Person sues ex-spouse for not going to the doctor

[RB TexLa]

This was a quick blurb on a local morning news show. Seems their ex-spouse hasn't had a doctor's visit in five years and the suit claims that the plaintiff is entitled to the ex-spouses assistance in their children's future. The suit claims ex-spouse is not doing their part to guarantee this, health wise and wants the court to order them to visit a doctor regularly. Hopefully this is laughed out of court.

[Warpy]

1. Maybe the spouse will just go to the doctor

Although it sounds like a friviolous suit, it just might not be.

How many men do you know who won't go to the doctor, no matter what?

Iron John might be grabbing his chest and turning grey when he picks up the kids.

I noticed the sex of the spouse was carefully not mentioned. This is my guess, though, a spouse who is having real problems and doesn't want bad news and an ex spouse who is worried about someone s/he used to love.

[RB TexLa]

2. there is no way the genders could be relevant n/t

[DeSwiss]

3. Well...

Maybe the doctor's name is "Frist." I can understand that....

:shrug:

[Bunny]

4. Well, if the ex-spouse would happen to die, the kids could get

Social Security survivor benefits. So, if the spouse won't go to the doctor, you could always hope that he/she croaks soon instead. (I kid, I kid)

[lisa58]

5. The spouse will probably be required...

...to maintain an insurance policy while the children are minors, but the plaintiff's attorney will probably argue that there is more to parenting than money. Interesting argument - probably won't fly.

[WePurrsevere]

6. That would be IF the x-spouse even has health insurance and even then....

can they afford the deductible and percent they'd still have to pay.

Although I understand the "concern" going to the doctor or not should not be forced even if they have great health insurance. It also may be that the spouse is into alt health and/or see's a health practitioner that doesn't have a MD after their name.

Either way.. if they can't go or chose not to go it's not something that should be forced nor do I believe it can be unless the person is legally declared incompetent in some way.

[lisa58]

8. I'm sorry, I meant a life insurance policy..

..if the spouse meets his/her demise before the children come of age the insurance would cover the child support he/she would have contributed.

I don't believe you can make anyone go to the doctor - just an interesting argument.

[WePurrsevere]

9. Oh... okay. :-) It probably would have been clearer if...

I had been a bit more awake. ;)

You're right though it certainly is an interesting argument. IMO it's also one that should be kept an eye on just in case a judge somehow thinks it *is* acceptable to force someone to go to a doctor. If the person is not going because they choose not to go then IMO it's a personal privacy and choice issue.

[lisa58]

10. agreed n/t

[Yupster]

7. One spouse probably thought

the nagging would stop with the divorce decree.

[SoCalDem]

11. Just another example of personal choice lawsuits

what's next?

Mom gave me french fries as a toddler and now I'm fat..I think I'll sue her

Dad never taught me lawnmower safety, and now I chopped my foot off..I think I'll sue

My parents never let me have a pet, and now I'm allergic to my wife's cat..I think I'll sue

Ex husband did not take that great job offer in 1988, and now we're poor..I think I'll sue

Should'a had that V-8, back in 2002, but the waitress let me order lemonade.. I think I'll sue dennys