Opinion ID: 874304
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Is Conti Entitled to an Award of Attorney Fees for Defending the Cross-Appeal?

Text: Conti seeks an award of attorney fees on appeal under Idaho Code § 12-121 for defending against Heisses' cross-appeal. Attorney fees can be awarded to the prevailing party on appeal under that statute only if the appeal was brought or defended frivolously, unreasonably, or without foundation. Allbright v. Allbright, 147 Idaho 752, 756, 215 P.3d 472, 476 (2009). Heisses' cross-appeal simply asked this Court to disregard the current statutes regarding appointment and removal of guardians and adopt a scheme Heisses believed would be more favorable to them. The magistrate court wrote that much of Heiss' case asserting Conti's unfitness did have the appearance of `grasping at straws.' This appeal has even less merit. Although it refused to award Conti attorney fees under section 12-121, the magistrate court admonished Heisses, In the event that Heiss pursues additional litigation beyond this point, a different conclusion may well be reached by this or another court. We award Conti attorney fees on appeal for defending against Heisses' cross-appeal.