Can the Other Parent Be Ordered to Pay My Lawyer Fees?
This page provides general legal information, not legal advice. Court rules and procedures can change. A qualified attorney can advise you about your situation.
A family court may have authority to order one person to contribute to the other's lawyer fees, but the required grounds and proof depend on the jurisdiction and request. Do not assume that one financial test applies to every fee request.
Find the rule for the kind of request
California’s family-law guide describes a process for requesting a contribution based on access to money for legal representation and the parties’ ability to pay (California Courts — Ask for money to hire a lawyer); California Family Code section 2030 supplies the governing access-to-representation standard (Cal. Fam. Code § 2030). Texas, for example, has an enforcement provision that addresses attorney fees after specified enforcement findings (Tex. Fam. Code § 157.167).
Attorney-fee authority and procedure vary by state, case type, and the basis for the request. Use the state directory to find current local authority and consider a lawyer or self-help center when the request affects representation at an upcoming hearing.
Read What It All Costs for questions to ask about legal-service scope and billing.
Part of What It All Costs.