Request for Order (RFO)
LAW & MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DEPARTMENT 5 July 2, 2026 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.
8. SUKHDEEP NATT V. GUNEET NATT 25FL0866
On November 13, 2025, Petitioner filed a Request for Order (RFO) seeking child support, spousal support, attorney’s fees, and an order for Respondent to pay for extracurricular activities and school tuition for the child. All required documents were served by mail on November 14th. The Proof of Service indicates that a “courtesy copy of endorsed Income and Expense Declaration” was served, however after reviewing the court’s file it does not appear that an Income and Expense Declaration was filed concurrently with the RFO. That said, Petitioner did file an Income and Expense Declaration on March 18, 2026. It was served on March 9th.
On March 13th, Respondent filed an RFO for child custody and visitation orders. It was served on March 17th.
Respondent filed and served her Responsive Declaration to Request for Order on March 19th. She filed and served her Income and Expense Declaration on March 27th.
The Reply Declaration of Sukhdeep Natt in Support of RFO Filed on 11/13/2025 was filed on March 27, 2026.
The parties attended Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) on April 13, 2026 and were unable to reach any agreements. A report with recommendations was prepared on May 27, 2026. It was mailed to the parties on May 28th.
Petitioner filed and served an updated Income and Expense Declaration on May 29. th
Petitioner filed a Responsive Declaration to Request for Order on June 22nd. The court finds this to be late filed pursuant to Civil Procedure section 1005(b) which states all opposition papers are to be filed at least nine court days before the hearing date. Section 12c states, “[w]here any law requires an act to be performed no later than a specified number of days before a hearing date, the last day to perform that act shall be determined by counting backward from the hearing date, excluding the day of the hearing as provided by Section 12.” Cal. Civ. Pro. § 12c. Section 1005(b) in conjunction with Section 12c would have made June 18th the last date to file the responsive declaration therefore it has not been read or considered by the court.
Respondent’s Reply Declaration Regarding Custody, Visitation and FCS Mediation Report was filed on June 24th along with an updated Income and Expense Declaration.
LAW & MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DEPARTMENT 5 July 2, 2026 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.
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Respondent is requesting joint legal and joint physical custody of the minor child with a week on/week off schedule. He also asks the court to order a holiday schedule and vacation schedule and to make orders regarding out-of-state and international travel. Regarding support, Respondent asks the court to impute Petitioner with full-time income of at least $2,929 per month. He further asks that Petitioner be ordered to seek work immediately and provide copies of at least 5 submitted job applications and resumes weekly and to undergo a vocational evaluation with Patrick Sullivan at Respondent’s cost, subject to reallocation.
He asks for a return hearing to review the results of the evaluation. He asks that both parties be ordered to equally split the cost of extracurricular activities and school tuition. Finally, he is requesting a credit for voluntary support paid and he asks the court to deny Petitioner’s request for attorney fees.
After reviewing the filings as outlined above the court finds the recommendations contained in the May 27, 2026 CCRC report to be in the best interests of the minor. They are hereby adopted as the orders of the court with the following amendments. Sections 3 and 4 of the Parenting Time section shall be amended to read – “Visitation will be subject to a step-up plan. Step one – Father shall have visitation with the minor every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Additionally, if the minor chooses, he can have overnight visits with Father up to twice per month from Saturday at 10:00am to Sunday at 10:00am.
These visits are to be solely in the minor’s discretion. The parties are to follow step-one for a period of 90 consecutive days and then they are to move on to step two. Step two – Father shall have the minor on alternating weekends from Friday after school (or 3:00pm if no school) to Sunday at 6:00pm. On the weeks that Father does not have his weekend visits, then he is to have the minor on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.” In addition to the foregoing, if either parent is unable to care for the minor for a period of 9 consecutive hours or more, the non-custodial parent shall have a right of first refusal to care for the child.
The court is also adopting the holiday and vacation terms set forth on the FL-341(C) which is attached as Exhibit A to Respondent’s June 24th reply declaration.
LAW & MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DEPARTMENT 5 July 2, 2026 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.
Turning to the issue of support, it appears Petitioner has obtained full time employment commencing on July 6, 2026, as such the court declines to rule on the request for a seek-work order as the court finds the request to be moot. Likewise, the court declines to impute Petitioner with income given that she has now obtained employment and her actual anticipated income will be used to calculate support.
