Asked by user in Missouri. Answered by Enjuris Editors.
Hello, William:
Usually, the law is that each party pays their own attorney fees, regardless of whether they win or lose a case. There are some exceptions, such as if there was a contract between the parties that included attorney fees in the event of a dispute or some other law specifying attorney fees in a specific type of claim.
From your question, it sounds like you were the defendant in a lawsuit filed by your neighbor. It seems that the neighbor's truthfulness has been called into question, but it's not clear whether the lawsuit has reached resolution. If you successfully defended against the claim and you're trying to collect attorney fees to cover the costs of your own representation or other expenses, you probably won't be able to do so. Although there are some instances when a court might order a plaintiff to pay the defendant's costs (for example, if they had no standing to sue), it's unlikely. Often, when a party can't pay their attorney fees, the lawyer would suggest filing bankruptcy because that process usually discharges attorney fee claims.
Regardless, you should consult your attorney to find out what your legal remedies are based on the specifics of your case.