A declaratory judgment may be either affirmative or negative in form and effect; and shall have the force and effect of a final judgment or decree.
Rule 87.08.Form and Effect of Declaratory Judgment.
Part III · Rule 87: Declaratory Judgments · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceA declaratory judgment may be worded either affirmatively or negatively, and once entered it carries the same binding force and effect as any other final judgment or decree in Missouri.
Full Text of Rule 87.08
Official Comment
Note: This rule is substantially the same as the last sentence in Section 527.010, RSMo 1959, though the wording is changed.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 87.08 addresses the form and weight of a declaratory judgment. It can be stated affirmatively — declaring that a right exists or that a party may act in a certain way — or negatively, declaring that a right does not exist or that an action is not permitted. Either form is equally valid.
Regardless of how it is phrased, the rule gives a declaratory judgment the same force and effect as any other final judgment or decree. It is not a lesser or advisory ruling; once entered, it binds the parties the way a final judgment in any other type of civil case would.
This matters because it ties directly into Rule 87.10, which allows a party to seek further relief based on a declaratory judgment, and Rule 87.11, which allows review of a declaratory judgment the same way any other judgment can be reviewed. Both of those rules depend on the declaratory judgment having genuine, final force in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a declaratory judgment declare that something is not true or not permitted?
Yes. Rule 87.08 allows a declaratory judgment to be either affirmative or negative in form and effect.
Is a declaratory judgment weaker than an ordinary money judgment?
No. It carries the same force and effect as a final judgment or decree.
Can a party enforce a declaratory judgment the same way as any other judgment?
Because it has the force and effect of a final judgment or decree, a declaratory judgment supports the same type of enforcement and further proceedings other judgments support, including the further relief described in Rule 87.10.
Does the form of the judgment — affirmative or negative — change how it is reviewed on appeal?
No. Rule 87.11 allows all judgments and decrees under Rule 87 to be reviewed the same as other judgments and decrees, regardless of whether they are stated affirmatively or negatively.
Why does it matter that a declaratory judgment has final force?
It confirms the judgment resolves the parties' legal relations, instead of functioning as a non-binding opinion, which is what makes further relief and appellate review meaningful.
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: declaratory judgment actionfinal judgment effectaffirmative or negative declarationdeclaratory relief