Marriage of Zhang and Huang CA6

Background All three parties are representing themselves on appeal. None of them has complied with California Rules of Court, rule 8.204, for filing appellate briefs. In particular, none cites the record to support statements of fact, as required by rule 8.204(a)(1)(C), and Zhang's opening brief completely fails to comply with rule 8.204(a)(2).1 We are further limited in our review by the inadequacy of the appellate record to convey a full picture of the facts and issues in this controversy. Consequently, in summarizing the history of this dispute we will rely on the decision of James F. Cox, the temporary judge who conducted the trial by stipulation of the parties. Appellant Zhang and respondent Huang were separated on May 1, 2006, after a marriage of nearly 39 years. The family court entered a judgment of dissolution on September 24, 2010 as to status only, leaving the parties' ongoing financial dispute for resolution by Judge Cox. The issues before Judge Cox were spousal support, division of the community assets, and attorney fees. At some point the parties' daughter, Kay Lau, was drawn into the litigation when Zhang disputed Lau's one-third ownership of the…