Michael B. v. M.N. CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

Appellant Michael B. filed this action to establish a parental relationship with respondent M.N.’s daughter Olivia pursuant to the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA, Fam. Code, § 7600 et seq.).1 The trial court found that Michael B. was Olivia’s biological father and, among other things, directed him to pay $50,000 in attorneys’ fees and $10,000 in accountants’ fees incurred by M.N. during the course of the proceedings. Michael B. appeals, challenging the order requiring him to pay attorneys’ fees and accountants’ fees. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

M.N. called Michael B. while she was pregnant with Olivia and told him that he might be the father of her unborn child. According to Michael B., as soon as he learned he was Olivia’s father, he became “fully committed” to her, visited with her regularly after she was born, and voluntarily sent support payments to M.N. Michael B. felt that, in contrast, M.N. was uncooperative regarding scheduling visitation. She also took Olivia out of the state and out of the country without giving him prior notice. Michael B. filed a petition to establish a parental relationship with Olivia. M.N. filed requests for child…