Attorney Fees, Suit Money, and Costs

From the Legislature

Provides that award of attorney fees, suit money, & costs may be awarded retroactively & prospectively; authorizes inclusion of fees, money, & costs in award of attorney fees, suit money, & costs; authorizes court to consider whether party rejected good faith offer of settlement when awarding fees, money, & costs; authorizes court to award, deny, or reduce fees, money, & costs as sanction; requires court to make certain written findings; authorizes fees, money, & costs be paid to attorney; provides award of attorney fees & costs to nonoffending party under certain circumstances; provides relief is cumulative; authorizes court to order attorney fees, suit money, & costs in certain appellate proceedings; prohibits court from awarding fees, money, & costs to noncompliant party; provides that trial court has continuing jurisdiction to award temporary appellate fees, money, & costs; specifies primary factor for court to consider in making awards of appellate fees & costs; authorizes court to take certain actions in action involving criminal contempt.