Section 271 Of Part 5. Attorney's Fees And Costs From California Family Law Code >> Division 2. >> Part 5.
271
. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the
court may base an award of attorney's fees and costs on the extent to
which the conduct of each party or attorney furthers or frustrates
the policy of the law to promote settlement of litigation and, where
possible, to reduce the cost of litigation by encouraging cooperation
between the parties and attorneys. An award of attorney's fees and
costs pursuant to this section is in the nature of a sanction. In
making an award pursuant to this section, the court shall take into
consideration all evidence concerning the parties' incomes, assets,
and liabilities. The court shall not impose a sanction pursuant to
this section that imposes an unreasonable financial burden on the
party against whom the sanction is imposed. In order to obtain an
award under this section, the party requesting an award of attorney's
fees and costs is not required to demonstrate any financial need for
the award.
(b) An award of attorney's fees and costs as a sanction pursuant
to this section shall be imposed only after notice to the party
against whom the sanction is proposed to be imposed and opportunity
for that party to be heard.
(c) An award of attorney's fees and costs as a sanction pursuant
to this section is payable only from the property or income of the
party against whom the sanction is imposed, except that the award may
be against the sanctioned party's share of the community property.