Opinion ID: 2582379
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Milton's Future Medical Expenses

Text: Milton argues that it was an abuse of discretion for the trial court to fail to make some provision for Milton's future medical needs. Cathleen responds that Milton provided no information to the trial court about his health and notes that if Milton's future medical needs had been important, he could have presented evidence to the trial court to substantiate his claims. On February 15, 2005, Cathleen sent Milton a letter asking for a signed medical release because Milton might have had some medical issues and Cathleen wanted more information before trial. Milton responded that he [was] at a loss to understand why or how the parties' medical condition[s] are an issue. At the conclusion of the trial, the court made one reference to medical issues: In terms of health, Mr. Mellard, you know, may have to have some surgery in the future. Nobody talked to me about what type of medical benefits he has. I assume he's on Medicare at this point in time. I don't know. I assume that. Should the parties have set aside some money for that future surgery when they got the word? Oh, absolutely. Did they? No. They went on vacations, they bought toys, they paid off the house. Was it a boon to the marriage? Absolutely. Milton did not request an award for future medical needs at trial, and he never argued for an unequal distribution of property based on his medical condition. We generally will not consider a claim raised for the first time on appeal, absent plain error. [30] In this case, Milton presented no evidence or exhibits to the trial court regarding his future medical needs. As Milton failed to present any evidence or argument regarding the future medical expenses at the trial court level, his argument is waived on appeal.