Opinion ID: 2640093
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The District Court Properly Exercised Its Discretion in Awarding Attorney's Fees.

Text: [¶ 31] In Mr. Burnett's consolidated appeal, he challenges the district court's order awarding attorney's fees that Ms. Steeley expended in her efforts to enforce the February 2006 judgment. He claims first that the district court lacked authority to award attorney's fees because this Court has interpreted Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-111 (LexisNexis 2007) as allowing such an award only for fees expended during a divorce proceeding or in an action to enforce a divorce decree. He claims the fees awarded here were not expended during the divorce action or in an action to enforce a divorce decree but instead were incurred by Ms. Steeley in her efforts to modify the final property division judgment. [¶ 32] Section 20-2-111 provides: In every action brought for divorce, the court may require either party to pay any sum necessary to enable the other to carry on or defend the action and for support and the support of the children of the parties during its pendency. The court may decree costs against either party and award execution for the costs, or it may direct costs to be paid out of any property sequestered, in the power of the court, or in the hands of a receiver. The court may also direct payment to either party for such purpose of any sum due and owing from any person. [¶ 33] There is no question that this provision allows a party to obtain reimbursement of attorney's fees incurred in original divorce actions as well as proceedings to modify or enforce divorce decrees. Roberts v. Roberts, 816 P.2d 1293, 1298 (Wyo.1991); Broyles v. Broyles, 711 P.2d 1119, 1129 (Wyo. 1985). In Breitenstine v. Breitenstine, 2006 WY 48, 132 P.3d 189 (Wyo.2006), we considered an award of attorney's fees and costs that the wife incurred in attempting to enforce the district court's judgment against the husband. Concluding that the wife's efforts were occasioned by husband's continued failure to comply with the judgment, we upheld the award. [¶ 34] We concluded earlier in this opinion that this appeal arose from Ms. Steeley's efforts to enforce the February 2006 judgment. As in Breitenstine, her efforts were occasioned by her former husband's failure to comply with the judgment. Mr. Burnett's argument that the award was not authorized by § 20-2-111 is without merit. [¶ 35] Mr. Burnett argues next that, even if the district court had the authority to award attorney's fees, the evidence did not support the award in this case. He claims there was no showing that Ms. Steeley needed reimbursement of attorney's fees in order to proceed in the case or protect her interests. He contends that his payment to her of $125,646.12 in the spring of 2007 allowed her to proceed and protect her interests. [¶ 36] On appeal of an award of attorney's fees, the burden is on the party attacking the district court's ruling to show an abuse of discretion, and the ultimate issue is whether the court could reasonably conclude as it did. Breitenstine, ¶ 19, 132 P.3d at 195. In support of the motion for attorney's fees, Ms. Steeley's attorney submitted affidavits and itemized billing statements reflecting that as of October 31, 2007, he had billed Ms. Steeley the sum of $42,501.00 in attorney's fees and incurred costs in the amount of $2,823.86. Ms. Steeley also submitted her own affidavit in which she averred that: she received no property and no income from the marital businesses after the parties separated and prior to the divorce; in the divorce, she received very little cash other than her retirement funds; she used her retirement funds to establish a home and pay living expenses and attorney's fees incurred in obtaining the divorce and collecting the judgment; use of her retirement benefits resulted in withdrawal penalties and tax liabilities; she used the money she received in partial satisfaction of the judgment to pay off debts; and she had no savings or other funds with which to pay her attorney's fees. [¶ 37] At the district court's request, Ms. Steeley also presented the affidavit of David Erickson, attorney at law, averring that he had reviewed her attorney's files and in his opinion the fees, costs and expenses incurred were reasonable and necessary for the legal work performed in attempting to collect and enforce the February 2006 judgment. Upon consideration of these motions and affidavits and the arguments of counsel, the district court entered an order granting Ms. Steeley's attorney's fees motion. Given the evidence presented, Mr. Burnett has not met his burden of showing an abuse of discretion. The district court reasonably concluded that Ms. Steeley was entitled to the attorney's fees award.