Opinion ID: 883902
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Did the District Court err by denying maintenance to Marillen?

Text: Marillen next alleges that the District Court erred by denying her request for maintenance. She contends that the District Court's finding that she is able to support herself through appropriate employment is clearly erroneous. Section 40-4-203(1), MCA, provides in part: In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation ... the court may grant a maintenance order for either spouse only if it finds that the spouse seeking maintenance: (a) lacks sufficient property to provide for his reasonable needs; and (b) is unable to support himself through appropriate employment or is the custodian of a child whose condition or circumstances make it appropriate that the custodian not be required to seek employment outside the home. In this case, the District Court determined that Marillen was able to support herself through appropriate employment. It found that she is relatively young and in good health, while Joe is retired and unable to meet his own expenses because of a monthly loan payment exceeding $5000. Further, it noted that Marillen has secured work as a waitress and should be able to meet her own monthly expenses without an award of maintenance. These findings were supported by the evidence presented and are not clearly erroneous. 4. Did the District Court err by denying attorney's fees to Marillen? Marillen claims that the District Court erred by denying her claim of attorney's fees. Section 40-4-110, MCA, provides: The court from time to time, after considering the financial resources of both parties, may order a party to pay a reasonable amount for the cost to the other party of maintaining or defending any proceeding under chapters 1 and 4 of this title and for attorney's fees, including sums for legal services rendered and costs incurred prior to the commencement of the proceeding or after entry of judgment. The court may order that the amount be paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in his name. This statute is discretionary; while it allows the District Court to award attorney fees if warranted, it does not mandate such a result. A district court's determination regarding attorney's fees will not be disturbed in the absence of an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage of Sullivan (1993), 258 Mont. 531, 540, 853 P.2d 1194, 1200. Here, the District Court awarded Marillen assets totalling over $65,000. While the majority of premarital assets were awarded to Joe, the disproportionate nature of the property division does not automatically entitle Marillen to attorney's fees. The District Court found that Marillen had the financial ability to pay her own fees. Given the value of the property she was awarded, this determination was not an abuse of discretion.