ACCEPTED 01-15-01027-CV FIRST COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TEXAS 12/7/2015 2:03:30 PM CHRISTOPHER PRINE CLERK
No. 0 1- 11- t)JOd 7 -0v FILED IN 1st COURT OF APPEALS IN THE COURT OF APPEALS AT HOUSTON, TEXAS HOUSTON, TEXAS 12/7/2015 2:03:30 PM CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE Clerk
CALLIE SHEARD, Relator, vs.
THE HONORABLE GLENN DEVLIN, JUDGE OF THE 313TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, Respondent.
PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS LAW OFFICE OF JOHN E. CHOATE, JR. 116WLEWIS CONROE, TX 77301 [email protected] Tel (936) 441-2999 Fax (936) 78 5670 . CHOATE, Texas Bar No. 00793503 LAUREN H. ALLEN Texas Bar No. 24080764 ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL Pursuant to Tex. R. App. Proc. 52.3(a), Relator offers the following list of parties to this case and counsel for the parties: Respondent: THE HONORABLE GLENN DEVLIN JUDGE OF THE 313TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS Chris Daniel, District Clerk P.O.Box4651 Houston, TX 77210- 4651 Relator: CALLIE SHEARD Counsel for Relator: Lauren H. Allen Law Office of John E. Choate, Jr. [email protected] SBN: 24080764 116 W. Lewis Conroe, TX 77301 Phone: 936-441-2999 Fax: 936-788-5670 Real Party in Interest: Ronald and Judy O'Dell Counsel for Real Party in Gary M. Polland · Interest: 2211 Norfolk, Suite 920 Houston, TX 77046 Phone: (713) 621-6335 Fax: (713) 622-6334 Real Party in Interest: Juli Crow Attorney Ad Litem for Child P.O. Box 10152 Houston, TX 77206 Fax: (713) 422-2389 i TABLE OF CONTENTS IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL .................................................................... .i TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. .ii INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ........................................................................................... .iv STATEMENT OF THE CASE ......... ;................................................................................ 1 STATEMENT OF JURISIDICTION ................................................................................ 1 ISSUES PRESENTED ..................................................................................................... 2 STATEMENT OF FACTS ............................................................................................... .3 STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT ....................................................... 5 ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ................................................................................ 6 I. THE STANDARD OF REVIEW FOR OBTAINING MANDAMUS RELIEF .......................................................................................................... 6 II. MANDAMUS RELIEF IS APPROPRIATE IN THIS CASE BECAUSE THE TRIAL COURT HAS THE DUTY PURSUANT TO SECTION 155.201(b) OF THE TEXAS FAMILY CODE TO TRANSFER THE UNDERLYING CASE TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY...................................................................................................... 7 A. f5!~io\ fb)s;p{h~ ~~~i:n11YTt~~~~.~.~~~~~~.'.~.~~~.~~~ .................... 1 B. The O'Dells failed to timely present a controverting affidavit pursuant to Section 155.204 of the Texas Family Code ........................... 8 (l)No controverting affidavit was on file as of . November 16, 2015 ........................................................................ 8 (2)The O'Dells' "affidavit" wholly fails to meet Section 155.204(d) of the Texas Family Code ............................ 10 III. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN APPOINTING THE ATTORNEY ADLITEMFOR THE CHILD .................................... 11 A. The trial court abused its discretion.in signing the November 10, 2015 order appointing the ad Litem, without proper notice and hearing ............................................................................................. 11
[*11]B. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing the O'Dells to argue first on November 17, 2015 ...................................................... 12
C. Because the transfer was mandatory, the trial court abused its discretion in appointing the amicus attorney ..................................... 13 PRAYER FOR RELIEF .................................................................................................. 15 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ........................................................................................ 16 VERIFICATION .............................................................................................................. 17 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR APPENDICES .............................................................. 18 INDEX OF AUTHORITIES Cases: Fitzgerald v. Fitzgerald, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 710, 6-7 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2013) (no pet.) ............................................................................................................ 11, 13 In re Cerberus Capital Mgmt., L.P., 164 S.W.3d 379, 382 (Tex. 2005) ........................................................................... 6 In re Leder, 263 S.W.3d 283, 285 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, orig. proceeding) .. 6, 7 In re Prudential Ins. Co. ofAm., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135-36 (Tex. 2004) ........................................................................ 6 Proffer v. Yates, 734 S.W.2d 671, 673 (Tex. 1987)........................................................................... 7 Silverman v. Johnson, 317 S.W.3d 846, 849 (Tex.App.-Austin, 2010)(no pet.) .............................. 14, 15 Vara v. Vara, 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 7872 (Tex.App.-Austin, 2014)( no pet.) ........... 13, 14, 15 Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839 (Tex. 1992) ....................................................................... 6, 8
[*111]Constitution: Tex. Const. art. 5 §6 ................................................................................................... 1 Statutes: Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Tex. R. Civ. P. 21 ....................................................................................................... 11, 12 Texas Family Code Tex. Fam. Code §155.005 ................................................................................................ 15
