(a) Action. In acting on a master’s order, report, or recommendations, the court must afford an opportunity to be heard and may receive evidence, and may: adopt or affirm; modify; wholly or partly reject or reverse; or resubmit to the master with instructions.(b) Time To Object or Move. A party may file objections to-or a motion to adopt or modify-the master’s order, report, or recommendations no later than 20 days from the time the master’s order, report, or recommendations are served, unless the court sets a different time.(c) Fact Findings. The court must decide de novo all objections to findings of fact made or recommended by a master unless the parties stipulate with the court’s consent that:
(1) the master’s findings will be reviewed for clear error, or(2) the findings of a master appointed under Rule 53.01(a)(1) or(3) will be final.(d) Legal Conclusions. The court must decide de novo all objections to conclusions of law made or recommended by a master.(e) Procedural Matters. Unless the order of appointment establishes a different standard of review, the court may set aside a master’s ruling on a procedural matter only for an abuse of discretion.
