Law Lessons from CONSTANCE M. CELIA N/K/A CONSTANCE MASON VS. JOSEPH E. CELIA, JR., App. Div., A-4121-09T4 / A-1220-10T4, January 18, 2013:

Trial courts have discretion to award counsel fees and costs. N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23; R. 4:42-9(a)(1); R. 5:3-5(c); Williams v. Williams, 59 N.J. 229, 233 (1971); Guglielmo v. Guglielmo, 253 N.J. Super. 531, 544-45 (App. Div. 1992). Absent an abuse of discretion, an appellate court will not interfere. Von Pein v. Von Pein, 268 N.J. Super. 7, 20 (App. Div. 1993).

Additionally, pursuant to Rule 1:10-3, a court “may make an allowance for counsel fees to be paid by any party to the action to a party accorded relief under this rule.” The rule “recognizes that as a matter of fundamental fairness, a party who willfully fails to comply with an order or judgment entitling his adversary to litigant’s rights is properly chargeable with his adversary’s enforcement expenses.” Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment 4.4.5 on R. 1:10-3 (2013).

NOTE from Paul G. Kostro, Esq.: If you are interested in Mediation; or have issues relating to Divorce, Domestic Violence, Child Support or Other Legal Matters, please call me to schedule an appointment — I can be reached by telephone at (908)486-2200; or by Email.


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