IV Tex. Fam. Code §155.201(b)....................................................................... .4, 7, 8, 12, 13 Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(b) ........................................................................................ 7, 8 Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(c) ................................................................................... 8, 9, 14 Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(d) ............................................................................. 8, 9, 10, 14 Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(h) ............................................................................................... 6 Texas Government Code Tex. Gov't Code §22.221(b) .............................................................................................. l Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure Tex. R. App. P. §52.1 ......................................................................................................... 1
v TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS: CALLIE SHEARD, Relator, by and through her Counsel of Record, LAUREN H. ALLEN, pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. 52.1, petitions this court for a writ of mandamus against Honorable Glenn Devlin, Judge of the 313th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas, Respondent. Relator supports this petition as follows: STATEMENT OF THE CASE This petition for mandamus arises IN THE INTEREST OF E. A. P., A CHILD, in which the child's mother, Relator, has filed a Petition to Modify the Parent-Child Relationship. The respondent is Honorable Glenn Devlin, Judge of the 313th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas. Relator seeks relief from the Respondent's action in denying Relator's Motion to Transfer from Harris County to Montgomery County and in appointing an attorney ad litem for the child. STATEMENT OF JURISIDICTION This Court has jurisdiction over the 313th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, pursuant to Tex. Const. art. 5 §6 (Stating the courts of appeals have statutory and constitutional authority to review the decisions of lower courts through the exercise of their original and appellate jurisdiction) and more specifically pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §22.22l(b), which provides the authority to issue a writ of mandamus against a judge of a district court within this court's appellate district. Harris County, Texas is within this Court's appellate district.
ISSUES PRESENTED I. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying Relator's motion to transfer venue given that it was undisputed the child has resided in Montgomery County for more than six months.
II. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in appointing the Attorney ad Litem first without proper notice to Relator and second making the appointment again after the motion to transfer became mandatory and no controverting affidavit was filed.
STATEMENT OF FACTS The pleadings. Relator, Callie Sheard, filed her Petition to Modify the Parent-Child Relationship on October 13, 2015, (App. E) seeking to modify the Order in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship that was signed by the 313th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas on June 18, 2013. (App. R) ("Suit Affecting the Parent- Child Relationship" is herein also called "SAPCR.")
Relator's Motion to Transfer the SAPCR modification was filed on October 8, 2015. (App. D)
Respondents in the trial court are the O'Dells. Ronald O'Dell, was served with the Petition and Motion to Transfer on October 21, 2015. (App. F) Judy O'Dell was served with the Petition and Motion to Transfer on October 22, 2015. (App. G)
On November 6, 2015, the O'Dells, thru their attorney, filed a Motion for Reappointment of Attorney ad Litem for Child. (App. H)
On November 10, 2015, without a hearing and without notice to Sheard, the trial court granted the motion for reappointment of the attorney ad litem. (App. I)
The coordinator of the trial court contacted Lauren Allen regarding the court, sua sponte, setting a hearing on November 17, 2015 regarding the motions on file. (RR, pg 4; App. S) So, on November 13, 2015, even though no controverting affidavit had been filed, Relator filed a notice of hearing for the Court to sign the uncontroverted Motion to Transfer and the objection to the November 10, 2015 order appointing the ad litem. (App. J) The hearing. As of the date of the hearing, on November 17, 2015, the O'Dells had not filed a controverting affidavit. At the November 17 hearing, Relator sought to
argue (1) her objection to the reappointment of the Attorney Ad Litem because the motion was never set for a hearing and the trial court signed the order without notice to
Relator and (2) her motion to transfer to Montgomery County. The trial court allowed the O'Dells to argue first and again, reappointed the ad Litem, over Sheard's objection that the case should be transferred and let Montgomery County decide the ad litem issue. (RR. 4-5;App. N)
During the hearing, in which only arguments of counsel was presented, Sheard' s attorney, Lauren Allen, argued that the Motion to Transfer was mandatory pursuant to
§155.201(b) of the Texas Family Code because the child had resided in Montgomery
County for the previous 6 months, and further, that the child had resided in Montgomery County with the O'Dells for over two years. [1] (RR. [5]) The fact that the child has resided in Montgomery County, Texas for at least the previous six months was not denied by the Respondent's attorney. (RR. [5]) In fact, the Respondents' argument was that they agreed to keep the case in Harris County because the court was familiar with the underlying case. (RR. [5])
The Court judicially rendered on November 17, 2015, that the Attorney Ad Litem would be reappointed (RR. [5]) and denied Sheard's Motion to Transfer. (RR. 7) The O'Dells' proposed order was filed and signed by the Court on November 18, 2015, (App. M) while Sheard filed her own proposed order on November 19, 2015. (App. P)
Events after the hearing. After the Court had judicially rendered on the record, on
November 17, 2015, that Petitioner's Motion to Transfer was denied, (RR. 7) on the following day, November 18, 2015, the O'Dells filed a controverting affidavit. (App. 0)
Sheard received a copy of the affidavit on November 19, 2015, and filed a Motion
Objecting to Respondents' Controverting Affidavit on November 20, 2015. (App Q)
Also part of the Motion Objecting to Respondents' Controverting Affidavit was a
Motion Objecting to Respondents' Proposed Order. [2] Lauren Allen discovered on
November 23, 2015 that the trial court had signed the O'Dells' proposed order denying the transfer on November 18, 2015 and this Writ commenced.
