In re the Marriage of Brown

¶1 — Fred Brown appeals the trial court’s denial of an award of fees and costs in a trial de novo appeal of a mandatory arbitration decision on spousal maintenance. Because recent amendments to the mandatory arbitration of civil actions statute, chapter 7.06 RCW, make such an award mandatory “against a party who appeals the award and fails to improve his or her position on the trial de novo,” we reverse and remand for an award of attorney fees and costs to Brown. RCW 7.06.060(1).

FACTS

¶2 The facts are undisputed. Fred Brown and Christine McCauley (formerly known as Brown) were married. They…