HomeMy WebLinkAbout23160~ February 19, 1979, ap~ellee filed a motion for deter-
mination of costs, expenses and fees. At the hearinq on the
motion appellant's attorney objecte~ to proceeding without live
testimony from the witnesses. Notwithstanding the objection the
trial court proceeded to determine the motion as to costs by use
of the letter dated January 23, 1979. Appellant's attorney
argued that the entire cost of appellee's trip to this country
shoUld not be assessed against appellant because appellee must .
come te this country at least once a year to maintain her citi-
zenship. The trial court rejected that argument and awarded
aDDPI1PP_ her total claim of $1,708.70. The court also awarded
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$900 in attorney's fees to appellee's attorney after hearing the
testimony of an attorney called as a witness by appellee.
Unquestionably appellee is entitled to "suit money" be-
cause of her trip to this country to attend the contempt hear-
ing. Foster v. Foster, 220 So.2d 447 (Fla. 3d DCA 1969). The
fact that she also co~~ld accomplish other matters while in this
country is immaterial. Appellant's dElinquency in child s~pport
payrents occasioned the expPnses.
As for the attorney's fees awarded to appellee, the order
and approved stater~er-t in lieu of transcript signed by the trial ''
court supnorts its decision. Moreover, the fees were incurred
so~ely by appeiiant'~ 3~fau;t :n c':i~d supoor* payments and ~.~ere
required ta enforce the trial court's final jud~m~nt. Accord-
• ingly we affirm. ~
AFFI ctMED.
198) MAR 3 I ~!' I I~ I 9
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51 LUCIE CCJ~r ~ Y.i 1 i-.
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522301
DO:tiTIEY and MOJRE, JJ ., concur .
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