Family Law: Ex-Pyrotechnician Creates No Fireworks In Appealing Dissolution Orders

However, He Still Owes Ex-Wife Attorney’s Fees To Level The Playing Field.

     Harrison v. Harrison, Case No. B211921 (2d Dist., Div. 8 June 11, 2010) (unpublished) involved a fiery dissolution proceeding between ex-husband (a former pyrotechnician who started up his own business) and ex-wife (a mother of a small son who was a stay-at-home mom with no income). The family law court set temporary child and spousal support obligations, and awarded “needs based” attorney’s fees to wife under Family Code section 2030. Evidence showed that there was an income disparity between the two parties, coupled with wife’s uncontradicted declaration that husband threatened to quit to obtain custody of his son as well as show no income to shirk his support obligations.

     Husband’s challenges were rebuffed on appeal, drawing no fireworks from the Court of Appeal in affirming all of the lower court orders.

     The total fee award of $25,000 was no abuse of discretion because husband failed to provide record citations for any of the evidence to support his attacks, with the challenge being deemed waived. Beyond that, the evidence of income disparity in tandem with wife’s uncontradicted declaration easily demonstrated “need” for purposes of a section 2030 award.