Opinion ID: 883983
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Is Puckett Construction entitled to attorney's fees and costs on appeal?

Text: Puckett Construction requests that it be awarded its costs and attorney's fees on appeal. Costs on appeal in civil actions are automatically awarded to the prevailing party under Rule 33, M.R.App.P. Additionally, we previously have held that where an award of attorney's fees is based on a contract, the prevailing party is also entitled to an award of reasonable attorney's fees incurred on appeal. Smith, 798 P.2d at 111 (citing Lauderdale v. Grauman (1986), 223 Mont. 357, 359, 725 P.2d 1199, 1200). Here, the subcontractor agreement between Puckett Construction and Custom Framing provides for attorney's fees and costs incurred in an action arising out of, in connection with, or incident to [Custom Framing's] performance of this SUBCONTRACT. The District Court's determination that Puckett Construction was entitled to attorney's fees was based on that provision of the subcontractor agreement. Accordingly, we hold that Puckett Construction is entitled to its costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in this appeal. We affirm the decision of the District Court and remand for determination and award of Puckett Construction's costs and attorney's fees on appeal. TURNAGE, C.J., NELSON, HUNT and LEAPHART, JJ., concur.