Marriage of Parker

Filed 8/22/17
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
In re the Marriage of MATTHEW
ALBERT and MARY KATHERINE
PARKER.
MATTHEW ALBERT PARKER,
E064236
Appellant,
(Super.Ct.No. SFLSS80842)
v.
OPINION
MARY KATHERINE PARKER et al.,
Respondents.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. Diane I.
Anderson, Temporary Judge. (Pursuant to Cal. Const., art. VI, § 21.) Affirmed.
Law Offices of Aaron M. Hudson and Daniel W. Rinaldelli for Appellant.
No appearance by Respondent Mary Katherine Parker.
Kamala D. Harris and Xavier Becerra, Attorneys General, Julie Weng-Gutierrez,
Assistant Attorney General, Linda M. Gonzalez, Catherine A. Ongiri and Niromi W.
* Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.1105(b) and 8.1110, this opinion
is certified for publication with the exception of part B(1).
1
Pfeiffer, Deputy Attorneys General, for Respondent County of San Bernardino
Department of Child Support Services.
In 1990, the family court entered a judgment of dissolution of marriage for
appellant Matthew Albert Parker and respondent Mary Katherine Parker. Mary1 and
Matthew shared two children. In 2014, Matthew sought an order (1) requiring
respondent San Bernardino County Department of Child Support Services (the
Department) to prepare an accounting of the child support arrears owed by Matthew;
and (2) discharging the child support arrears for the period in which the children resided
with Matthew (Trainotti2 credits). The family court denied Matthew’s requested order.
Matthew raises two issues on appeal. First, Matthew contends res judicata and
collateral estoppel do not bar an award of Trainotti credits. Second, Matthew asserts the
family court erred by not applying the doctrine of laches to discharge the arrears owed
to the Department. We affirm the judgment.
A. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
1. 1990 DISSOLUTION
Mary and Matthew’s two children were born in 1987 and 1988. In 1990, the
family court entered an order for the dissolution of Mary and Matthew’s marriage and
ordered Mary and Matthew to share joint legal custody of the children. The court
awarded Mary primary physical custody of the children. The court ordered that
1 We use first names for the sake of clarity. No disrespect is intended.
2 In re Marriage of Trainotti (1989) 212 Cal. App. 3d 1072 (Trainotti).
2
Matthew would have physical custody of the children “during reasonable times and for
reasonable periods,” which included three weekends per month. The exchange of the
children for visitation was to occur at a public parking area adjacent to the San
Bernardino County Sheriff’s Station. Matthew was ordered to pay child support in the
amount of $137 per child, per month—a total of $274 per month.
The family court ordered Mary and Matthew (1) not to remove the children
“from the seven southernmost counties of the State of California without prior written
consent of the other party, or prior order of the court”; and (2) to notify one another in
writing, within 72 hours, of any changes to his/her address and/or telephone number.
2. 2007 REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL DETERMINATION OF
ARREARAGES
In August 2007, Matthew filed a request for a judicial determination of
arrearages. Matthew asserted the Department sought $83,629.58 in child support
arrears from Matthew. Matthew declared the children resided with him from February
1993 until the children reached age 18, and he received no child support from Mary.
Matthew asserted that because he was the sole provider for the children for the majority
of their lives, the family court should find Matthew did not owe child support arrears.
Matthew attached a variety of documents to his request, such as the children’s school
and medical records
The Department responded to Matthew’s request. The Department conceded
that, pursuant to Trainotti, Matthew would not owe child support for the period in which
the children were residing with Matthew.
3
In October 2007, the family court held a hearing on Matthew’s request. At the
hearing, Matthew explained that he took custody of the children after Mary called
Matthew’s parents and said Matthew could take the children. Mary and the children
were residing in Texas. Matthew was residing in Oregon. Matthew borrowed money
from his parents for airfare. Matthew flew to Texas and retrieved the children.
Matthew told Mary he was taking the children to Oregon. Matthew and Mary did not
discuss the cost of airfare. Matthew and the children flew to Oregon. The children
resided with Matthew from that point onward.
