Articles Posted in Attorney’s Fees

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Don’t go through your divorce, legal separation or paternity case alone. Call the San Diego divorce lawyers at The Law Offices of Doppelt and Forney, APLC. We are here to help you through this difficult time. Contact us today to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers.

It is not uncommon for people in family court to represent themselves, but there are risks that come with self-representation.

People who divorce without the expertise of an attorney may put themselves at greater risk for mistakes, delays and added stress. The biggest risk would, of course, be losing your case.

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gavelSometimes, divorce cases are extremely contentious. Sometimes, a party will make extremely incendiary and potentially damaging allegations, even though the courts would later declare that “not one iota of proof” supported those claims. Even when facing unfounded claims, it is important to take them seriously, retain counsel, and contest them aggressively. If the courts conclude, as they did in the recent case of one California father, that your ex-spouse purposely prolonged the case and delayed resolution, you may be entitled to an order demanding that your ex-spouse pay some of your attorney’s fees.

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Legal News GavelIn most divorce cases, one party will seek some amount of monthly spousal support. However, it is not automatically granted to the requesting spouse. In fact, eligibility for spousal support is dictated in large part by statutory provisions. Under Section 4320 of the California Family Code, courts are required to review a list of specified factors in order to determine whether (and to what extent) spouses are entitled to financial maintenance in divorce. Since the judge’s decision as to support will likely affect the parties’ financial status going forward, it is extremely important that you consult with an experienced San Diego family law attorney who will work to protect your interests and legal rights.

A recent case illustrates the significance of understanding how the Family Code applies to a party’s request for spousal support in divorce. Here, the couple began living together (in the wife’s home) prior to their marriage. While they both contributed to living expenses, the wife owned the house separately. The husband had given the wife a wedding ring valued at $40,000, and the couple got married in January 2006. She is a physician, and he worked, until 2007, as a human resources manager at Home Depot. He was laid off from his job in 2008. Once the parties were married, the wife signed a deed granting title to the house to the husband, for the alleged purpose of refinancing the home at a better interest rate. He later re-conveyed the house to himself and the wife as “joint tenants.”

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Legal News GavelThe length of a divorce proceeding certainly varies from case to case. Some of the more common factors that tend to affect the duration of a divorce matter include the relative contentiousness of the spouses, whether there are children involved, the amount of assets and debts to be characterized and divided, and the involvement of highly experienced family law counsel. The last item, consulting with an attorney, is especially helpful to protect one’s financial and legal rights, while at the same time moving the process along as efficiently as possible under the circumstances. Since each state has its own marriage and divorce laws, it is important to reach out to an experienced family law attorney from the local San Diego area.

In protracted divorce cases, in which the parties spend a great deal of time litigating the issues, courts may require one party to assist the other in paying attorney fees. Under Section 2030 of the California Family Code, the court will look at whether an award of attorney’s fees and costs is appropriate, whether the parties have a disparate access to funds to retain counsel, and whether one party has the ability to pay for the legal representation of both spouses.

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Legal News GavelIt may come as no surprise that family law cases, and especially divorce proceedings, sometimes bring out the least favorable qualities in the parties involved. Part of this is due to the nature of divorce, which happens when the couple is separating and choosing to live apart. In an ideal situation, spouses work together to resolve these issues efficiently and amicably so that they both can move forward in their lives. In cases in which one or both parties acts in a manner that frustrates the litigation of legal issues to be resolved, family courts have the authority to impose sanctions as a “tool” to reduce these unnecessary delays. One of the best ways to ensure that your case moves along as efficiently and amicably as possible is to consult with an experienced family law attorney from the local San Diego area.

Under Section 271 of the California Code, “courts may base an award of attorney’s fees and costs on the extent to which the conduct of each party or attorney furthers or frustrates the policy of the law to promote settlement of litigation . . .” In a recent California divorce case, the court reviewed the husband’s appeal, in which he claimed (among other things) that the trial court should not have sanctioned him $7,500 because the wife failed to give proper notice of sanctions, and there was insufficient evidence of the purported misconduct that allegedly gave rise to the award.

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mortgage-fee-2-1237668.jpgIn most divorce cases, the separating spouses want the proceedings to be over as soon as practically possible. They often attempt to cooperate with each other (and each other’s counsel) to resolve the major issues in an efficient manner. Conducting the proceeding in this way serves to benefit the parties by reducing costs and limiting any attendant emotional turmoil. Unfortunately, however, some cases drag on, often due to the “vexatious” approach of one of the parties. An experienced family law attorney would be able to address and hopefully minimize or completely deter such conduct. If you are considering a separation or divorce, it is important that you contact a local San Diego family lawyer as early in the proceedings as possible.

The California Family Code offers some recourse to parties who are up against a vexatious litigant. For instance, section 271 authorizes a court “to base an award of attorney fees and costs on the extent to which the conduct of each party or attorney furthers or frustrates the policy of the law to promote settlement of litigation and, where possible, to reduce the cost of litigation by encouraging cooperation between the parties and attorneys.” In a recent divorce case, the court of appeals reviewed a trial court’s order requiring an ex-wife to pay her ex-husband and his second wife a combined amount of costs and fees under section 2030 and section 271 of the Family Code, without distinguishing between the two provisions.
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red-symbols-5-1237168.jpgThe California Code provides parties with an opportunity to recoup certain fees and costs associated with various family law proceedings. For instance, under Section 2030 of the Code, courts have the authority to order one party to pay the attorney fees of the other, under certain circumstances. Essentially, the purpose of the law is to ensure that each spouse in a divorce, separation, or other related proceeding has equal access to legal representation. While the goal of the law is clear, parties often argue over the right to recover attorney fees in divorce cases. If you are considering separation or divorce, or a related issue, you may be entitled to an award of attorney fees. The best course of action is to contact an experienced family law attorney from the local San Diego area.

