New Child Support Laws and Healthcare Costs: Who Pays for What?
Understanding Child Support Laws in Tucson, Arizona
Raising children is both a fulfilling and costly experience, and this financial responsibility can become even more complex after a divorce. For divorced parents, meeting their children’s medical and dental needs is not just a legal duty—it’s a crucial part of being a responsible parent.
Fortunately, Arizona has strong child support laws designed to ensure that children’s needs, particularly their health-related ones, are met. This guide will provide an overview of child support in Arizona, with a specific focus on medical and dental support, to help divorced parents better navigate this important aspect of co-parenting.
Arizona’s child support system follows the Income Shares Model, developed by the National Center for State Courts’ Child Support Guidelines Project. Under this model, the total child support amount is based on what parents would have spent on their children had the family remained intact. Both parents contribute a share of the total support, proportional to their incomes.
A key component of child support is ensuring that children receive the medical and dental care they need. In Arizona, this extends beyond routine visits to include what are known as “extraordinary medical expenses.” These are costs for medical and dental care that go beyond basic check-ups and treatment, such as surgeries, orthodontic work (like braces), and other specialized services.
Beyond health insurance coverage, both parents are also responsible for sharing the costs of medical expenses not covered by insurance. These out-of-pocket expenses can include deductibles, copayments, prescription medications, dental and vision care, and other medical services. The court typically determines how much each parent should contribute based on their respective incomes and financial situations.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution for Child Support and Medical Costs
Generally, when parents cannot reach an agreement on how medical costs are to be paid, they need to file a motion/pleading with the court. Here in Tucson, I never seen where parents go to mediation or ADR. Here in Tucson, mediation is for the sole purpose of deciding parenting issues and the payment of medical bills is a child support issue. ADR only exists if you hire someone who practices in this area.
For any questions regarding Child Support Laws in Tucson Arizona, please call our practice and set up a time with Hector Montoya today.
Law Office of Hector A. Montoya, P.L.L.C.
Citations:
Arizona Child Support Guidelines: https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/34/Forms/FamilyLaw/AOCDRS10H2018.pdf
Arizona Court Article: https://www.azleg.gov/ars/25/00501.htm