Mary explained that, when she moved to Texas, she did not know Matthew’s
contact information. Mary went to Matthew’s house in California, but he had moved.
When Mary was unpacking in Texas, she found Matthew’s parents’ contact information
and telephoned them to provide them with her new contact information in Texas. When
Matthew arrived in Texas to take the children to Oregon, Mary believed they were
going for a month-long visit to Matthew’s parents’ home in Canada. Mary did not
know Matthew lived in Oregon. Mary permitted Matthew to take the children on the
condition the children would return in early March.
When Matthew did not return the children in March, Mary contacted Matthew’s
parents. Matthew’s parents told Mary “not to call there anymore.” Mary “filed a
Foreign Judgment in August of [19]94.” However, because Mary did not know where
Matthew was located, she was unable to pursue any further action.
Matthew responded that, when he took the children, it was for a visit of
undetermined length. Matthew explained that, at some point, Mary telephoned Matthew
4
in Oregon and asked him if he planned to return the children to Texas. Matthew told
Mary he borrowed money for the cost of traveling to Texas and then back to Oregon
when he retrieved the children, so Matthew could not afford to return the children to
Texas. Matthew offered to return the children to Texas if Mary would contribute to the
cost of transportation. Mary never contacted Matthew again.
Mary said she did not recall having a telephone conversation with Matthew after
Matthew took the children. Mary said she did not contact the court about regaining
physical custody of the children because she had tried to work with other agencies.
Mary explained she had contacted “America’s Most Wanted” about the case.
The family court said, “[T]he pleading is one to Determine Arrears, but I see it’s
more in the nature of Trainotti Credits. So that’s how I’m going to address the ruling.”
The family court found Matthew “extorted these children and kept them from [Mary]
even though she had been the parent granted custody. He conditioned the return on her
paying for the travel expenses which was not something that was discussed nor is a
condition of the judgment.” The court said, “For those reasons, this motion which is
being treated as a Motion for Trainotti Credit is denied. There will be no Trainotti
Credits in this matter.” The family court explained Matthew “wrongfully kept these
children from [Mary],” and Matthew was required to pay the child support arrears.
3. 2014 REQUEST FOR TRAINOTTI CREDITS
In December 2014, Matthew filed a request for an order (1) requiring the
Department to prepare an accounting of the child support arrears owed by Matthew; and
(2) awarding Matthew Trainotti credits. In a declaration attached to the request,
5
Matthew asserted Mary was dishonest at the 2007 hearing. Matthew declared he
obtained evidence to support a finding Mary knew, as early as 1991, that Matthew
resided in Oregon. Matthew attached envelopes addressed to Matthew in Oregon with
postmarks of 1991, 1992, and 1993. The envelopes either lacked a return address or
gave Matthew’s address as the return address. Matthew also attached letters, written by
“Kathi.” Matthew declared the letters were from Mary. One letter is dated “December
27, 199”—the final digit is not visible. A second letter is dated February 13, 1992.
Matthew provided points and authorities in support of his request. First,
Matthew asserted Mary should no longer receive child support payments because Mary
had unclean hands due to her deceit at the 2007 hearing. Second, Matthew contended
laches barred the Department from collecting the arrears. Matthew asserted the
Department did not attempt to collect the support payments from 1991 through 2007.
Matthew contended it was unjust for the Department to collect a debt after 16 years of
failing to act.
Third, Matthew, asserted “the determination of true Trainotti credits was not
made” because Mary “committed fraud on the court.” In support of this assertion,
Matthew cited a statute authorizing exemplary damages when a defendant is guilty of
oppression or fraud. (Civ. Code, § 3294, subd. (a).)
Mary responded via a declaration. In the declaration, Mary pointed out various
alleged inconsistencies in Matthew’s prior statements. The Department responded with
points and authorities. The Department asserted res judicata barred an award of
Trainotti credits because, in 2007, the family court denied Matthew’s request for
6
Trainotti credits. The Department asserted the family court, in 2007, determined the
veracity of Mary’s statements, so that issue had already been decided. Alternatively, the
Department contended Matthew was not diligent in seeking relief from the 2007 order.
