CHAPTER 323

H.P. 1054 - L.D. 1502

An Act To Implement Recommendations of the Family

Law Advisory Commission

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 19-A MRSA §105 is enacted to read:

§105.__Award and payment of attorney's fees and other fees

1.__Attorney's fees and costs.__In an action under this Title, including actions to modify or enforce existing orders, the court may, after an opportunity for hearing, order a party, including a party in interest, to pay another party or another party's attorney reasonable attorney's fees, including costs, for participation in the proceedings.

2.__While pending; part of final decision.__In appropriate cases, the court may order fees and costs paid while an action is pending, including while on appeal, or may make an order as part of a final decision in a case.

3.__Fees and expenses of 3rd-party participants.__The court may order a party to pay reasonable fees and expenses of 3rd- party participants in the proceedings, including guardians ad litem, expert witnesses and providers of services, whether retained by a party or the court.

4.__Interest; means of collection.__Awards under this section are subject to the accumulation of statutory interest and