Court Opinion

ID: 4371492
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-02-26 21:48:31.695161+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:34.471134
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                        Washington State
                                                                                        Court of Appeals
                                                                                         Division Two

                                                                                       February 26, 2019
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                        DIVISION II
 In the Matter of the Marriage of                                   No. 50392-1-II

 KIMBERLY KAY HALME,

                Appellant/Cross Respondent,

        and

 NATHAN ALAN KYSAR,                                          UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                Respondent/Cross Appellant.

       WORSWICK, J. — In this heavily litigated post-dissolution matter, both parties appeal

orders awarding attorney fees and costs to Kim Halme for post-dissolution modification

proceedings and this appeal. Nathan Kysar and Halme, who have four children, divorced in

2007. In 2015, Kysar moved to modify child support. The trial court modified the child support

order and reserved the issue of attorney fees and costs. Months later, the court entered orders

awarding Halme attorney fees and costs for defending against Kysar’s motion to modify and

awarding advanced appellate attorney fees and costs for responding to this appeal. However, the

court declined to award Halme attorney fees and costs for defending against a motion for

discretionary review to this court.

       Kysar appeals the orders awarding Halme attorney fees and costs, arguing that the trial

court improperly calculated Halme’s income for the modification order and abused its discretion

in ordering attorney fees and costs.
No. 50392-1-II

          Halme argues that Kysar did not timely appeal the modification order so he cannot

contest the income calculation. Halme also cross appeals, arguing that the trial court erred by not

awarding attorney fees and costs for the discretionary review motion.

          We hold that because Kysar did not timely appeal the modification order, we cannot

address his argument regarding the income calculation. We further hold that the trial court did

not abuse its discretion when it awarded attorney fees and costs for the modification litigation,

awarded advance attorney fees and costs for this appeal, and denied Halme’s attorney fees and

costs in defending the motion for discretionary review. Consequently, we affirm the trial court’s

orders.

                                                FACTS

          Eight years after the dissolution of their marriage, Nathan Kysar filed a petition to modify

his and Kim Halme’s parenting plan and child support order. Regarding child support, a superior

court commissioner entered a temporary support order computing Halme’s income according to

the method used in the divorce decree and a prior modification decision.

          Kysar moved for revision and the superior court judge revised the commissioner’s

temporary order, recalculating and reducing Halme’s income to an imputed minimum wage.

Kysar sought discretionary review of that decision, which this court denied. Halme requested

attorney fees and costs, but a commissioner of this court held that RAP 18.1 did not apply and

further determined that the motion did not meet the standard to be frivolous under RAP 18.9. On

January 13, 2017, following this court’s denial of Kysar’s motion for discretionary review, the

trial court entered a final order modifying Halme’s and Kysar’s child support agreement. The

order states that Halme’s request for attorney fees and costs was reserved for future resolution.

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No. 50392-1-II

Specifically, under an “Other Orders” section, it stated: “[Halme’s] request for attorney fees is

reserved for hearing at a later date. [Halme] shall file a Motion for fees on Judge Rulli’s regular

motion docket.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 714. Kysar did not appeal this order.

       Halme then filed a motion for attorney fees and costs under RCW 26.09.140.

Specifically, Halme requested attorney fees and costs for expenses arising from Kysar’s petition

to modify, his motion for revision, his motion for post-secondary support and motion for

reconsideration, his second motion for revision, and his motion for discretionary review to this

court. Halme’s counsel submitted an affidavit showing $19,035.86 in fees and costs incurred

during this time period.

       The documents Halme submitted with the motion, noted only dates and amounts of fees,

but did not designate what work Halme’s counsel completed to incur these fees. Then, over

Kysar’s objection, Halme’s counsel submitted additional, and more detailed, documentation

denoting the time, activity, and rates he billed for the services rendered during the relevant time

period, totaling $18,198.26.

       In his surreply on the motion for fees, Kysar commented on line items in Halme’s

counsel’s billing document. He noted fees which he believed were excessive and which fees

were for the discretionary appeal. Kysar argued that neither type of fee should be assessed for

the final order modifying child support. He also noted that some fee entries were out of order,

claiming they were added later to “pad[] the bill.” CP at 801.

       The trial court held a hearing addressing the attorney fees and costs. From Halme’s

counsel’s total bill, the trial court deducted all the fees that Kysar had argued were either

excessive or related to the discretionary review motion to arrive at a net figure. The court then

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No. 50392-1-II

applied a percentage, based on the parties respective incomes, and ordered Kysar to pay

$10,566.27. The court stated to Kysar, “I based [the costs determination] upon what you’ve

outlined in your response as being appeal costs. And everything that you’ve indicated as

excessive costs I’ve also deducted in arriving at the net changes.” Verbatim Report of

Proceedings (VRP) (April 21, 2017) at 6.

