California, USA.

We’re trying to separate peacefully but that’s been a slow role.

Had our first mediation two weeks ago and burned through most of the finance conversation then mediator ran their Dissomaster report. Payment ended up being $2453 for child support and $2773 for spousal support(using Santa Clara guide). I put the same input numbers into the California state website calculator and got a $947/month lower value for spousal support and mediator claims I typed it in wrong because on page two of the report it says filing separately, despite page one saying filing jointly (same as her dissomaster report).

Wtf do i do?? It’s more money than I can afford. I don’t want to go to court but mediator isn’t really helping and STBXW refuses to budge because the report spat out some number and she doesn’t trust me.

I emailed the state to ID why the calculators are different but who knows how long it’ll take them to respond.

Side rant/Q: STBXW has no incentive to get an income if I just dish out this money what can I do to change that??