Lewis v. Pagel
Annotate this CaseDrake and Tonia (Lewis) Pagel were divorced in 2008. Drake filed an appeal challenging the chancellor's property division, and the Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part and remanded. The Supreme Court, on certiorari, modified the Court of Appeals' order on remand. During the appellate process, both parties filed motions for modification of child support and for contempt. After the remand, the chancellor held a hearing and entered an order addressing the property division in accordance with the instructions from the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. The chancellor entered a separate order modifying child support, finding Drake in contempt and awarding Tonia attorney's fees. Drake appealed all issues. After review, the Supreme Court affirmed the chancellor's findings on the value of Legacy Holdings, Inc. (a business the parties formed and each owned 50%), equitable distribution, and lump-sum alimony. But the Court reversed the chancellor's denial of Drake's motion to modify child support, and remanded for the chancellor to consider the impact of the removal of the loan repayment from Drake's income. The Court affirmed the finding of contempt and award of attorney's fees to Tonia.
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