         At a follow-up hearing to enter the order on attorney fees and costs, the trial court altered

the order to reflect a $500 payment that the parties agreed Kysar had made since the initial

hearing, and awarded Halme attorney fees and costs in the amount of $10,066.27. The trial

court’s entire findings are as follows:

         a.   The court takes into consideration the financial resources of both parties.
         b.   The court applied the Lode Star factors and finds these factors have been met
              as far as the reasonableness of the fees requested.
         c.   [Kysar’s] claim of excessive costs in the amount of $984.50 has been
              considered and deducted from [Halme’s] original claim for attorney fees in the
              amount of $14,615.77.
         d.   [Kysar’s] claim of appeal costs in the amount of $3,065.00 has been considered
              and deducted from [Halme’s] original claim for attorney fees in the amount of
              $14,615.77.

CP at 835-36. Based on these findings, the trial court ordered that Kysar pay Halme’s attorney

fees and costs in the amount of $10,066.27.

         Kysar appealed the order of attorney fees and costs on May 30, 2017. Halme cross

appeals.

         After the notices of appeal were filed, the trial court ordered Kysar to pay $7,500 in

advance attorney fees and costs to cover Halme’s expenses for this appeal.1 The order stated that

1
    We consider this order under RAP 7.2(i).

                                                   4
No. 50392-1-II

the court “considered the records and files herein, the pleadings of the parties, RCW 26.09.140

and RAP 7.2(d), and the argument of counsel” and then ordered Kysar pay $7,500 in advance

fees for Halme to contest this appeal. CP at 925. The order further stated, “This is not a money

judgment but an order directing [Kysar] to act, so [Halme] will have funds to pay her attorney to

defend against [Kysar’s] appeal and cannot be superseded.” CP at 925-26. The trial court

clerk’s hearing summary2 reflects that the “Court does not shut the door on the super[sedeas] and

Counsels can bring a motion before the Court on the matter.” CP at 924.

                                             ANALYSIS

                               I. ORDER MODIFYING CHILD SUPPORT

         Kysar first argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it decreased Halme’s

imputed income in the order modifying child support. Halme argues that the child support order

is not properly before us because Kysar did not timely appeal the trial court’s entry of that order.

We agree with Halme.

         Generally, a party must file a notice of appeal within 30 days after the entry of the

decision of the trial court. RAP 5.2(a). A final order modifying child support is an appealable

order. See In re Marriage of Aiken, 194 Wn. App. 159, 374 P.3d 265 (2016). “A timely notice

of appeal of a trial court decision relating to attorney fees and costs does not bring up for review

a decision previously entered in the action that is otherwise appealable.” RAP 2.4(b). A party

must appeal from the judgment “establishing the legal basis for an attorney fee award” within 30

days of the entry of that judgment. Bushong v. Wilsbach, 151 Wn. App. 373, 377, 213 P.3d 42

2
    The record on appeal does not contain the VRP for this hearing.

                                                   5
No. 50392-1-II

(2009); see also Carrara, LLC v. Ron & E Enters., Inc., 137 Wn. App. 822, 825-26, 155 P.3d

161 (2007).

       In Bushong, a party contested the award, but not the reasonableness of the attorney fees.

151 Wn. App. at 376. This court applied the plain language of RAP 2.4(b) to hold that the

appeal was untimely. Bushong, 151 Wn. App. at 377. This court held that “an appeal from an

attorney fee decision does not bring up for a review a separate judgment on the merits unless a

timely notice of appeal is filed from that judgment.” Bushong, 151 Wn. App. at 377.

       Here, the trial court entered the order modifying child support on January 13, 2017. This

order was a final, appealable order and provided the legal basis for Halme’s income calculation

to which Kysar objects. The order’s language that Halme’s request for attorney fees was

“reserved for hearing at a later date” did not alter the finality of the child support order. See

Bushong, 151 Wn. App. at 377.

        Kysar filed his notice of appeal regarding the order of attorney fees and costs on May 30,

2017, more than 30 days from the trial court’s entry of the final order. Because Kysar failed to

file a timely notice of appeal from the trial court’s final order, his appeal regarding attorney fees

and costs does not bring up for review the trial court’s modification decisions. RAP 2.4(b); see

Bushong, 151 Wn. App. at 377. Accordingly, we cannot address the merits of Kysar’s

arguments regarding the computation of Halme’s income in the child support order.

