# Legal costs and cohabitation **URL:** \ **Category:** Divorce and Separation Answers\ **Created:** [January 10, 2008, 8:05am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/legal-costs-and-cohabitation/5468 "2008-01-10T08:05:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Golfball](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ee7513/32.png) [@Golfball](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Golfball)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 8:05am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/legal-costs-and-cohabitation/5468/1 "2008-01-10T08:05:54Z")
Unless (and until) a court has legally obligated you to pay attorney’s costs on behalf of your STBX, you are not obligated to pay them. ---
**Author:** ![Helena\_Nevicosi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Helena\_Nevicosi](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Helena_Nevicosi)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 8:18am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/legal-costs-and-cohabitation/5468/2 "2008-01-10T08:18:09Z")
If you are asking if you have to give her money for attorney’s fee, you do not, unless you have been ordered to do so by the court. Helena M. Nevicosi Attorney with Rosen Law Firm 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500 Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 919.787.6668 main phone 919.787.6361 main fax Charlotte Office 301 McCullough Drive Suite 510 Charlotte, NC 28262 Main Phone: (704)307.4600 Main Fax: (704) 9343.0044 Durham & Chapel Hill Office 1829 East Franklin Street Building 600 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 321.0780 > **[North Carolina Divorce Law - Legal Answers and Info](https://www.rosen.com/)** > > The best resource for divorce in NC. Find accurate, legal, family law advice from attorneys practicing in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. The information posted on this forum is available for public viewing and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship with any individual. These answers are provided for informational purposes only, a person should consult with their own individual legal counsel before taking any action that could affect their legal rights or obligations. ---
**Author:** ![tarheelfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@tarheelfan](https://forum.rosen.com/u/tarheelfan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/legal-costs-and-cohabitation/5468/3 "2008-01-11T13:20:21Z")
Just another question concerning atty fees. Under what circumstances will a judge order one spouse to pay the others atty fees? Does it depend on whether one spouse is financially dependent on the other? Does it matter who brought the complaint to court? If my spouse (ex) is financially dependent and I have the ability to pay, will I always be ordered to pay her fees - even if she brought the case to trial? ---
**Author:** ![Helena\_Nevicosi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Helena\_Nevicosi](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Helena_Nevicosi)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/legal-costs-and-cohabitation/5468/4 "2008-01-14T19:24:57Z")
The judge can order the supporting spouse to pay attorney’s fees to the dependent spouse for litigating the issues of alimony, child support and on occasion child custody, but only if the court determines that the dependent spouse does not have the means to fund their litigation. In some instances the dependent spouse can be ordered to pay attorney’s fees if the court finds they have committed some misconduct in the litigation. Helena M. Nevicosi Attorney with Rosen Law Firm 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500 Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 919.787.6668 main phone 919.787.6361 main fax Charlotte Office 301 McCullough Drive Suite 510 Charlotte, NC 28262 Main Phone: (704)307.4600 Main Fax: (704) 9343.0044 Durham & Chapel Hill Office 1829 East Franklin Street Building 600 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 321.0780 > **[North Carolina Divorce Law - Legal Answers and Info](https://www.rosen.com/)** > > The best resource for divorce in NC. Find accurate, legal, family law advice from attorneys practicing in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. The information posted on this forum is available for public viewing and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship with any individual. These answers are provided for informational purposes only, a person should consult with their own individual legal counsel before taking any action that could affect their legal rights or obligations. ---
**Author:** ![voize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/58f4c7/32.png) [@voize](https://forum.rosen.com/u/voize)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/legal-costs-and-cohabitation/5468/5 "2008-01-09T21:19:40Z")
Hi Do I have to support my soon to be ex with any legal costs, even though she - according to NC law - has lost her rights to alimony and post-separation support due to cohabitation?