Further, the Department asserted Matthew had unclean hands because he
wrongfully took the children to Oregon. Next, the Department contended laches did not
apply because (1) most of the arrears were owed to Mary, not the Department; and
(2) the Department had been trying to collect arrears from Matthew since 2008.
On May 27, 2015, the family court held a hearing on Matthew’s request. At the
hearing, the Department asserted (1) Matthew had unclean hands, due to wrongfully
taking the children, and therefore did not qualify for equitable relief; (2) the issues of
Trainotti credits and veracity were res judicata to the 2007 ruling; and (3) Matthew was
not diligent in seeking relief. In regard to diligence, the Department asserted Matthew
failed, in 2007, to file a petition for reconsideration, to seek to set aside the findings,
and/or appeal.
Matthew asserted that, if Mary believed Matthew kidnapped the children, she
should have contacted law enforcement, which she did not do, and she did not return to
the courts. Matthew asserted Mary did not want the children returned to her, hence, her
lack of communication. Matthew explained that he did not file an appeal or motion for
reconsideration in 2007 because he was self-represented, the filings are difficult, and he
lacked money. Matthew explained that he was seeking equitable relief based upon the
fact that the children resided with Matthew, and Mary did not pay any child support.
7
The court denied Matthew’s request for Trainotti credits, finding an award was
barred by res judicata due to the 2007 ruling. The court found laches did not apply to
the arrears owed to the Department because the Department had been making efforts to
collect from Matthew since 2008.
B. DISCUSSION
1. TRAINOTTI CREDITS
Matthew contends the family court erred by denying his request for Trainotti
credits.
“The doctrine of collateral estoppel is one aspect of the concept of res judicata.”
(Lucido v. Superior Court (1990) 51 Cal. 3d 335, 341, fn. 3 (Lucido).) “Collateral
estoppel, or issue preclusion, ‘precludes relitigation of issues argued and decided in
prior proceedings.’ ” (Mycogen Corp. v. Monsanto Co. (2002) 28 Cal. 4th 888, 896.)
“ ‘The doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel will, when they apply, serve to
bar relitigation of a factual dispute even in those instances where the factual dispute was
erroneously decided in favor of a party who did not testify truthfully.’ ” (Western
Mutual Ins. Co. v. Yamamoto (1994) 29 Cal. App. 4th 1474, 1485.)
Collateral estoppel has five requirements: “First, the issue sought to be
precluded from religitation must be identical to that decided in a former proceeding.
Second, this issue must have been actually litigated in the former proceeding. Third, it
must have been necessarily decided in the former proceeding. Fourth, the decision in
the former proceeding must be final and on the merits. Finally, the party against whom
preclusion is sought must be the same as, or in privity with, the party to the former
8
proceeding.” (Lucido, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p. 341.) We apply the de novo standard of
review. (Johnson v. GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. (2008) 166 Cal. App. 4th 1497, 1507.)
We examine if the former and current issues are identical. “The ‘identical issue’
requirement addresses whether ‘identical factual allegations’ are at stake in the two
proceedings.” (Lucido, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p. 342.) In 2007, Matthew requested the
family court find he did not owe child support because he had been the children’s sole
provider since February 1993. The family court explained that Matthew was requesting
Trainotti credits, and ruled upon the request as one for Trainotti credits. In 2014,
Matthew requested the family court “give Trainotti credits to [Matthew] for custody of
the minor children from 1993 to age of majority.” The 2007 and 2014 cases concerned
Trainotti credits from 1993 through the children reaching age 18 based upon Matthew
being the children’s sole provider. Because both proceedings concerned whether
Matthew was entitled to Trainotti credits, due to being the children’s sole provider, we
conclude the issues are identical.
Second, we examine if the issue was actually litigated in the 2007 proceeding.
An issue is actually litigated when the parties have an opportunity to present their full
case. (Lucido, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p. 341.)
