R.I. Supreme Court Victory:
William J. Lynch Secures Sanction 
and Fee Award for Client 

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At William J. Lynch Law, we keep our clients informed about important Rhode Island court decisions that shape family law practice. Recently, the Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld a Family Court ruling that sanctioned a defendant and awarded attorneys’ fees to the plaintiff in a post-divorce dispute. Attorney William J. Lynch represented the prevailing party before the Supreme Court. 

You can view a scanned PDF copy of the ruling here. 

Family Court Ruling 
The Family Court held that the home must be sold under the terms of the MSA and that the defendant’s amended motion was not well-grounded in fact or law. As a sanction, the court ordered the defendant to reimburse the plaintiff $6,125 in attorneys’ fees.

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Supreme Court Decision

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed: 

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• The defendant’s motion was frivolous under Rule 11 and improperly sought relief not allowed by the MSA.

• The sanction and fee award were reasonable, supported by an affidavit confirming compliance with Rule 1.5 of the Rhode Island Rules of Professional Conduct.

• The Family Court did not abuse its discretion in setting the award amount.

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Takeaway 
This decision reinforces that improper motions in Family Court can result in sanctions and fee awards. Clients benefit from strong representation that ensures agreements are upheld and that unnecessary legal costs are not unfairly imposed. 

Need Legal Help? 

If you are involved in a divorce or post-divorce dispute in Rhode Island, experienced representation can make all the difference. Contact William J. Lynch Law today to discuss your case and protect your rights.