Moore/Marsden, Watts Charges

Background Greg and Jodie Mohler were married on September 12, 1998, and separated on July 2, 2011. Petitioner (Jodie) filed a Petition of Dissolution on January 25, 2012. Greg filed his response on April 9, 2012. Their trial did not take place until November 15, 2017. Jodie’s Proposed Statement of Decision identified several disputes. Among…

Tracing: Why, When and How

Tracing usually becomes an issue when community and separate property funds have been commingled in the same account(s) and then an asset is purchased with funds from that account. The mere commingling of separate property moneys in a community bank account does not destroy the separate property character of the funds, so long as they…

The Marriage of Collins: Turning a $4,000 Client Investment into a $300,000+ Savings in Spousal Support

Case Background Melvin and Maureen Collins were married for thirty-five years. In 2005, the couple separated and subsequently divorced. Melvin, who was the sole breadwinner, has been employed as a professor of economics at a prestigious Orange County university. During their marriage, Maureen was a stay-at-home mom. Their divorce settlement included a monthly spousal support…