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARUGMENT Counsel for the Relator requests oral argument and believes that it would be beneficial to the Court to be available to respond to questions regarding this case and the applicable law involved.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
I. THE STANDARD OF REVIEW FOR OBTAINING MANDAMUS RELIEF.
Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy that will issue only if a two-prong test can be met: whether (1) the trial court clearly abused its discretion and (2) the party requesting mandamus relief has no adequate remedy by appeal. In re Cerberus Capital Mgmt., L.P., 164 S.W.3d 379, 382 (Tex. 2005)(Citing Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839 (Tex. 1992); see also, In re Prudential Ins. Co. ofAm., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135-36 (Tex. 2004). As to the first prong, a trial court abuses its discretion if it reaches a decision "so arbitrary and unreasonable" as to amount to a clear and prejudicial error of law, or, if it clearly fails to analyze or apply the law correctly. In re Cerberus Capital Mgmt., L.P., 164 S.W.3d at 382. As to the second prong, Mandamus is the appropriate remedy to compel a mandatory transfer of venue in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. In re Leder, 263 S.W.3d 283, 285 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, orig. proceeding); see Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(h)(Providing that denial of mandatory transfer is not subject to interlocutory appeal). "Mandamus will issue when there is a legal duty to perform a nondiscretionary act, a demand for performance, and a refusal." In re Leder, 263 S.W.3d at 285.
II. THE STANDARD OF REVIEW FOR OBTAINING MANDAMUS RELIEF.MANDAMUS RELIEF IS APPROPRIATE IN THIS CASE BECAUSE THE TRIAL COURT HAS THE DUTY PURSUANT TO SECTION 155.201(b) OF THE TEXAS FAMILY CODE TO TRANSFER THE UNDERLYING CASE TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
A. Relator presented a Mandatory Transfer pursuant to Section 155.20l(b) of the Texas Family Code.
The trial court abused its discretion when it denied Relator's Motion to Transfer to Montgomery County, Texas. (RR. 5-7; App. M) This case presented the trial court with a mandatory, ministerial duty to transfer arising from section 155.20l(b) of the Texas Family Code because the child has resided in Montgomery County for six months or longer. (RR. 5-7, App. D) See In re Leder, 263 S.W.3d at 285; see also Proffer v. Yates, 734 S.W.2d 671, 673 (Tex. 1987)(Holding that a transfer based on the child residing in another county for more than six months is a "mandatory ministerial duty.") Section 155.201(b) provides as follows:
(b) If a suit to modify or a motion to enforce an order is filed in the court having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of a suit, on the timely motion of a party the court shall, within the time required by Section 155.204, transfer the proceeding to another county in this state ifthe child has resided in the other county for six months or longer. Tex. Fam. Code §155.201(b).
As far as the reference to Section 155.204 for timeliness of the motion, Section 155.204(b) provides as follows:
(b) ... a motion to transfer by a petitioner or movant is timely ifit is made at the time the initial pleadings are filed ....
In this case, Harris County is the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction based on its order from June of2013. (App. Q) The record shows Relator timely filed her motion to transfer venue according to section 155.204 because she filed it before her modification was filed (App. D, App. E). Most importantly, it was undisputed that the child had lived in Montgomery County longer than six months at the time Relator filed her SAPCR modification. (RR. 5-6)
The trial court had no "discretion" in determining what the law is or applying the law to the facts. Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 840. Therefore, because Relator complied with § 155.201 (b ), this case presents a mandatory transfer and the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to follow the law. See id. (Stating "a clear failure by the trial court to analyze or apply the law correctly will constitute an abuse of discretion, and may result in appellate reversal by extraordinary writ.").
B. The O'Dells failed to timely present a controverting affidavit pursuant to Section 155.204 of the Texas Family Code.
(l)No controverting affidavit was on file as of November 16, 2015. Section 155.204 of the Texas Family Code sets forth the procedures for transferring cases. In pertinent part, it provides as follows:
(c) If a timely motion to transfer has been filed and no controverting affidavit is filed within the period allowed for its filing, the proceeding shall, not later than the 21st day after the final date of the period allowed for the filing of a controverting affidavit, be transferred without a hearing to the proper court. (d) On or before the first Monday after the 20th day after the date of notice of a motion to transfer is served, a party desiring to contest the motion must file a controverting affidavit denying that grounds for the transfer exist.
