Texas Com. Bank, Nat'l Ass'n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515 (Tex. 1999). · Go Syfert
Texas Com. Bank, Nat'l Ass'n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515 (Tex. 1999). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“the trial court did not err when it considered the affidavits in rendering its default judgment.”
346 citation events (344 in the last 25 years) across 5 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Lcs Corrections Services, Inc. D/B/A Coastal Bend Detention Center v. Kimberly Chavera (texapp, 2013-04-04)
Treatment trajectory · 2000 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
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Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lcs Corrections Services, Inc. D/B/A Coastal Bend Detention Center v. Kimberly Chavera
Tex. App. · 2013 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the trial court did not err when it considered the affidavits in rendering its default judgment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lefton v. Griffith (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
Tex. App. · 2004 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the trial court did not err when it considered the affidavits in rendering its default judgment.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) AES Valves, LLC and IES International Energy Services, Ltd. v. Kobi International, Inc. Dba Kobi Group (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2020 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
when items of special damage are claimed, 15 they shall be specifically stated.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) AES Valves, LLC and IES International Energy Services, Ltd. v. Kobi International, Inc. Dba Kobi Group (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2019 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
when items of special damage are claimed, they shall be specifically stated.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In the Interest of N. P. G. a Child v. Department of Family and Protective Services (2×) also: Cited "see"
txctapp1 · 2026 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (noting that unobjected-to hearsay in affidavit is probative evidence); J.B. v. Tex. Dep’t of Fam. & Protective Services, No. 03-24-00159-CV, 2024 WL 3906786 , at *1 n.3 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 23, 2024, no pet.) (mem. op.) (in parental termination case, holding that appellant’s failure to object to admission of affidavit at trial waived any hearsay complaint on appeal).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dr. Mylissa's Medical Boutique LLC and Mylissa Graber v. Balboa Capital Corporation (2×)
Tex. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
Bank v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999); see also Tex. R.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Chris Lingle v. Sage Architecture Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
A. Applicable Law As previously stated, “[i]t is well settled that once a default judgment is taken against a non-answering defendant on an unliquidated claim, all allegations of fact set forth in the petition are deemed admitted, except the amount of damages.” Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (emphasis added).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hancock Whitney Bank v. M.Y.R.T.A Inc.
S.D. Tex. · 2025 · confidence medium
Bank v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) WBL SPO I, LLC, WBL SPO II, LLC and Albert Adel Shehata v. United Hotels, LLC and Ghada Glaessner (2×)
Tex. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
Texas Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Vanicare Medspas, Inc. and Vincent Chitolie v. Limitless Medical Spa, LLC (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (explaining that “unobjected to hearsay constitutes probative evidence” and the trial court did not err by considering affidavits in rendering default judgment).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jorge Arellano v. Magdaleno Villegas
Tex. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) John Schumacher v. Charles Trois
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam) (assuming error was preserved but, nevertheless, overruling issues).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Victor Hilderbran, Homer Ray Smith, Ramon Castro, Dean Paret and Brad Bradley v. Texas Southwest Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Texas Commerce Bank v. New The supreme court disagreed: “The court of appeals is incorrect.” Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rent to Own, LLC v. CR-FED Leasing, LLC
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam) (concluding that “affidavits can be evidence for purposes of an unliquidated-damages hearing pursuant to Rule 243” and finding that the affidavits presented constituted legally sufficient evidence of unliquidated damages); see Lefton v. Griffith, 136 S.W.3d 271 , 275–80 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004, no pet.) (considering whether an affidavit was legally sufficient to support unliquidated damages awarded in no-answer default judgment).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) AR Systems, LLC d/b/a Accurate Roof Systems v. Best Solar Now, LLC
E.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
Tex. Sept. 13, 2023) (quoting Tex. Commerce Bank v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999)). “[A] trial court may rely on affidavits in proving unliquidated damages in default judgments; in fact it is error to not consider the affidavits.” Sherman Acquisition II LP v. Garcia, 229 S.W.3d 802, 811 (Tex. App.— Waco 2007, no pet.).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Aristocles Enterprises, LLC dba The Plato Group v. KEU, Inc.
E.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
Tex. Sept. 13, 2023) (quoting Tex. Commerce Bank v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999)). “[A] trial court may rely on affidavits in proving unliquidated damages in default judgments; in fact it is error to not consider the affidavits.” Id. (quoting Sherman Acquisition II LP v. Garcia, 229 S.W.3d 802, 811 (Tex. App.—Waco 2007, no pet.)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Greenworld Construction Materials & Services USA, LLC v. C&T Partnership
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Tex. Commerce Bank v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Allen Dale Schmitgen and Rosie A. F. Schmitgen v. Servis One, Inc., D/B/A BSI Financial Services, Inc., and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, D/B/A Christiana Trust as Owner and Trustee of the Residential Credit Opportunities Trust II
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (allowing affidavit testimony of total amount due under written instrument to support award of that amount in default-judgment proceeding was proper and did not constitute impermissibly conclusory testimony).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) the State of Texas v. Gabriela Quiroz MacEdo
