<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>65803</law_id><section_number>20-71.1</section_number><catch_line>Attorneys&amp;#8217; fees in proceedings under &#xA7; 20-71</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="5">Desertion and Nonsupport</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>In any proceeding by a spouse petitioning under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Temporary orders for support" href="/20-71/">20-71</a> before the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class="dictionary">court</span> or on <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> before a <span class="dictionary">court</span> of record, to be allowed support for himself or herself or the infant child or children of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>, the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class="dictionary">court</span> may direct the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>, in addition to the allowance to the spouse and support and maintenance for the infant children, to pay to the spouse&#x2019;s attorney, upon such terms and conditions and in such time as the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall deem reasonable, an attorney&#x2019;s fee deemed reasonable by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> for such services as said attorney before said <span class="dictionary">court</span>. Upon <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> of the matter to a <span class="dictionary">court</span> of record, the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> may direct that the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>, in addition to the fees allowed to the spouse&#x2019;s attorney by the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, pay to the spouse&#x2019;s attorney at such time and upon such terms and conditions as the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> deems reasonable, an attorney&#x2019;s fee deemed reasonable by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> for such services of said attorney before said <span class="dictionary">court</span> of record, but in fixing said fee such <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall take into consideration the fee or fees directed to be paid by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> from which said <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> was taken.</p></section></text><history>1950, p. 741; 1974, c. 464; 1975, c. 644.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
