An Accountancy Corporation
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…
Approximately three years after their marriage, Dawnel and Frank Bonvino purchased a family home in Westlake Village with a down payment from husband’s resources and the proceeds from a loan in his name. The property was purchased in 1996. Title to the home was taken in Frank’s name as sole and separate property. Approximately 15…
Frank Bonvino’s Appeal Frank Bonvino based his appeal of the trial court’s decision on the contention that there was no evidence he transmuted his separate property to community property. By plain language of this statute, Family Code §2640 applies to separate property contributions that are traceable from a community property asset at dissolution. Section 2640…
Fourth Appellate District: Michael O’Shea V. Susan F. Lindenberg, et al Presented by Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA In a case for child support, after the court awarded O’Shea’s ex-wife what he believed was excessive child support, he filed a legal malpractice action. His most significant allegation of negligence was that Lindenberg…
By Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA* Case Cite: 53 Cal. App. 17, 199 P. 885Date: May 26, 1921Court: Second Appellate District, Division One This case involved apportionment of community and separate property business interests Background: In March of 1916, when Frank Van Camp married Euphrasia, he was the president and general manager…
By Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA This case involves apportionment of community and separate property for business interests and provides the guidelines for Forensic Accountants in valuing the community property interest in premarital businesses for dissolution cases. Background: Family Code §770 states that when a spouse owns a business at the date…
Presented by Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA Background Francis Desouza appealed a post-judgment order that found he breached his fiduciary duty to his former wife Erica. The trial court ordered Francis to transfer Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies to Erica pursuant to the parties’ judgment of dissolution and to pay Erica’s attorney’s fees…
Presented by Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA 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,…
Presented by Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA Background Although the Todd case was not a family law matter, it can apply to apportionment in family law cases when a hybrid approach may prove more effective than limiting the method to Pereira or Van Camp alone. In this case, the Commissioner of Internal…
On September 26, 2018, the LA County Bar Association’s Daily eBrief included the case of Launa Morton, Appellant vs. David Morton, Respondent. This was a significant case for forensic accountants because it gave case authority to include 401(k) contributions when calculating spousal and child support. The following excerpts are taken from the opinion filed by…