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (Where affiant describes the scheme resulting in the bank’s loss and identifies the total amount lost, the affidavit is not conclusory and is legally sufficient.).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) National Association for Legal Gun Defense, LLC v. Glenn Hensley
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999). 7 The record shows that Houlé’s fee was paid through a series of checks which included one check for $20,000 from a Peter Dayton made payable directly to Ms. Houlé.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) David L. Roberts D/B/A David Roberts Trucking v. Jay Fuller Enterprises, LLC D/B/A Fuller Environmental
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
Roberts argues that “[f]urnishing the court with an affidavit post-default cannot dispense with [the] requirement [that the court hear evidence].” Roberts goes on to argue that affidavits “can be probative of unliquidated damages...[b]ut only when offered and received as proof without objection at the trial of unliquidated damages.” Roberts cites Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New to support his argument. 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carlos Alvarez and Judith Alvarez v. Diana O. Agyemang, Janet Acheampong, and Yaw Appiah-Kubi
Tex. App. · 2020 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam) (approving use of affidavits to establish unliquidated damages under Rule 243); Morgan, 675 S.W.2d at 733 (holding causative link provided by plaintiff’s testimony, which described her symptoms and explained when they began, even though no expert medical evidence proffered); SACMD Acquisition Corp. v. Trevino, No. 13-07- 00509-CV, 2009 WL 2541840 , at *5 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg Aug. 20, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding plaintiff’s affidavit “establishes a sequence of events from wh…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carlo Motors Inc. v. Escillas De Los Santos
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
“It is well settled that once a default judgment is taken against a non-answering defendant on an unliquidated claim, all allegations of fact set forth in the petition are deemed admitted, except the amount of damages.” Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (emphasis added).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lowry v. Tarbox
Tex. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Assoc. v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517-18 (Tex. 1999) (attorney’s affidavit was not conclusory where attorney attested he was a duly licensed attorney, familiar with usual and customary attorneys’ fees in the area, and based on his personal knowledge of the services rendered, the attorney’s fee was reasonable); Jamshed v, McLane Exp.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Pamela Mehl v. David Stern
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
See Lucas v. Clark, 347 S.W.3d 800, 803 (Tex. App.—Austin 2011, pet. denied) (“When a no-answer default judgment is rendered, the defendant’s liability for all causes of action pleaded is conclusively established and all allegations of fact set forth 8 in the petition are deemed admitted, except the amount of unliquidated damages.” (citing Dolgencorp of Tex., Inc. v. Lerma, 288 S.W.3d 922, 930 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam); Texas Commerce Bank, N.A. v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam))); see also Morgan v. Compugraphic Corp., 675 S.W.2d 729, 731 (Tex. 1984) (“[I]f the facts…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Mariatu Sumah v. Salustia Rodriguez, Panfilo Rodriguez, Isidoro Rodriguez and Daniel Rodriguez
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State Office of Risk Management v. Maria E. Olivas
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
See Garcia v. Gomez, 319 S.W.3d 638, 641 (Tex.2010)(holding attorney’s testimony not objectionable as merely conclusory when the opposing party has some knowledge of the time and effort involved); Tex. Commerce Bank, National Association v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517-18 (Tex.1999)(affi-davit was legally sufficient to support the trial court’s attorney’s fees award where attorney testified he was duly licensed attorney, he was familiar with usual and customary attorneys’ fees in locality, and, based on his knowledge of services rendered, fee in dispute was reasonable).
cited Cited as authority (rule) in the Interest of I.C., N.C., A.C., and D.C., Children
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Code Ann. § 104.006 (West 2014). 44 Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999); see Tex. R.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ha Duong Nhu and D&H Restaurant Equipment v. Hunan Ranch Corporation
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Texas Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999).
cited Cited as authority (rule) John L. Reed and LH Chaney Materials v. Leah Vance
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
P. 243; Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999). 14 See Tex. Civ.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sun Kyum Cha A/K/A Stephen Cha and Hun Kyu Lee, M.D. v. Branch Banking and Trust Company
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (affidavit testimony of total amount due under written instrument is legally sufficient to support award of that amount in default judgment).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Texpro Construction Group, LLC v. Sylvester Davis
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Hofer Builders, Inc. v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Company as Subrogee of United Rentals, Inc. (6×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Assn. v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam); Transport Concepts, Inc. v. Reeves, 748 S.W.2d 302, 305 (Tex. App.-Dallas 1998, no writ, no pet.); TEX.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Fredis Benitez, Margarita Benitez, and Roberto Viera-Segura DBA Viera's Body Shop/Viera's Kustoms/Viera's Kustomz v. City of Dallas
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Dolgencorp of Tex., Inc. v. Lerma, 288 S.W.3d 922, 930 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam); Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Elishah Sawyers, Pax Crate & Freight, Inc. and Robin Sawyers v. Marc Carter and Sally Carter (4×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Texas Commerce Bank, Nat'l Ass'n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999); Holt Atherton Indus., Inc. v. Heine, 835 S.W.2d 80, 83 (Tex. 1992); Whitaker v. Rose, 218 S.W.3d 216, 220 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, no pet.).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Rhino Contractors, LLC v. Vulcan Construction Materials, LP
