Court Opinion

ID: 9676173
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:16:51.041953+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:45.047901
License: Public Domain

COVINGTON, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. Before 1995, Rule 74.01(a) stated:
“‘Judgment’ as used in these Rules includes a decree and any order from which an appeal lies.” In 1994, this Court adopted a new Rule 74.01(a), effective January 1, 1995. This rule states:
“Judgment” as used in these rules includes a decree and any order from which an appeal lies. A judgment is rendered when entered. . A judgment is entered when a writing signed by a judge and denominated “judgment” is filed. The judgment may be a separate document or included on the docket sheet of the case.
Rule 74.01(a) is a procedural rule. The new rule imposes new, specific requirements to reduce the confusion that previously existed as to when a pronouncement or judgment was a final judgment for purposes of appeal; trial courts and litigants alike would be aware that the document was intended as a judgment. Anything less causes confusion as to whether a final judgment exists.
Because of the facts, I would like to be able to concur that this case is about abatement of an action and in no way implicates our Rule 74.01. I cannot, however, make that distinction. The order in this case has to be either appealable or not appealable; it has to be final, or not final. The majority gives the order dissolving the marriage permanent effect. The order, therefore, necessarily obtains the same status as a final judgment under Rule 74.01(a). Rule 74.01(a), therefore, applies. Its requirements are not met. Nothing in the file of this case indicates that any of the paperwork is a judgment. Even if our rule were amended to provide that the term “judgment” includes a “decree,” the document or documents in this case would not meet the requirements of the rule. For these reasons, I do not believe that the Court can simply avoid determining the issue of the applicability of Rule 74.01(a) in this case.
For this reason, I dissent.