Tex. Fam. Code§ 155.204 (c)- (d).
Relator timely filed her motion to transfer because it was filed a few days before the SAPCR modification was filed. (App. D, App. E) Ronald O'Dell was served with the petition and motion for transfer on October 21, 2015. (App. F) Judy O'Dell was served with the petition and motion to transfer on October 22, 2015. (App. G) In looking at section 155 .204(d), taking the later of the dates of service, the 20th day after October 22, 2015 was Wednesday, November 11, 2015. The Monday following that 20th day was Monday, November 16, 2015. As ofNovember 16, 2015, no controverting affidavit had been filed by the O'Dells. Therefore, the O'Dells could not contest Relator's grounds that the transfer exists. See Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(d).
Next, looking at Section 155.204(c), because no controverting affidavit was filed by November 16, 2015, the case should have been transferred not later than 21 days after November 16, 2015. Even though that timeframe has not lapsed, because a hearing was held on the motion to transfer on November 17, 2015 and the trial court denied the transfer, this Honorable Court should now issue a Writ directing the trial court to sign the proposed order transferring the case to Montgomery County. (App. K) (2) The O'Dells' "affidavit" wholly fails to meet Section 155.204(d) of the Texas Family Code.
After the trial court rendered on November 17, 2015 that the transfer was denied, Respondents subsequently filed a controverting affidavit on November 18, 2015. 3 (App.
0) Sheard filed her objection to the untimely affidavit. (App. Q) Not only was the "controverting affidavit" not filed timely, but it was not verified and failed to controvert that grounds for the transfer exist. See Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(d).
The untimely affidavit makes a reference to the best interest of the child; it states that the 313th District Court is knowledgeable about the case; it states that the Attorney ad Litem would have an inconvenience in traveling to Montgomery County; and it states that the Respondents prefer the current Court. (App. 0) Moreover, the "affidavit" is signed "/s/" and it is not dated or signed by a notary. (App. 0)
Even ifthe "controverting affidavit" had been filed timely, it still is not a controverting affidavit because the affidavit filed on November 18, 2015, wholly fails to controvert that grounds for the transfer exist. See Tex. Fam. Code §155.204(d). The O'Dells never denied that the child has lived in Montgomery County for the past six months.
III. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN APPOINTING THE ATTORNEY AD LITEM FOR THE CHILD.
The trial court abused its discretion in appointing the Attorney ad Litem by (1) ruling on the motion to reappoint the ad Litem attorney because the first order (App. I) was not properly set for a hearing and noticed to the Relator, by (2) allowing the O'Dells, on November 17, 2015, to move first at the hearing because it was Relator who set the hearing regarding her objection to the order appointing the Attorney ad Litem, and by (3) ruling on the second order appointing the ad Litem attorney (App. N) because it was signed after the transfer was mandatory given that no controverting affidavit was timely filed. See Fitzgerald v. Fitzgerald, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 710, 6-7 (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] 2013)(no pet.)
A. The trial court abused its discretion in signing the November 10, 2015 order appointing the ad Litem, without proper notice and hearing.
Section 21(a)- (b) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure provides the mechanism for filing and serving pleadings and serving notices of hearing. This is commonly referred to as "Rule 21(a)" and it provides as follows:
(a) Filing and Service Required. --Every pleading, plea, motion, or application to the comi for an order, whether in the form of a motion, plea, or other form of request, unless presented during a hearing or trial, must be filed with the clerk of the court in writing, must state the grounds therefor, must set forth the relief or order sought, and at the same time a true copy must be served on all other parties, and must be noted on the docket. (b) Service ofNotice of Hearing. --An application to the court for an order and notice of any hearing thereon, not presented during a hearing or trial, must be served upon all other parties not less than three days before the time specified for the hearing, unless otherwise provided by these rules or shortened by the court.
Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(a)-(b ). The O'Dells filed their Motion for Reappointment of Attorney ad Litem on November 6, 2015. (App. H)4 Then, without a hearing of any kind, on November 10, 2015, the trial court signed the order appointing the Attorney ad
Litem for the child. (App. N) Because a hearing was not set on the motion and the trial court ruled upon the motion without giving Relator a chance to be heard, the trial court abused its discretion with the November 10, 2015 order. (App I)
B. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing the O'Dells to argue first on November 17, 2015.
Relator filed her proposed order withdrawing the appointment of the ad Litem because she had not been given proper notice and was objecting to that appointment.
(App. L) Relator set her objection to the order appointing the ad Litem, to be heard on November 17, 2015. (App. J) At the hearing on November 17, 2015, the O'Dells' counsel urged that he should move first. (RR. [4]) Relator sought to have the proposed order withdrawing the ad Litem granted and to have the hearing on her Motion to Transfer, which was a mandatory transfer pursuant to section 155.201(b) of the Texas Family Code. (RR. [4]) Counsel for the O'Dells argued otherwise and the trial court allowed the O'Dells to move on the motion to reappoint the Amicus Attorney. (RR. [4])
4 Petitioner did not receive notice of that motion until it was faxed to Lauren Allen on November 9, 2015, contrary to the certificate of service which was dated the 6th.