It is unclear if Respondent is still requesting Petitioner to undergo a vocational evaluation. If so, the request is granted. Petitioner is ordered to submit to a vocational evaluation with Patrick Sullivan. Respondent is to pay the cost of the evaluation subject to reallocation. The court is not setting a review hearing on the results of the evaluation as it is unclear if Respondent is still making the request. In the event the parties receive the results of the evaluation they can file a new RFO with a request to amend support.
The support orders made herein are effective as of November 15, 2025. Thus, the court finds a need for three separate Xspouse reports to coincide with the increased timeshare. From November 15, 2025 through July 14, 2026, Respondent has had visits with the minor approximately three times per week for approximately 2 hours per visit (per the minor’s CCRC statement). This results in 312 hours of visitation a year which equates to a 3% timeshare (312/8,760 = 3%). During step one from July 15, 2026 through October 14, 2026, Respondent will have visits with the minor 12 hours per week, which would be 624 hours of visitation annually, a 7% timeshare (624/8,760 = 7%). Finally, from October 15th on, the timeshare will be 19% (1,638 hours/8,760 = 19%). Utilizing these figures, the court finds the following:
• November 15, 2025 – July 14, 2026: Child support is $3,867 and spousal support per the Alameda formula is $6,393 per month. See attached Xspouse report. The court adopts the attached Xspouse report and orders Respondent to pay Petitioner $10,259 per month as and for child support and temporary spousal support, payable on the 15th of the month until further order of the court or legal termination. The court finds this order results in arrears in the amount of $82,072 through and including July 14, 2026.
Respondent shall receive a credit for any voluntary support payments made from November 15, 2025 through July 14, 2026. The parties are to meet and confer to establish a payment plan for any remaining arrears. The court reserves jurisdiction over the issue of arrears and credits. The court further finds Respondent routinely earned bonus pay during this time and therefore has included a bonus table with the Xspouse. The parties are to adjust the support due pursuant to the attached bonus table.
LAW & MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DEPARTMENT 5 July 2, 2026 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.
• July 15, 2026 – October 14, 2026: Child support is $3,498 and spousal support per the Alameda formula is $4,735 per month. See attached Xspouse report. The court adopts the attached Xspouse report and orders Respondent to pay Petitioner $8,234 per month as and for child support and temporary spousal support, payable on the 15th of the month until further order of the court or legal termination. The court further finds the parties both routinely earn bonus pay and therefore two bonus tables have been included. When either party receives a bonus payment, the parties are to adjust the support due for that month pursuant to the attached bonus table.
• October 15, 2026 - onward: Child support is $3,277 and spousal support per the Alameda formula is $4,620 per month. See attached Xspouse report. The court adopts the attached Xspouse report and orders Respondent to pay Petitioner $7,898 per month as and for child support and temporary spousal support, payable on the 15th of the month until further order of the court or legal termination. The court further finds the parties both routinely earn bonus pay and therefore two bonus tables have been included. When either party receives a bonus payment, the parties are to adjust the support due for that month pursuant to the attached bonus table.
The parties are ordered to equally split the costs of the minor’s extracurricular activities and private school tuition.
Finally, regarding need-based attorney’s fees, in the face of a request for attorney’s fees and costs, the court is to make findings on “whether there is a disparity in access to funds to retain counsel, and whether one party is able to pay for legal representation of both parties.” Fam. Code § 2030(a)(2). Family Code section 2032 works in tandem with Section 2030 to ensure that any award of costs and fees is just and reasonable. Fam. Code § 2032. “In determining what is just and reasonable under the relative circumstances, the court shall take into consideration the need for the award to enable each party, to the extent practical, to have sufficient financial resources to present the party’s case adequately.”
Id. at (b). Here, the court finds there to be both a disparity in access to income and Respondent’s ability to pay the attorney fees of both parties. That said, this matter is still in its infancy and the court does not find an award of $20,000 to be just and reasonable under the circumstances. Instead, Petitioner is awarded $10,000 as and for attorney’s fees pursuant to Family Code § 2030. This amount is to be paid directly to Petitioner’s attorney. Payment may be made in one lump sum or in monthly increments of $1,000 commencing on July 15, 2026 and continuing on the 15th of each month until paid in full (approximately
LAW & MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DEPARTMENT 5 July 2, 2026 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.
10 months). If any payment is missed or late, the entire amount shall become immediately due and payable.
Petitioner is directed to prepare the Findings and Orders After Hearing (FOAH); however, this order is effective immediately upon the court’s adoption of the tentative ruling and is not conditioned on the preparation of the FOAH.
