Opinion ID: 1113725
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: should the trial court award mrs. mount attorney's fees for representation herein?

Text: Carolyn Mount's position in this case was that Robert Mount was in contempt of court for failure to obey the court order to pay the home mortgage. Under Mississippi law, if Mr. Mount was found to be in contempt of court, he is liable for Carolyn's attorney fees. Newell v. Hinton, 556 So.2d 1037, 1043-44 (Miss. 1990); Smith v. Smith, 545 So.2d 725, 728-29 (Miss. 1989). The chancellor denied fees to Carolyn. On reversal of the chancery judgment by this Court, the issue of Carolyn's entitlement to attorney fees is reopened. This Court holds that Carolyn Mount is entitled to attorney fees for representation in the trial court and also awards her attorney fees for her successful appeal. This cause is remanded to the trial court for determination of attorney fees at the trial court with reservations of an award for appellate attorney fees. JUDGMENT IS REVERSED, RENDERED AND REMANDED FOR PROCEEDINGS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THIS OPINION. HAWKINS, C.J., and SULLIVAN, PITTMAN, BANKS and JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr., JJ., concur. DAN M. LEE, P.J., dissents with separate written opinion joined by McRAE and SMITH, JJ.