Opinion ID: 880226
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Issue 3. Did the District Court err in awarding attorney's fees to the respondent?

Text: Attorney's fees in dissolution cases are addressed in § 40-4-110, MCA, which provides: Costs  attorney's fees. The court from time to time, after considering the financial resources of both parties, may order a party to pay a reasonable amount for the cost to the other party of maintaining or defending any proceeding under chapters 1 and 4 of this title and for attorney's fees, including sums for legal services rendered and costs incurred prior to the commencement of the proceeding or after entry of judgment. The court may order that the amount be paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in his name. In interpreting this statute, this Court has found: Traditionally, a showing of necessity has been a condition precedent to the exercise of the court's discretion to award attorney fees. Whitman v. Whitman (1974), 164 Mont. 124, 519 P.2d 966. But the lower court's discretion in the matter will not be disturbed if substantial evidence is found in the record to support the award. Kaasa v. Kaasa (1979), [181] Mont. [18], 591 P.2d 1110, 1114, 36 St.Rep. 425, 430. Here, the trial court was well aware of the parties' financial situations. It did not abuse its discretion in making an award of reasonable attorney fees, based on necessity. Houtchens v. Houtchens (1979), 181 Mont. 70, 592 P.2d 158, 36 St.Rep. 501, 505. Bailey v. Bailey (1979), [184] Mont. [418], 603 P.2d 259, 261, 36 St.Rep. 2162. Carr v. Carr (1983), 205 Mont. 269, 272-73, 667 P.2d 425, 427. In the case at bar, there was great financial disparity between the parties. As discussed above, Ronald makes approximately three times Lucinda's salary, and his disposable income has increased since the parties divorced. Based on this evidence, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding Lucinda attorney's fees. We affirm the District Court's judgment. TURNAGE, C.J., and McDONOUGH, WEBER and BARZ, JJ., concur.