IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT JACKSON

November 15, 2018 Session

RICHARD ALAN ELLIS v. DONICA ANN WOODS ELLIS

Appeal from the Circuit Court for Shelby County

No. CT-000806-15 James F. Russell, Judge

___________________________________

No. W2017-02287-COA-R3-CV

___________________________________

This is an appeal from a final decree of divorce. The trial court ordered Husband to pay 

Wife alimony in futuro in the amount of $9,000 per month. In addition, the trial court 

awarded Wife her attorney’s fees as alimony in solido in the amount of $121,873.81. We 

vacate the trial court’s award of alimony in futuro and, for the reasons stated herein, 

remand the issue of Wife’s alimony for reconsideration. Additionally, we vacate the trial 

court’s award of Wife’s attorney’s fees and remand for the trial court to reconsider 

whether or not to award Wife her attorney’s fees and, if so, to award a reasonable 

attorney’s fee and state the basis for its decision. We also vacate the trial court’s order 

denying Wife’s motion for discretionary costs, and remand the issue to the trial court for 

a reconsideration of Wife’s motion on its merits.

Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Vacated in 

Part and Remanded

ARNOLD B. GOLDIN, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which KENNY ARMSTRONG,

J., joined. BRANDON O. GIBSON, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.

Darrell D. Blanton, Memphis, Tennessee, for the appellant, Richard Alan Ellis.

Julie C. Bartholomew, Somerville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Donica Ann Woods Ellis.

OPINION

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Richard Ellis (“Husband”) and Donica Woods (“Wife”) married in Memphis, 

Tennessee on November 3, 1979. Together, they have four children, one of whom was a 

minor child at the inception of this divorce proceeding. Of the other three children, two 

lived together in Memphis, while the other lived with Wife and the minor child in the 

marital home. 

01/31/2019
- 2 -

Husband is currently a general surgeon with Methodist Medical Group. During 

the early years of their marriage, Wife alternated between teaching and nursing, but, after 

the birth of their second child, Wife quit working to take care of the children and the 

marital home. Wife, however, has maintained her nursing license. 

After 35 years of marriage, Husband moved out of the marital home and filed for 

divorce on February 25, 2015 in the Shelby County Circuit Court (“the trial court”), 

initially alleging only irreconcilable differences. On May 8, 2015, Wife filed her answer, 

asserting that she was not receiving wages from employment and had no present income 

from wages to provide support for the parties’ minor child. Accordingly, Wife asked that 

Husband be ordered to pay spousal and child support. Wife then filed a countercomplaint for divorce on October 18, 2016, asserting that Husband had committed 

adultery and that he was guilty of inappropriate marital conduct during the marriage.

1

 In 

the alternative, Wife also asserted irreconcilable differences. Wife sought an award of 

alimony pendente lite from Husband during the pendency of the divorce action and, upon 

a final hearing, an award of alimony in solido and alimony in futuro.

Husband filed his answer to Wife’s counter-complaint on November 17, 2016, 

wherein he admitted that he had been involved in an extra-marital affair. Husband, 

however, asserted that both parties had engaged in inappropriate marital conduct, and he 

asked that the trial court dismiss Wife’s counter-complaint. Husband filed an amendment 

to his complaint for absolute divorce on December 5, 2016, alleging inappropriate marital 

conduct by Wife as an additional ground for divorce. On December 26, 2016, Wife filed 

her answer to Husband’s amended complaint for absolute divorce, denying that she ever 

engaged in inappropriate marital conduct or other conduct that would serve as grounds 

for divorce. Additionally, as a defense to Husband’s allegation of inappropriate marital 

conduct, Wife pleaded provocation and ill conduct on the part of Husband. Ultimately, 

Husband filed a stipulation as to the grounds for divorce, stating that he “stipulates to the 

grounds for divorce set forth in the Counter-Complaint for Absolute Divorce of [Wife], 

and further stipulates to the granting of a divorce to Wife.”

The trial began in August 2017. Because Wife was not working at the time of 

trial, both she and Husband hired vocational experts to determine the amount of income 

Wife could expect to receive upon her return to the workplace, if she chooses to do so. 

