In Re Marriage of Fenton

Ruth and Lewis Fenton each appeal from portions of a judgment dividing their property and awarding spousal support and attorneys’ fees after dissolution of their 23-year marriage. Wife contends that the trial court erred in denying her motion to appoint an out-of-county judge, in failing to award her greater spousal support and attorneys’ fees, in failing to account for goodwill in husband’s law practice, and in finding a certain debt to be entirely a community obligation. Husband contends that the evidence does not support the trial court’s determinations on several property valuations, including his separation entitlement under his employment contract, the community interest in his law corporation, the value of his interest in a partnership, and the value of certain life insurance policies. We consider these contentions in the order stated.

I. Wife’s Contentions.

A. The motion to assign an out-of-county judge.

Wife made several attempts by motion to disqualify all Monterey County judges from hearing this matter and for designation of an out-of-county judge because husband is a leading attorney in that county, and she was of the opinion that in light of his prestige,…