Court Opinion

ID: 9771415
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 16:42:42.996746+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:30.727344
License: Public Domain

PREWITT, Judge,
dissenting.
I agree with the comments in the principal opinion regarding “meritorious defense” but no cause, much less “good cause” was established for failing to respond to the summons and petition. Absent both, defendant has not met her burden to receive relief under Rule 74.05(c). McClelland v. Progressive Cas. Ins. Co., 790 S.W.2d 490, 492 (Mo.App.1990).
I agree that defendant’s negligence is not an issue, but lack of it should not change the result. Defendant says she turned over the suit papers to the insurance agent, but other evidence indicates she did not. Even the motion filed by her attorneys seems to contradict defendant’s testimony as it states that the insurance company did not receive “notice” of the suit until after the judgment was entered. The trial judge can disbelieve uncontrovert-ed evidence of “good cause”. McClelland at 492-493. The trial court was justified in not believing defendant and finding she intentionally ignored this action. As no findings of fact were made, all fact issues are considered as found in accordance with the result. Rule 73.01(a)(2).
The majority opinion allows defendant to ignore the summons and petition until after judgment with impunity. Then, in a proceeding to set aside the judgment, it puts the burden on plaintiff to establish “conduct that is ... intentionally or recklessly designed to impede the judicial process.”
I respectfully dissent.