Opinion ID: 890174
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Issue four: Is Olsen entitled to attorney fees and costs?

Text: ¶ 40 Olsen argues that Milner's appeal was taken without substantial or reasonable grounds, and thus he is entitled to the sanction award of attorney fees and costs pursuant to M.R.App. P. 19(5). Olsen also bases his request upon what he argues are Milner's mischaracterizations of the factual record and the District Court's findings. Milner cites to Murphy Homes, Inc. v. Muller, 2007 MT 140, ¶ 90, 337 Mont. 411, 162 P.3d 106, for the proposition that we generally do not impose sanctions pursuant to M.R.App. P. 19(5) unless the appeal is entirely unfounded and intended to cause delay or unless counsel's actions otherwise constitute an abuse of the judicial system. In this case, we hold the appeal was based on substantial and reasonable grounds and not intended to cause delay. However, M.R.App. P. 19(3)(a) allows costs on appeal to be awarded to the prevailing party unless otherwise specifically provided in the decision by this Court. Taxable costs include costs of reproducing briefs and necessary appendices, costs incurred in transmission of the record, cost of the reporter's transcript if necessary for the determination of the appeal, and the fee for filing the notice of appeal. M.R.App. P. 19(3)(a). Accordingly, we decline to award Olsen attorney fees, but as the prevailing party, he is entitled to the costs of his appeal pursuant to Rule 19(3)(a) of the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure. This is a factual matter that must be resolved by the District Court on remand.