If a judgment directs a party to execute or deliver a deed or other document or to perform any other specific act and the party fails to comply within the time specified, the court may direct the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by some other person appointed by the court, and the act when so done has like effect as if done by the party. On application of the party entitled to performance, a writ of attachment or sequestration shall issue against the property of the disobedient party to compel obedience to the judgment. The court may also adjudge the party in contempt. If real or personal property is within the state, the court may enter a judgment divesting the title of any party and vesting it in others in lieu of directing a conveyance thereof, and such judgment has the effect of a conveyance executed in due form of law. When any order or judgment is for the delivery of possession, a writ of possession may issue to put the party entitled into possession, or attachment or sequestration may issue.
Rule 74.07.Judgment for Specific Acts--Vesting Title--Delivery of Possession.
Part I · Rule 74: Judgments, Orders and Proceedings Thereon · Last amended January 1, 1988 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 74.07 lets a court enforce a judgment ordering a party to perform a specific act — such as signing a deed or delivering property — by having someone else perform the act, vesting title directly by judgment, or issuing a writ of possession or attachment.
Full Text of Rule 74.07
Amendment History
Adopted May 22, 1987, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.
Plain-English Summary
Some judgments cannot be satisfied by paying money alone — they order a party to do something specific, like execute a deed, sign a document, or hand over property. Rule 74.07 gives courts several tools to make sure those judgments get carried out when the losing party refuses to comply.
If the disobedient party will not perform the act within the time the judgment specifies, the court can appoint someone else to do it at that party's expense, and the act carries the same legal effect as if the original party had done it personally. The party entitled to performance can also apply for a writ of attachment or sequestration against the disobedient party's property to compel compliance, and the court may hold that party in contempt as well.
For real or personal property located in Missouri, the rule offers a more direct shortcut: instead of ordering someone to execute a conveyance, the court can enter a judgment that directly divests title from one party and vests it in another. That judgment then has the same legal effect as a properly executed conveyance. When a judgment orders delivery of possession, the rule authorizes a writ of possession to physically put the entitled party in possession, or attachment or sequestration as alternative enforcement tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a party refuses to sign a deed the judgment requires?
The court may direct that the act be done at the disobedient party's cost by another person the court appoints, and that person's act has the same legal effect as if the original party had performed it.
Can a court transfer title without anyone signing a deed?
Yes, for real or personal property within Missouri. The court can enter a judgment that directly divests title from one party and vests it in another, and that judgment operates like a properly executed conveyance.
How does a party get physical possession of property awarded by judgment?
A writ of possession may issue to put the entitled party into possession, and the rule also allows attachment or sequestration as enforcement tools.
Can someone be held in contempt for refusing to comply with a judgment ordering a specific act?
Yes. In addition to appointing another person to perform the act, the court may also adjudge the disobedient party in contempt.
What is a writ of attachment or sequestration used for under this rule?
The party entitled to performance can apply for one against the disobedient party's property to compel obedience to the judgment.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: judgment for specific actswrit of possession missourivesting title by judgmentspecific performance judgment enforcement