However, the trial court had already, albeit ex parte, granted the motion. (App. I) It was Relator who was objecting to that prior appointment and she was not allowed to move first on her objection. The O'Dells never noticed a hearing for the ad Litem.
The trial court then orally, again, appointed the Attorney ad Litem on November 17, 2015 (RR. [5]) and signed the order on November 18, 2015 (App. N) Yet the trial court never signed Petitioner's proposed order withdrawing the appointment of the ad Litem for the child. (App. L) The trial court abused its discretion in allowing the O'Dells to move first on a motion they never even set for a hearing.
C. Because the transfer was mandatory, the trial court abused its discretion in appointing the amicus attorney. Because Relator's Motion to Transfer was mandatory pursuant to section 155.201(b) of the Texas Family Code and no controverting affidavit had been filed, as argued herein already, on November 17, 2015, the 313th Judicial Court lacked the discretion to make further rulings in the case, and erred when it, for the second time, granted the O'Dells' Motion for Reappointment of the Attorney ad Litem for the child. (RR. [5];App. N) See Fitzgerald, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 710 at 9; see also Vara y. Vara, 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 7872 (Tex.App.-Austin, 2014)( no pet.). In Vara, the mother filed a motion to modify along with a motion to transfer the case. Id. at 1-2. The father untimely filed his controverting affidavit which did not actually controvert that the grounds for the transfer existed. Id. at 2. The father also filed a motion to have the mother declared a vexatious litigant and the trial court held one hearing, considering both motions. Id. Because the father did not timely controvert the grounds of the transfer, the Vara Court found that the trial court had no discretion but to transfer the case and abused its discretion when it ruled on the father's vexatious litigation motion. Id. at 4
Similarly, in this case, not only did the O'Dells file their controverting affidavit after the deadline to file and after the trial court had rendered on the transfer, but their affidavit did not controvert the grounds for the transfer as alleged in the motion. (App.
D, App. 0) As ofNovember 16, 2015, 5 the trial court had a mandatory duty to transfer the case to Montgomery County and no hearing was necessary. See Tex. Fam. Code
§155.204(c)-(d). Even though ahearing was set on November 17, 2015 to effectuate the transfer, that hearing was not necessary. [6] Ruling after November 16, 2015, on the O'Dells' ad Litem motion was an abuse of discretion. See Vara, 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 7872.
Moreover, the reappointment of the attorney ad Litem was not a ruling on temporary orders pending the transfer, as the court had denied the transfer, and the appointment of the ad Litem was not on a temporary basis. See Tex. Fam. Code § 155.005; see also Silverman v. Johnson, 317 S.W.3d 846, 849 (Tex.App.-Austin,
5 November 16, 2015 was the Monday after the expiration of20 days for a controverting affidavit to be filed. [6] Natalie Yates actually contacted Lauren Allen telling her the court had sua sponte set a hearing on the ad !item issue and asked if they should also set the Motion to Transfer on the same day. (App. S) Lauren Allen then filed the Notice of Hearing after emailing with the court's personnel. This was probably done because when Mrs. Allen found out about the order appointing the ad Litem, she contacted the Court asking if a hearing had been set and asked how the order had been signed.
2010)(no pet.)(Holding under a mandatory transfer, it was an abuse for the trial court to make a decision that was permanent to the case, and not a temporary order) On the facts of this case, the trial court had a statutory, mandatory duty to transfer venue and it lacked the discretion to make any further rulings in the case. See id; see also Vara, 2014 Tex. App.LEXIS 7872 at 4-5. It was an abuse of discretion for the trial court to (1) appoint the ad Litem on November 10, 2015 without a hearing first, (App. I) and then another abuse of discretion for (2) reappointing the ad Litem on November 17, 2015. (App. N)
Because this case presents a mandatory transfer, it should be the discretion of Montgomery County to determine whether an amicus attorney or attorney ad litem is needed for the child. If the court deems that necessary, a Montgomery County attorney should be appointed to save Relator costs the ad litem will charge. Having a Harris County attorney ad Litem, who on the record already voiced her objections to Montgomery County, (RR. 6-7), and whom the O'Dells already argued would be inconvenienced by traveling to Montgomery County, (App. 0), Relator would be harmed by the appointment of the Attorney ad Litem. The trial court abused its discretion in not transferring the case and in appointing the Attorney ad Litem.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF Relator respectfully requests this court to issue mandamus relief against the 313th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, LAW OFFICE OF JOHN E. CHOATE, JR. 116WLEWIS CONROE, TX 77301 [email protected] Tel (936) 441-2999 Fax (936) 788-5670
HN E. CHOATE, JR. Texas Bar No. 00793503 LAUREN H. ALLEN Texas Bar No. 24080764 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that true and correct copies of the foregoing instrument were mailed to the Respondent and counsel for the real parties in interest on the date of filing the original with the Clerk of this Court.
