Opinion ID: 2509319
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the balancing of judicial equities supports an award of appeal-related attorney fees to the mother.

Text: ¶ 30 In Oklahoma, neither the nonprevailing party in a matrimonial case nor the principal spousal provider is under a duty to pay counsel fees. Rather, counsel-fee allowances are granted only to the litigant who qualifies for the benefit through the process of a judicial balancing of the equities. [56] This Court determines the right for appellate attorney fees in matrimonial litigation. [57] ¶ 31 It does not appear that the mother sought attorney fees in the trial court, but she requests the fees on appeal. [58] Based on the record, there are compelling and overriding equitable considerations in favor of the mother. When the decree was entered the trial court must have believed it was in the best interests of the child to be with the mother or she would not have been awarded custody. [59] There was no evidence presented in the modification proceedings indicating that she was unfit. Because of the father's filing of the motion to modify, the mother was required to employ counsel to defend in the trial court and to file her appeal. [60] Undoubtedly, she also found it necessary to employ a professional witness, the child's counselor, to appear on her behalf. After having lost in the trial court, the mother was forced to either allow the ordered custody change or to pay her counsel for the additional representation. ¶ 32 The hours billed and set forth in the application for appellate attorney fees appear reasonable. [61] The equities support an award to the mother. The cause is remanded for the trial court to determine the amount of appellate attorney fees allowable. [62]