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Texas Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ha Duong Nhu and D&H Restaurant Equipment v. Hunan Ranch Corporation (2×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(Tex. App.—San Antonio, Dec. 31, 2014, no pet.). ............................................... 6 Tex. Commerce Bank, N.A. v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516-517 (Tex. 1999) ....................... 6, 7 Whitaker v. Rose, 218 S.W.3d 216, 220 (Tex. App. –Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, no pet.) ........................................... 7, 8, 11 STATUTES AND RULES TEX.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Pedro Diaz v. Multi Service Technology Solutions Corporation
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Dolgencorp of Tex., Inc. v. Lerma, 288 S.W.3d 922, 930 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam); Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) RO-BT Investments, LLP v. Le Properties, LLC and Le Commercial, Inc.
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Le contends that there is some evidence of damages found in the affidavit from its attorney, Brad Porter, who testified, ―Plaintiff is entitled to, and has been awarded, Fifty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($58,500) in damages.‖4 ―It is well settled that once a default judgment is taken against a non- answering defendant on an unliquidated claim, all allegations of fact set forth in the petition are deemed admitted, except the amount of damages.‖ Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999). ―During a default judgment proceeding, affidavi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Frances Angela Black v. Countryside Village Apartments (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
“Inadmissible hearsay admitted without objection shall not be denied probative value merely because it is hearsay.” Id.; Tex. Commerce Bank, 8 Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999); see also Austin v. Weems, 337 S.W.3d 415, 425 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, no pet.) (hearsay objection to officer’s testimony was waived when no objection made).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jinhui Chen v. Jodi Johnson and Joseph Johnson
Tex. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
P. 243; Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999); Barganier v. Saddlebrook Apartments, 104 S.W.3d 171, 173 (Tex. 9 App.––Waco 2003, no pet.).7 In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the default judgment entered, crediting favorable evidence if reasonable jurors could.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Elite Door & Trim, Inc. v. Deidree Tapia D/B/A Tapia Construction
Tex. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
Servs. v. Guerrero, No. 05-07- 01732-CV, 2009 WL 3032479 , at *2 (Tex. App.—Dallas Sept. 24, 2009, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (citing Tex. Commerce Bank, N.A. v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) B & R DDevelopment, Inc. v. HCBeck, LTD
Tex. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
Although unliquidated damages can be proven through an affidavit rather than a live hearing, see Texas Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass ’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516-17 (Tex. 1999), the Director of Risk Management’s affidavit and attached documentation are insufficient.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jorge Reyes v. the City of Laredo, and Carlos R. Maldonado, Chief of Police
Tex. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
EVID. 802; City of Keller -4- 04-11-00886-CV v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802 , 812 n.29 (Tex. 2005); Tex. Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam). 3.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) James Larry v. City of Prairie View Board of Adjustment & Appeals
Tex. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
Texas Commerce Bank, Nat’l Ass’n v. New , 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex. 1999); Holt Atherton Indus., Inc. v. Heine , 835 S.W.2d 80, 83 (Tex. 1992) ; Whitaker v. Rose , 218 S.W.3d 216, 220 (Tex App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, no pet.).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mary Laverne Smith v. David Dillard Grayson
Tex. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
As the supreme court has observed, "[Rule 802] is not ambiguous and requires no explication." Texas Commerce Bank v. New , 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (holding unobjected-to hearsay is probative evidence); see also In re R.L. , No.03-99-00334-CV, 2000 Tex. App. LEXIS 471 , at *5 (Tex. App.-- Austin 2000 , no pet.) (observing proposition that unobjected-to hearsay lacks probative value rendered invalid by rule 802).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mary Laverne Smith v. David Dillard Grayson
Tex. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
As the supreme court has observed, “[Rule 802] is not ambiguous and requires no explication.” Texas Commerce Bank v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999) (holding unobjected-to hearsay is probative evidence); see also In re R.L., No.03-99-00334-CV, 2000 Tex. App. LEXIS 471 , at *5 (Tex. App.— Austin 2000 , no pet.) (observing proposition that 4 Adopted in 1982, to be effective on September 1, 1983. 22 unobjected-to hearsay lacks probative value rendered invalid by rule 802).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Eric Salas v. Chris Christensen Systems, Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
P. 243; Tex. Commerce Bank v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517 (Tex. 1999); Holt Atherton Indus., Inc. v. Heine, 835 S.W.2d 80, 83 (Tex. 1992); Bargainier v. Saddlebrook Apartments, 104 S.W.3d 171, 173 (Tex. App.—Waco 2003, no pet.); Irlbeck v. John Deere Co., 714 S.W.2d 54, 57 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1986, no writ)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Lucas v. Clark
Tex. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
Dolgencorp of Tex., Inc. v. Lerma, 288 S.W.3d 922, 930 (Tex.2009) (per curiam); Texas Commerce Bank, N.A. v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 516 (Tex.1999) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Werley v. Cannon (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
Ass’n v. New, 3 S.W.3d 515, 517-518 (Tex.1999).
TEXAS COMMERCE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, N/K/A Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, Petitioner,
v.
Robin NEW D/B/A River City Auto Sales and William Pacheco D/B/A Pacheco Motor Car Sales, Respondents
98-0744.
Texas Supreme Court.
Sep 9, 1999.
3 S.W.3d 515
G. Alan Waldrop, C. W. “Rocky” Rhodes, Barbara M. Ellis, Austin, Susan P. Kravik, Dallas, for Petitioner., William B. Gammon, William Pacheco, Austin, for Respondents.
Per Curiam.
Cited by 180 opinions  |  Published
2 passages pin-cited by 2 cases
Pinpoint authority: #43,257 of 633,719
Citer courts: Court of Appeals of Texas (2)
PER CURIAM.

