Opinion
2012-UP-020
01-25-2012
Tracy Jim Edmonds, Appellant, v. Brenda Joyce Edmonds, Respondent.
J. Falkner Wilkes, of Greenville, for Appellant. Kirby Rakes Mitchell, of Greenville, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Submitted January 3, 2012
Appeal From Pickens County, Alvin D. Johnson, Family Court Judge
J. Falkner Wilkes, of Greenville, for Appellant.
Kirby Rakes Mitchell, of Greenville, for Respondent.
PER CURIAM
Tracy Jim Edmonds (Husband) appeals the final family court order modifying his alimony and awarding attorney's fees to Brenda Joyce Edmonds (Wife). Husband argues the family court erred in (1) failing to terminate alimony retroactively and (2) awarding attorney's fees to Wife rather than Husband. We affirm pursuant to Rule 220(b)(1), SCACR, and the following authorities:
We decide this case without oral argument pursuant to Rule 215, SCACR.
1. As to whether the family court erred in failing to terminate alimony retroactively: Riggs v. Riggs, 353 S.C. 230, 236, 578 S.E.2d 3, 6 (2003) ("The modification of alimony is within the sound discretion of the family court and will not be overturned absent an abuse thereof."); Davis v. Davis, 372 S.C. 64, 79, 641 S.E.2d 446, 454 (Ct. App. 2006) ("[T]he family court... may grant alimony in such amounts and for such term as the [court] considers appropriate under the circumstances.").
2. As to whether the family court erred in awarding attorney's fees to Wife rather than Husband: Davis, 372 S.C. at 88, 641 S.E.2d at 458 ("An award of attorney's fees lies within the sound discretion of the family court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion."); E.D.M. v. T.A.M., 307 S.C. 471, 476-77, 415 S.E.2d 812, 816 (1992) ("In determining whether an attorney's fee should be awarded, the following factors should be considered: (1) the party's ability to pay his/her own attorney's fee; (2) beneficial results obtained by the attorney; (3) the parties' respective financial conditions; [and] (4) effect of the attorney's fee on each party's standard of living.").
AFFIRMED.
SHORT, WILLIAMS, and GEATHERS, JJ., concur.