Complex Custody, Support, and Property trial.
Oct 28, 2013OUTCOME: Completely successful result with Judgment entered on all issues.
Father was client. Issues at trial were these. (1) Mother abused children during marriage, but blamed Father for alienating the children from her. Temporary orders prevented her from seeing chil ... dren, but she frequently ignored orders. Mother was required to get reunification therapy. Reunification therapy was unsuccessful, but Mother blamed father and children for failure. (2) Mother hid one-half of her income from father and paid less than $100 per month in support. We uncovered her commissions from the sale of homes by doing a search of sold properties. Mother then quit job selling homes. (3) Mother attempted to obtain children’s school records despite custody orders to contrary. Mother attempted to join children's school as a party to family law case when school refused to provide records. (4) Mother obtained cosmetic surgery using community property income and claimed Father agreed to cosmetic procedure (on the day before parties separated). (5) Mother asserted community property interest in personal injury funds awarded as a result of injury father suffered during marriage. (6) Mother sought to impute income to father in high amount, and for large amount of permanent spousal support. (7) Mother sought attorney’s fees from Father. (8) Mother claimed Father took considerable personal property from community. Both parties were represented by attorneys throughout proceedings and at four-day trial on all issues. Father was successful on all issues. (1) Mother was required to obtain a psychiatric evaluation and personal counseling before attempting any reunification with children. (2) Mother was presumed to earn full and robust income, and vastly increased amounts of spousal support ordered based on presumed income, together with two years of arrears. (3) Mother prohibited from contacting school. (4) Mother found to have inappropriately taken community funds for cosmetic surgery and ordered to pay 100% of those funds to Father without offset for community property. (5) Father’s personal injury funds were awarded 100% to Father without offset for community property. (6) Low income imputed to father, and Mother’s request for support denied. (7) Mother ordered to pay $10,000 in attorney's fees and costs as a penalty for bad faith litigation; Mother’s request for attorney’s fees denied. (8) Mother found to have taken many items from community property and ordered to pay father for items taken.
