Support / Copays

hotantipasta · 2026-02-17T21:08:38+00:00

We pay pro rata based on our incomes.

According-Designer15 · 2026-02-17T05:35:28+00:00

if you're paying $1500/month in child support on top of covering 100% of the medical insurance premium, and she's still asking you to split every $20-$30 walk-in copay, she's either testing how much more she can extract from you or your divorce decree specifically says you split unreimbursed medical expenses and she's enforcing it to the letter. Most custody agreements outline this clearly: who pays the insurance premium, who pays copays and deductibles, and what percentage each parent is responsible for, so you need to pull out your decree or settlement agreement and see exactly what it says about medical expenses.

If the agreement says you split unreimbursed medical expenses 50/50, then yes, you're technically obligated to pay half the copays even though you're already paying the premium and $1500/month in support. If the agreement doesn't specify, or if it says the parent who pays the insurance premium is responsible for copays, then she has no legal right to demand half and you can tell her no. But if you don't know what your agreement says, you're operating blind and she's going to keep hitting you up for money every time the kid sneezes because you haven't set the boundary.

DetroiterInTX · 2026-02-17T00:42:31+00:00

Kids on my insurance (there is some credit to support), and the county sets it as she pays first $250/yr of medical costs. After that, 50/50.

Grafixx5 · 2026-02-16T23:36:31+00:00

I have 50/50 and usually don’t ask for copays for like regular doctor visits cause it’s only $30. But our daughter was just in the ER and I had to pay $350.00 for that, aside from whatever the insurance doesn’t cover (insurance is paid by me). So yes, on the ER visit, I will ask for half. She will probably not like it but I also need $3,000 in repairs on my vehicle so….

Positive_Rub_6696 · 2026-02-16T22:29:19+00:00

Are you just trying to estimate here? I would imagine you’ll get any number of answers depending on state and other non-insurance factors. Just like buying a car, the dealership can make money off of you a dozen different ways - not just the selling price.

For me, CA, 8 years ago. Two teens, she didn’t work. I paid about $1k in SS and $2k in CS. I paid (still pay, even though they’re 20 & 22 now) for all insurance and we split anything insurance didn’t cover 50/50.

YMMV

Dirty_Lew · 2026-02-16T21:05:36+00:00

In my case, I pay for the insurance and the uninsured medical costs were split according to salary. For me that’s 78/22. I also pay $2800 per month in child and spousal support. The insurance I pay was factored into the child support calculation.

engineered-chemistry · 2026-02-16T20:37:30+00:00

I have 50/50 custody, pay child support, insurance premium for my kids, 70% of all out of pocket medical expenses and 50% of “agreed upon” ancillary child expenses. Does you MSA not state anything about out of pocket medical expenses?

badskiier · 2026-02-16T20:09:24+00:00

Copays don't come from child support.

We have a joint "maintenance" account that we fund equally. From that comes copays, extracurricular activities, kids cell phone bill, allowance. Basically everything except the food, shelter, clothing that is covered by support. By setting up an allotment in my direct deposit we don't have to deal with constantly settling up everything.

DevinB12 · 2026-02-16T19:58:27+00:00

Mine has me covering insurance and then we split co pays 50/50... I have 50/50 custody.

dystinct · 2026-02-16T19:51:33+00:00

What does it say in your divorce documents. Typically the higher earner covers the insurance and half of the out of pocket medical expenses.

ChiefsGuy2014 · 2026-02-16T19:50:43+00:00

No, it does not.

Title	Support / Copays
Author	justkickingtires111
Upvotes	3
Comments	12
Date	February 16, 2026 7:48 PM UTC (5 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1r6jtyu/support_copays/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/support-copays.1573629 https://theredarchive.com/post/1573629

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