The husband in a dissolution action brought what the appellate court termed a “settle and sue” legal malpractice case against his former lawyers for recommending he pay his ex-wife permanent spousal support of $7,000 per month. He alleged the settlement was excessive because the lawyers improperly calculated his permanent support obligation based upon DissoMaster guidelines instead of a forensic marital standard of living analysis. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the lawyers and the appellate court affirmed, stating: “Family Code section 4320 requires trial courts to consider the marital standard of living along with numerous other factors, in assessing the need for permanent spousal support.” (Namikas v. Miller (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 6; May 7, 2014)225 Cal.App.4th 1574.)
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