Appeal from the Circuit Court of Hamilton County. Honorable David L. Underwood, Judge, presiding. For the reasons set forth below, we reverse the judgment of the circuit court of Hamilton County. The facts in this case are as follows. At the time, petitioner was 12 years old.
Respondents now appeal.
Before we can determine whether the circuit court's decision was in error, we must first determine which standard of review to apply. Respondents contend this is an issue of law and that, therefore, we should apply a de novo standard of review. We agree with petitioner. Where discretion has been vested in the circuit court, only a clear abuse of discretion or an application of impermissible legal criteria justifies reversal. Section 155.34 grants the circuit court discretion to approve or disapprove an assignment of structured settlement payments.