White v Marciano

Outcome: (Not available)

Description: In a paternity action, the trial court issued a protective order precluding discovery of the admitted father's net worth and lifestyle, and excluded evidence of them at trial, after the father stipulated that he had an annual income of $1 million and could afford any reasonable support order. The court awarded support in the amount of $1,500 per month, plus medical insurance, and awarded the mother attorney fees of $8,000. (Superior Court of Los Angeles County, No. CF023955, Stephen M. Lachs and Robert A. Wenke, Judges.) The Court of Appeal affirmed. It held that, once the father admitted his available income, further evidence regarding his lifestyle and net worth were irrelevant, and thus the trial court did not err in precluding discovery and evidence on those issues. It held that the amount awarded was reasonable under the circumstances, considering the standard of living attainable by the income of both parents, and the fact that the award allowed the mother to substantially improve her economic status. It further held that the court did not abuse its discretion in awarding attorney fees in an amount less than that requested by the mother since at least one-half of her attorney's services concerned the irrelevant life-style issue. (Opinion by Fukuto, J., with Roth, P. J., and Gates, J., concurring.)