VERIFICATION
BEFORE ME the undersigned authority this date personally appeared LAUREN H. ALLEN, who after being sworn by me did state upon her oath the following:
I, LAUREN H. ALLEN, do hereby swear and affirm that the facts stated within this Writ of Mandamus are true and correct based on my personal knowledge.
}\ SUB~CRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this ud +- day of _Jj f [WJ/l~f 2015. ~,~-;_~!/'f.~~,,,, JENNIFER HAYDEN f ..~;::xs~~ Notary Public . State 01 Texas ~ ....;.~•.:.,§ My Commission Expires --..,;::1,··c,r~,~fl" ,,,..,, July 09. 2018
APPENDICES
Appendix A - Reporter's Record ................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B-Tex. Fam. Code §155.201 ...................................................................... B-1 Appendix C - Tex. Fam. Code §155.204 ...................................................................... C-1 Appendix D-Motion to Transfer .................................................................................. D-1 Appendix E - Petition to Modify the Parent-Child Relationship .................................. E-1 Appendix F - Citation Return for Ronald O'Dell. .........................................................F-1 Appendix G - Citation Return for Judy O'Dell.. ........................................................... G-1 Appendix H-Respondent's Motion for Reappointment of Attorney Ad Litem ..........H-1 Appendix I - Order Appointing Attorney Ad Litem ...................................................... .I-1 Appendix J - Notice of Hearing...................................................................................... J-1 Appendix K - Proposed Order Transferring the SAPCR..............................................K-1 Appendix L - Proposed Order Withdrawing Appointment of Ad Litem for Child .......L-1 Appendix M - Order Denying the Transfer..................................................................M-1 Appendix N - Order Appointing Attorney Ad Litem ....................................................N-1 Appendix 0-Respondent's Controverting Affidavit. .................................................. 0-1 Appendix P - Proposed Order Denying Petitioner's Motion to Transfer.......................P-1 Appendix Q- Motion Objecting to Respondent's Controverting Affidavit and Motion Objecting to Respondent's Proposed Order ................................................................... Q-1 Appendix R- June 2013 Order in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship .........R-1 Appendix S - l 1-13-15Email from the trial court .......................................................... 8-1 Appendix A - Reporter's Record
A-1 1 REPORTER'S RECORD VOLUME 1 OF 1 VOLUME 2 CAUSE NO. 2012-01222J APPELLATE COURT CAUSE NO. 3
1 APPEARANCES 3 MS. LAUREN ALLEN SBOT NO. 24080764
P R 0 C E E D I N G S
THE COURT: 2012-1222J, present before the Court -- who are you Gary?
MR. POLLAND: I represent the parents -- well, the grandparents, who have placement.
THE COURT: Present before the Court is attorney for placement, and I think you said you're the grandparents' attorney?
MS. ALLEN: They're actually not grandparents, they're aunt and uncle.
MR. POLLAND: Aunt and uncle.
THE COURT: Aunt and uncle.
MR. POLLAND: They were awarded PMC by this
Court.
THE COURT: Yes, ma'am.
MS. ALLEN: Lauren Allen, I am here on behalf of the mother.
THE COURT: The mother's attorney.
MS. ALLEN: Callie Sheard.
THE COURT: I'm Elaina Butel, I'm acting as local counsel for Ms. Allen.
THE COURT: Hey, please be quiet, I can't hear up here.
MS. CROW: I'm Julie Crow, I was noticed as the · amicus and -- .ad litem in the previous case and the ad litem in JILL BARTEK, CSR ·313TH DISTRICT COURT ( 713) 222-4 906 this case.
THE COURT: So, now, who called this hearing?
Ms. Allen did?
MS. ALLEN: Well, actually, the Court emailed me and set my motion for transfer as well as their motion to re-appoint the ad litem.
THE COURT: Who wants to go first?
MS. ALLEN: I'll go first, Judge.
MR. POLLAND: Well, I would like to go first before her.
MS. ALLEN: I think it makes no --
THE COURT: Doesn't matter.
MR. POLLAND: I disagree. Because once it's transferred, you lose jurisdiction.
THE COURT: I understand that, Gary.
MR. POLLAND: So, I think I should go first.
We've asked that Juli Crow be re-appointed as amicus in the case. And both sides
THE COURT: Are you opposed to me appointing Ms.
Crow?
MS. ALLEN: Well, Judge, the order was actually already signed with no notice to me, so I'm opposed to that order. I think if the case is transferred to Montgomery County under the mandatory transfer provision, I don't think it would make sense for the parties to have to pay a Harris County
JILL BARTEK, CSR 313TH DISTRICT COURT (713) 222-4906 attorney to go to Montgomery County. I'm not saying that I am opposed to an ad litem, period. I just think it doesn't make sense for a Harris County ad litem.
