Section 4.36 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

a. (§4.36) Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim

Petitions that contain only legal conclusions unsupported by factual allegations are subject to dismissal for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Legal conclusions are ignored when courts determine whether a petition states a cause of action. Hoag v. McBride & Son Inv. Co., 967 S.W.2d 157 (Mo. App. E.D. 1998); Fields v. R.S.C.D.B., Inc., 865 S.W.2d 877 (Mo. App. E.D. 1993); Royster v. Baker, 365 S.W.2d 496 (Mo. 1963).

Answers that raise boilerplate affirmative defenses without supporting facts are insufficient to preserve the defenses. Stephens v. Brekke, 977 S.W.2d 87 (Mo...