After a contentious lead-up, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula and his estranged wife, Elizabeth Arambula, appear to have found common ground on financial and custody matters.

Following 90 minutes of closed-door discussions among attorneys, their clients, and the judge, Friday’s court hearing lasted only a few minutes. The parties agreed to a preliminary settlement.

Fresno County Superior Court Judge Steven Crass described the private discussions as productive and “a nice way to end the week.” The parties will return to court July 30 for a settlement conference. If issues remain unresolved, they are scheduled to return in September.

‘Politics Be Damned’: Arambula

Elizabeth Arambula filed for divorce Jan. 26 while her husband, a Democratic state assemblymember from Fresno, was in the middle of a 30-day stay at a rehabilitation facility for alcohol and marijuana addiction.

After the hearing, the Arambulas and their attorneys spoke to reporters outside the B.F. Sisk Courthouse.

“There’s been a number of conversations, discussions and negotiations ongoing between the parties for quite some time. And I believe that Mr. Aguirre and I are both very pleased that our clients are able to come together and reach agreements,” said Zeppy Attashian, attorney for Elizabeth Arambula.

The parties did not disclose details of the proposed settlement.

Kim Aguirre, attorney for Joaquin Arambula, said his client is now in “a very good place.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to see my daughters this weekend. My North Star has always been to be able to access my daughters and to keep our family whole. I’m looking forward to that,” Joaquin Arambula said.

Elizabeth Arambula declined to comment.

Joaquin Arambula is running for Fresno City Council District 3 in the June 2 primary.

“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,” Joaquin Arambula said.

Amy and Juan Arambula attended the hearing in support of their son, along with family friends and staff members Felicia Matlosz and Maria Lemus.

Both Sides Attacked Each Other

Court documents filed before the hearing show both sides making accusations. Elizabeth Arambula raised concerns about her husband’s sobriety, while Joaquin Arambula said his estranged wife is denying him access to their three daughters.

“Divorces are always nasty, especially at the inception. They’re hard, you know, you’re splitting up, you’re changing your life. They’re moving along, they’re getting along better. They’re going to make this work, especially for their kids. And they know that they need to do that,” Aguirre said.

Attashian downplayed tensions.

“I believe it’s just a transition in life and a time in their life when they’re having to say some unlikable or unpleasant things about one another. And the truth is subjective to litigants going through a dissolution process. But the most important thing for both of them is that they’re able to come together again for their children and figure things out together, no matter what,” Attashian said.

Because of Joaquin Arambula’s public role, the case has played out publicly. Elizabeth Arambula requested the proceedings be sealed, but Crass denied that request. Joaquin Arambula also objected.

“I accept this reality and therefore the protection of Respondent’s political career cannot come before the health, safety and welfare of our three daughters,” Elizabeth Arambula wrote in court documents.

Concerns About Sobriety

In court filings, Elizabeth Arambula expressed concern about her husband’s sobriety.

“I am deeply concerned that Respondent will not maintain his sobriety and, without court intervention, will also fail to agree to reasonable support orders, custody orders and the restoration of funds he took from our accounts,” she said.

Joaquin Arambula said he agreed to voluntary drug testing and that all results have been negative. His wife disputed aspects of the testing, including a missed test, which he denied. Both parties said Arambula had one negative dilute result — meaning there were no drugs present but more water than normal. He said it was the result “after hydrating post-workout.”

“My string of negative tests should provide assurance that I remain sober,” Arambula said.

“Petitioner harbors significant animosity towards me. She focuses on the negative, blowing minor issues out of proportion, rather than encouraging my progress. Her inflammatory pleadings are designed to generate headlines, not find common ground. Unfortunately, alcohol and drug testing has become a tool for harassment rather than a genuine method for ensuring the safety of our three children.”

Arambula told GV Wire before Friday’s hearing that there cannot be a missed test when there is no court order. He said Elizabeth Arambula is “weaponizing” his time in rehab.

Custody Battle

Joaquin Arambula accused his wife of withholding visitation.

“I have sought to avoid confrontation with Elizabeth and have not forced the issue. I believe that I should have custody on an equally shared basis. The court should not accept Elizabeth’s claim that she has the children 100% of the time when she blatantly refuses to allow the children to spend time with me,” he wrote.

He proposed joint custody, with parenting time from Thursday through Sunday. Elizabeth Arambula proposed visits every other weekend, Friday through Sunday, with required drug testing and supervision by his mother, Amy Arambula.

“Considering all that has occurred, I believe that third-party supervised visits between Respondent and our daughters are appropriate and necessary,” she wrote.

In a previous filing, Arambula said his oldest daughter transferred schools without his knowledge. Elizabeth Arambula disputed that account, saying it was a joint decision with text messages to back up her claim.

Disputes Over Finances

Elizabeth Arambula accused her husband of financial retaliation. She said he withdrew $935,000 from a joint account, paid off and canceled a credit card, and transferred auto insurance into his name, actions her attorney said violated an automatic restraining order.

“By these actions, Respondent left Petitioner with no funds while shifting financial obligations to her name,” she said.

Joaquin Arambula said he transferred $919,068 on Jan. 21, before the divorce filing, and that the funds came from separate property tied to his grandfather’s estate. He said he acted out of concern the funds were being depleted.

Elizabeth Arambula is seeking $24,851 in monthly spousal and child support, $50,000 in attorney fees and $11,500 for a forensic financial audit.

Arambula said he has already paid $13,500 for family expenses, along with $10,000 for moving costs and $10,000 for legal fees. He called the monthly support request “a serious mistake,” citing uncertainty about his income after his Assembly term ends in November.

“In a relatively short period of time, Petitioner would totally dissipate my remaining separate property assets, all to support a lifestyle that was never realistic, never sustainable and described by Petitioner as grandiose,” he said.

Elizabeth Arambula said she received payments only after delays and shortly before court appearances.

“Without a court order, Petitioner declares she is at the mercy of Respondent’s unilateral discretion.”

She said she earned $2,000 from temporary work as a receptionist and borrowed money from family to cover expenses.

“He kicked me out, claiming he needed our home for his re-election campaign as it is located in his district,” she said. “This is not a choice any woman should have to make, and it was not a ‘voluntary’ departure.”

A May 14 custody hearing remains scheduled, though attorneys said it could be canceled if an agreement is finalized.