If the judge orders the respondent to pay for the petitioner’s attorney’s fees, is the petitioner still responsible for those fees?
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If the judge orders the respondent to pay for the petitioner’s attorney’s fees, is the petitioner still responsible for those fees?
The judge ordered that the respondent pay $6600 of attorney’s fees to the petitioner’s attorney. He has failed to pay. Is the petitioner still responsible for that amount, or should the petitioner’s attorney be going after the respondent for that sum?
Asked on April 6, 2012 under Family Law, Colorado
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Technically speaking, this is how it usually works. There is a bill and that bill is going to be paid by the respondent. Now this bill does not mean that the contract between the petitioner and attorney is null and void. It simply means that in the worst case scenario, the petitioner may need to pay the attorney and the petitioner must then sue the respondent for contribution plus interest, most likely. In other words, why should the attorney be out if he or she was hired to perform legal services and performed those legal services in a successful manner.
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