U.S. News

Woman spared ex-husband's legal fees

Published: Nov. 13, 2012 at 4:02 PM

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A California judge has refused to order a woman to pay more fees to her ex-husband's divorce lawyer.

Judge Maureen Hallahan said she was ruling in the spirit of a law inspired by Crystal Harris' plight, U-T San Diego reported. Harris, who had already paid $47,000 in legal fees agreed to in the divorce settlement, balked at an additional $25,000 bill for her ex-husband, who is serving a prison term for sexually assaulting her.

"It would be unjust to disregard California's pronouncement of public policy or to ignore the clear intent of the new law, which will be effective in less than two months," Hallahan said in an order handed down a week ago.

Pierre Domercq, Shawn Harris' lawyer, said he has no realistic expectation of getting paid by his client but will continue to represent him.

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