The costs that are associated with health care are often a much overlooked issue when a husband and or wife begin the divorce process.  How does an individual even begin to navigate what should be anticipated for health care costs going forward, especially when one considers that one of the first documents that is required to be completed after filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Florida is a Family Law Financial Affidavit Form 12.902 which requires you to list the costs of health care insurance.  New Horizons Law, P.A., Michael J. Costantino, Esq. is very experienced in assisting clients in working through these issues even though there is the reality that being able to obtain health insurance might be more difficult and expensive than imagined?

For the spouse who is employed in a traditional job where health insurance is provided as a benefit by the employer, often the issue of the cost of health insurance turns on whether the employer allows a dependent spouse to remain on the employee’s health insurance after the Court enters a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage and, if so then for what period of time.

On the other hand, the dependent spouse would be offered a “COBRA” continuation of their spouse’s health insurance policy – but this can be quite expensive and then coverage is limited to a specified duration of the number of months that coverage will continue – which is normally no more than 36 months.  Then the dependent spouse will have to purchase his or her own health insurance policy.  At New Horizons Law, P.A., Michael J. Costantino, Esq. can assist you in this process.

While this issue can be very difficult for those individuals who are in a same-sex marriage, it is even more challenging for those who are within the LGBT community.  Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Florida since January 6, 2015, so with the ability of those within the LGBT community to marry also comes the ability to petition the court in order to obtain a dissolution of that marriage.

New Horizons Law, P.A., Michael J. Costantino, Esq. recognizes that under the current administration in Washington, there is much uncertainty about the continuation of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”).  Some of the proposed legislation in Congress would significantly change how those in the LGBT would access health care in the near future.  The ability to obtain health insurance might be even more difficult and expensive than one could imagine.

So in order to protect our clients, New Horizons Law, P.A., Michael J. Costantino, Esq. finds that the issue of health insurance requires even more planning as our office sets forth a strategy to determine the potential medical needs of our clients and the amount of money that the client will need for continued health insurance coverage.

Since the world of health insurance is very complicated today and appears to have the potential for rapid and unexpected changes, New Horizons Law, P.A., Michael J. Costantino, Esq. will make your physical and financial health needs a key part of negotiating a final settlement in your case.