Opinion ID: 1754885
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: guardian ad litem and attorney fees

Text: According to section 452.355.1, the trial court, after considering all relevant factors including the financial resources of both parties may order a party to pay a reasonable amount for the cost of the other party of maintaining or defending any proceeding under sections 452.300 and 452.415 and for attorney's fees .... In addition, according to section 452.355.2. In any proceeding in which the nonpayment of child support is an issue under the provisions of a temporary or permanent court order or decree, if the court finds that the obligor has failed, without good cause, to comply with such order or decree to pay the child support, the court shall order the obligor to pay a reasonable amount for the cost of the suit to the obligee, including sums for legal services. The order requiring Father to pay the GAL and Mother's attorney fees is justified under both parts of section 452.355. Under 452.355 .1, the trial court considered Father's statement of income and expenses and found he was financially able to pay the fees. It also chastised Father's motion to modify as entirely without merit and merely a retort to Mother's request for Father to assist her in addressing the educational problems of M.U. The order of the trial court was also justified under section 452.355.2 because Father owed Mother back payments for medical and hospitalization costs she incurred on behalf of the children. This Court will reverse an award of GAL and attorney fees only for abuse of discretion, and Father does not show abuse. [21] For instance, he does not contest he owed back payments for support or that he was financially able to pay Mother's fees. Father merely restates his arguments that the overall judgment of the trial court was erroneous and his motion to modify custody should have been granted.