Opinion ID: 1690227
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Amerihost.

Text: ¶ 25. Amerihost argues that it was entitled to attorney's fees for defending the subcontractors' claims in the interpleader action. See Perkins State Bank v. Connolly, 632 F.2d 1306, 1311 (5th Cir. 1980) (A party who initiates an interpleader action and qualifies as a mere disinterested stake holder may be awarded reasonable attorney's fees); Maryland Cas. Co. v. Sauter, 377 F.Supp. 68, 70 (N.D.Miss.1974) (A party who has properly brought an interpleader action may be entitled to an award of attorney's fees). The Court of Appeals remanded to the circuit court to make a factual finding of whether Amerihost was a disinterested stakeholder and therefore entitled to attorney's fees. An award of attorneys' fees and costs in favor of the party representing an interpleader action against funds interpled into the court registry is a discretionary matter lying with the trial court. See Hartford Acc. & Indem. Co. v. Natchez Inv. Co., 161 Miss. 198, 132 So. 535, 539 (1931). We agree that the Court of Appeals properly remanded this issue.