MR. POLLAND: And my argument would be that it is not a Harris County ad litem. The reason Ms. Crow should be brought back, Judge, is she has all of the institutional knowledge of the case and she was the only lawyer involved, of this group, that was involved in this case all the way back to the beginning.
THE COURT: Juli, you are appointed as ad litem.
MS. CROW: Thank you.
THE COURT: But you had notice for this hearing, right?
MS. ALLEN: I did have notice of today. Yes, sir.
THE COURT: By God, I got a new order I signed just for you.
MS. ALLEN: I appreciate that, Judge.
THE COURT: No problem.
MS. ALLEN: And second, Judge, is my motion to transfer.
THE COURT: Okay.
MS. ALLEN: The child has been living with the aunt and uncle in Montgomery County for over two years. So, under Section 155.201(b) it would be a mandatory transfer to
JILL BARTEK, CSR 313TH DISTRICT COURT (713) 222-4906 Montgomery County. So, I'm asking -- it's the convenience to the respondents. That's where they live. They're the ones who moved the child there, and we're asking the Court to transfer the case to Montgomery County.
MR. POLLAND: Well, under those circumstances it's related to the convenience of the respondents, and I we do not want the case transferred, Judge. We would prefer the case stay here because the Court also has knowledge of the background of the case since this case originated as a CPS case. And the added benefit, if it stays here, then Ms. Butel can also stay on the case and work on it which is a positive in my mind.
THE COURT: Who's the judge of Montgomery
County? Cathy?
MS. ALLEN: We have a bunch of different specialized family law court's now. So, we've got Judge
Gilbert in the 14th, Judge McDonald in the county court, Judge
Mayes, there's
THE COURT: Judge Mayes is still there?
MS. ALLEN: He's.actually not running for the Bench again, but he has been there for 20 years, same Bench.
THE COURT: Juli, do you have an opinion?
MS. CROW: Your Honor, just because of my I
' have traveled to Montgomery County for cases that have been 25 transferred before, and it was a nightmare. I would much
JILL BARTEK, CSR 313TH DISTRICT COURT (713) 222-4 90 6 prefer it stay here.
MS. ALLEN: Judge, and if I can add -- well, under Section 155.204 of the Code, if you don't file a controverting affidavit within the answer period, then it's -- that, again, is a mandatory transfer, so -- not only does the Code date the mandatory, but no controverting affidavits were filed, and we'd ask that it be transferred to Montgomery County.
THE COURT: Motion to transfer denied. Case is reset to when? When would you like to come back and argue some more?
MS. ALLEN: Well, Judge --
THE COURT: She is taking all of this down, so you can --
MS. ALLEN: I don't have my calendar in front of me, but I guess we can notice up a temporary orders hearing.
MR. POLLAND: That's fine. The attorneys can confer and come up with a date that works. I'm fine with that.
MS. ALLEN: Thank you, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Good to see you.
MR. POLLAND: Thank you, Judge.
MS. ALLEN: Thank you.
(Hearing concluded.)
STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF HARRIS t._ZA,7 ______ . ·. _,__ Br/ 1\/1>1~&:-"_._,,_/~·~u ,,,_,_P,,,_/_. 'L,auren H. Allen State Har No, 24080764 Lam<:[email protected].
- CALdb i\.ttomey tor . · ' ' ...,- 'S., .H..E' L:Y.,'iN ""' rv:wJ ORIGINAL Cl CAUSE NO. 2012-01222J Time: /Cf Nov 1 °'k 0 2015 /J..JO J ~.- IN THE INTEREST OF § IN THE DIS ~ cou'rt·r~ § Dcp!Jty
§ HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS § CHILD § 313TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ORDER REAPPOINTING ATTORNEY AD LITEM FOR CHILD
After considering Respondent's Motion for Re-Appointment of Attorney Ad Litem for the Child, the response, and arguments of counsel, the Court. GRANTS the motion, finds that the appointment of an Attorney Ad Litem for the child the subject of this suit is necessary to ensure that E A P - best interest is adequately represented, and re-appoints JUILANE "JULI" CROW, State Bar No. 24000653, P.O. Box 10152, Houston, Texas 77206, Telephone: 281-382-1395, Facsimile: 713-422-2389, as Attorney Ad Litern for the child. ·
1. Accordingly, the Court finds that Attorney Ad Litem is entitled to reasonable fees and expenses to be paid by Petitioner CALLIE LYNN SHEARD and Respondents JUDY O'DELL and RONALD O'DELL, and ORDERS CALLIE LYNN SHEARD to deposit $ I 5;o , and JUDY O'DELL and RONALD O'DELL$ ::J Sn into Arnicus Attorney's trust account by '3.-.1~day of N ~\J €...,,f)i:;P--., 2015.
2. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem will have immediate access to the child.
3. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem will have immediate access to any information relating to the child, as authorized by Texas Family Code section 107.006. This information includes but is not limited to the records relating to medical, mental-health, and substance-abuse care or treatment, social services, law enforcement, school, probate or other court proceedings, or trusts or accounts of which the child is a beneficiary.
4. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem may investigate the facts of the case to the extent she considers appropriate ..
5. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem must perform all duties in this case regarding the child, including the following:
RECORDER'S MEMORANDUM This Instrument Is cf poor quality at the Orne of Imaging. a. Within a reasonable time after the appointment, interview the following people:
(1) Any child that is four ur more years old and elicit, in a devefopmentally appropriate manner, the child's expressed objectives.
(2) Each person who has significant knowledge of the child's history and condition, including foster parents of the child.
(3) The parties to the suit. b. Obtain and review copies of relevant records relating to the child as provided by Section 107 .006. c. Participate in the conduct of litigation to the same extent as an attorney for a party.
d. Take any action consistent with the child's interests that Attorney Ad Litem considers necessary to expedite the proceedings. e. Encourage settlement and the use of alternative forms of dispute resolution. f. Review and sign, or decline to sign, a proposed or ag1·eed order affecting the child.
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem will only be required to attend court hearings when her presence is necessary to protect the child's best interest.
NOV 1 02015 SIGNEDon~~~~~~~~-r;;:~~'--
£kbL JlfDGE PRESIDING Litem for the Child, the response, and arguments of counsel, the Court. •Puty
GRANTS the motion, finds that the appointment of an Attorney Ad Litem for the child the subject of this suit is necessary to ensure that E A•••t P - best interest is adequately represent.ed, and re-appoints JUILANE "JULI" CROW, State Bar No. 24000653, P.O. Box 10152, Hou$ton, Texas 77206, Telephone: 281-382-1395, Facsimile: 713-422-2389, as Attorney Ad Litem for the child.
1. Accordingly, the. Court· finds that Attorney Ad Litem is entitled to reasonable fees and expenses to be paid by Petitioner CALLIE LYNN SHEARD and Respondents JUDY O'DELL and RONALD O'DELL, and ORDERS CALLIE LYNN SHEARD to deposit$ 750.00, and JUDY O'DELL and RONALD O'DELL $750.00 into Amicus Attorney's trust account by 30th_day of November 2015. ' 2. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem will have immediate access to the child.
3. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem will have immediate access to any information relating to the child, as authorized by Texas Family Code section 107.006. This information includes but is not limited to the records relating to medical, mental-health, and substance-abuse care or treatment, social services, law enforcement, school, probate or other court proce.edings, or trusts or accounts of which the child is a beneficiary.
4. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem may investigate the facts of the case to the extent she considers appropriate.
5. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem must perform all duties in this case regarding the child, including the following:
a. Within a reasonable time after the appointment, . interview the following people: RECORDER'S MEMORANDUM l'hla ln811Ument Is at poor quality at the time of Imaging.
-~---···------ - ---·-- ·----· ------ .. -- -···--· ------ -- -- --- - --- - --- --~~- -~---- - - ----- - - --- --~ -- -- - ---- - - - - - - - - - -
(1) Any child that is four or more years old and elicit, in a developmentally appropriate manner,· the child's expressed objectives.
(2) Each person who has significant knowledge of the child's history and condition, including foster parents of the child.
(3) The parties to the suit. b. Obtain and review copies of relevant records relating to the child as provided by Section 107.006. c. Participate in the conduct of litigation to the same extent as an attorney for a party.
d. Take any action consistent with the child's interests that Attorney Ad Litem considers necessary to expedite the proceedings. e. Encourage settlement and the use of alternative forms of dispute resolution. f. Review and sign, or decline to sign, a proposed or agreed order affecting the child.
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Ad Litem will only be required to attend court hearings when her presence is necessary to protect the child's best interest. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND ENTRY REQUESTED: By: /SI Gaiy M Polland Gary M. Polland State Bar No. 16095800 Valerie L. Brock State Bar No. 12074610 2211 Norfolk, Suite 920 Houston, Texas 77046 Telephone: 713-621-6335 Facsimile: 713-622-6334 Email: [email protected] ATTORNEYS FOR RESPONDENTS ... ' <· POLLAND, who, having first been duly sworn, upon his oath deposes and says the following:
"The proposed transfer of the above styled and numbered case is against the best interest of the child. The 313th Judicial District Court Judge is knowledgeable about the case history and background. The reappointment of Acnicus Attorney in the case, Julie Crow, is also critical to the child's best interest and traveling to Montgomery County would be an inconvenience for her.
In addition, Respondent's permanent managing conservators prefer the current Court due to the above reasons. Petitioners also have wholly failed to present any evidence to the contrary or factually justify a transfer."
Is/M'. GARY POLLAND SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me on this _ _ _ day of November 2015, by _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
Notary Public, State of Texas Appendix P-Proposed Order Denying Petitioner's Motion to Transfer ----·-- ------