Counsel Fees Award in Child Custody Case Reversed
With the enactment of Section 5339, there was now a specific avenue that a practitioner could take to combat a "frequent flyer" who constantly drags the other party back to court with filing after filing.
October 18, 2021 at 11:50 AM
6 minute read
Prior to the enactment of the Child Custody Act in 2012, if a party in child custody matter acted in a manner that was obdurate, vexatious, dilatory, or in bad faith, a request for counsel fees was generally sought under the Judicial Code at 42 Pa.C.S.A. Section 2503. However, with the enactment of the Custody Act, 23 Pa. C.S.A. Section 5339 enabled the court to award counsel fees to a party if the court found the conduct of another party was obdurate, vexatious, repetitive or in bad faith. The enactment of Section 5339 was well received, as it is the belief of many that repetitive litigation is not in the best interest of the child. As a reminder, the best interest of the child is the foundation of child custody law in Pennsylvania. With the enactment of Section 5339, there was now a specific avenue that a practitioner could take to combat a "frequent flyer" who constantly drags the other party back to court with filing after filing.
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