how much life insurance

[Foredeck]

How do you calculate how much life insurance you should carry in trust?

We have shared custody, my table amount is roughly 480$, hers is 200$.

Does that mean that I should carry $480 X 12 months X 16 years (untill our daughter is 18)?

And, she should do the same math but with 200$ per month?

Or, is it usually a fix amount?

[billiechic]

There is no obligation to carry life insurance. Probably because some people cannot get it. However it is of course a good idea!!
I had a hard time because I am diagnosed with MS. I got around the loophole by purchasing a permanent policy (as opposed to term) when I left my employer. They were obligated to change the group policy to an individual one without a medical (which carried insurance worth 2 years wages). It doesn't quite cover the calculation you mentioned and it is much more expensive that term, but it is all I can get.

Do you already have life insurance? Can you designate a certain percentage towards your child? On mine I designated my daughter 20% and my ex had 80%. I guess I should change that now...

[dinkyface]

If your ex insists on it, then make it a mutual request.

If you die, your ex essentially gets sole custody with 100% time, and therefore needs to replace $480/mo.

If your ex dies, you essentially get sole custody with 100% time, and therefore need to replace $200 mo.

If NCP has significant assets, and is not insured, I believe the court order MUST specify the CP has a 'first claim on the estate'. (Lawyer said she could be sued if this was not done).