Opinion ID: 1842788
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: was it error to award attorney's fees to patricia benson?

Text: It is well settled in Mississippi that if a party is financially able to pay an attorney, an award of attorney's fees is not appropriate. See Martin v. Martin, 566 So.2d 704, 707 (Miss. 1990). Furthermore, if the record is insufficient to demonstrate the wife's inability to pay the attorney's fees, then an award of the fees is an abuse of discretion. Jones v. Starr, 586 So.2d 788, 792 (Miss. 1991). The Chancellor awarded attorney's fees in the amount of $5,000.00 to Patricia, which took into consideration the relative worth of the parties, and that both parties were unsuccessful in their primary claims for a divorce. The Chancellor held that the relative worth of the parties was considered in making the award to Patricia, but the record does not reflect whether Patricia was unable to pay her own attorney fees. Under the circumstances present in this case, the award of attorney's fees was an abuse of discretion and that part of the judgment is reversed and rendered in favor of Gary Benson. Judgment denying divorce on the ground of constructive desertion is reversed and remanded for a trial on the issue of whether Patricia's conduct rendered the continuation of the marriage unendurable. Judgment denying divorce on the grounds of habitual cruel and inhuman treatment is affirmed. Judgment granting separate maintenance to Patricia is reversed and rendered. Judgment awarding attorney's fees in the amount of $5,000.00 to Patricia is reversed and rendered. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART; REVERSED AND RENDERED IN PART. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., and PRATHER; PITTMAN, BANKS, McRAE and ROBERTS, JJ., concur.