This was a family law costs endorsement following a two-week trial concerning equalization, valuation disputes, loans from family members, spousal support, and post-separation adjustments.
The court found the applicant was predominantly and substantially successful and held that the respondent’s disclosure failures, document dumps, unsupported allegations, unreasonable positions, and inefficient trial conduct materially increased the costs of the litigation.
Applying Rules 18 and 24 of the Family Law Rules, the court concluded that the applicant had made reasonable offers to settle which she beat on significant issues, while the respondent had not.
Costs were fixed at $190,000, payable forthwith, with enforcement permitted against the respondent’s real property interests and post-judgment interest ordered.
