Bell v. Boyd

• Decision Date: 04 June 2004
• Docket Number: 2004-UP-360
• Parties: Richard T. Bell, Respondent, v. Gayle Meacher Boyd and Robert Willis Bell, Defendants, Of Whom Gayle Meacher Boyd is, Appellant.
• Court: South Carolina Court of Appeals

Richard T. Bell, Respondent, v. Gayle Meacher Boyd and Robert Willis Bell, Defendants, Of Whom Gayle Meacher Boyd is, Appellant.

No. 2004-UP-360

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

June 4, 2004

THIS OPINION HAS NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE. IT SHOULD NOT BE CITED OR RELIED ON AS PRECEDENT IN ANY PROCEEDING EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 239(d)(2), SCACR

Submitted March 19, 2004

Appeal From Charleston County F.P. Segars-Andrews, Family Court Judge

Cynthia B. Castengera, of Newland, NC and D. Dusty Rhoades of Charleston, for Appellant.

Sally King-Gilreath of Mt. Pleasant, and J. Mark Taylor, of Columbia, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM

Gayle Boyd appeals the family court order requiring her to reimburse Robert Bell for post majority support payments. Bell made payments to Boyd in the amount of $7, 725.00, even though the parties' son, Robert, failed to attend college as was required for Bell to continue the agreed-upon support obligation. The court also awarded Bell attorney's fees in the aggregate sum of $15, 269.44 at the rate $1, 000 per month. We affirm.

1. The family court did not err in awarding Bell reimbursement of overpayment of child support, even though the mediated agreement did not call for reimbursement. The family court has authority to order reimbursement of child support expenses. LaFitte v. LaFitte, 280 S.C. 473, 477, 313 S.E.2d 41, 44 (Ct. App. 1984). The question of child support is largely within the discretion of the trial judge whose decision will not be disturbed on appeal unless an abuse of discretion is shown.” Hopkins v. Hopkins, 343 S.C. 301, 305, 540 S.E.2d 454, 456 (2000). The evidence presented showed not only that Bell's support obligation should have ended, but also that Boyd was aware, but attempted to deceive Bell to continue receiving support payments. Under the circumstances, the family court did not abuse its discretion in ordering reimbursement of the child support overpayment.

2. The family court did not err in requiring Boyd to pay attorney's fees. The award of attorney fees is within the discretion of the court.” Pendergast v Pendergast, 354 S.C. 32, 39, 579 S.E.2d 530, 533 (Ct App. 2003). Boyd has shown no abuse of discretion. In determining whether to award attorney fees, the court should consider each party's ability to pay his or her own fees the beneficial results obtained by the attorney, the parties' respective financial conditions, and the effect of the fee on each party's standard of living. Wooten v. Wooten, 354 S.C. 242, 254-255, 580 S.E.2d 265, 771 (Ct. App. 2003). In determining the...