Opinion
11300 Dkt. V-05239-01/17C
03-26-2020
In re DEAN E.H., Petitioner–Appellant, v. DEBORAH R., Respondent–Respondent.
Dean E.H., appellant pro se. Dobrish Michaels Gross LLP, New York (Robert S. Michaels of counsel), for respondent.
Dean E.H., appellant pro se. Dobrish Michaels Gross LLP, New York (Robert S. Michaels of counsel), for respondent.
Friedman, J.P., Manzanet–Daniels, Gesmer, Gonza´lez, JJ.
The attorneys' fees award was a provident exercise of discretion, which expressly took into consideration the financial circumstances of the parties and the underlying facts of the case ( Domestic Relations Law § 237[b] ). Any alleged mistake in the redaction of the billing statements was properly accounted for in the $60,000 award, which was less than the $85,000 total fees requested. Contrary to the father's argument, the fact that the mother was able to pay her own attorneys' fees was not a bar to
an award of legal fees in her favor (see Matter of Balber v. Zealand, 169 A.D.3d 500, 501, 94 N.Y.S.3d 253 [1st Dept. 2019] ).
We have considered the father's remaining arguments and find them unavailing.