CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Attorney Fees
......Auth. Favoring Supported Spouse
.........Pendente Lite Fee Awards
9 Cards On This Topic:

Courts shall ensure that fee awards are made such that both parties have access to legal representation.

Court shall order amount sufficient to provide reasonable retainer to hire an attorney and shall rule on application, which can be made orally, within 15 days of hearing.

Abuse of discretion to deny attorney fees pendente lite w/o considering need and ability to pay.

Prospective award of fees and costs in excess of prayer affirmed.

Trial ct. may augment fee awards throughout case, including after appeal concluded.

Final fee order may award fees for entire action, even if prior orders denied fee requests.

Supported spouse not required to impair capital to finance marital litigation.

Pendente lite award of fees "on account" not res judicata as to amount of fees ultimately to be paid.

Award of fees pendente lite to W who had sufficient income from s/p estate reversed.