Case Name: In the Interest of K.L., P.L., and N.L., Children. Department of Children and Family Services, Appellant, v. M.L., Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2006-07-07
Citations: 932 So. 2d 638
Docket Number: No. 2D05-4870
Parties: In the Interest of K.L., P.L., and N.L., Children. Department of Children and Family Services, Appellant, v. M.L., Appellee.
Judges: FULMER, C.J., and THREADGILL, EDWARD F., Senior Judge, Concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 932
Pages: 638–638

Head Matter:
In the Interest of K.L., P.L., and N.L., Children. Department of Children and Family Services, Appellant, v. M.L., Appellee.
No. 2D05-4870.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District.
July 7, 2006.
Douglas Sherman, Lakeland, for Appellant.
No appearance for Appellee.

Opinion:
VILLANTI, Judge.
The Department of Children and Family Services appeals a final order directing it to pay the grandmother's attorney's fees in a foster care proceeding. The Department correctly argues that there was no authority for the award of fees. While we are not unsympathetic to the trial judge's frustration with the Department's delay in conducting a home study, it was error for the trial judge to order the fee payment absent a legal basis. See Dep't of Children & Family Servs. v. J.B., 898 So.2d 980 (Fla. 5th DCA 2005). Accordingly, we reverse and remand with directions to the trial court to strike the fee award.
Reversed and remanded with directions.
FULMER, C.J., and THREADGILL, EDWARD F., Senior Judge, Concur.