Opinion ID: 901028
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Whether Deanna is entitled to attorney fees on appeal.

Text: [¶ 27.] Deanna filed a motion with this Court for $1,399.20 in attorney fees on appeal. The motion was supported by an affidavit and an itemized statement of legal services provided. See Malcolm v. Malcolm, 365 N.W.2d 863, 866 (S.D.1985). SDCL 15-17-38 provides that attorney fees may be granted in cases of domestic relations and support. Jacobson v. Jacobson, 2000 SD 60, ¶ 30, 611 N.W.2d 210, 217. In determining if a party is entitled to attorney fees, we consider `property owned by each party, their relative incomes, the liquidity of the assets, and whether either party unreasonably increased the time spent on the case.' Pesicka v. Pesicka, 2000 SD 137, ¶ 20, 618 N.W.2d 725, 728 (quoting Abrams v. Abrams, 516 N.W.2d 348, 352 (S.D.1994)). We also consider the reasonableness of the fee request. Considering the fact that Daniel earns nearly three times the amount that Deanna earns, and that Daniel's refusal to pay child support necessitated Deanna's litigation of this matter, we grant Deanna's motion in the amount of $1,399.20. [¶ 28.] Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. [¶ 29.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and SABERS, KONENKAMP, and MEIERHENRY, Justices, concur.