Opinion ID: 2179268
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Trial Attorney Fees.

Text: The trial court ordered Trip to pay $1000 towards Tamera's trial attorney fees because Trip's income is substantially larger than Tamera's. Trip contends this amount was excessive for two reasons. First, he points to his payment of temporary alimony of $250 per month and his prior payment of $600 towards Tamera's attorney fees. He also claims a trial was necessary primarily due to Tamera's position on alimony and disposition of the frozen embryos, issues on which Trip prevailed at trial. Trip does not dispute on appeal that he is more financially able to pay the attorney fees. Our consideration of this issue is guided by the following principles: Trial courts have considerable discretion in awarding attorney fees. Whether attorney fees should be awarded depends on the respective abilities of the parties to pay. In addition, the fees must be fair and reasonable. In re Marriage of Guyer, 522 N.W.2d 818, 822 (Iowa 1994). Trip points to no case where this court has considered whether the party requesting trial attorney fees was successful at trial. Cf. id. (stating court considers whether the party making the request [for attorney fees] was obligated to defend the trial court's decision on appeal  in awarding appellate attorney fees (emphasis added)). When we evaluate Trip's challenge to the trial court's award of attorney fees in light of the relevant factors, we find no abuse of discretion. Trip has more ability to pay the fees than does Tamera and there is no claim the fees are not fair and reasonable. Therefore, we affirm the trial court's attorney fee award.