I am a divorced parent living with my children. Some time ago, my ex-wife set up one of my sons for orthodonture. She assumed full control and responsibility for this. My only role was to have been to take him to appointments since he lives with me. I never signed any papers accepting financial responsibility and she is listed as the "Billing Party" in all records and in fact I have never been sent any bills or requests for payment from the orthodontist.

My ex-wife however has not met her financial obligations to the satisfaction of the doctor and they placed this with an attorney for collection. I have just spoken with them (the doctor), in their office. They verified they have no record of my accepting responsibility, but they tell me their attorney says the law in Alabama makes BOTH biological parents responsible regardless of the non-existence of any such document of financial responsibility. Can someone confirm or deny this with any certainty for me? It seems patently ludicrous on its face given that it would be an involuntary agreement, but with attorneys and legislators and the medical lobby all mating all at once in a three-way orgy of self-interest and amorality, it shouldn't shock that the result would be grotesque beyond imagination.

We are talking about someone with whom I do not live nor have any spousal commitment to, and have not for almost 10 years.

Have you browsed through the information in LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center to learn more about your issue yet? See: http://www.lawinfo.com/consumer.html. You can certainly try to speak to a lawyer to determine what legal options may be available. In the meantime, you may be able to learn more on your own. Search the "Free Legal Resources" tab, or browse the Consumer Resources. Good luck.

Yes, I did that and there is nothing there for me. Of course I can talk to a lawyer and pay for that privilege. I may end up in that situation, but obviously it would be better to a) avoid that if intelligently and confidently possible or b) if I must, to do so with a little knowledge and understanding.

I have found an interesting and reasonably relevant post here:

http://www.mirrorofjustice.com/Child-Custody/13189.htm

It says, and I find it difficult not to be appalled by the smugness:

"The medical bills are a necessity for which the parents are (in most civilized states but I'm not certain about Texas) responsible. The medical center will sue your husband and the child's mother because they are legally responsible..."

This is in reference to an emergency room visit. My son's orthodonture was an elective/cosmetic procedure. Surely one parent couldn't be forced to assume liablty for a boob job or an acne scrub, could they? Does anybody have knowledge of exclusions to this kind of law?

It really may come down to how your custody agreement/order is worded.