any experience with this

we are taking x to court for a modification to the dissolution to get custody of SS...we are asking for custody based on numerous thngs that x has done that have negatively impacted SS's life. in her response to the court, she is asking that we cover her legal fee/court costs....wteff? we have incurred court/legal fees ourself and wouldn't be on this path were it not for her terrible judgement...

so, have you or do you know anyone who has actually had to pay these fees if the party bringing forth the case has an ample amount of evidence? our lawyer said she could ask for whatever she wants, doesn't mean she'll get it - but i am paranoid - we barely have enough money to pay for our lawyer and she wants us to pay for hers??? tia

Re: any experience with this

Your atty is right, she can ask for whatever she wants but doesn't mean she'll get it. Dh's ex has brought us to court numerous times for ridiculous things and its pretty standard that atty's ask for this. I've never seen it actually granted.

Re: any experience with this

thanks for your response...i can't believe that her attorney would even suggest it considering the matter at hand...i hope the judge sees through the b.s.

Re: any experience with this

It's totally common - you guys are the petitioners in this matter and if you hadn't filed the petition, she wouldn't have to use her lawyer or pay court fees, and therefore she would not have incurred any costs. It stinks (especially since you're only trying to do the right thing for your SS!!) but it's very normal, and there is no guarantee she'll get anything

Re: any experience with this

wouldn't the same hold true for us, were it not for her issues we wouldn't have had to take her to court so she would then have to repay us? we're not asking for that (though we really don't have the extra money for all of these court fees as it is)...it just doesn't make any sense...i guess all we can do is sit and hold tight as we pray for the judge to see the truth for what it is. thanks for the advice!