Michelle Scheller v. Salvatore Sollecito

A mother seeks review of an order by a successor judge, which effectively vacated a final order in a paternity action. She argues the successor judge erred in sua sponte ordering a new trial in the paternity action unless the parties could reach an agreement on the wording of the final order. We agree and reverse.

A father petitioned the court to determine paternity. The original trial court heard the evidence and orally pronounced its rulings at a November 19, 2012 hearing. The trial court then entered a final written order, incorporating its oral rulings by reference and attaching the…