Divorce - II

Health insurance: Don’t fall into the same trap that Mary did. When she divorced her husband, her lawyers got her the house, but didn’t advise her to attach her husband’s health insurance. Mary was left without coverage, and when her young child became ill, she incurred significant medical expenses. Ultimately, she lost the house that she worked so hard to get in the divorce settlement. If your ex-husband is the primary breadwinner and his employer provides the family health insurance, you will most likely be able to continue your health insurance coverage temporarily thanks to legislation passed in 1986 called The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986 or COBRA for short. Generally, COBRA allows you to continue with your husband’s group coverage for up to 36 months after your divorce or legal separation—though you will have to pay for this coverage. Note: COBRA coverage will terminate sooner than 36 months if you remarry or obtain coverage under another group health plan. 

Social Security: These benefits are not marital property. If you meet Social Security’s requirements, you can receive benefits based on your former spouse’s work. In general, if you were married at least 10 years and you are unmarried when you make a Social Security claim, you can be eligible as early as age 62 for Social Security benefits as a divorced spouse, or at age 60 if you are a divorced widow. For more information on divorced spouse’s benefits from the Social Security Administration, call (800) 772-1213 or check online at http://www.ssa.gov/gethelp1.htm.