was fine, nothing about claiming her next year or anything. Great. And now she calls wanting all this additional money. Neither insurance covers it and the obligation of 50% is there, however she is refusing to get a 2nd opinion. The ortho she is using is the 2nd most expensive one here in town. I know because my daughter also needs braces and I have been going around for prices.
We would be able to afford to pay our half in a few weeks when we get our taxes back and that way we would be able to avoid the finance charges that she is adding to the monthly bill, but she is mad because my DH said she needed to get a 2nd opinion.
Now I think that my husband should get an 8332 signed for tax years 2010 and 2011 so that she won't claim her and I think my DH should talk to the orthodontist about holding off for 2 months so that we can pay our half up front. My husband obviously hasn't signed anything at all and wouldn't be held responsible for the bill, the BM would be since she will be signing the paper, but she has forged my husband's signature before, and if desperate she may feel free to do so again.
Ok, so BM and DH are
Ok, so BM and DH are supposed to split such expenses 50/50 right? BM really should have at least given him a heads up as to when the appointment was and they should have agreed beforehand on second opinions OR when the treatment would begin. I took my DD11 last year for an ortho consult because the dentist referred her. I immediately called my XH to tell him that I would need to take her for the consult. I called him once I had made the appointment AND called him from their office when they gave me the estimate and monthly cost ($116). I called him to keep him in the loop but had planned on using the child support to cover the expense, especially since it would cover it plus her other expenses. He actually offered to help out more in addition to the child support but since I make more than he does, and the support covered it, I declined but let him know that I appreciated the offer. Plus, my dental benefits at my job provided a $1,000 benefit for braces, and a lower contracted rate than if I had none. My FH's BM would NEVER offer to pay for anything because she's stuck on stupid and likes to regurgitate what the divorce says, i.e. that FH is responsible for 100% of uncovered expenses. She has taken SS to the urgent care for stuff that was NOT urgent without letting us (against the same decree she likes to spew)know AND on my insurance. No common courtesy whatsoever.
Back to your post though, I think she'd be a fool to not accept your offer to wait just a little bit so that you guys could pay HALF the cost. Besides, I'm sure waiting a few weeks to start the treatment won't be devastating. Your DH can either fight her to get a second opinion which is not only wise but his right to as the child's other parent who is financially responsible for half of said child's expenses OR tell her that he can pay his 50% in full in a few weeks, take it or leave it. Either way, he needs to be firm.
I appreciate everyone's
I appreciate everyone's comments. DH is being led to believe that the braces are medically necessary, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were more on the cosmetic side. (she tried to get SS in contacts at 9).I am sure that if this actually went to court that the dentist would say it was medical. The thing that kills me is that we were waiting to get the 8332 signed and returned when she called to ask about the tax filing to change to her this year, and it is almost like well she already got the extra money this year she got some extra money. I hate being pushed around by her. Because the guilt will be started later this evening when my DH calls her back.
I misunderstood earlier, I guess she said that she was putting down $1800 for it. BUT...my DH said that $1000 was actually coming from my DH's dad and the BM has insurance that will cover $800 of it, so she isn't really laying out a cent. Now i can understand if there are certain orthodontists that will work with her insurance, then that would count for something, but I am trying to make a list of things that my DH can ask her because she will go on and on, bringing up something from 2004, to get him off topic and then the conversation goes no where.