Gary Lee Odom v. Rachel Lea Zamata Odom

Syllabus

Two days before the parties' divorce trial, wife discharged her attorney. Her attorney then moved to withdraw. One day before trial, wife moved pro se for recusal of the trial judge. On the morning of trial, the court denied the wife's recusal motion and granted her attorney's motion to withdraw. Wife was not present. After confirming that wife had notice of the date, the court proceeded with the trial. In the final decree, the court granted husband a divorce, classified and divided the marital property, and awarded husband a portion of his attorney's fees. On appeal, we conclude that the trial court did not err in denying wife's recusal motion, allowing her attorney to withdraw, or conducting the trial in her absence. But the court did err in awarding husband attorney's fees as alimony in solido. So we reverse the court's award of attorney's fees as alimony in solido. In all other respects, we affirm.