Hammer v. Hammer

PER CURIAM

In this dispute over trustee fees, plaintiff appeals a general judgment that dismissed his petition for supplemental relief under ORS 28.080. We reject plaintiffs assignment of error without written discussion and write only to address defendant’s cross-appeal, in which defendant assigns error to the trial court’s award of attorney fees. The court awarded defendant attorney fees for services related to the supplemental-relief proceeding and not for services related to the underlying action for declaratory relief, which were requested by defendant because, in his view, he was the ultimate prevailing party in the matter. Defendant points out that the court incorrectly stated when defendant’s motions to disqualify a judge and for reconsideration were made. According to defendant, the court erred because the factual error served as the basis for its decision to not award fees for the part of the proceeding related to the declaratory relief action. We agree with defendant. Because the court based the attorney fee award on a “materially erroneous factual premise,” Grisby v. Progressive Preferred Ins. Co., 233 Or App 210, 221, 225 P3d 101 (2010), we vacate the attorney fee award and remand for reconsideration. Id. at 221-22.

On appeal, affirmed; on cross-appeal, attorney fee award vacated and remanded; otherwise affirmed.