                                  II. ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS

       Kysar also argues that the trial court abused its discretion in granting Halme attorney fees

for the action to modify child support and for advancing her fees for this appeal. Specifically, he

argues that the trial court improperly considered supplemental documentation, failed to credit

                                                  6
No. 50392-1-II

him for fees he had already paid, and abused its discretion when it awarded Halme attorney fees

and costs. We disagree.

        Where the trial court’s authority to award attorney fees is not in question, we review a

trial court’s award of attorney fees and costs for an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage of

Obaidi, 154 Wn. App. 609, 617, 226 P.3d 787 (2010). The party challenging the award of fees

has the burden of proving that the trial court exercised its discretion in a clearly unreasonable or

manifestly untenable way. In re Custody of Smith, 137 Wn.2d 1, 22, 969 P.2d 21 (1998).

        When awarding attorney fees, the trial court must make a record sufficient to permit

meaningful review by articulating its grounds for the award. White v. Clark County, 188 Wn.

App. 622, 639, 354 P.3d 38 (2015). Generally, this requires that the trial court enter findings of

fact and conclusions of law to support the attorney fees award. SentinelC3, Inc. v. Hunt, 181

Wn.2d 127, 144, 331 P.3d 40 (2014). The trial court’s unchallenged findings of fact are verities

on appeal. In re Marriage of Black, 188 Wn.2d 114, 127, 392 P.3d 1041 (2017). We review

conclusions of law to determine whether they are legally correct and whether they are supported

by the findings. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v. Justus, 199 Wn. App. 435, 448, 398 P.3d

1258 (2017).

        RCW 26.09.140 permits the trial court to order one party in a modification action to pay

attorney fees and costs to the other party after considering the parties’ financial resources. See In

re Marriage of Spreen, 107 Wn. App. 341, 351, 28 P.3d 769 (2001). The statute, in relevant

part, states:

        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 this chapter and for
        reasonable attorneys’ fees or other professional fees in connection therewith,

                                                  7
No. 50392-1-II

       including sums for legal services rendered and costs incurred prior to the
       commencement of the proceeding or enforcement or modification proceedings
       after entry of judgment.

RCW 26.09.140. Additionally, we may, in our discretion, order a party to pay appellate costs

and attorney fees in addition to statutory costs. RCW 26.09.140.

A.     Attorney Fees and Costs for Modification Proceedings

       Kysar argues that the trial court “impermissibly” allowed Halme to submit supplemental

information on the attorney fees incurred, “failed to credit [Kysar] with the payments he had

already made,” and that Halme misquoted her attorney fees and costs.3 Br. of Appellant at 13,

15. We hold that the trial court properly awarded Halme attorney fees and costs for defending

the modification proceeding.

       1. Trial Court Did Not Err when Considering Additional Supporting Documents

       We review the trial court’s decision to accept or reject untimely filed documents for an

abuse of discretion. Clipse v. Commercial Driver Servs., Inc., 189 Wn. App. 776, 786, 358 P.3d

464 (2015). Kysar fails to show how the trial court’s decision to consider the supplemental

documents was manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or reasons. Because the

trial court’s decision to consider the supplemental documentation was not unreasonable, we hold

that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it considered the supplemental

documentation.

3
  Kysar’s arguments largely attack Halme’s initial motion and supporting documentation.
Although not entirely clear, Kysar appears to argue that because the trial court erred by allowing
Halme to supplement her supporting information, we should base our decision on her initial
request for attorney fees which contained numerous errors. We come to this conclusion because
Kysar’s argument cites only to the initial request, not to the supplemental document filed with
the court, and describes only deficiencies in the initial motion.

                                                 8
No. 50392-1-II

       2. Trial Court Did Not Award Fees Already Paid

       Kysar argues that the trial court failed to credit him for fees he previously paid. This

argument misstates the record.

       At the hearing, the trial court and both counsel discussed the amount of attorney fees and

costs Kysar had already paid. All three came to an agreement about the amount previously paid

and how much was credited toward the amount of fees ordered. The trial court ensured the

parties agreed to the amount of fees Kysar had already paid and deducted that amount from the

final award. On appeal, Kysar does not provide any evidence that he was not credited the proper

amount. Accordingly, this argument fails.

       3. Trial Court Did Not Abuse its Discretion Awarding Attorney Fees for Final Order
          Modifying Child Support

       Kysar argues that the trial court erred in awarding Halme attorney fees and costs related

to the modification litigation. As a preliminary matter, Kysar does not challenge any of the trial

court’s findings of fact in the attorney fees and costs order.

