Question:
My ex-wife has been voluntary unemployed for three years. The kids are in school full-time. She went to court to collect more child support because of the fact she isn't working. The judge ordered her to get a job within 60 days. Since then, she hasn't really look for one and got an extension of 30 days. I have two questions: 1) How many extensions can she get? Can the court keep dragging this on for another decade when my youngest turns 18? 2) Does she have a legal responsability to help support herself and the kids (all her income comes from me through child support)?
Answer:
I cannot answer your question specifically to the laws of CA. as I am not licensed in that State. In my jurisdiction the court can impute your ex-wife income based upon her age, education, prior work history and skills. Consider retaining a vocational expert for the case. They are relatively inexpensive and can provide great testimony. In my area cases typically take nine to twelve months to complete. The Court controls their docket, but our Supreme Court keeps an accounting of how long cases are taking in each division.
