Frumkes v. Frumkes, 75--533

Decision Date10 February 1976
Docket NumberNo. 75--533,75--533
Citation328 So.2d 34
PartiesMelvyn B. FRUMKES, Appellant, v. Nancy J. FRUMKES, Appellee.
CourtFlorida District Court of Appeals

Abbott, Frumkes & Alhadeff, Miami Beach, for appellant.

Sinclair, Louis & Siegel and Neil A. Shanzer, Marks, Keith, Mack & Lewis and James F. Dougherty, II, Miami, for appellee.

Before PEARSON, HAVERFIELD and NATHAN, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Melvyn B. Frumkes, the husband in a marriage dissolution, appeals from an order awarding $900 to his wife's former attorney.

On June 27, 1974, pursuant to motion by the wife's former attorney, the trial court entered an order permitting him to withdraw from the case and further ordered 'that the question of attorneys fees shall be continued for a subsequent hearing at which time testimony may be taken therefor,' and that the final hearing would be held at 9:00 A.M., on August 16, 1974.

The wife retained new counsel; the final hearing was held and final judgment entered on August 16, 1974. Former counsel received notice of the final hearing but did not appear thereat. The final judgment by its terms retained 'jurisdiction of the parties and the subject matter for the effectuation of the terms of this final judgment.' On September 10, 1974, the wife's former attorney noticed the husband, Melvyn Frumkes, of a hearing for his attorneys fees pursuant to the order of June 27, 1974, which notice of hearing was beyond the time for filing a petition for rehearing on the final judgment. On December 17, 1974, the trial judge entered an order awarding the former attorney a reasonable fee for his services on behalf of the wife. From the record, it appears that the husband, who is an attorney, and the former attorney, had indicated to the court prior to the entry of the final judgment, that the former attorney was entitled to a fee for his services and on that basis the judge entered the order awarding the attorneys fee. The husband now appeals, contending that the court lacked jurisdiction to award an attorneys fee. We reluctantly must agree.

The court retains the power to modify by subsequent order the time and manner of the enforcement of a final judgment after it becomes final, but it does not retain the power, unless provided by statute or rule, to amend, modify or alter the provisions of a final judgment. McEachin v. McEachin, Fla.App.1963, 154 So.2d 894. The reservation clause in the final judgment involved in this appeal, did not have the effect of reserving...

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  • Vargas v. Deutsche Bank Nat'l Trust Co.
    • United States
    • Court of Appeal of Florida (US)
    • January 8, 2013
    ...does not retain the authority to amend or modify a final judgment, absent a rule or statute providing otherwise.”); Frumkes v. Frumkes, 328 So.2d 34, 35 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976) (“The court retains the power to modify by subsequent order the time and manner of the enforcement of a final judgment ......
  • B & L Motors, Inc. v. Bignotti
    • United States
    • Court of Appeal of Florida (US)
    • March 11, 1983
    ...is invalid unless made in the final judgment itself, citing Church v. Church, 338 So.2d 544 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976), and Frumkes v. Frumkes, 328 So.2d 34 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976). While those dissolution of marriage cases and others cited by appellant do require that a court reserve jurisdiction to ma......
  • Maas v. Maas
    • United States
    • Court of Appeal of Florida (US)
    • November 9, 1983
    ...fees and costs. Mrs. Maas then filed a timely motion for rehearing seeking, among other things, attorney's fees. See Frumkes v. Frumkes, 328 So.2d 34 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976). Responding to the rehearing motion, Judge Sanderlin amended his final order and awarded Mrs. Maas attorney's fees of $8,0......
  • Bailey v. Bailey, 80-903
    • United States
    • Court of Appeal of Florida (US)
    • January 6, 1981
    ...DCA 1980); McCallum v. McCallum, 364 So.2d 97 (Fla. 4th DCA 1978); Church v. Church, 338 So.2d 554 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976); Frumkes v. Frumkes, 328 So.2d 34 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976). The issue of whether the trial court has reserved jurisdiction is totally separate from the issue of whether, having re......
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