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Hon. Susan D. Huguenor (Ret.)

Case Manager: Haward Cho

Fee Schedule

Profile

Hon. Susan D. Huguenor served in the judiciary for 28 years, devoting 11 years of her career to resolving family law matters. Her extensive judicial background in legal issues relating to families, deep legal knowledge and intuitive expertise on human behavior have made her one of the most respected and fair- minded jurists in the family law community.

As a testament to her character and devotion to family law matters, Judge Huguenor was recently honored by the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) as their “2014 Distinguished Jurist.”

Sample Family Law Matters Resolved

  • Character, Value and Division of Property
  • Child and Spousal Support
  • Child Custody and Visitation
  • Paternity
  • Stepparent and Grandparent Rights
  • Attorney’s Fee Disputes

Legal Experience

Judge, San Diego Superior Court 1996 – 2014

  • Family Law Courts (11 years)
  • Juvenile Courts (13 years): Presiding Judge (2003-09), Supervising Dependency Judge (1997-03)

Judge, El Cajon Municipal Court 1985 – 1996

  • Presiding Judge (1988), Assistant Presiding Judge (1987)
  • Served in all departments of the Municipal Court

Deputy City Attorney, Office of the San Diego City Attorney 1974 – 1985

  • Consumer Fraud Unit: Deputy in Charge (7 years), Trial Deputy (2 years)
  • Criminal Division: Trial Deputy (2 years)

Professional Recognition

  • Distinguished Jurist, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – Southern California 2014
  • Woman of the Year, 75th Assembly District 2009
  • Wilmont Sweeny Award (Juvenile Court Judge of the Year), Juvenile Court Judges of California
  • (California Judges Association ) 2005
  • Law & Justice Award, California Women in Government 1989

Education

  • California Western School of Law, JD (Law Review & Dean’s Award) 1974
  • Monmouth College, BA 1968

Memberships

  • Juvenile Court Judges of California: President (2009 – 2011), Executive Committee (2001 – 2011)
  • Family & Juvenile Advisory Committee to Judicial Council: Co-Chair (2003 – 2015)
  • Commission on Children, Youth and Families, County of San Diego: Chair (2003 – 2009)
  • California Judges Association
  • National Association of Women Judges

Representative Cases

CHARACTER, VALUE & DIVISION OF PROPERTY

  • Mediation with issues of spousal support and a community property business. Long-term marriage. Division of real and personal property.
  • Mediation of long-term high asset marriage. Issues related to income available for support, property division, and value of law practice.
  • Mediation with issue of property division of real estate and numerous pieces of jewelry.
  • Mediation with several real property investments. Equalization payment was the primary issue as well as the source and timing of reimbursement payments.

CHILD CUSTODY & VISITATION

  • Mediation with issues of custody and visitation. Issues related to post separation remodeling of real property and allocation of debts.
  • Contested evidentiary hearing as to custody, visitation and child and spousal support. Issues as to business valuations and income available for support. Custody issues raised issues of alienation and reunification with a parent. Substantial attorney's fees also at issue.
  • Arbitration regarding attorney's fees in family law move away case.

MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION

  • Contested trial of high conflict, long-term marriage.
  • Contested evidentiary hearing as to date of separation.

SPOUSAL SUPPORT

  • Long term marriage. Value of home and buy out by one spouse. Spousal and child support. Division of all retirement accounts. Down payment on house whether a gift to one spouse or both. Personal property and debt distribution.
  • Mediation with issues of spousal support and characterization of numerous real and personal properties. Real properties included residences and many multi-unit and commercial rental properties. Income available for support and tracing were substantial areas of disagreement.
  • Contested evidentiary hearing as to custody, visitation and child and spousal support. Issues as to business valuations and income available for support. Custody issues raised issues of alienation and reunification with a parent. Substantial attorney's fees also at issue.
  • Discovery referee: High conflict case. Heard complex motions including requests for protective orders; sanctions and fee requests; motions to compel and to produce business records. Motions to quash subpoenas. Issues related to copyright and availability of income for support. Issues as to concealed income. Multi-day hearing.
  • Contested evidentiary hearing with analysis of Family Code section 4320 factors. Issues presented evidence as to the marital standard of living, earning ability, and the goal of self-sufficiency. Forensic accountants and employment experts presented evidence. This case was tried as a private judge.

    TRACING

    • Mediation with issues of real estate and a substantial car collection. Tracing and reimbursement were issues, as well as foreign properties. Substantial attorney's fees were requested.

    VALIDITY & ENFORCEABILITY OF PRE- AND POST-MARITAL AGREEMENTS

    • Litigation to interpret prenuptial, postnuptial and unique wording within agreements, orders and judgments.
    • Contested evidentiary hearing involving interpretation of Marital Settlement Agreement.

    OTHER

    • Contested hearing as to Family Code section 271 sanctions and attorney's fees.

    Fee Schedule