Opinion ID: 1333278
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: The Attorney Fees and Litigation Expenses

Text: Finally, based upon the recommendation of family law master Gallagher, the circuit court ordered Mr. Chafin to pay Lewis the sum of $127,413 for attorney fees and litigation expenses. Specifically, the $127,413 consisted of $109,837 for professional services plus $17,576 for expenses. As indicated above, the $17,576 for expenses constituted a substantial reduction of the total expenses for which Lewis sought reimbursement. See, n. 10, supra. Mr. Chafin's attorney fees and litigation expenses were $115,454. Contending that it was error to award Lewis attorney fees and litigation expenses, Chafin asserts, inter alia, that the family law master and the circuit court: (1) over-emphasized the factor of misconduct concerning Chafin's alleged adultery during the marriage, (2) failed to consider the financial burden placed upon him by the award of attorney fees and expenses and (3) failed to consider the delays in resolving the action caused by Lewis. Ms. Lewis, on the other hand, contends that the award was proper because: (1) fault or misconduct is a proper consideration in such awards, and, in this action, it was not the only factor considered by the family law master and the circuit court, (2) Chafin is in a better financial position than Lewis to bear the burden of the attorney fees and litigation expenses and (3) Chafin, rather that Lewis, contributed to the delays in this action. The abuse of discretion standard applicable to a final equitable distribution order, set forth in syllabus point 1 of Burnside, supra, is specifically applicable to an award of attorney fees in a divorce action. In syllabus point 4 of Banker v. Banker, 196 W.Va. 535, 474 S.E.2d 465 (1996), this Court held: In divorce actions, an award of attorney's fees rests initially within the sound discretion of the family law master and should not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. In determining whether to award attorney's fees, the family law master should consider a wide array of factors including the party's ability to pay his or her own fee, the beneficial results obtained by the attorney, the parties' respective financial conditions, the effect of the attorney's fees on each party's standard of living, the degree of fault of either party in making the divorce action necessary, and the reasonableness of the attorney's fee request. Syl. pt. 12, Pearson v. Pearson, 200 W.Va. 139, 488 S.E.2d 414 (1997). See, Alireza D. v. Kim Elaine W., 198 W.Va. 178, 185, 479 S.E.2d 688, 695 (1996), stating that the relative degree of fault of a party in divorce related matters has been held by this Court to be a consideration in the award of attorney fees. See also, W.Va.Code, 48-2-13(a)(6) [1993], concerning attorney fees and court costs in divorce actions. Here, the August 9, 1996, recommended order of family law master Gallagher stated: The Master considers the incomes of the parties. The Master considers the extensive obligations incurred by the parties in terms of obtaining attorney fees. This was a hotly contested matter. It extended over a lengthy period of time. The issues were complex. The Master considered the skill and reputation of the attorneys involved. The Master finds that the attorney fees of both parties are reasonable within the context of this action. The Master considers the dominant factors in this case, to warrant consideration of attorney fees, are the misconduct of the Defendant [Chafin] and the relative financial positions of the parties.    The Master finds that in this case it is fair and equitable for the Defendant to be required to pay the attorney fees and expenses of the Plaintiff [Lewis] and awards to the Plaintiff her attorney fees and expenses totaling $127,413.55. Clearly, the degree of fault resulting in divorce litigation may be considered under the principles set forth in Banker, supra, concerning an award of attorney fees and litigation expenses. Moreover, as indicated above, fault or misconduct was not the only factor considered in the award in this action. The fees and expenses herein were found to be reasonable by the family law master and the circuit court. [19] In fact, reasonableness is particularly evident in the case of the $17,576 awarded for expenses, wherein the amount allowed constituted a substantial reduction of the total expenses for which Lewis sought reimbursement. Moreover, as the circuit court indicated in a letter memorandum of opinion dated December 28, 1994, concerning Mr. Chafin's motion to bifurcate, both parties were somewhat responsible for the delays in resolving this action. Thus, upon all of the above, this Court is of the opinion that the award of attorney fees and litigation expenses to Lewis in the amount of $127,413 did not constitute an abuse of discretion.