Opinion ID: 1676263
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the chancellor was manifestly wrong and committed reversible error in awarding attorney fees to appellee.

Text: Charles simply argues that Elaine is financially able to pay her attorney fees, therefore the chancellor erred. Elaine claims she is unable to pay her attorney fees and that she testified to this inability at trial. Regarding the award of attorney fees for representation through the divorce hearing, Elaine testified that she was unable to pay her attorney the $1,000.00 balance on the $2,500.00 fee. Although the record does not reveal what expenses Elaine must pay from her net salary of $1,100.00 a month, and does not provide details on the value of her mineral rights or any other income or investments she may have, the chancellor apparently found Elaine's testimony credible enough to support an award of attorney fees in the amount of $1,000.00. Given the chancellor's discretion in awarding attorney fees and his sole authority to determine witness credibility [ Mullins v. Ratcliff, 515 So.2d 1183, 1189 (Miss. 1987)], this award is affirmed. Additionally, the chancellor awarded Elaine $600.00 in attorney fees for defending Charles' motion for new trial seeking alteration of the court's decree. Elaine argues that since Charles forced her to defend the witness tampering issue, seeking without justification an alteration of the court's decree, he should pay her attorney fees. In support of this proposition, Elaine cites Owen v. Gerity, 422 So.2d 284, 289 (Miss. 1982) (despite appellant's ability to pay, appellee's post-divorce action had required appellant to hire attorney, therefore appellee should pay attorney fee). Charles failed in his attempt to prove witness tampering. Consequently, as this Court has affirmed the chancellor's denial of Charles' motion for new trial, the award of $600.00 in attorney fees is also affirmed.