In Trainotti, the appellate court held that child support orders “are an exercise of
the court’s equitable power and . . . a trial court possesses the discretion to permit only
partial enforcement or to quash, in toto, a writ of execution directed against a parent in
arrearage who, during the period in question, has had the sole physical custody of the
child.” (Trainotti, supra, 212 Cal.App.3d at pp. 1074-1075.)
9
Unclean hands is an equitable defense. (Salas v. Sierra Chemical Co. (2014) 59
Cal. 4th 407, 432.) It requires a person seeking equitable relief to have acted fairly in
the matter for which he is seeking a remedy. (Kendall-Jackson Winery, Ltd. v. Superior
Court (1999) 76 Cal. App. 4th 970, 978.) “The doctrine promotes justice by making a
plaintiff answer for his own misconduct in the action. It prevents ‘a wrongdoer from
enjoying the fruits of his transgression.’ ” (Ibid.) “Whether the doctrine of unclean
hands applies is a question of fact.” (Ibid.)
At the 2007 hearing, Matthew explained that he had been the children’s sole
provider. Matthew provided evidence in the form of the children’s school and medical
records. Matthew was litigating the issue of Trainotti credits—explaining why the
family court should grant him equitable relief from the arrearages. The Department
conceded Matthew should be awarded Trainotti credits for the period in which the
children resided with him.
Mary defended by invoking unclean hands—asserting Matthew wrongfully kept
the children from Mary. Matthew tried to rebut the defense by asserting (1) he offered
to return the children to Mary if she paid for their transportation, and (2) Mary did not
follow-up on Matthew’s offer. Because Matthew offered evidence on the issue of
Trainotti credits, Mary and Matthew were heard on the issue of unclean hands, and the
Department entered its concession; we conclude the issue was actually litigated.3
3 Mary and Matthew were not under oath at the 2007 hearing. However, the
lack of oath was not raised in the family court, and therefore is deemed forfeited. (In re
Katrina L. (1988) 200 Cal. App. 3d 1288, 1299.)
10
Third, we examine if the issue was necessarily decided in the 2007 proceeding.
For the issue to be necessarily decided, it must “not have been ‘entirely unnecessary’ to
the judgment.” (Lucido, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p. 342.) In the 2007 proceeding, Matthew
sought equitable relief, which the Department and family court interpreted as a request
for Trainotti credits. Mary invoked the defense of unclean hands. Because Trainotti
credits and unclean hands were the focus of the 2007 proceeding, the family court
necessarily had to resolve those issues in order to reach its decision. Accordingly, the
issue was necessarily decided in the 2007 proceeding.
Fourth, we analyze whether the 2007 decision is final and on the merits. A
decision is final when it is “free from direct attack.” (Lucido, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p.
342.) Matthew did not appeal the 2007 order denying his request. Matthew did not
seek to have the order set aside or reconsidered. Given that 10 years have passed since
the order was entered, we conclude it is final. The decision was on the merits because
the family court decided the matter based upon the substantive issue of the unclean
hands defense, i.e., that Matthew’s conduct was wrongful. The matter was not
dismissed for a procedural reason. Therefore, we conclude the 2007 decision is final
and on the merits.
Fifth, we examine if the same parties are involved. The 2007 proceeding
involved Matthew, Mary, and the Department. The 2014 proceeding involved Matthew,
Mary, and the Department. Therefore, we conclude the same parties are involved.
In sum, all the requirements for collateral estoppel have been met. In 2007, the
family court heard from Mary, Matthew, and the Department on the issue of Trainotti
11
credits and unclean hands. The family court necessarily decided the issue, and its
decision is final and on the merits.
In 2007, the family court denied Matthew’s request for equitable relief from the
child support arrearages because Matthew acted wrongfully in withholding the children
from Mary. In other words, the family court found Matthew was not entitled to
equitable relief because he had unclean hands. In 2014, Matthew sought equitable relief
from the child support arrearages. This matter had already been determined. Matthew
was not entitled to equitable relief from the child support arrearages because Matthew
had unclean hands due to wrongfully withholding the children from Mary.
