Opinion ID: 901900
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Budgeted expenses

Text: [¶ 19.] Denice presented several budgets to the trial court during the course of these proceedings. Interestingly, none of the expenses itemized in these budgets met or exceeded her claimed budgetary needs at the time of the divorce. In 2003 her budgeted monthly expenses were $3,674. At the initiation of the modification proceedings in November 2006, her monthly expense budget was $2,172. In Denice's response to interrogatories, provided in 2007, her monthly expense budget was increased to $3,057. By the time of the first hearing, her monthly budgetary needs total was again altered to $3,389 still approximately $300 less than her needs at the time of the divorce. [¶ 20.] Most importantly for our purposes, Denice testified that the budgets she prepared did not reflect costs she actually paid, but rather were what she and Russell thought were fair of what the cost was to live where we're [plural] at. (Emphasis added.) Finding of Fact § 59 states: In order to be able to live independently, [Denice] would have expenses in the approximate sum of $3,389 monthly. (Emphasis added.) But, Denice does not live independently; she cohabitates with Russell. Her obligation is to substantiate her actual needs, not merely the hypothetical amount necessary to live independently. Furthermore, it would be insufficient for her to claim one-half of the living expenses in the home she shares with Russell if they are not her actual expenses. Finally, John presented documentary evidence that refuted Denice's proposed budgets. Denice's bank records, provided to John only after the first hearing for modification, reflect that Denice's actual expenditures are less than $1,000 per month. [¶ 21.] While budgets are, in essence, estimates and by their nature inexact, the evidence provided by Denice is wholly inconsistent with itself and goes beyond the pale of acceptable ambiguity. By accepting these speculations, the moving party was relieved of her burden of proof and the decision was based on speculation and guesswork as to Denice's living and medical expenses.