Husband’s expert opined that, after some nursing refresher courses and in-hospital 

clinical experience that would take “the better part of a year,” Wife could earn at least 

$24.10 per hour, or $4,177 per month. Wife’s expert found that Wife had left the formal 

labor market as a nurse in 1987 and then subsequently helped run Husband’s medical 

office from 2012-2015. He opined that Wife could earn somewhere from $13.42 to 

 

1

In her counter-complaint, Wife also averred that the parties’ minor child had reached the age of 

majority and was no longer a minor. Accordingly, Husband’s and Wife’s four children were all adults at 

this point in the proceedings.
- 3 -

$15.62 per hour which, using the lower wage range, would amount to $2,326 per month 

working as a Registered Nurse in a home health care setting, physician’s office or nurse 

case manager. In an affidavit, Wife affirmed that she was not earning any income at that 

time but had been receiving alimony pendente lite in the amount of $7,500.00 per month. 

The affidavit also listed Wife’s total monthly expenses as $12,030.51 

In its findings of fact and conclusions of law, which was entered prior to the entry 

of the final decree, the trial court found that Wife “is capable of earning a reasonable 

income as a nurse based on her education, training and background.” After addressing 

the expenses listed in her affidavit, the trial court further found that “the perceived 

monthly need on the part of [Wife]” was “something in the neighborhood of $8,000.”

However, in its final decree of divorce, entered on October 23, 2017, the trial court 

ordered Husband to pay Wife $9,000 per month as alimony in futuro. Additionally, the 

trial court awarded Wife alimony in solido in the amounts of $22,500 for repairs to the 

marital residence and $121,873.81 for Wife’s attorney’s fees. As to the justification for 

the award of Wife’s attorney’s fees, the trial court found that “perhaps the most important 

point to be made is that [Wife] simply has not wanted to be divorced” and that “all of this 

protracted and extensive litigation conceivably was avoidable.” The final decree also 

provided that Husband and Wife would each be responsible for “any other fees and 

expenses, including expenses for experts, court reporters and such other expenses they 

may have incurred.” 

On November 14, 2017, following the entry of the final decree of divorce, Wife 

filed a motion for discretionary costs, stating that she had incurred a total of $5,606.25 in 

discretionary costs in connection with the instant litigation. Because the trial judge who 

heard the prior proceedings was unavailable, the motion for discretionary costs was heard 

by a different judge2by interchange. The judge who heard the motion by interchange 

denied Wife’s motion, stating that the trial court had “already exercised its discretion by 

ordering each party to pay their own costs” in the final decree of divorce and that this 

ruling by the trial court was res judicata, barring Wife’s recovery of her discretionary 

costs. Husband filed a timely notice of appeal on November 21, 2017. Wife, in her brief, 

also raised issues on appeal. 

ISSUES PRESENTED

Husband and Wife collectively raise four issues on appeal, which we rephrase as 

follows:

1. Whether the trial court erred in awarding Wife alimony in futuro in the 

amount of $9,000.00 per month.

 

2

Judge James Russell, who had presided over the trial of the case, was on medical leave. Circuit 

Court Judge Rhynette Hurd heard the motion.
- 4 -

2. Whether the trial court erred in awarding Wife her attorney’s fees as 

alimony in solido in the amount of $121,873.81.

3. Whether the trial court erred in denying Wife’s Motion for Discretionary 

Costs.

4. Whether Wife should be awarded her attorney’s fees on appeal.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

In non-jury cases, appellate courts review the trial court’s factual findings de novo 

upon the record, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless 

the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. See Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d); Armbrister 

v. Armbrister, 414 S.W.3d 685, 692 (Tenn. 2013). We review the trial court’s resolution 

of questions of law de novo with no presumption of correctness. See Armbrister, 414 

S.W.3d at 692.

A trial court’s decision whether or not to award alimony and its ruling on a motion 

for discretionary costs are both reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. CainSwope v. Swope, 523 S.W.3d 79, 94 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2016) (“We review an award of 

alimony under the abuse of discretion standard.”); Bowman v. Benouttas, 519 S.W.3d 

586, 596 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2016) (“With respect to the trial court’s decision regarding . . . 

