how do motions for attorney fees work in court

by Norwood Fahey 9 min read

The Florida Supreme Court has stated that an attorneys’ fee claim is held not to be part of the party’s substantive claim because it is intended only to make the successful party whole by reimbursing it for the expense of litigation. 1 A post-judgment motion for fees raises a “collateral and independent claim” which the trial court has continuing jurisdiction to entertain within a reasonable time, notwithstanding the conclusion of the main claim. 2

Full Answer

How to ask court for attorney fees?

The Code of Civil Procedure, § 685.040 provides that attorney fees incurred in enforcing a judgment are recoverable as costs if the underlying judgment included an award of attorney fees to the judgment creditor. The Enforcement of Judgments Law (EJL) entitles judgment creditors to reasonable and necessary attorneys’ fees for enforcement efforts if provided by law.

Do I need an attorney to file a motion?

Jul 20, 2018 · Attorney Fee Motions and Judicial Notice of “Customary Fee for Like Work”. This entry was contributed by Ann Anderson on July 20, 2018 at 11:28 pm and is filed under Civil Practice, Court Costs and Fees . As civil litigators in North Carolina know, in order to support most motions for attorney fees (pursuant to statutes that authorize them), a party must present …

How does court determine attorney fees?

MOTION FOR ATTORNEY FEES COMES NOW, [ATTORNEY NAME], as the private court-appointed attorney in the above-entitled cause, and files this Motion for Attorney Fees pursuant to section 27.5304, F.S., and in support thereof, states as follows: 1. The undersigned attorney was appointed to represent the above-cited defendant on _____. 2.

Can my attorney Sue Me for fees?

Even if all the criteria for a fee award are met, a court may have discretion to deny fees. When there is a statutory or equitable basis for an award of attorney fees and all of the criteria for a fee award on this basis have been met, a city may still be able to defeat a motion for attorney fees if an award of fees is discretionary and if the circum-

image

When can you file a motion for attorney fees in California?

A notice of motion to claim attorney's fees for services up to and including the rendition of judgment in the trial court-including attorney's fees on an appeal before the rendition of judgment in the trial court-must be served and filed within the time for filing a notice of appeal under rules 8.104 and 8.108 in an ...

Are attorneys fees sanctions?

Sanctions in Divorce and Family Law Cases A sanction is an order for attorney's fees. Sanctions come in different forms. The most common sanctions request is a Family Code 271 request. This sanctions request punishes unreasonable litigation conduct that unnecessarily increases the fees and costs in the case.

What is a 128.7 motion?

§ 128.7 requires the party seeking sanctions to comply with a two-step process for presentation to the court. The motion must first be served on the party against whom sanctions are sought, but not filed with the court. The party against whom sanctions are sought has 21 days to withdraw the offending pleading.

What are 271 sanctions?

Family Code 271 is one of the most powerful code sections in California family law. Family Code 271 allows for sanctions in the form of attorney's fees and costs when a family law litigant, or his or her attorney, violates its policy. For that reason, such issues usually end up in front of the family law judge.