Section 22.4 Attorney Fees Under the Dissolution of Marriage Law

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

II. (§22.4) Attorney Fees Under the Dissolution of Marriage Law

Under Missouri’s dissolution of marriage law, the court may order a party to pay a reasonable amount for the costs to the other party, including attorney fees, incurred before the commencement of the proceeding and after the entry of the final judgment after considering all relevant factors, including the:

· financial resources of both parties;

· merits of the case; and

· actions of the parties during the pendency of the action.

Section 452.355.1, RSMo 2000.

“The court may order that the amount be paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney’s name.” Id. It has been held that the word “including” allows the courts to consider factors not specifically set forth in the statute. Kieffer v. Kieffer, 590 S.W.2d 915 (Mo. banc 1979).

The financial resources of the parties is but one factor in the award of attorney fees. It is by no...