A California politician has taken his parents to court as he and his estranged wife battle over child custody and spousal support. Joaquín Arambula’s claims about his wife’s alleged addiction have stirred tensions further.
During a hearing in Fresno County Superior Court, Joaquín’s parents, Amy and Juan, confronted Elizabeth about their ongoing disputes.
In Tuesday’s session, Elizabeth’s attorney, Zeppi Atassian, requested that court documents regarding their custody and financial disagreements be sealed.
Elizabeth is pursuing joint legal custody and sole physical custody of their three daughters, along with child and spousal support.
Moreover, she has requested a custody order that includes sobriety monitoring.
Elizabeth filed her divorce papers on January 26, making serious accusations against Joaquín, including drug, alcohol, and gaming addiction as key reasons for their split.
She also claimed he cut her off from all financial resources, stating their monthly expenses were around $28,000 and alleging Joaquín withdrew $1 million from their joint account.
Judge Stephen Klas determined that the documents would remain unsealed, noting that while child custody cases sometimes warrant sealing, the financial and sobriety issues complicate that decision.
The contentious divorce has overshadowed Joaquín’s role as a Democratic representative for California’s 31st District, which serves about 500,000 constituents.
Throughout the hearing, Klas indicated there would be no judicial review that day, despite Atassian’s efforts to bring financial concerns into the discussion, especially since Joaquín has not provided any support since January.
Elizabeth, in court filings, stated she earned $12,000 a month while also receiving a $6,000 per diem for eight months during Congress’s session.
As discussions about sealing the records unfolded, Elizabeth quietly conferred with her attorney, Mike Margossian, whenever Atassian voiced worries about dwindling funds.
Margossian represented Joaquín’s lawyer, Kim Aguirre, who was unavailable due to another case.
Atassian expressed disappointment over the court’s refusal to seal the records but felt reassured that the court aims to address these matters promptly.
A financial settlement hearing was scheduled for April 3, which Atassian argued should provide necessary relief. A date for custody mediation is also set for May.
Atassian reflected on the broader implications of this case, noting the financial struggles faced by many non-high-income spouses in similar situations, highlighting a lack of expectation for the courts to vigilantly protect them.
Additional alarming claims included allegations of Joaquín’s father helping him monitor Elizabeth during Joaquín’s rehab stay.
Elizabeth asserted that she was watched through their home security system, and her stepfather had threatened to involve the police if the harassment continued.
Joaquín stated in court documents that he was not allowed to see his children and had voluntarily entered rehab, explaining, “I felt like I needed help to adapt and not become dependent on alcohol or marijuana.”
He expressed confidence in the judicial system to deliver fair outcomes based on facts rather than unfounded fears or accusations, stating, “I am prepared to demonstrate to the court my intention to remain sober and to support my family.”
The outlet reached out for Joaquín’s comments regarding the hearing.
