Opinion ID: 2116314
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Scope of Review Applicable to Ruling on Request For Declaratory Judgment.

Text: The declaratory judgment action was tried in equity and, therefore, our review is de novo. See Iowa R.App. P. 4. Although we are not bound by the trial court's factual findings, we give them weight. See Hyler v. Garner, 548 N.W.2d 864, 870 (Iowa 1996). QRS contends the trial court's factual findings are not entitled to any weight here because the trial court did not exercise independent judgment in making these findings. This contention is based on the court's nearly verbatim adoption of the City's proposed findings and conclusions of law. We have considered similar requests before and have declined to adopt a different standard of review under such circumstances. See Care Initiatives v. Board of Review, 500 N.W.2d 14, 16 (Iowa 1993). Although we do not encourage the verbatim adoption of one party's proposed findings and conclusions, the trial court may do so without jeopardizing its independent judgment.