Cora v. Cora CA2/6

Filed 12/14/21 Cora v. Cora CA2/6 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION SIX

JENNIFER CORA, 2d Civ. No. B308834 (Super. Ct. No. 15FL02036) Plaintiff and Respondent, (Santa Barbara County)

v.

CATHERINE CORA,

Defendant and Appellant.

This is an appeal from an order appointing a receiver to collect child and spousal support and attorney fees. We affirm. FACTS Catherine Cora is a celebrity chef with an interest in a number of businesses. She was married to Jennifer Cora until their marriage was dissolved in February 2017. They have four children of the marriage, all of whom were minors at the time of the dissolution. While Catherine worked outside of the home, Jennifer stayed home with the children. At the time of the dissolution, Catherine had a monthly gross income of $52,305. Jennifer has serious physical and

emotional limitations and had been out of the workforce for a long time. The trial court declined to impute income to her. The trial court ordered Catherine to pay $8,118 monthly child support and $9,500 monthly spousal support. The court also ordered Catherine to pay Jennifer’s attorney $440,000. Jennifer’s First Motion for Appointment of Receiver In May 2017, Jennifer made a motion for the appointment of a receiver. She stated that the trial court’s order to pay $440,000 in attorney fees remains wholly unsatisfied, and that Catherine’s diverse financial interests make the appointment of a receiver a reasonable remedy. The trial court made a tentative ruling granting the motion. But at Catherine’s request, the court continued the matter to give her time to make the payment. Catherine made the payment and no receiver was appointed. Catherine’s Motion to Modify Support In March 2020, Catherine made a motion to modify both child and spousal support. She claimed financial losses in the restaurant business due to the COVID pandemic made it impossible for her to meet her support obligations. Catherine refused to provide the documents Jennifer’s accountant needed to make an analysis of Catherine’s finances. The trial court denied the motion, finding that Catherine failed to carry her burden of proof. Instant Motion to Appoint a Receiver In August 2020, Jennifer made the instant motion to appoint a receiver to collect delinquent support payments and attorney fees. Jennifer declared that as of April 1, 2020, Catherine had unilaterally reduced her $8,118 monthly payment for child support to $4,000 per month and stopped paying $9,500