[a] motion for discretionary costs, we review the trial court’s decision[] under an abuse of 

discretion standard.”). Under the abuse of discretion standard, the trial court’s decision 

“will be upheld so long as reasonable minds can disagree as to the propriety of the 

decision made.” Camp v. Camp, No. W2010-01037-COA-R3-CV, 2011 WL 2567542, at 

*5 (Tenn. Ct. App. June 29, 2011). Accordingly, appellate courts are not permitted to 

“second guess” the trial court’s determinations or to substitute their judgment for that of 

the trial court. See Lee Medical, Inc. v. Beecher, 312 S.W.3d 515, 524 (Tenn. 2010). 

“The abuse of discretion standard of review does not, however, immunize a lower court’s 

decision from any meaningful appellate scrutiny.” Id.

DISCUSSION

Alimony in Futuro

The appropriateness of an award of alimony is dependent on the facts and 

circumstances of each case. It is well-settled in Tennessee that trial courts have broad 

discretion when determining whether alimony is needed and, if so, the amount, duration, 

and nature of the award. Gladwell v. Gladwell, No. W2014-01095-COA-R3-CV, 2015 

WL 4400127, at *6 (Tenn. Ct. App. July 20, 2015). By statute, trial courts are directed to 

consider the following factors when determining whether alimony is appropriate and in 

determining the nature, amount, length of term, and manner of payment:
- 5 -

(1) The relative earning capacity, obligations, needs, and financial 

resources of each party, including income from pension, profit sharing or 

retirement plans and all other sources;

(2) The relative education and training of each party, the ability and 

opportunity of each party to secure such education and training, and the 

necessity of a party to secure further education and training to improve such 

party’s earnings capacity to a reasonable level;

(3) The duration of the marriage;

(4) The age and mental condition of each party;

(5) The physical condition of each party, including, but not limited to, 

physical disability or incapacity due to a chronic debilitating disease;

(6) The extent to which it would be undesirable for a party to seek 

employment outside the home, because such party will be custodian of a 

minor child of the marriage;

(7) The separate assets of each party, both real and personal, tangible and 

intangible;

(8) The provisions made with regard to the marital property, as defined in § 

36-4-121;

(9) The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage;

(10) The extent to which each party has made such tangible and intangible 

contributions to the marriage as monetary and homemaker contributions, 

and tangible and intangible contributions by a party to the education, 

training or increased earning power of the other party;

(11) The relative fault of the parties, in cases where the court, in its 

discretion, deems it appropriate to do so; and

(12) Such other factors, including the tax consequences to each party, as are 

necessary to consider the equities between the parties.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121(i). It is well-settled that the disadvantaged spouse’s need 

and the obligor spouse’s ability to pay are the most important among these factors. Riggs 

v. Riggs, 250 S.W.3d 453, 457 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). Ultimately, however, “the 

disadvantaged spouse’s need is the threshold consideration.” Id. (citations omitted).

Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-5-121(d)(1) lists the four types of spousal 

support that are recognized under Tennessee law: (1) alimony in futuro; (2) alimony in

solido; (3) rehabilitative alimony; and (4) transitional alimony. Relevant to the case at 

bar is the trial court’s award of alimony in futuro, which, as defined by the statute, is “a 

payment of support and maintenance on a long term basis” and “may be awarded when 

the court finds that there is relative economic disadvantage and that rehabilitation is not 

feasible[.]” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121(f)(1).3 Husband asserts that the trial court erred 

 

3 The trial court also awarded Wife attorney’s fees, which is considered a form of alimony in 

solido and is discussed below.
- 6 -

by awarding wife alimony in futuro in the amount of $9,000 per month. In support of 

this award, the trial court offered the following in its findings of fact and conclusions of 

law:

[H]ere we look first to the claimed “need” as set forth in the wife’s Rule 

14(C) affidavit and the body of proof as a whole. It should be noted that 

she has no mortgage at this time, contrary to that which is shown in the 

proposal of $1,849 per month. She has a house full of furniture, and there 

is no “need” of $495 per month for “home furnishing.” And while she may 

need to replace her automobile at some point in the future, she has no 

present monthly ongoing “need” at the level of $833.33 per month for car 

replacement.

. . . .

Continuing on, these three items total some $3,077[4] when added together. 

