When two parents divorce, the court will issue an order of child support to ensure both parents are financially responsible for this health and well-being. Child support is meant to contribute to the expenses of raising a child, such as clothing and food. The court also makes a consideration for a child’s health insurance. Who pays for that insurance will depend on who is paying child support, what insurance coverage is available, and whether or not that coverage is affordable. Typically, the parent paying child support will be ordered to provide health insurance coverage for the child. The judge will first consider whether such coverage is available to the parent paying child support and the affordability of that coverage. For example, if the parent paying child support can get affordable health insurance through his or her employment, he or she may be ordered to provide that coverage. If no affordable health insurance coverage is available to the parent paying child support, or, if the insurance would be a significant financial hardship for that parent, the judge may not order them to pay for the insurance. The order to provide health insurance is modifiable as well; if the parent loses his or her ability to provide health insurance coverage to your child, the child support order may be modified to reflect the change in circumstances.

Parents who are paying child support and providing health insurance for their child as well can deduct the amount they pay for the insurance coverage from their gross weekly income when calculating their child support responsibility. They also may claim any tax credits for the costs of the child-care. The court also makes sure uninsured medical expenses are accounted for. The parent with primary custody may be responsible for the first $250 in uninsured medical expenses for their child per year. After that threshold is reached, the court may order one or both parents to cover the rest of the uninsured medical expenses. Contact an experienced divorce mediator if you have questions or concerns about complex child support issues. A highly skilled mediator can help you resolve your child support issues in a cost effective and non-adversarial manner.

Do you have questions or concerns about child support in your divorce? Mediation Advantage Services is here to help. Law Office of Polly Tatum, experienced in Massachusetts family law, can work hard to ensure your divorce mediation is in your child’s best interests. Based in historic Worcester, our firm serves all cities and towns throughout Massachusetts and Worcester County including, Auburn, Paxton, Leicester, Sutton, Grafton, Shrewsbury, Westboro, Northboro, Southboro, Holden, Sterling, Princeton, Worcester, Charlton, Millbury, Dudley, Spencer, Brookfield, Sudbury, Natick, Framingham, Hopkinton, Milford, Blackstone, Leominster, Fitchburg, Acton, Jefferson, Barre, Oakham, Cambridge, Newton, Marlboro, Lancaster, Bolton, and Hudson. Call our office at (508) 466-4734, fill out our online form, or email us at info@mediationadvantage.com today to schedule your Complimentary Mediation Success Planning Session. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter or download our free guide for more information regarding divorce in Massachusetts.