Texas Commerce Bank obtained a default judgment against Robin New, d/b/a River City Auto Sales, and William Pacheco, d/b/a Pacheco’s Motor Car Sales. To support its motion for default judgment, Texas Commerce presented three affidavits. No oral testimony was taken at the default judgment hearing. On appeal, the court of appeals held that the affidavits, constituting hearsay, were not evidence under Rule 243 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which requires that the trial court “hear evidence” on unliquidated[*516] damages. [1] The court of appeals further held that even if affidavits constitute evidence under Rule 243, these affidavits were not legally sufficient to support the trial court’s judgment. Accordingly, the court of appeals affirmed on the issue of New and Pacheco’s liability and reversed and remanded for a new trial on the issue of unliquidated damages and attorney’s fees. [2]

We conclude that because unobjected-to hearsay is, as a matter of law, probative evidence, affidavits can be evidence for purposes of an unliquidated-damages hearing pursuant to Rule 243. We further conclude that the affidavits here are legally sufficient to support the trial court’s judgment on both damages and attorney’s fees. Consequently, we affirm the court of appeals’ judgment on the issue of liability, reverse on the issue of unliquidated damages and attorney’s fees, and render judgment for Texas Commerce Bank.

At the outset, Texas Commerce contends that New and Pacheco did not preserve for the court of appeals’ consideration the issues of whether the affidavits constituted evidence of unliquidated damages under Rule 243 or whether the affidavits, if evidence, were legally sufficient. We assume without deciding that these issues were properly preserved.

