Legal Question in Family Law in California

Overpayment Reimbursement

If an original dissomaster ordering child/spousal support is incorrect, is there any remedy for reimbursement of the overpaid child/spousal support?


Asked on 3/27/02, 6:45 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

E. Daniel Bors Jr. Attorney & Counselor At Law

Re: Overpayment Reimbursement

Dear Inquirer:

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If you haven't already done so, please visit my

web site at --

http://home.pacbell.net/edbjr/ OR

http://www.CaliforniaDivorceAttorney.com

The site contains quite a bit of general information about California Family Law, Tenants' Rights, and Juvenile Dependencies, and EDD hearings and appeals, as well as information about me (education, experience, et cetera) and my office (location, hours, fees, policies).

NOW, IN RESPONSE TO YOUR INQUIRY --

It depends on how and why the original DissoMaster calculation was wrong. A court might deem the error to be a "clerical inadvertency" subject to retro-active correction. If not, you may have to file for a modification of support. Incidentally, only pendente lite (temporary, pre-judgment) spousal support may be calculated by DissoMaster. So-called "permanent" (continuing, post-judgment) spousal support absolutely can NOT be calculated by DissoMaster.

Thanks for sharing your interesting inquiry with

us on LawGuru, and good luck with your case.

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Answered on 3/28/02, 12:51 pm
Matthew Kremer Law Offices of Matthew M. Kremer

Re: Overpayment Reimbursement

I somewhat disagree with the two other replies you received. There is recent caselaw that says that you must challenge any such error at the time. So I don't think you'll get back any overpayment.

You should file a motion to modify and otherwise "correct" the order. Even if you don't get back the overpayment, at least you won't be making future overpayments.

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Answered on 3/28/02, 9:21 pm
Michael Gray Barber & Gray, LLP

Re: Overpayment Reimbursement

I can only give you a typical lawyer response. . . maybe yes maybe no. It depends on the surrounding circumstances. You may be able to get credit against future payments for the overpayment but probably not since the money was no doubt already spent and relied upon by the other party.

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Answered on 3/27/02, 7:02 pm


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