# My Ex Won't Pay for Braces - What Should I Do? | Brown Family Law

When you divorce, you almost always split medical costs. (For more on how this works, read [here](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/faqs/how-do-we-share-medical-costs-for-our-kids/).)

That seems pretty easy, right? Usually, yes, but, as with everything in divorce, there are complications. And for whatever reason, braces are one of those complications.

I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had a client call us and say, “My son/daughter needs braces, but [enter soon-to-be ex’s/ex’s name here] said he won’t pay for it.” The reason is almost always that braces aren’t necessary. (This, of course, makes no sense. No one gets kids $4000 braces for non-essential reasons.)

Here’s how we tell our clients to deal with this situation (it’s worked every time we’ve had to go to court, so it has a pretty good track record):

****Go to your orthodontist and get a letter stating the braces are medically necessary****. Every orthodontist on earth will give you that letter, so it shouldn’t be a difficult task.

Once you get the letter, give it to your soon-to-be-ex/ex. They almost always start paying their half at this point.

Sometimes, a parent will say orthodontia is not a medical expense and refuse to pay. This kind of makes sense, but every time we’ve encountered it in court, judges and [commissioners](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/glossary/role-of-court-commissioners-in-family-law-cases/) reject it.

## Last Piece of Advice

If you know you’re going to get resistance on the braces, go get the letter right up front. That should help minimize conflict.

Post-Divorce Issues Blog Posts:    [![Understanding Post-Divorce Mediation](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/understanding-post-divorce-mediation-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/understanding-post-divorce-mediation/)

### [Understanding Post-Divorce Mediation](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/understanding-post-divorce-mediation/)

Post-Divorce Mediation Somewhere around 35% of litigated divorces end up going to back to court after the divorce has

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Source: https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/faqs/my-ex-wont-pay-for-braces-what-should-i-do/