The applicant husband, a self-represented lawyer, sought to amend his pleadings to include claims for equalization and trust, despite potential limitation period issues and a history of delayed financial disclosure.
The respondent wife incurred additional legal fees to amend her Answer in response to these new claims.
The court, in this costs ruling, awarded the respondent $2,640.27 for costs thrown away related to the original pleadings, finding this amount reasonable.
The court rejected the applicant's arguments regarding the respondent's conduct and his request to suspend payment, emphasizing that costs are determined summarily after each step and that a legally aided client's liability is not shielded by impecuniosity when acting unreasonably.