In a recent case involving a divorce that was finalized in 2011, the wife later brought an action under Section 2030 for attorney fees associated with the proceedings to modify the husband’s child support obligations. The wife alleged that she underwent two significant surgical procedures and was laid off from her job. The husband’s income was $160,000 that year. Based on the disparity of their incomes, the wife sought $1,500 in attorney fees at that point in the proceeding. Although the court suggested that the husband pay the fees, he refused and forced the wife to make a formal request.

At the subsequent hearing, the wife’s attorney sought the Section 2030 fees as well as a Section 271 award of sanctions against the husband for his failure to cooperate earlier in the proceeding. The trial court granted the wife’s request for attorney fees under Section 2030 but denied the additional sanctions. The husband appealed, setting forth several arguments for the reversal of the fee award. The court of appeals reviewed the language of Section 2030 and pointed out that the purpose of such an award is to ensure a fair hearing with both sides equally represented. Courts have approved attorney fee awards that are deemed just and reasonable in view of the relative positions of the parties.
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balance-875412-m.jpgSection 2030 of the California Family Code clearly authorizes courts to issue an award of attorney fees to parties to divorce actions. When a party makes such a request under this statute, the court determines whether an award of such fees and costs is appropriate, whether the parties have disparate access to funds to retain counsel, and whether one of the spouses is able to pay for the legal representation of both. Courts have concluded that the purpose of the statute is to provide “parity” – a fair hearing with both sides equally represented. Interestingly enough, a party’s financial resources are but one factor that the court considers in determining how to allocate the overall cost of litigation equitably between the parties. It is vitally important to understand your financial rights in a divorce proceeding. An experienced San Diego family law attorney would best be able to identify and assess your rights and protect your financial future.

While the statute is clear with respect to the court’s authority, every divorce case is unique, and whether any one party would be entitled to an award of fees and costs is decided based on the facts and circumstances presented. In a recent, complicated divorce case initiated in California, the parties disputed the court’s award to the wife of pendente lite attorney fees to litigate a matter her husband brought in Nevada. Prior to their marriage, the couple signed a prenuptial agreement in Nevada, identifying Nevada law as governing the interpretation and enforcement of its terms.They also entered into a marital settlement agreement ratifying the prenuptial agreement. After separating and then reconciling, the parties subsequently entered into a post-marital agreement allowing the wife to seek fees and costs from the court in which a potential divorce action is pending.
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justice-srb-1-1040136-m.jpgThe California Family Code governs various aspects of a divorce proceeding. In many cases, the Code operates to establish a fair and just process for both spouses and any children involved. One of the ways the law does this is to ensure that both parties have access to legal representation. Under the law, courts may order one party to pay the other party’s attorney’s fees and costs of maintaining or defending the proceeding. It is no surprise that the Code functions in this manner, considering the importance of being represented by an experienced family law attorney in any divorce-related action. Spouses from the San Diego area must ensure that their rights are protected every step of the way.

It is not uncommon for parties to seek an award of attorney fees as part of a divorce case. There may be times when it is justified and supported by the evidence or circumstances. And there are also situations where the court will refuse to issue an award of attorney fees, in accordance with California law. In a recent case, the wife sought an order to set aside the divorce judgment, claiming that her husband owned a great deal of property in Iran while they were married, which she claimed to have discovered after the end of their marriage. She further alleged that her husband transferred the proceeds of the land sales to his brother and his son, Majid Salim.
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three-globes-1372599-m.jpgThe California Family Code and other portions of state law govern many aspects of a divorce proceeding. Courts in this state are empowered to issue any number of orders affecting the parties’ rights to items such as marital property, spousal support, and child support. It should come as no surprise that couples who are going through the divorce process must adhere to many of the procedural and substantive legal requirements set forth under these laws. In order to best protect your rights, you are encouraged to contact an experienced family law attorney from the local San Diego area, who can guide you every step of the way.

The failure to comply with certain legal requirements can negatively affect your rights in a case. In a recent court decision, In re Marriage of Wisniewska, the parties lived in Poland at the time of their divorce. As one would assume, various court proceedings concerning the couple’s divorce took place in Poland, and the divorce judgment was filed there on October 21, 2010. At the time, they had two adult children living in the United States and one minor child who still lived with them in Poland. In March 2011, the husband filed papers to register an out-of-state support order in the San Mateo County Superior Court, where his ex-wife now lived, in order to enforce the divorce judgment.

It seems that the wife was the “non-custodial parent” and obligated to pay child support under the Polish divorce decree. She opposed the notice of registration, arguing that she was awaiting a ruling from a Polish court on her motion to modify the amount of child support. The trial court granted the husband’s request and registered the Polish decision. By virtue of this decision, a case was opened with the County’s Department of Child Support Services, which in turn determined that the wife owed more than $8,000 in child support. The husband took certain legal steps to enforce the support order, which the wife opposed. In response, the husband sought attorney fee sanctions under § 271 of the California Family Code.
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