When subtracted from the total set forth in the wife’s Rule 14(C) affidavit 

in the amount of $12,030.51, the difference is, according to the Court’s 

mathematics, eight thousand nine hundred and fifty-three dollars and 

change.[5] In addition the wife shows some $480 for a “handyman,” an 

additional $260 for “housekeeping,” and an additional $600 for 

“miscellaneous repairs,” all of which added together comes to a total of 

$1,340. There frankly is no evidence in this record to support such needs. 

Moreover, it should be noted that three of the parties’ four children still live 

at home and, as mentioned in the statute, conceivably could fill some of 

those needs. In any event, all of that would reduce the perceived monthly 

need on the part of the spouse down to something in the neighborhood of 

$8,000.

Again, considering the whole body of proof and the statutory provisions 

which the Court has laboriously outlined, the Court is drawn to a 

conclusion, taking all of those factors into account as set forth in the statute, 

that an appropriate award of $9,000 per month in spousal support is a fair 

and just alimony in futuro award under all of the facts and circumstances of 

this case as they presently exist.

(emphasis added) 

After our review of the record, we are of the opinion that the trial court’s alimony 

in futuro award should be vacated and remanded for reconsideration. First, as noted in 

 

4 This Court made the same calculations and reached a total of $3,177.

5 Again, this Court reached a similar, yet different result: $8,853.18.
- 7 -

the portion of its findings of fact and conclusions of law reproduced above, the trial court, 

without further explanation, awarded Wife $9,000 per month of alimony in futuro, 

notwithstanding its finding that Wife’s monthly need was “something in the 

neighborhood of $8,000.” Moreover, the trial court, in making its alimony award, failed 

to consider its other findings that Wife could “reasonably re-enter the employment 

market” and “is capable of earning a reasonable income as a nurse based on her 

education, training and background” even though Wife stated she had no intention of 

returning to work. The trial court based these findings on the reports and testimony 

provided by both Husband’s and Wife’s vocational experts. Husband’s expert testified at 

trial and provided in his report that, if Wife re-entered the employment market as a 

registered nurse, she could earn at least $24.10 per hour or $4,177 per month in income. 

Wife’s expert testified that Wife could earn at least $13.42 per hour or $2,326 per 

month.6 In determining the amount of alimony in futuro to award Wife, however, the 

trial court did not factor in these wage ranges provided by both parties’ experts, despite 

the fact that the relative earning capacity of both parties is one of the statutory factors the 

trial court must consider when calculating such an award. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-

121(i)(1). This Court has observed that, after the trial court has determined an amount of 

income “which will provide for the wife to live in the manner to which she became 

accustomed during the marriage[, f]rom this amount should be subtracted her reasonably 

anticipated income[.]” Duncan v. Duncan, 686 S.W.2d 568, 572 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1984).

In addition to the above considerations, which should have been taken into 

consideration by the trial court, we are compelled to note that the nature of the alimony 

awarded was itself without a proper factual foundation. Namely, it does not appear that 

the trial court ever specifically found that Wife’s economic rehabilitation was not 

feasible. In a recent decision, we vacated an award of alimony in futuro where such a 

finding was absent: 

[W]e again note that there is a “legislative preference favoring short-term spousal support 

over long-term spousal support.” In fact, in order for a trial court to award alimony in 

futuro, “there must be a threshold determination by the trial judge that, considering all 

relevant factors, rehabilitation of the economically disadvantaged spouse is not feasible.” 

Here, the trial court's decision to award alimony in futuro is not accompanied by this 

necessary determination. Because there is no finding that economic rehabilitation is not 

feasible and there is no finding that long-term support is necessary, the trial court’s 

decision is without a proper foundation. Very simply, there is an absence of an 

explanation regarding the trial court’s decision to award in futuro support in light of the 

pertinent statutory factors.

****

 

6

In fact, Wife’s expert opined that the low wage range for a registered nurse in the Memphis, 

Tennessee area is even higher at $15.62 per hour—or $32,490 per year.
- 8 -

For the foregoing reasons, we vacate the award of . . . alimony in 

futuro and remand for a reconsideration of the type, duration, and amount 

of alimony, if any, that is to be awarded. First and foremost, the trial court 

should make factual findings as to Wife’s need for support and Husband’s 

ability to pay. Because there is a legislative preference towards awarding 

rehabilitative or transitional alimony over alimony in futuro or in solido, the 

court should also make findings as to whether Wife’s rehabilitation is 

feasible. If not, the trial court should consider whether an award of 

transitional alimony is appropriate. If transitional alimony is not 

appropriate, the trial court should consider the nature and duration of longterm support.

