Gottfried v. KUTNER LAW FIRM

This is an appeal of a judgment for attorney’s fees in a matrimonial proceeding. The question is whether the trial court had the authority to enter this attorney’s fee award. We affirm.

The underlying matrimonial proceeding went to trial on January 16 and 17, 2008, and both parties were present. The trial was scheduled to resume on February 29. In the interim, the husband went to Israel, taking marital assets with him. He did not return to Florida for four months.

The trial court made an oral ruling that the husband would be responsible for the additional attorney’s fees of the wife’s counsel…