My daughter needed to see a specialist in a city 100 miles away. I carry the insurance. I took her and now need to send the expenses to my ex. I know he is required to pay for the copays and deductible, but what about mileage? It was an expensive 200 mile round trip. I don't normally charge for it for local visits and was wondering if there is any specific advice anyone can offer.
Whoever takes her to doctor is responsible for mileage (I assume you mean gas). Seems petty to me, unless this will be weekly visits. I would then approach the subject. If it is a few times a year, consider it a nice one on one with your daughter. How often do you get to spend several quiet hours with her.. A lunch out etc.
Unless it is spelled out in your decree he is not responsible for mileage. At the moment the IRS allows 56.5 cents per mile for mileage and if you were to argue this that would be the rate used. So you are talking max 56 dollars and would only be able to get him to pay half so you are talking 28 dollars, doesn't seem worth legal action but you may want to ask him if he could pay 28 dollars for gas and call it a day.
You can write off the mileage and some other travel expenses for medical appointments. I think you are only allowed 23 cents per mile for medical, not the 56 cents allowed for business deductions. You can only get the medical deduction if you spend over a certain percentage of you income on medical expenses in that year.
If your ex spends enough in out-of-pocket medical each year, you could ask if he'd reimburse you and add it to his deductible medical expenses. However, since he is already covering copays and deductibles, you may want to count your blessings and consider the mileage expense part of your own contribution to your daughter's support.
I really wouldn't push for the mileage. If he's generally good about paying for her medical expenses I would let this one slide.
If your daughter will need to see this specialist on a regular basis, then you may want to speak with him about splitting the cost or sharing the responsibility of transporting her. If this is a one-time thing, chalk it up to your responsibility as her mother to get her to the right person medically.
I am not divorced and have not been in your situation, BUT I was raised in a divorced family.
Personally, I think you are pushing the envelope to ask for mileage reimbursement, especially if your ex does pay the things he is supposed to per your settlement. Many ex's would pay nothing or very little.
I would let this go because you are not talking about much money plus there will be bigger issues in the long run. Asking for this reimbursement seems trivial to me and could possibly open up a big can of worms. If you are ready for that battle, then go for it.
How would you respond if he asks you to reimburse his mileage?
J.
It all depends upon what your divorce decree and child support arrangement is.
If he is to pay all incidentals for care - then yes.
However, since this is a new issue - I would talk with him about it and ask how he wants to handle it since it was something out of the ordinary.
He might offer 100% and he might offer 50%. You don't know until you ask nicely. I would read my agreement prior to talking with him. I would also approach it nicely and not demanding he pay.
