Marriage of Cho and Wong CA4/1

I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Wife and Husband were married on September 15, 2001, and separated 12 years, eight months later, on June 1, 2014. Their two children were born in 2004 and 2007. A judgment of dissolution was entered on August 8, 2015. At that time, according to the parties’ stipulation, Husband’s income was $17,831, per month, including base income, stock options and bonus, and Wife’s income was $1,400 per month. Starting January 1, 2016, Husband was ordered to pay $2,984 per month in spousal support. Wife was awarded the family home, including approximately $600,000 in equity, which she

subsequently sold, using the proceeds to buy a different home.2 In November 2019, Husband sought an order modifying spousal support downward based on changed circumstances, including a change in

Unless otherwise indicated, all further statutory references are to the Family Code. Wife testified that she bought her current home for between $800,000 to $850,000. At a March 2023 hearing, it appeared to be undisputed that Wife’s current home had significantly appreciated in value, with a value well over $1 million, and that Wife owed $283,816.13 on her mortgage.…