Opinion ID: 1196524
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: there is substantial and competent evidence to support the trial court's findings concerning the award of attorney fees to karen.

Text: Leroy asserts that the trial court should not have awarded attorney fees to Karen. We conclude that there is substantial and competent evidence to support the trial court's findings concerning Karen's need for the award of attorney fees. The Court has recently stated that the award of attorney fees in a divorce action is left to the discretion of the trial court. Ireland v. Ireland, 123 Idaho 955, 960, 855 P.2d 40, 45 (1993). The application of this standard, however, again brings us to a substantial and competent evidence standard of review. Under I.C. § 32-704, the trial court may, after considering the financial resources of both parties and the factors in I.C. § 32-705, determine whether a party is entitled to attorney fees. The trial judge must state the factors that were weighed in arriving at a decision to award attorney fees. Smith v. Smith, 124 Idaho 431, 860 P.2d 634 (1993). In Ireland, the Court ruled that before awarding attorney fees, the trial court must make specific findings on the factors listed in I.C. § 32-705. 123 Idaho at 960, 855 P.2d at 45. This Court will uphold the findings if there is substantial and competent evidence to support them. See id. In this case, after considering the financial resources of Karen and Leroy and the factors in I.C. § 32-705, the trial court found: (1) Karen was unable to support herself; and (2) Leroy was financially able to pay the attorney fees. There is substantial and competent evidence to support these findings.