Ex-Husband Was The Higher Wage Earner, Such That The Record Supported Needs-Based Fees And An Award Of 271 Sanctions To Ex-Wife.
Marriage of Stout, Case No. B343600 (2d Dist., Div. 1 July 24, 2026) (unpublished) was a situation where an ex-husband, the higher wage earner by far, sold a motorcycle in breach of fiduciary duties, leading to a $14,000 sanctions and also a Family Code sections 2030 and 271 fee award of $35,109 to ex-wife, with some of the 271 sanctions attributable to failing to timely pay a prior 2030 $40,000 fee award to ex-wife. The awards were affirmed on appeal under the abuse of discretion, especially given ex-husband had the ability to pay the awards.