Appellant Beverly Mixon petitioned for a divorce from her husband, appellee Carson Mixon. In their pleadings both parties requested that they be awarded their attorney fees. See OCGA § 19-6-2. A jury resolved all issues except attorney fees after a two-day trial during which evidence was adduced regarding the parties’ financial circumstances. The trial court then reserved the issue of attorney fees until appellant’s counsel had submitted her bill and appellee had a chance to respond. Appellant filed an affidavit detailing $20,292.98 in attorney fees and expenses of litigation. Appellee responded by asserting that each party should pay their own fees and expenses. The trial court thereafter denied appellant’s request for attorney fees, stating in its order that its decision was based on “the exercise of its discretion after considering the financial resources of both parties, the age and physical condition of both parties, the abilities of the parties to remain in the workforce, and the estates of both parties.” We granted appellant’s application for discretionary appeal from the final divorce decree pursuant to this Court’s pilot project. See Wright v. Wright , 277 Ga. 133 587 SE2d 600 2003. 1. We find no merit in appellee’s contention that this appeal should be dismissed because appellant filed her notice of appeal prior to this Court’s grant of her application to appeal. See Wannamaker v. Carr , 257 Ga. 634 1 362 SE2d 53 1987.
2. Appellant contends in four enumerations that the denial of her request for attorney fees constituted error in various ways. We do not agree. Based on our review of the record, the evidence did not demand that appellant be awarded some or all of the attorney fees she claimed. Contrary to appellant’s argument, she was not entitled to attorney fees merely because appellee chose not to contest the factual averrals in her affidavits in support of her claim. The purpose of an award of attorney fees pursuant to OCGA § 19-6-2 is “to ensure effective representation of both spouses so that all issues can be fully and fairly resolved. Cit.” Moon v. Moon , 277 Ga. 375, 379 6 589 SE2d 76 2003. In light of this purpose it is not always essential for one spouse to rebut the other spouse’s evidentiary claims in order for a trial court to determine whether attorney fees should be awarded.
