Court Opinion

ID: 9662172
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 23:01:41.120747+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:37.450107
License: Public Domain

OPINION ON MOTION FOR REHEARING OR TRANSFER

PER CURIAM.
Pursuant to Rules 84.17 and 83.02, Respondents request that we rehear this case 'or, in the alternative, transfer it to the Supreme Court of Missouri. In their “Motion for Rehearing or Alternatively for Transfer to the Missouri Supreme Court,” Respondents argue in part that this Court was mistaken in its belief that neither party requested findings of fact and conclusions of law and that the trial court impliedly found a material breach of contract because it entered a judgment for fraud of which an essential element is that the representation be “material” to the fraud. We disagree with both contentions.
In our opinion we stated that neither Respondents nor Appellant requested findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Rule 73.01 even though counsel for Respondents stated at the beginning of the trial:
*22The defendants would request, pursuant to Missouri Rule of Procedure 71.01(c) 1 that the Court make written findings as to controverted fact issues in its opinion when it decides this case. If the Court would prefer, we would be glad to submit at the conclusion of the evidence proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law that you could be look at.
It is the duty of the party requesting findings of fact and conclusions of law to identify the issues to be included. In re Marriage of Colley, 984 S.W.2d 163, 171 (Mo.App. S.D.1998). “The trial court must issue findings only on those controverted fact issues which have been specified by counsel.” Id. A general request is not sufficient to require the trial court to make findings of fact on every issue in the case. State ex rel. Nixon v. Russell, 45 S.W.3d 487, 490 (Mo.App. W.D.2001). When only a general request for findings was made to the trial court, the appellate court may consider all evidence in the fight most favorable to the judgment even if there is not a specific finding of fact on the issue. Id.
Respondents’ counsel made a general request for findings of fact and conclusions of law. There were no specific requests for findings. Because the trial court did not make specific findings, the trial court is deemed to have made its findings in accordance with the decree entered and its judgment will be affirmed under any reasonable theory supported by the evidence. See In re Estate of Vickers, 35 S.W.3d 851, 852 (Mo.App. S.D.2001). For the reasons stated in our opinion, we defer to the trial court’s decision on the denial of attorney’s fees.
As to the issue of whether a “material” misrepresentation as used in a fraud claim is the same as a “material” breach in a breach of contract case, Respondents claim that a finding of a material misrepresentation in one provision of the contract necessitates a finding of a material breach of the total contract. Respondents do not cite to any cases for that proposition. We found no cases for that proposition either. As stated in our opinion, in cases involving a breach of promise, only a material breach excuses the other party’s performance. See Schaefer v. Rivers, 965 S.W.2d 954, 958 (Mo.App. S.D. 1998). The contract at issue here involved the sale of a total business. The payment of insurance premiums was but one factor in the sale of the total assets. The fact that the court found a material misrepresentation in that one factor involving the cost of the insurance premiums is not determinative of whether the misrepresentation went to the essence of the total contract. By accelerating the promissory note, the trial court implicitly found that Respondents were not excused from the performance of their duty and, using the factors of § 241 of Restatement (2nd) Con*23tracts, the breach by Appellant was not a ^material breach of the total agreement.
Both motions are denied.

. Respondents contend the court reporter erroneously typed the rule as Rule 71.01(c) rather than Rule 73.01(c). Whether it was the court reporter's mistake or a misstatement by Respondent's counsel is irrelevant. The correct rule is 73.01(c) which provides in pertinent part:
If a party so requests, the court shall dictate to the court reporter or prepare and file a brief opinion containing a statement of the grounds for its decision and the method of deciding any damages awarded.
The court may, or if requested by a party shall, included in the opinion findings on the controverted fact issues specified by the party. Any request for an opinion or findings of fact shall be made on the record before the introduction of evidence at trial or at such later time as the court may allow.
All fact issues upon which no specific findings are made shall be considered as having been found in accordance with the result reached.