2006 Ohio Revised Code - 3105.73. Award of attorney\'s fees and litigation expenses.

§ 3105.73. Award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses.
 

(A)  In an action for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment of marriage or an appeal of that action, a court may award all or part of reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses to either party if the court finds the award equitable. In determining whether an award is equitable, the court may consider the parties' marital assets and income, any award of temporary spousal support, the conduct of the parties, and any other relevant factors the court deems appropriate. 

(B)  In any post-decree motion or proceeding that arises out of an action for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment of marriage or an appeal of that motion or proceeding, the court may award all or part of reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses to either party if the court finds the award equitable. In determining whether an award is equitable, the court may consider the parties' income, the conduct of the parties, and any other relevant factors the court deems appropriate, but it may not consider the parties' assets. 

(C)  The court may specify whether the award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses under this section is payable in gross or by installments. The court may make an award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses under this section in addition to making an award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses under any other provision of the Revised Code or of the Rules of Civil Procedure. 

(D)  Nothing in this section prevents an award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses from being designated as spousal support, as defined in section 3105.18 of the Revised Code. 
 

HISTORY: 150 v H 36, § 1, eff. 4-27-05.
 

The provisions of § 3 of H.B. 36 (150 v  - ) read as follows: 

SECTION 3. Section 3105.18 of the Revised Code, as amended by this act, and section 3105.73 of the Revised Code, as enacted by this act, apply to any action for divorce, legal separation, or annulment of marriage or any post-decree action or proceeding arising from a divorce, legal separation, annulment, or dissolution of marriage if any of the following apply: 

(A) The action or proceeding is brought, or a notice of appeal in the action or proceeding is filed, on or after the effective date of this act. 

(B) The action or proceeding is brought, or a notice of appeal in the action or proceeding is filed, prior to the effective date of this act, and the action or proceeding is pending in a trial or appellate court on the effective date of this act. 

(C) Any proceeding arising from a motion to modify a prior order or decree in the action or proceeding is pending in a trial or appellate court on the effective date of this act.