       Kysar argues that “[t]he trial court erred in entering its order re [sic] attorney fees to

[Halme] based on incomplete records and for granting fees which were not supported by

evidence.” Br of Appellant at 6. But, Kysar’s argument that the order is not supported by

evidence fails because the unchallenged findings of fact are verities on appeal.

       Further, Kysar neither argues nor shows that the trial court abused its discretion in

awarding Halme attorney fees and costs. Halme’s counsel provided an itemized billing of the

tasks and expended time. The trial court considered and accepted these costs as reasonable.

                                                  9
No. 50392-1-II

       Kysar also argues that “[t]he court had to engage in guesswork to determine an arbitrary

amount of fees to be awarded to [Halme].” Br. of Appellant at 15. Setting aside that this

argument appears to be directed at the original motion and not the amended motion that

contained supplemental documentation, the trial court granted all of Kysar’s requests to reduce

or reject line items regarding the requested attorney fees and costs.

       The trial court accepted all of Kysar’s arguments regarding reductions of fee entries that

he believed were excessive and for the motion for discretionary review. The trial court adopted

Kysar’s requested reductions and subtracted these amounts from the final award of attorney fees

and costs.

       Because the findings of fact are verities on appeal, and because the trial court did not

abuse its discretion in awarding attorney fees and costs, we hold that the trial court did not err

when awarding attorney fees and costs regarding the modification proceedings.4

B.     Advance Attorney Fees and Costs for this Appeal

       Kysar argues that the trial court erred when it ordered him to pay advance fees and costs

for this appeal and that it abused its discretion by refusing to allow Kysar to file a supersedeas

bond to stay the payment of the advance fees and costs. Although the record on appeal contains

only the order of advance fees and clerk’s summaries, we consider this issue and hold that the

trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding advance appellate attorney fees and costs.

4
 Kysar argues that Halme’s attorney “misquoted” fees and the supplemental documentation was
“fraught with errors.” Br. of Appellant at 13; Reply Br. of Appellant/Cross Resp’t at 6. We do
not consider this argument because the trial court’s findings are verities on appeal.

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No. 50392-1-II

       1. Advance Attorney Fees and Costs

       Kysar argues that the trial court erred when it ordered him to pay advance fees and costs

for this appeal. We disagree.

       A trial court may order an advance award of attorney fees and costs to cover the cost of a

party’s response to an appeal when applicable law vests the trial court with such authority. RAP

7.2(d); In re Marriage of Bernard, 137 Wn. App. 827, 838, 155 P.3d 171 (2007). In awarding

fees and costs, the court must balance the needs of the party requesting fees with the ability of

the other spouse to pay. In re Marriage of Morrow, 53 Wn. App. 579, 590, 770 P.2d 197 (1989).

When determining the parties’ income for child support purposes, the trial court considers “[a]ll

income and resources of each parent’s household.” RCW 26.19.071(1). We review a trial

court’s award of attorney fees for an abuse of discretion. Obaidi, 154 Wn. App. at 617.

       Here, Kysar argues that the trial court did not properly consider the financial resources of

the parties when awarding the advance attorney fees and costs. Specifically, Kysar contends that

Halme’s spouse had the financial ability to cover her appellate costs. However, the trial court

order stated that the court “considered the records and files herein, the pleadings of the parties,

RCW 26.09.140 and RAP 7.2(d), and the argument of counsel.” CP at 925. Because the trial

court was required to consider income for child support determinations, we assume that the

pleadings and records in this case contained the necessary financial information for the trial court

to order the advance attorney fees for Kysar’s appeal. See RCW 26.19.071(1). The financial

ability of the parties had been thoroughly adjudicated and considered in the modification action

and, thus, the information was in the court file. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not

abuse its discretion when awarding advance appellate costs to Halme under RAP 7.2(d).

                                                 11
No. 50392-1-II

         2. Supersedeas Bond

         Kysar also argues that the trial court abused its discretion by not allowing Kysar to file a

supersedeas bond to stay the payment of the advance attorney fees. Again, this argument

misstates the record.

          A party may stay the enforcement of a money judgment with a supersedeas bond. RAP

8.1(1). The purpose of a supersedeas bond is to stay a judgment of the superior court while on

review to the appellate court. Lampson Universal Rigging, Inc., v. Wash. Pub. Power Supply

Sys., 105 Wn.2d 376, 378-79, 715 P.2d 1131 (1986). A party superseding a judgment which it is

appealing must file a notice of supersedeas to stay the enforcement of the judgment. Lampson,

105 Wn.2d at 378. When a party files a notice of appeal and seeks a bond to stay the

proceedings, we review the amount of the supersedeas bond for an abuse of discretion. IBEW

Health & Welfare Tr. of Sw. Wash. v. Rutherford, 195 Wn. App. 863, 866, 381 P.3d 1221 (2016).