Buntyn v. Buntyn, No. W2016-00398-COA-R3-CV, 2017 WL 781724, at *3–4 (Tenn. Ct. 

App. Feb. 28, 2017) (internal citations omitted).

Here, the trial court should reconsider the alimony issue in light of the above 

discussion. The trial court, of course, is not foreclosed from awarding Wife long-term 

support, but any such award should be supported by proper findings and consideration of 

the relevant alimony factors. In reference to Wife’s needs, we again note that the trial 

court’s own findings established that Wife’s needs are “something in the neighborhood of 

$8,000.” We further reiterate that the trial court must consider the evidence regarding the 

range of Wife’s reasonably anticipated income. We, therefore, vacate the trial court’s 

award of alimony in futuro and remand the issue for further proceedings consistent with 

this opinion.

Attorney’s Fees

It is well-settled that an award of attorney’s fees in a divorce case constitutes 

alimony in solido. Gonsewski v. Gonsewski, 350 S.W.3d 99, 113 (Tenn. 2011); see also

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121(h)(1) (“[A]limony in solido may include attorney fees, 

where appropriate[.]”). The decision whether or not to award attorney’s fees is within the 

sound discretion of the trial court. Gonsewski, 350 S.W.3d at 113 (citing Crabtree v. 

Crabtree, 16 S.W.3d 356, 361 (Tenn. 2000)). As with any alimony award, in deciding 

whether to award attorney’s fees as alimony in solido, the trial court should consider the 

factors enumerated in Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-5-121(i), provided above. 

Moreover, such an award is only appropriate when the spouse seeking it lacks sufficient 

funds to pay his or her legal expenses or would be required to deplete his or her resources 

in order to pay them. Id. (internal citations omitted).

Here, in its final decree, the trial court awarded Wife her attorney’s fees in the 

amount of $121,873.81. In his brief on appeal, Husband points to the trial court’s lack of 

findings on this issue: “The Trial Court did not find that Wife did not have the ability to 
- 9 -

pay the fees. The Trial Court did not find that Husband had the ability to pay the fees. 

The Trial Court simply ordered it.” In its oral findings of facts and conclusions of law, 

the only finding/comment that the trial court stated in support of its award is as follows:

[T]he most important point to be made is that the wife simply has not 

wanted to be divorced. This appears to be so in spite of the husband’s 

admitted marital infidelity. That being so, all of this protracted and 

extensive litigation conceivably was avoidable.

The Court accordingly is compelled to a conclusion that the wife’s fees as 

set forth in her amended affidavit should be awarded to her and the husband 

ordered to pay it according to that affidavit. 

After our review of the record, we are of the opinion that the trial court failed to 

consider the factors set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-5-121(i) in 

determining whether or not to award Wife her attorney’s fees. Moreover, a trial court 

evaluating the reasonableness of an award of attorney’s fees must consider the factors 

provided in Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 8, RPC 1.5. Wright ex rel. Wright v. Wright, 

337 S.W.3d 166, 185 (Tenn. 2011). That rule provides, in pertinent part, as follows:

(a) The factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee 

include the following:

(1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions 

involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;

(2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the 

particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;

(3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;

(4) the amount involved and the results obtained;

(5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;

(6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;

(7) the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers 

performing the services;

(8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent;

(9) prior advertisements or statements by the lawyer with respect to the fees 

the lawyer charges; and

(10) whether the fee agreement is in writing.

Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 1.5(a). In Wright, the Tennessee Supreme Court provided 

additional guidance:

[T]he trial court should develop an evidentiary record, make findings 

concerning each of the factors, and then determine a reasonable fee that 

“depend[s] upon the particular circumstances of the individual case.” To 
- 10 -

enable appellate review, trial courts should clearly and thoroughly explain 

the particular circumstances and factors supporting their determination of a 

reasonable fee in a given case.

Wright, 337 S.W.3d at 185-86 (citations omitted). This Court has remanded numerous 

cases for reconsideration when a trial court has not followed this prescribed procedure. 

