Appeal Sanctions: What Is The Cost Where An Ex-Husband Unsuccessfully Challenged A Family Law Code Section 2030 Fee Shifting Order Where Attacks On The Trial Judge Were Over The Top?

Answer:  $7,500 Payable To The Other Side, According To The 4/1 DCA.

We do monitor appeal sanctions. Marriage of Ghazi and Richard, Case No. D086782 (4^th Dist., Div. 1 Oct. 21, 2026) (unpublished) involved an ex-husband’s unsuccessful appeal of a fairly minor Family Code section 2030 fee-shifting award, which he incorrectly characterized as a section 271 award and then tried to disqualify/attack the trial judge.  The appeal was found to be frivolous.  The other side requested $10,124.97 inclusive of costs.  The appellate court awarded $7,500 in fees to ex-wife (a minor reduction from the $9,652 request), plus she could claim appellate fees as a matter of right for prevailing on appeal.