May My Spouse Be Ordered To Pay Attorney’s Fees?

In most divorce proceedings, each spouse is responsible for his or her own attorney’s fees and litigation costs. The court does, however, have the power to require one party to cover all or a portion of the opposing party’s reasonable attorney’s fees. This will depend on the financial resources of both parties and the facts of the case. Either party may request for the other to pay attorney’s fees. It is at the judge’s discretion as to whether that is ordered or not.

Should the court render judgment for attorney’s fees, the party will be ordered to pay directly to the attorney. A judgment for attorney’s fees may be enforced in the attorney’s own name by any means available for the enforcement of judgment for debt.