In addressing the merits, the court of appeals correctly stated:

It is well settled that once a default judgment is taken against a non-answering defendant on an unliquidated claim, all allegations of fact set forth in the petition are deemed admitted, except the amount of damages, [citations omitted] [3]

Therefore, we know that New and Pacheco were partners in a check-kiting scheme that resulted in a loss to Texas Commerce. New would deposit checks into his Texas Commerce account drawn against insufficient funds in Pacheco’s Norwest Bank checking account. Before the normal banking deadlines for return of items drawn on insufficient funds ran, New would write checks on the Texas Commerce account for deposit in Pacheco’s Norwest account to cover the overdraft created in the Norwest account by the previous day’s cheeks. Then Pacheco would write additional checks from the Norwest account for deposit to the Texas Commerce account to cover the overdraft that would appear in New’s Texas Commerce account. This scheme had the effect of keeping a group of checks “floating” in the banking system that were not supported by real deposits. Norwest discovered this scheme and stopped payment on all checks drawn from Pacheco’s Norwest account. As a result, several items New deposited in his Texas Commerce account were returned. Texas Commerce charged these items as debits on New’s account, resulting in an overdraft that neither New nor Pacheco covered.

Texas Commerce filed suit against New and Pacheco for various causes of action, including fraud, breach of contract, conspiracy to defraud, and violations of the civil theft statute. [4] When New and Pacheco did not answer, Texas Commerce filed a motion for default judgment asking among other relief to be awarded damages and attorney’s fees. This the trial court granted. And the court of appeals reversed in part.

The first issue is. whether affidavits constitute evidence as required by Rule 243. That rule provides:

If the cause of action is unliquidated or be not proved by an instrument in writing, the court shall hear evidence as to damages and shall render judgment therefor, unless the defendant shall demand and be entitled to a trial by jury in[*517] which case the judgment by default shall be noted, a writ of inquiry awarded, and the cause entered on the jury docket. [5]

Although several courts of appeals have held that affidavits can constitute evidence of unliquidated damages, [6] the court of appeals here held that they cannot. It concluded that Rule 802 of the Texas Rules of Evidence, the hearsay rule, prevents the use of affidavits “because the application of Rule 802 anticipates opposing counsel’s and/or an opposing party’s presence at the hearing to object to such inadmissible hearsay.” [7] It further concluded, therefore, that a trial court does not hold “an evidentiary hearing merely by accepting the affidavits attached to [the] motion.” [8]

The court of appeals is incorrect. Rule 802 says, “Inadmissible hearsay admitted without objection shall not be denied probative value merely because it is hearsay.” [9] Nothing in rule 802 limits its application to contested hearings. The rule is not ambiguous and requires no explication. Consequently we will give it none. [10] Because unobjected to hearsay constitutes probative evidence, it satisfies the requirement of Rule 248 that there be evidence of unliquidated damages. The trial court did not err when it considered the affidavits in rendering its default judgment.

