The Arambulas have reached a settlement in their divorce.
Asm. Joaquin Arambula (D–Fresno) and Elizabeth Arambula appeared in front of the B.F. Sisk Courthouse on Friday after a hearing, saying they have a child visitation agreement and are working on spousal and child support.
Driving the news: Elizabeth Arambula filed for divorce from her husband in January when he was in rehab for alcoholism, cannabis addiction and video game addiction.
- The estranged couple have had a number of contentious court filings, with Elizabeth Arambula stating in a declaration that she will not let her husband’s political career come before the health, safety and welfare of their children. They also fought over Arambula’s sobriety, drug testing and financial information.
The big picture: The Arambulas, their attorney and Fresno County Superior Court Judge Steven Crass met various times over a 90-minute period on Friday behind closed doors.
- When the hearing finally started, Crass revealed that the parties had made significant progress and are working to finalize a settlement.
What we’re watching: The Arambulas will return to court on July 30 for a settlement conference.
- If they don’t have their settlement finalized by then, they will return in July for a contested hearing.
What they’re saying: Their attorneys said after the hearing that the Arambulas are getting along better than they were earlier in the divorce process.
- They declined to share the exact details of what they agreed to, although Joaquin Arambula shared that he is grateful to be able to see their children this weekend.
- “I’ve always been focused on making sure that I have access to my daughters, as any father would want to be able to have access to their children,” Joaquin Arambula said. “And it’s always been my north star. I’m glad that we were able to reach that agreement here today.”
- He added, “Politics be damned, I’m focused on making sure that I’m the best person that I can be, the best father and the best public servant by showing up every day and focusing on that north star of having access to my daughters. That’s really what I’m grateful for today and appreciative we can find commonalities.”
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