Opinion ID: 2103319
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: partial attorney fees were properly awarded.

Text: The trial court awarded Joan $1,600 in attorney fees. SDCL 15-17-7 allows the court, in its discretion, to award attorney fees in divorce cases. On review, this court will examine the trial court's analysis of the following elements in fixing fees: the amount and value of the property involved, intricacy and importance of the litigation, labor and time involved, skill required to draft pleadings and try the case, discovery procedures utilized, existence of complicated legal problems, time required, whether briefs were required, and whether an appeal was involved. Cole, supra ; Temple, supra . The trial court found that the itemized statement of the wife's attorney was reasonable, having adequately considered the Cole factors and Donald's initial reluctance to comply with discovery, resulting in further costs. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by awarding such attorney fees and affirm the same. Joan also moves for additional attorney fees for the defense of this appeal, which motion is supported by an affidavit and itemized statement. Malcolm v. Malcolm, 365 N.W.2d 863 (S.D.1985). The amount of the statement, after deducting anticipated costs of oral argument, which was waived, is $1,764.45. Where the judgment is affirmed in part and reversed in part, the costs of appeal are within the discretion of the Supreme Court. SDCL 15-30-7. After applying the applicable guidelines, we approve the amount of $500 for Joan's appellate attorney fees. The case is remanded to the circuit court for amendment of the judgment and decree consistent with this decision. WUEST, C.J., concurs. HENDERSON, J., concurs specially. MORGAN and MILLER, JJ., concur in part and dissent in part. BERNDT, Circuit Judge, sitting for SABERS, J., disqualified.