Opinion ID: 76033
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Motion to Reduce Costs

Text: 67 Ellis also appeals the district court's order denying her motion to reconsider the costs awarded to the defendants after entry of judgment in their favor. 13 In that motion, Ellis claimed that, due to insufficient funds in Brown's guardianship estate, she lacked the financial means to pay the costs awards. The district court denied Ellis's motion, concluding that Ellis failed to present sufficient evidence that she, as guardian for Brown, suffered from dire financial circumstances. 14 68 We review a district court's decision about costs only for abuse of discretion. Chapman v. AI Transp., 229 F.3d 1012, 1039 (11th Cir.2000). We find no abuse of discretion in the district court's denial of Ellis's motion as to costs. Even assuming arguendo that Ellis presented evidence of dire financial circumstances, this Court has held that a district court may, but need not, consider financial status in making a costs award to a prevailing party. Id. (We hold that a non-prevailing party's financial status is a factor that a district court may, but need not, consider in its award of costs pursuant to Rule 54(d).). 15