In Missouri divorce decrees, are fathers required to carry insurance for dependent children?

Question

I heard this was a state law, but would like to verify. Thank you!

Answer 1

It depends on which parent is working with a job that provides insurance. The custodial parent can request that the other parent carry insurance or that they pay for them to carry the insurance. The only thing that the state requires is that if your employer offers family coverage and it is less than the cost that the state employees pay for their coverage that the parent provide the insurance rather than state paid coverage under SCHIP. The cost of health insurance is looked at in deciding the amount of child support.

Answer 2

In any state, you have some flexibilty in the decree, as long as you both agree. That is called a "stipulation".

If you already have insurance, they will very likely order you to keep it. If you don't have it, and the mother does, you could stipulate that it isn't necessary. Otherwise, you may be ordered to get it "at a reasonable cost".

You should really check with your child support agency, they will have the correct answer.

Answer 3

My exhusband has to carry insurance on our kids. With him paying for health insurance he pays much lower child support. But that is only because I had it put in the decree and he agreed with it. That was 5yrs ago it wasnt a state law then. I dont know about now....