TENTATIVE RULING #8: THE COURT FINDS THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE MAY 27, 2026 CCRC REPORT TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MINOR. THEY ARE HEREBY ADOPTED AS THE ORDERS OF THE COURT WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS. SECTIONS 3 AND 4 OF THE PARENTING TIME SECTION SHALL BE AMENDED TO READ – “VISITATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A STEP-UP PLAN. STEP ONE – FATHER SHALL HAVE VISITATION WITH THE MINOR EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND THURSDAY FROM 5:00PM TO 9:00PM. ADDITIONALLY, IF THE MINOR CHOOSES, HE CAN HAVE OVERNIGHT VISITS WITH FATHER UP TO TWICE PER MONTH FROM SATURDAY AT 10:00AM TO SUNDAY AT 10:00AM.
THESE VISITS ARE TO BE SOLELY IN THE MINOR’S DISCRETION. THE PARTIES ARE TO FOLLOW STEP-ONE FOR A PERIOD OF 90 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AND THEN THEY ARE TO MOVE ON TO STEP TWO. STEP TWO – FATHER SHALL HAVE THE MINOR ON ALTERNATING WEEKENDS FROM FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL (OR 3:00PM IF NO SCHOOL) TO SUNDAY AT 6:00PM. ON THE WEEKS THAT FATHER DOES NOT HAVE HIS WEEKEND VISITS, THEN HE IS TO HAVE THE MINOR ON MONDAY, TUESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 5:00PM TO 9:00PM.” IN ADDITION TO THE FOREGOING, IF EITHER PARENT IS UNABLE TO CARE FOR THE MINOR FOR A PERIOD OF 9 CONSECUTIVE HOURS OR MORE, THE NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT SHALL HAVE A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO CARE FOR THE CHILD.
THE COURT IS ALSO ADOPTING THE HOLIDAY AND VACATION TERMS SET FORTH ON THE FL-341(C) WHICH IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT A TO RESPONDENT’S JUNE 24TH REPLY DECLARATION.
PETITIONER HAS OBTAINED FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT COMMENCING ON JULY 6, 2026, AS SUCH THE COURT DECLINES TO RULE ON THE REQUEST FOR A SEEK-WORK ORDER AS THE COURT FINDS THE REQUEST TO BE MOOT. THE COURT DECLINES TO IMPUTE PETITIONER WITH INCOME GIVEN THAT SHE HAS NOW OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT AND HER ACTUAL INCOME WILL BE USED TO CALCULATE SUPPORT.
IT IS UNCLEAR IF RESPONDENT IS STILL REQUESTING PETITIONER UNDERGO A VOCATIONAL EVALUATION. IF SO, THE REQUEST IS GRANTED. PETITIONER IS
LAW & MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DEPARTMENT 5 July 2, 2026 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.
ORDERED TO SUBMIT TO A VOCATIONAL EVALUATION WITH PATRICK SULLIVAN. RESPONDENT IS TO PAY THE COST OF THE EVALUATION SUBJECT TO REALLOCATION. THE COURT IS NOT SETTING A REVIEW HEARING ON THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION.
THE COURT FINDS THE FOLLOWING FOR SUPPORT:
• NOVEMBER 15, 2025 – JULY 14, 2026: CHILD SUPPORT IS $3,867 AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT PER THE ALAMEDA FORMULA IS $6,393 PER MONTH. SEE ATTACHED XSPOUSE REPORT. THE COURT ADOPTS THE ATTACHED XSPOUSE REPORT AND ORDERS RESPONDENT TO PAY PETITIONER $10,259 PER MONTH AS AND FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND TEMPORARY SPOUSAL SUPPORT, PAYABLE ON THE 15TH OF THE MONTH UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT OR LEGAL TERMINATION. THE COURT FINDS THIS ORDER RESULTS IN ARREARS IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,072 THROUGH AND INCLUDING JULY 14, 2026.
RESPONDENT SHALL RECEIVE A CREDIT FOR ANY VOLUNTARY SUPPORT PAYMENTS MADE FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2025 THROUGH JULY 14, 2026. THE PARTIES ARE TO MEET AND CONFER TO ESTABLISH A PAYMENT PLAN FOR ANY REMAINING ARREARS. THE COURT RESERVES JURISDICTION OVER THE ISSUE OF ARREARS AND CREDITS. THE COURT FURTHER FINDS RESPONDENT ROUTINELY EARNED BONUS PAY DURING THIS TIME AND THEREFORE HAS INCLUDED A BONUS TABLE WITH THE XSPOUSE. THE PARTIES ARE TO ADJUST THE SUPPORT DUE PURSUANT TO THE ATTACHED BONUS TABLE.