Accordingly, the family court did not err by denying Matthew’s 2014 request for
Trainotti credits.
Matthew contends collateral estoppel does not apply because he did not use the
term “Trainotti credits” in his 2007 filing. In Matthew’s 2007 request, he sought the
discharge of his child support arrears due to being the children’s sole provider.
Matthew may not have used the term “Trainotti credits,” but he effectively requested
the type of relief described in Trainotti. (Trainotti, supra, 212 Cal.App.3d at pp. 1075-
1076.) Therefore, we are not persuaded that Matthew did not request Trainotti credits.
Matthew contends the issue was not fully litigated because he was not given an
opportunity to cross-examine Mary during the 2007 hearing. Matthew did not request
to cross-examine Mary; therefore, the family court did not deny Matthew an opportunity
to cross-examine Mary. (See Lucido, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p. 341 [issue was fully
litigated because parties presented evidence and “had the opportunity to present full
12
cases”].) Because Matthew did not request to cross-examine Mary we are not
persuaded that he was denied an opportunity to fully present his case. (In re Katrina L.,
supra, 200 Cal.App.3d at p. 1299.)
Matthew asserts the issue was not fully litigated in 2007 because the family court
did not permit his current wife (Wife) to testify. In 2007, Matthew told the family court
that he spoke to Mary on the telephone and offered to return the children to her if she
contributed to the cost of transportation. Mary did not recall the telephone call. The
court asked Matthew what, if anything, Mary said in response to Matthew’s offer.
Matthew said he could not recall because the conversation “was almost 20 years ago.”
Matthew said Wife heard the telephone conversation. Matthew remarked that Wife was
sitting next to Matthew during the 2007 hearing.
The family court believed Matthew’s statements about the telephone
conversation. It was because of Matthew’s statements that the court concluded
Matthew acted wrongfully. The family court found Matthew improperly “conditioned
the return [of the children] on [Mary] paying for the travel expenses,” which amounted
to Matthew “extorting” Mary. The family court’s finding was based solely on
Matthew’s statement about the telephone call. On appeal, Matthew does not assert that
Wife would have contradicted Matthew’s version of the telephone conversation, had she
testified. (See Friedland v. Friedland (1959) 174 Cal. App. 2d 874 [appellant failed to
make an offer of proof in the appellate court as to how the testimony he sought to have
elicited would have helped his case].)
13
Matthew’s assertion is unpersuasive for two reasons. First, Matthew did not
request to have Wife testify. As a result, we cannot conclude he was denied an
opportunity to present his case. Second, Matthew does not contend Wife would have
contradicted his version of the telephone call, thereby offering different evidence on the
issue. In sum, we are not persuaded that Matthew was denied an opportunity to fully
present his case.
Matthew contends the issue was not fully litigated in 2007 because he was not
given notice that Mary would raise an unclean hands defense at the hearing. Matthew
did not object, during the 2007 hearing, to Mary arguing a defense of unclean hands,
and he did not request a continuance. Matthew did not assert a lack of notice or lack of
ability to respond to such a defense. Moreover, we note it was Matthew’s statement,
about Mary needing to send money for transportation costs, that caused the family court
to find Matthew acted wrongfully. Thus, it was Matthew’s own statement, not a
statement by Mary, that caused his request to be denied. Accordingly, we are not
persuaded that Matthew was denied an opportunity to fully present his case.
Matthew contends Trainotti “is not predicated on principles of equity, but on
principles of law.” In Trainotti, the mother was awarded custody of the son she shared
with her former husband. (Trainotti, supra, 212 Cal.App.3d at p. 1073.) Three years
after the award of custody, the son went to live with his father, and his father ceased
paying child support. (Ibid.) The father sought an order to show cause re: modification
of the child custody and support, but the matter was taken off calendar. (Ibid.)
Approximately six months later, the mother sought to have the father held in contempt
14
for failing to pay child support. (Id. at p. 1074.) The trial court found there had been no
modification of the support order, and therefore concluded it could not discharge or
offset the arrears for the period that the child was residing with the father. The father
appealed. (Ibid.)
