Opinion ID: 2199956
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the trial court abused its discretion by denying appellants' motion to amend their pleading against appellees.

Text: The record reflects that the trial court, on several occasions throughout the course of this action, granted appellants' motions to amend various pleadings, including their claims against appellees. During the telephonic hearing, after the trial court granted appellees' motion to dismiss ( see Issue 1), appellants orally moved the court to set aside its order and allow them to again amend their pleadings. That motion was denied. [3] SDCL 15-6-15(a) states, in pertinent part: [A] party may amend its pleadings only by leave of court or by written consent of the adverse party; and leave shall be freely given when justice so requires. On appeal, this court will not disturb the trial court's decision to permit or deny amendment of pleadings unless there has been a clear abuse of discretion which results in prejudice to the nonmoving party. Tesch v. Tesch, 399 N.W.2d 880 (S.D.1987); Zahrowski v. Dahl, 78 S.D. 255, 100 N.W.2d 802 (1960). It was apparent to the trial court that appellants' pleadings were not and may never be in compliance with South Dakota law or the court's orders. Appellants' pleadings and responses were simply becoming less enlightening and more confusing. The trial court was becoming understandably frustrated. Nothing in the record indicates that appellants could clear up the confusion they created even if they were allowed to amend their pleadings one more time. There must be some reasonable finality in allowing a party to amend, to enable the court and opposing counsel to make adequate preparation for trial. We hasten to note that appellants did not desire to amend in some minor respect to conform to the proof, but, rather, sought a major amendment, which went to the heart or grounds of the litigation. There has been no showing that the trial court abused its discretion by denying appellants' motion to amend, especially where previous motions had been granted without compliance with court orders or any improvement to the pleadings. Tesch, supra .