Opinion ID: 1848668
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the chancellor erred in failing to award attorney's fees.

Text: ¶ 7. Shayna also argues that the Court of Appeals erred in holding that she was precluded from raising the issue of attorney's fees because she failed to submit actual fee statements into evidence. The primary basis for her argument is the fact that the fee statements were actually introduced by her. The Court of Appeals held that since she did not introduce fee statements, her testimony which only indirectly indicated her inability to pay her own fees was insufficient to allow the chancellor to apply the factors of McKee v. McKee, 418 So.2d 764, 767 (Miss.1982). We disagree and hold that there was sufficient evidence for the chancellor to apply the McKee factors. The record reflects that, while Shayna was testifying, her attorney offered affidavits and statements from himself and from B. Ruth Johnson who formerly represented Shayna. At that point there was an off-the-record discussion, and the transcript does not show that the statements were admitted. However, Exhibits 5 and 6 are marked indicating that they were admitted into evidence. In addition, Shayna's tax return for 1997 was admitted, and she testified at some length as to her financial position. As the chancellor's findings of fact and conclusions of law and judgment are silent on the issue of attorney's fees, we cannot evaluate whether he considered the issue presented. Accordingly, the case is remanded for a determination based upon the existing record and by applying the factors set out in McKee v. McKee , of whether an award of attorney's fees is warranted.