The court of appeals also concluded that the affidavits here were conclusory and, therefore, not legally sufficient to support the trial court’s award for unliquidat-ed damages and attorney’s fees. [11] Texas Commerce presented three affidavits at the default judgment hearing. Two of the affidavits were from Texas Commerce vice presidents, Thomas Neville and Roger Bott. Neville explained the details of the check-kiting scheme and that, as a result, the Texas Commerce account had a considerable overdraft balance. Bott stated that he had reviewed pertinent bank records and that the Texas Commerce account was overdrawn in the amount of $729,510.96.

Testimony of the total amount due under a written instrument is legally sufficient to support an award of that amount in a default judgment proceeding. [12] Texas Commerce’s bank officers’ affidavits aver personal knowledge of the facts, describe the scheme resulting in the bank’s loss, and identify the total amount owed on the overdrawn Texas Commerce account. The affidavits are legally sufficient to support the trial court’s damage award.

The third affidavit, from Texas Commerce legal counsel G. Alan Waldrop, was legally sufficient to support the trial court’s attorney’s fees award. Waldrop testified that among other things, Texas Commerce had a contract with New entitling Texas Commerce to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fee. He further testified that he is a duly licensed attorney, that he was familiar with the usual and customary attorney’s fees in Travis Coun[*518] ty, and, based on his knowledge of the services rendered to Texas Commerce on this matter, which he detailed, $30,000 was a reasonable fee for prosecuting Texas Commerce’s claims. This was legally sufficient to support the trial court’s judgment for attorney’s fees. [13]

Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 59.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Court grants the petition for review of Texas Commerce Bank and, without hearing oral argument, affirms the court of appeals’ judgment on liability, reverses the judgment on the issue of damages and attorney’s fees, and remands to the trial court for entry of judgment for Texas Commerce Bank consistent with this opinion.

1

. Tex.R. Civ. P. 243.

4

. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code §§ 134.001-.005.

5

. Tex.R. Civ. P. 243 (emphasis added).

6

. See, e.g., Irlbeck v. John Deere Co., 714 S.W.2d 54, 57-58 (Tex.App.—Amarillo 1986, writ ref’d n.r.e.); K-Mart Apparel Fashions Corp. v. Ramsey, 695 S.W.2d 243, 247 (Tex.App.—Houston [1 st Dist.] 1985, writ ref'd n.r.e.); Naficy v. Broker, 642 S.W.2d 282, 285 (Tex.App.—Houston [14 th Dist.] 1982, writ ref’d n.r.e.); Angelo v. Champion Restaurant Equip. Co., 702 S.W.2d 209, 211 (Tex.App.—Houston [1 st Dist.] 1985), rev’d on other grounds, 713 S.W.2d 96 (Tex.1986).

8

. Id.

9

. Tex. Civ. R. Evid. 802; see also Irlbeck, 714 S.W.2d at 57-58 (concluding that Rule 802 provides for hearsay admitted without objection to support a default judgment for damages and attorney’s fees).

10

. See Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. v. Glyn-Jones, 878 S.W.2d 132, 133 (Tex.1994).

12

. See Irlbeck, 714 S.W.2d at 57-59. See also, e.g., 8920 Corp. v. Alief Alamo Bank, 722 S.W.2d 718, 720 (Tex.App.—Houston [14 th Dist.] 1986, writ ref’d n.r.e.); American 10-Minute Oil Change, Inc. v. Metropolitan Nat’l Bank-Farmers Branch, 783 S.W.2d 598, 601 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1989, no writ).

13

. See, e.g., Cap Rock Elec. Coop. v. Texas Utils. Elec. Co., 874 S.W.2d 92, 101-02 (Tex.App.—El Paso 1994, no writ) (uncontested affidavit establishing prima facie case for attorney's fees legally sufficient to support attorney’s fees award); Murrco Agency, Inc. v. Ryan, 800 S.W.2d 600, 606 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1990, no writ).