Marriage of Tighe
Appellant Thomas Tighe appeals from two postjudgment orders entered in a marriage dissolution proceeding. Thomas[1]moved for a modification of his child support obligation. The matter was set to be heard by Commissioner Randall W. Magnuson, acting as a temporary judge. While that motion was pending, Thomas moved for a determination of child support arrears, claiming that he should be credited with certain payments he made for the children's medical care and maintenance of the marital house. Thomas's ex-wife, Ann Marie, filed a pleading that she referred to as a "companion motion" in which she raised a number of issues concerning expenses she had incurred that Thomas was supposed to pay, pursuant to the judgment. The court made rulings as to those motions on May 19, 2006, but did not sign a formal written order until September 25, 2006 (Reimbursement Order). That same day, the court also awarded Ann Marie attorney fees for fees incurred between the court's May 19 ruling and September 25 (Attorney Fee Order). Finally, Court reverse the commissioner's separate award of attorney fees to Ann Marie for work Ann Marie's attorney performed between May 19, 2006 and September 25, 2006, because Thomas was not provided notice that the commissioner would be considering that issue at the September 25 hearing and was not afforded the opportunity to be heard on the issue.
Comments on Marriage of Tighe