Ryan v. Bening

Defendants, Steven and Eimberlee Findley appeal from a judgment of the Circuit Court of Jackson County dismissing their counterclaim against plaintiffs Jeffrey and Dorothy Ryan, and entering a default judgment of $500 plus costs against them and in favor of the plaintiffs. On appeal, defendants contend that thé dismissal of their counterclaim and entry of default judgment against them was error because the plaintiffs never sought specific relief from them in their complaint.

On July 6, 1977, Jeffrey and Dorothy Ryan instituted a small claims action in the Circuit Court of Jackson County…