Anthony T. Liu v. Renee Ayn A. Liu

1 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 2 COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO 3 UNIFIED FAMILY COURT 4

5) 6 ANTHONY T. LIU,) Case Number: FDI-24-799398) 7 Petitioner) Hearing Date: June 23, 2026) 8 VS.) Hearing Time: 9:00 AM) 9 RENEE AYN A. LIU,) Department: 403) 10 Respondent) Presiding: BOBBY P. LUNA) 11) 12 REQUEST FOR ORDER: ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS, FAM. CODE 2030 13 TENTATIVE RULING 14 Having read and considered the pleadings, declarations, and other evidence submitted in this matter, the 15 Court makes the following findings and orders: 16 A. Procedural History 17 1) The parties are Petitioner Anthony T.

Liu (Father) and Respondent Renee Ayn A. Liu (Mother). 18 They share one minor child: Keiandra (DOB: 5/2/17). 19 2) On 5/5/26, Mother filed a Request for Order seeking $25,000 in Family Code section 2030 20 attorney’s fees and costs. Mother asserts a disparity in income and access to funds stating she was 21 laid off from her job in April 2025 and has since only been able to secure parttime work. 22 3) On 5/5/26, Mother’s filed an attorney declaration substantiating her request for $25,000 in Family 23 Code section 2030 attorney’s fees and costs. 24 4) On 5/5/26, Mother filed an Income and Expense Declaration. 25 5) On 6/9/26, Father filed a Responsive Declaration in opposition to Mother’s Request for Order. 26 Father recognizes a disparity in income; however, disputes Mother does not have the funds to pay 27 her own attorney’s fees and costs.

Father states he has voluntarily contributed $25,000 to pay for 28 the minor child’s school tuition, extracurriculars, and other expenses while also maintaining the 29

1 mortgage and carrying costs on the family residence where Father resides. It is Father’s position 2 that Mother is underemployed. 3 6) On 6/9/26, Father filed an Income and Expense Declaration. 4 7) On 6/12/26, Mother filed a Reply Declaration reiterating her request. 5 B. Findings and Order 6 1) Mother’s request for Family Code section 2030 attorney’s fees is GRANTED in the amount of 7 $15,000. 8 2) The Court finds an award of attorney's fees and costs is appropriate here because there is a 9 demonstrated disparity between the parties in access to funds maintain counsel and in the ability 10 to pay for legal representation. 11 3) The Court further finds Father is reasonably likely to have the ability to pay for legal 12 representation for both parties and $15,000 in fees and costs are reasonable and necessary. 13 4) Commencing 7/1/26, Father shall pay Mother $5,000 a month on the 1st of every month until this 14 balance is paid in full. 15 5) The Court reserves jurisdiction over allocation and characterization of this fee award. 16 6) Counsel for Mother shall prepare the Findings and Order After Hearing. 17 7) Preparation of Order: If you are directed by the court to prepare the order after hearing – within 18 10 calendar days of the hearing you must either: (a) Serve the proposed order to the other 19 party/counsel for approval, and follow the procedures set forth in CA Rules of Court, Rule 20 5.125(c), or (b) If the other party did not appear or the matter was uncontested, submit the 21 proposed order after hearing directly to the court.

Failure to submit the order after hearing within 22 10 days may allow the other party to prepare a proposed order and submit it to the court in 23 accordance with CA Rules of Court, Rule 5.125(d). 24

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