For example, in First Peoples Bank of Tennessee v. Hill, we stated:

Where a trial court awards a fee, but there is nothing in the record to 

indicate that the trial court actually evaluated the amount of the fee to see if 

it is reasonable in light of the appropriate factors, the correct approach is to 

vacate the award and “remand [the] case to the trial court for a new 

determination of an attorney’s fee award under [Supreme Court Rule 8, 

RPC 1.5] and the applicable case law.”

First Peoples Bank of Tennessee v. Hill, 340 S.W.3d 398, 410 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2010) 

(citations omitted).

Here, the trial court did not make a finding of reasonableness, nor did it refer to 

Rule 1.5 or any of its factors; it simply awarded Wife an amount of fees with no further 

findings or explanation. Accordingly, we vacate the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees 

and remand for a new determination as to whether Wife should be awarded her attorney’s 

fees and, if so, the reasonableness of such fee award, with findings by the trial court 

reflecting that it considered all of the factors outlined above and the applicable case law. 

On remand, the trial court may re-open the proof as to this issue, if it chooses to do so.

Wife also requests attorney’s fees on appeal. “Whether to award attorney’s fees 

on appeal is a matter within the sole discretion of this Court.” Luplow v. Luplow, 450 

S.W.3d 105, 119 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2014). In determining whether to award attorney’s fees

on appeal, we consider the ability of the requesting party to pay the accrued fees, the 

requesting party’s success in the appeal, whether the requesting party sought the appeal in 

good faith, and any other equitable factor that should be considered. Taking these factors 

into consideration, we decline to award Wife her attorney’s fees on appeal.

Wife’s Motion for Discretionary Costs

Following the entry of the final decree of divorce, Wife filed a motion for 

discretionary costs on November 14, 2017, stating that she had incurred $5,606.25 in 

discretionary costs in connection with the instant litigation. Prior to the filing of Wife’s 

motion, however, the trial court—in both its findings of fact and conclusions of law and 

its final decree—had stated that “[e]ach of the parties will be responsible for any other 

fees and expenses, including expenses for experts, court reporters and such other 

expenses they may have incurred.” On March 9, 2018, the trial court—with a different 
- 11 -

judge sitting by interchange—denied Wife’s motion, stating that “the Trial Court had 

already exercised its discretion by ordering each party to pay their own costs as found in 

Paragraph 11 of the Final Decree, which ruling is res judicata, barring [Wife’s] recovery 

under Rule 54.04.” Wife argues that the trial court erred in ruling on Wife’s motion for 

discretionary costs in advance of her filing such a motion. We agree.

Although Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 54.04 provides that “[c]osts not 

included in the bill of costs prepared by the clerk are allowable only in the court’s 

discretion[,]” the rule further provides that “a party requesting discretionary costs shall 

file and serve a motion within thirty (30) days after entry of judgment.” Tenn. R. Civ. P. 

54.04(2). The record shows that Wife timely filed her motion.7 We are of the opinion 

that the trial court, in both its findings of facts and conclusions of law and final decree, in 

effect, denied Wife her discretionary costs before a motion for such costs was even 

before it. Then, after Wife filed her motion, the trial court—with a different judge sitting 

by interchange—denied it on the grounds of res judicata. We conclude that the trial 

court’s March 9, 2018 order denying Wife’s motion for discretionary costs was improper 

because the trial court’s initial denial of such costs in its findings of fact and conclusions 

of law and final decree was premature. As such, Wife’s motion was never adjudicated on 

the basis of its merits, or lack thereof. Accordingly, we vacate the trial court’s order 

denying Wife’s motion for discretionary costs and remand the issue to the trial court for a 

consideration of the motion on its merits. 

CONCLUSION

We vacate the trial court’s October 23, 2017 judgment as it pertains to its awards 

to Wife of alimony in futuro and attorney’s fees as alimony in solido, and we remand the 

case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Additionally, 

we vacate the trial court’s March 9, 2018 order denying Wife’s motion for discretionary 

costs, and we remand the issue to the trial court for a consideration of the motion on its 

merits.

_________________________________

ARNOLD B. GOLDIN, JUDGE

 

7 The trial court entered its final decree on October 23, 2017. Wife filed her motion for 

discretionary costs on November 14, 2017, within the thirty day window provided in Rule 54.04.