Scates v. State, Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement
Scates v. State, Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement
Opinion of the Court
The Division of Child Support Enforcement attempted to modify a judicial child support order, pursuant to Section 454.496, RSMo 1994. Following a purported modification, Respondent David Merrill Scates sought judicial review. The trial court entered judgment in his favor, finding that the modification “was not judicially approved by this or any other Court and no judicial order has been entered finding that there were facts to justify said modification decision and order of the Division.” Respondents in the trial court appeal, contending that the circuit court erred in not reviewing and approving the modification order.
The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for the trial court to make a determination on the merits of the issues in Respondent’s petition for judicial review and the conformity of the Division’s modification order to Rule 88.01.
. Respondent has filed no brief. While there is no penalty for that omission, we must adjudicate Appellants’ claim of error without the benefit of whatever argument, if any, Respondent could have made in response to it. Sherrod v. Director of Revenue, 937 S.W.2d 751, 752 (Mo.App. 1997).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.