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Tentative Ruling: LEAH BRUCH and LUCAS BRUCH

Case Number

FL0002498

Case Type

Family Law

Hearing Date / Time

Fri, 07/17/2026 - 09:00

Nature of Proceedings

1) CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDING COUNSELING – CHILD/SPOUSAL SUPPORT - ATTORNEY’S FEES 2) CASE PROGRESS CONFERENCE

Tentative Ruling

The matter is on for further hearing on support and attorney’s fees after the Court issued a domestic violence restraining order DVRO.

 The Court held a hearing on April 14, 2026 and counsel for Petitioner Leah Bruch (Mother) prepared the formal Findings and Order After Hearing (FOAH) and presented it for Respondent (Father) to approve as to form, which he has not done so far.

 Custody

 The parties met with Family Court Services (FCS) and FCS provided a recommendation. The Court finds it is in the best interest of the children to adopt the FCS recommendation as modified by Mother. However, the Court needs input from the parties on the schedule; appearances required.

 Child Support

 Father submitted his Income and Expense declaration on 04/14/2026.  Father reported W2 income of $8,697 a month with an average of $9,249.  However, his paycheck stubs reflect that he gets paid weekly for 73.71 hours at a rate of $39 an hour which results in a monthly amount of $12,457; the Court uses the latter figure for the Xspouse calculation.  Mother continues not to work while caring for Olive.

 Using the inputs shown in the attached Xspouse calculation, the Court sets pendente lite Spousal support at $2,013 and Child support at $3,980, payable from Father to Mother one half on the first and one half on the fifteenth of each month, retroactive to December 22, 2025. The amount will be modified once Mother resumes work. The arrears will continue to accrue interest and after Mother resumes work, the Court will set a payment schedule on the arrears, unless the parties make other arrangements.

 See attached Xspouse report.

Attorney’s Fees

 

Petitioner’s counsel provided a declaration in support of her request for fees as the prevailing party in the DVRO under Family Code section 6344.  Petitioner requested $9,258.74 in fees and $908.54 in costs.  Petitioner has incurred $7,900 to date in fees; counsel requested extra fees for appearance at the hearing. The Court grants $7,900 in fees and $908.54 in costs, payable directly to Petitioner’s counsel payable at a rate of $800 per month due by the fifth of the month.

Counsel for Mother is ordered to prepare the formal Findings and Order After Hearing.