         Here, the trial court order stated, “This is not a money judgment but an order directing

[Kysar] to act, so [Halme] will have funds to pay her attorney to defend against [Kysar’s] appeal

and cannot be superseded.” CP at 925-26. Further, the clerk’s summary stated that the “Court

does not shut the door on the super[sedeas] and Counsels can bring a motion before the Court on

the matter.” CP at 924. Additionally, at oral argument, Kysar’s counsel conceded that she never

filed a notice of supersedeas. Accordingly, because Kysar failed to file the proper notice of

supersedeas, his argument fails.

         We hold that the trial court did not err when awarding Halme advance attorney fees and

costs.

                                                  12
No. 50392-1-II

   III. CROSS APPEAL: ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS FOR MOTION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

       Halme argues that the trial court erred when it refused to award her attorney fees for her

response to Kysar’s motion for discretionary review. Specifically, she argues that the trial court

erred when it decided that it did not have the ability to award these attorney fees and costs. We

hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when declining to award attorney fees and

costs for the motion for discretionary review.

       A party challenging an award of fees has the burden of showing that the trial court abused

its discretion. Custody of Smith, 137 Wn.2d at 22. That is, the party must show that the trial

court exercised its discretion in a clearly unreasonable or manifestly untenable way. Custody of

Smith, 137 Wn.2d at 22.

       Halme does not point to any finding or oral ruling to support her argument that the trial

court believed it did not have the authority to impose fees regarding the motion for discretionary

review to this court. The findings of fact state that “[Kysar’s] claim of appeal costs in the

amount of $3,065.00 has been considered and deducted from [Halme’s] original claim for

attorney fees in the amount of $14,615.77.” CP at 836. Although Kysar argued that the trial

court could not award fees for the motion to this court because this court had already ruled on the

matter, Halme does not show, and the record does not reveal, that this is the reason the trial court

declined to award Halme attorney fees and costs related to the motion for discretionary review.

       Instead, the order’s finding of fact shows that the trial court “considered and deducted”

the attorney fees and costs for the motion for discretionary review. CP at 836. This shows that

the trial court did indeed reach the issue, but simply declined to award the costs requested.

                                                 13
No. 50392-1-II

Because Halme fails to show that the trial court exercised its discretion in a clearly unreasonable

or manifestly untenable way, we hold that Halme’s argument fails.

                                          ATTORNEY FEES

          Halme requests attorney fees and costs for this appeal, citing RAP 18.1 and RCW

26.09.140.5 Further, Halme argues that this appeal is frivolous under RAP 18.9(a) because

Kysar failed to provide adequate record for the advance appellate attorney fees argument, did not

challenge any findings of fact in the attorney fees order, and argued the income calculations from

the modification order that were not on appeal to this court.

          RAP 18.1 allows this court to grant a party reasonable attorney fees or expenses if an

applicable statute permits. RCW 26.09.140 permits a court to order a party to pay a reasonable

amount for the cost to the other party of maintaining or defending a proceeding related to the

modification of a child support order, after considering the financial resources of both parties.

Additionally, RAP 18.9 allows this court to impose compensatory damages or sanctions against a

party filing a frivolous appeal. An appeal is frivolous if “there are no debatable issues over

which reasonable minds could differ and there is so little merit that the chance of reversal is

slim.” Kearney v. Kearney, 95 Wn. App. 405, 416, 974 P.2d 872 (1999).

          We grant Halme’s request for attorney fees and costs under RAP 18.9. Kysar’s appeal is

frivolous for several reasons: Kysar did not properly appeal the final order modifying child

support, Kysar did not assign error to any findings of fact; the trial court struck all attorney fee

entries Kysar requested, and Kysar misrepresents the record on the supersedeas bond issue.

Kysar argues no debatable issues, and his appeal has no merit. Accordingly, we impose

5
    Halme filed the necessary financial declaration with this court.

                                                  14
No. 50392-1-II

reasonable attorney fees and costs to Halme under RAP 18.9 for defending against Kysar’s

appeal.

          We affirm.

          A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW

2.06.040, it is so ordered.

                                                                      Worswick, P.J.
 We concur:

 Melnick, J.

 Sutton, J.

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