Family Law: 271 Sanctions Award Remanded Because It Was Unclear If Family Law Judge Considered Litigant’s Ability To Pay

Family Code Section 271(a) Mandates Consideration Of Ability To Pay.

               Although we have posted on this before, Family Code section 271(a) mandates that a family law judge takes into consideration a litigant’s ability to pay when assessing section 271 sanctions.  In Jayasuriya v. Jayasuriya, Case Nos. A166864 et al. (1^st Dist., div. 3 Mar. 20, 2024) (unpublished), a $2,000 sanctions award against an ex-husband was reversed and remanded because it was unclear if the family law judge considered his ability to pay.