Family Law, Reasonableness Of Fees: Marital Settlement Agreement Did Not Preclude Needs-Based Fees To Ex-Husband, But Remand Required Because Appellate Court Could Not Determine The Basis Of The $10,000 Needs-Based Award To Wife

She Asked For $72,355, With Appellate Court Unsure As To How This Amount Was Reached.

            Both ex-husband and ex-wife were unhappy with needs-based awards to each in Konkov v. Doubson, Case No. H050705 (6^th Dist. May 14, 2024) (unpublished).  Both appealed, with mixed results but not certain that anything would change on remand.

            Ex-husband was awarded needs-based fees of $14,000, with ex-wife contending that they were not allowed under the terms of a marital settlement agreement.  This argument was rejected, since nothing in the agreement addressed, much less waived, needs-based fees.

            Ex-wife was awarded needs-based fees of $10,000 out of a requested $72,355.  This order was reversed and remanded, given that the appellate court could not determine how it was reached.  A rare abuse of discretion reversal.