Opinion ID: 2638625
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: part ii(c).

Text: ¶ 20 After the COCA rendered its opinion in this matter both parties moved for appeal-related attorney fees. Further, on June 27, 2000 appellant filed a motion for award of costs on appeal. By an order filed on August 4, 2000 the COCA denied appellant's motion for appeal-related attorney fees. However, no ruling was made in regard to appellee's June 27, 2000 counter-motion to award counsel fees on appeal or as to appellant's June 27, 2000 motion for award of costs on appeal. We now rule on these still-pending motions. Okla. Sup.Ct. Rule 1.184, 12 O.S.Supp.1997, Ch.15, App. 1. ¶ 21 The decision as to whether to award attorney fees in a divorce action or related proceeding is within the discretion of the court and their award involves judicial balancing of the equities. 43 O.S.Supp.1997, § 110(C) and (D); Barnett v. Barnett, 1996 OK 60, 917 P.2d 473, 477-478. Based upon our review of the record, the appellate submissions of the parties and giving due consideration to the ultimate disposition of this appeal, we are convinced each party should bear the expense of his or her own appeal-related attorney fees and that appellee's June 27, 2000 counter-motion to award counsel fees on appeal should be denied. ¶ 22 Title 12 O.S.1991, § 978 provides: When a judgment or final order is reversed, the plaintiff in error shall recover his costs, including the costs of the transcript of the proceedings, or case-made, filed with the petition in error; and when reversed in part and affirmed in part, costs shall be equally divided between the parties. The ultimate outcome of this appeal is: the trial court's denial of former husband/appellant's motion to modify the 1996 QDRO stands affirmed (COCA's disposition left unchallenged on certiorari by appellant); the trial court's grant of former wife/appellee's counter-motion to amend the 1996 QDRO stands affirmed; and the 1999 QDRO stands affirmed. In that all of the trial court's rulings challenged on appeal by appellant have been affirmed he is not entitled to recover any of his costs associated with this appeal from appellee.