The appeals court ruled that the husband had filed his legal-fee request too late. (AI image)
A California man who was awarded $39,000 in legal fees from his wife during their divorce proceedings will no longer receive the money after an appeals court found on Wednesday that he had waited too long to make the claim.
What happened when the couple settled their dispute?
The couple’s dispute began in 2023, when the husband filed for divorce and sought a restraining order against his wife. the husband returned to court more than a year later seeking payment for his lawyers Although the two settled their dispute over the restraining orders in January 2024. They further agreed that each would receive $50,000 in advance from their shared marital property.
She later asked the court for a similar order against him. The California Court of Appeal ruled that his request had come too late and overturned the award. Any questions about future bonuses or additional income affecting support payments could be decided by the court later. The settlement was recorded in court, and the written orders were filed. However, the documents did not specifically leave the question of legal fees open for another hearing. In fact, one document indicated that no decision on legal fees was applicable, while the relevant space in another was left empty. For more than a year, there was no further decision on the husband’s request for legal expenses.
By January 2024, both sides were preparing to argue their cases in court.
The case involved a man identified in court documents as A O and his wife, Alina Vologodskaya, according to the judgment . When A O started the divorce proceedings, he also wanted his wife to pay some or all of his legal expenses. Vologodskaya responded by seeking protection from him and asking for financial support. A O wanted a restraining order lasting five years, while his wife had asked for one lasting three years. However, instead of going ahead with the planned hearing, they reached an agreement.