Case ID: ill-app_198/html/0047-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Justice Baker", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Pauline Ehrhardt, Appellee, v. George M. Ehrhardt, Appellant.
    Gen. No. 21,856.
    (Not to be reported in full.)
    Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook county; the Hon. Thomas G. Windes, Judge, presiding. Heard in this court at the October term, 1915.
    Reversed.
    Opinion filed February 14, 1916.
    Statement of the Case.
    Pauline Ehrhardt filed her bill for divorce against George M. Ehrhardt and he filed a cross-bill against her. June 25, 1914, both bill and cross-bill were dismissed for want of equity, and the same day an order was entered that the defendant pay to complainant $108 on account of her solicitor’s fees in the case. An order was entered commanding defendant to show cause why he should not be attached for contempt in. failing to pay complainant $108 solicitor’s fees, and on hearing of the rule April 12, 1915, defendant was adjudged guilty of contempt and an order entered that he be attached and confined in the county jail until he pay such solicitor’s fees, but not exceeding six months.
    From that order this appeal is prosecuted by the defendant.
    
      Abstract of the Decision.
    Divobce, § 135
      
      —when order to pay solicitor’s fees improper. Where a wife’s bill for divorce is dismissed for want of equity, the court has no authority to order defendant to pay complainant solicitor’s fees, and a commitment for contempt for failure to pay such fee will not be allowed to stand.
    William B. Berger and Alvin E. Stein, for appellant.
    No appearance for appellee.
    
      
      See Illinois Notes Digest, Vols. XI to XV, and Cumulative Quarterly, same topic and section number.
    
   Mr. Justice Baker

delivered the opinion of the court.