Douglas S. v. Jennifer E. CA4/3

INTRODUCTION

The present appeal is one of two before us relating to an ongoing parenting conflict between the parents of a 12-year-old boy. Said litigation is the subject of a companion appeal, Douglas S. v. Jennifer E., case No. G058880 (the companion case), 1 for which we have written a separate opinion. This appeal is significantly narrower in scope than that one. Here we must determine whether the family law court erred in denying appellant’s request for a contribution by the respondent toward her attorney fees and costs so she can mount the companion case’s appeal. She also seeks fees and costs to help her bring claims under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA). We conclude the trial court was within its discretion to deny appellant’s request for attorney fees for the appeal, but we reverse and remand its ruling on the DVPA issue for further consideration.

FACTS

Appellant Jennifer E. and respondent Douglas S. are the parents of the boy and have been involved in a contested parentage action since 2010. In December 2015, the two began a protracted battle over modifications to custody and child support for the son. On October 28, 2020, almost a full year after the last…