The appellate court reasoned that child support orders “are an exercise of the
court’s equitable power and . . . a trial court possesses the discretion to permit only
partial enforcement or to quash, in toto, a writ of execution directed against a parent in
arrearage who, during the period in question, has had the sole physical custody of the
child.” (Trainotti, supra, 212 Cal.App.3d at pp. 1074-1075.)
The appellate court concluded that, although a writ of execution was not brought
in Trainotti, the trial court had the “discretion to determine the appropriate remedy for
enforcing the order regardless of the procedural context in which the issue was raised.
[Citations.] In so doing, the [trial] court should have considered whether the debtor had
satisfied or otherwise discharged the obligation imposed by the original order.” (Id. at
p. 1075.) The appellate court wrote, “We think it clear that the trial court erred by
refusing to consider whether [the father] had satisfied his obligation by furnishing [the
son], with the approval of [the mother], a home and support that was equal to or in
excess of the court-ordered amount.” (Id. at pp. 1075-1076.)
Our reading of Trainotti reflects the power to discharge child support arrearages
is based upon the family court’s equitable powers. (See In re Marriage of McClellan
(2005) 130 Cal. App. 4th 247, 258 [Trainotti is limited to discussing “the court’s
equitable power”].) We have made this determination in reliance on the portion of the
15
case that provides child support orders “are an exercise of the court’s equitable power
and . . . a trial court possesses the discretion to permit only partial enforcement or to
quash, in toto” an enforcement order/writ. (Trainotti, supra, 212 Cal.App.3d at p.
1075.) Thus, we are not persuaded by Matthew’s assertion.
2. LACHES
Matthew contends the family court erred by not applying laches to discharge the
arrears Matthew owes to the Department.
“Laches is based on the principle that those who neglect their rights may be
barred, in equity, from obtaining relief.” (City of Oakland v. Oakland Police and Fire
Retirement System (2014) 224 Cal. App. 4th 210, 248.) “The doctrine of laches is to
actions in equity what statutes of limitations are to actions in law.” (Corona Properties
of Florida, Inc. v. Monroe County (Fla. App. 1986) 485 So. 2d 1314, 1318.) “In an
action to enforce a judgment for child . . . support, the defendant may raise, and the
court may consider, the defense of laches only with respect to any portion of the
judgment that is owed to the state.” (Fam. Code, § 291, subd. (d).)
In 2014, Matthew filed a request for an order (1) requiring the Department to
prepare an accounting of the child support arrears owed by Matthew; and (2) awarding
Matthew Trainotti credits. In Matthew’s points and authorities filed in support his
request, he argued the arrears owed to the Department should be discharged due to
laches.
In the family court, Matthew was the petitioner and sought to use laches
offensively, rather than defensively, to have the arrearages discharged. Matthew relies
16
on Family Code section 291, subdivision (d). Such offensive use of the laches defense
is not authorized by Family Code section 291, subdivision (d), which specifically refers
to “the defense of laches” being available “[i]n an action to enforce a judgment for child
. . . support.” (Italics added.)
Matthew cites no authority for the proposition that the equitable defense of
laches can be asserted offensively as a basis for relief. Laches may be used only as a
shield, not as a sword. (LaPrade v. Rosinsky (D.C. 2005) 882 A.2d 192, 198; Corona
Properties of Florida, Inc. v. Monroe County, supra, 485 So.2d at p. 1318.) Matthew
was the party seeking a remedy in the family court, therefore, he cannot assert laches.
To the extent a petitioner can assert the defense of laches to obtain relief, we
conclude the family court did not err. “A defendant must demonstrate three elements to
successfully assert a laches defense: (1) delay in asserting a right or a claim; (2) the
delay was not reasonable or excusable; and (3) prejudice.” (Magic Kitchen LLC v.
