Court Opinion

ID: 9745081
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 22:32:38.711718+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:55.545476
License: Public Domain

GARRARD, Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I agree with the majority’s conclusion that the husband has failed to demonstrate reversible error in the division of property.
I also agree that the fees awarded for the services of Robert Moise are in excess of any testimony adduced at trial. I would vacate that portion of the decree and remand for further proceedings.
I find the same defect in the award of attorneys’ fees. The parties introduced evidence of the reasonable value of counsel’s services. The award entered by the court was approximately $9000 more than the highest valuation testified to.
Applying the reasoning of U. S. Aircraft Financing, Inc. v. Jankovich (1980), Ind.App., 407 N.E.2d 287, this was extensive and complicated litigation so as to preclude the court from setting the amount of attorney fees on the basis of judicial knowledge. See also Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. State (1967), 248 Ind. 169, 225 N.E.2d 175, 183.
As the award exceeded the highest figure presented by the evidence, it is not sustained by the evidence and is excessive. Hartford Life Ins. Co. v. Hope (1907), 40 Ind.App. 354, 81 N.E. 595; cf. Indianapolis Chair Mfg. Co. v. Swift (1892), 132 Ind. 197, 31 N.E. 800; Western & Southern Indemnity Co. v. Newman (1937), 103 Ind.App. 544, 7 N.E.2d 64.
I would, therefore, also vacate and remand the portion of the decree awarding attorneys’ fees.