Generally here, the one who files for divorce ends up with paying the respondents legal fees depending on the financial situation. Usually, this is in a man vs woman context.
In my case, I filed for divorce first because my ex's lawyer contacted my lawyer and said they were filing. Turned out, that was a bluff with my ex thinking I would have to pay his legal fees.
However, NY is still an "at fault" state and the judge said no way as there was proven domestic violence. Ex was forcibly removed from the home on the basis of that.
I imagine, that Ioan had agreed to and was paying her legal fees. Someone more conversant with CA laws (
@Mad Betty ????) but I have a sneaking suspicion that since a judge has in effect found her "guilty" of enough abuse to grant a TRO, she may be responsible from here on out.
After all - why should Ioan pay for her to defend herself against abusing him? I imagine those fees would come out of any settlement she is entitled to at the end.
I also suspect that as long as she still had Leon, Ioan would have agreed to pay his fees since the beginning. But now...
Congratulations Alice. You played yourself once again.