Good Things Intern. Ltd. (2007) 153 Cal. App. 4th 1144, 1157.) Matthew bore the
burden of proving laches applies. (Highland Springs Conference and Training Center
v. City of Banning (2016) 244 Cal. App. 4th 267, 282.) Because the facts are largely
undisputed, we will apply the de novo standard of review. (San Bernardino Valley
Audubon Society v. City of Moreno Valley (1996) 44 Cal. App. 4th 593, 605.)
We examine whether the Department delayed in asserting a right or claim. The
order for child support was entered in February 1990, when Mary and Matthew
divorced. Therefore, the right or claim to child support was immediately exercised.
There was no delay in obtaining an order requiring Matthew to pay child support.
17
Mary received public assistance. Because Mary received public assistance, the
Department could be reimbursed for the public assistance from Matthew’s child support
payments. (Former Welf. & Inst. Code, § 11350, subd. (a)(1); City and County of San
Francisco v. Thompson (1985) 172 Cal. App. 3d 652, 659.) The Department was
required to enforce the child support order. (Former Welf. & Inst. Code, § 11475.1,
subd. (a).)
In October 1991, the Department filed an order to show cause re: contempt
(OSC). The Department asserted Matthew owed $3,288 in child support and Mary was
receiving public assistance. In January 1992, the OSC was taken off calendar due to
Matthew not being served; Matthew was not served because Matthew had moved to
Oregon. The Department acted immediately by filing for an OSC; however, it delayed
because it failed to serve Matthew. Because one could reasonably find the Department
delayed in enforcing the child support order, we will examine the issue of prejudice.
Matthew needed to show he suffered prejudice as a result of the Department’s
alleged delay. (Johnson v. City of Loma Linda (2000) 24 Cal. 4th 61, 67.) We focus on
the causation requirement—whether the prejudice resulted from, i.e., was caused by, the
Department’s alleged inaction. The Department had an interest in the child support
payments from Matthew because Mary was receiving public assistance. The
Department had the right to collect reimbursement for the public assistance from the
child support sent by Matthew. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 11477, subd. (a)(1)(A); In re
Marriage of Lugo (1985) 170 Cal. App. 3d 427, 436.)
18
Matthew asserts he suffered prejudice because excessive interest accrued on the
arrears. A declaration by Matthew reflects he chose to stop paying child support in
August 1990. Because Matthew chose not to pay his court-ordered child support,
interest accrued. The accrual of interest is due to Matthew’s inaction, not the
Department’s. Therefore, any interest Matthew must pay is self-imposed. The evidence
reflects the interest payments resulted from Matthew’s decision to stop making child
support payments. Thus, any prejudice did not result from a delay by the Department.
Next, we focus on whether prejudice was shown. The record reflects the
Department did not make collection efforts between January 1992 and June 2004—
approximately 11.5 years. Matthew brought his laches action approximately 11 years
later; raising laches in his points and authorities, which were filed in May 2015.
In Matthew’s 2015 points and authorities he wrote, “According [to] the numbers
that the county provided, [Matthew] would owe the county $7,249.00 in principle and
$27,403.00 in interest.” Matthew did not provide a citation to support his assertion.
Matthew did not attach any evidence to his points and authorities. In the Department’s
response to Matthew’s laches action, it made an offer of proof reflecting Matthew owed
the Department $7,249 in principal and $27,463.01 in interest.
For the sake of addressing this issue, we will treat the Department’s offer of
proof as a stipulation between the parties, because the numbers offered by the parties
are sufficiently close. Despite this stipulation, there is no evidence as to what portion of
the interest accrued through June 2004 and what amount of interest accrued after June
2004. Without such evidence, we cannot conclude Matthew was prejudiced by the
19
Department’s delay in seeking enforcement of the child support arrears because we
cannot determine if the interest that accrued during the period of nonenforcement was
somehow unreasonable. In sum, Matthew failed to demonstrate prejudice resulted from
a delay by the Department.
C. DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. Respondents are awarded their costs on appeal.
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION
MILLER
Acting P. J.
We concur:
CODRINGTON
J.
FIELDS
J.
20