• JULY 15, 2026 – OCTOBER 14, 2026: CHILD SUPPORT IS $3,498 AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT PER THE ALAMEDA FORMULA IS $4,735 PER MONTH. SEE ATTACHED XSPOUSE REPORT. THE COURT ADOPTS THE ATTACHED XSPOUSE REPORT AND ORDERS RESPONDENT TO PAY PETITIONER $8,234 PER MONTH AS AND FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND TEMPORARY SPOUSAL SUPPORT, PAYABLE ON THE 15TH OF THE MONTH UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT OR LEGAL TERMINATION. THE COURT FURTHER FINDS THE PARTIES BOTH ROUTINELY EARN BONUS PAY AND THEREFORE TWO BONUS TABLES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. WHEN EITHER PARTY RECEIVES A BONUS PAYMENT, THE PARTIES ARE TO ADJUST THE SUPPORT DUE FOR THAT MONTH PURSUANT TO THE ATTACHED BONUS TABLE.
LAW & MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DEPARTMENT 5 July 2, 2026 8:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.
• OCTOBER 15, 2026 - ONWARD: CHILD SUPPORT IS $3,277 AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT PER THE ALAMEDA FORMULA IS $4,620 PER MONTH. SEE ATTACHED XSPOUSE REPORT. THE COURT ADOPTS THE ATTACHED XSPOUSE REPORT AND ORDERS RESPONDENT TO PAY PETITIONER $7,898 PER MONTH AS AND FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND TEMPORARY SPOUSAL SUPPORT, PAYABLE ON THE 15TH OF THE MONTH UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT OR LEGAL TERMINATION. THE COURT FURTHER FINDS THE PARTIES BOTH ROUTINELY EARN BONUS PAY AND THEREFORE TWO BONUS TABLES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. WHEN EITHER PARTY RECEIVES A BONUS PAYMENT, THE PARTIES ARE TO ADJUST THE SUPPORT DUE FOR THAT MONTH PURSUANT TO THE ATTACHED BONUS TABLE.
THE PARTIES ARE ORDERED TO EQUALLY SPLIT THE COSTS OF THE MINOR’S EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION.
PETITIONER IS AWARDED $10,000 AS AND FOR ATTORNEY’S FEES PURSUANT TO FAMILY CODE § 2030. THIS AMOUNT IS TO BE PAID DIRECTLY TO PETITIONER’S ATTORNEY. PAYMENT MAY BE MADE IN ONE LUMP SUM OR IN MONTHLY INCREMENTS OF $1,000 COMMENCING ON JULY 15, 2026 AND CONTINUING ON THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH UNTIL PAID IN FULL (APPROXIMATELY 10 MONTHS). IF ANY PAYMENT IS MISSED OR LATE, THE ENTIRE AMOUNT SHALL BECOME IMMEDIATELY DUE AND PAYABLE.
PETITIONER IS DIRECTED TO PREPARE THE FINDINGS AND ORDERS AFTER HEARING (FOAH); HOWEVER, THIS ORDER IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON THE COURT’S ADOPTION OF THE TENTATIVE RULING AND IS NOT CONDITIONED ON THE PREPARATION OF THE FOAH.
NO HEARING ON THIS MATTER WILL BE HELD UNLESS A REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT IS TRANSMITTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE COURT’S WEBSITE OR BY PHONE CALL TO THE COURT AT (530) 621-6725 BY 4:00 P.M. ON THE DAY THE TENTATIVE RULING IS ISSUED. CAL. RULE CT. 3.1308; LOCAL RULE 8.05.07; SEE ALSO LEWIS V. SUPERIOR COURT, 19 CAL.4TH 1232, 1247 (1999). NOTICE TO ALL PARTIES OF A REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT AND THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH ARGUMENT IS BEING REQUESTED MUST BE MADE BY PHONE CALL OR IN PERSON BY 4:00 P.M. ON THE DAY THE TENTATIVE RULING IS ISSUED. CAL. RULE CT. 3.1308; LOCAL RULE 8.05.07.