No.03-15-00008-CVINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSTHIRDJUDICIALDISTRICTPAULD.SIMMONSAPPELLANTV.TERESAA.SIMMONSAPPELLEEoNÀPPEALFIìOM',l't{F'119r'rrJUDI(),,\LDIS'|RICTCOURIOF.I'OMGIì]ìI]NCOUN'I'Y,1'LìXAScAUSLìNO.It-13-0232-irBRIEFOFAPPELLEEGar:rettClarl<sonFliglcysBN2404ó074l-awOfficcofGarrcttC. Fliglcy,Pl,I-C508\7.12'ì'StrcetAustin,'I'exas78701(512) s14-1940lìaxNo.(512)391-0028Gattct.t@higleyfar.ni\'law.comACCEPTED03-15-00008-CV7476585THIRD COURT OF APPEALSAUSTIN, TEXAS10/21/2015 2:05:15 PMJEFFREY D. KYLECLERKIìobcttll.l,uthersllN12704000LawOfficcsoflìol¡crt11,Luthcr,P.C.1800Iùo(ltandcÀustin,-I'exas78701(512)477-2323I'ax(512)478-1824r:bluther@lutl'rlaw.con-rAttorneysonAppealForAppelleeNo.03-15-00008-CVINTI-IECOURTOFAPPEALSTHIRDJUDICIALDISTRICTPI\ULD.SIMMONSAPPELI.ANTV.TERESAA.SIMMONSAPPELLEEONAPPEAI,IIIIOMTFIL-119'IIIJUDICIA]-DIS'TRIC']'COUIL|OII,fOMGIìI]I]NCOUN'I'Y,'[ìXAScÂusENO.1l-13-0232-[iBRIEFOFAPPELLEEI'O'11'I-ÌlIONOI{,,\BI.,IjCOU1ìI'OF^PPIrAl.c'-Appcllec'lercsa.4.SimmonsrespectfullyfìlesthisIlrief.IDENTITYOFPARTIESANDCOUNSELPursuanttolì.ule38,1(a)ofthe'I'EXASIìULESOF,APPII,LL,À'IBì)RO()ÌDUlìlì,thcfollowìnginfonnationissuppliedtothisIlonorableCourt.Parties:'l'rialPetìtionerar-rdAppellee......,...'I'crcsaÀ.Sìmmons'l'dallìcspondcntandAppellant............,.....,,.........PaulI).SimmonsCounsel:AppellceCounselfor'I'etesaA.Sirnrnons.........IìobcrtB.I-utl'rerI,AWOFIìICESOIIIIOBIìlLI1].I,[JT]-ìÌìII.i].C.1800llio(ìranclcAustin,'I'exas78701(ìarrcttClarl<sorlÌIigìeyl,aw(Jfficcof(ìartcttC.I-iìglcy,PLLC508\7,12'r'Str:co:-Àustiu,'I'cx¿s78701'l'rialCounselfor'I'etcsaÂ.Simmons.........................I(irkI-Iawl<insÀtlorntl¡at]aw224WestI3eaur:cgar<ì,Suitc303SanAngclo,'I'cxas76903ftialCounsclfor:lìespondctrt/ÂppellantonÀppealPaulI).S1mmons..................,,,...,,.,MelvinGr:ayGary&Iìrigman,Pl-l-C206\X/.CollegeÀve.San-A.ngckr,Tcxas76903'I'dalCourt................'I-lieHonorableBenWoodward119'r'JudicialI)istrictCourt'I'on-rGreenCouuty,I'exasOBJECTIONTOREQUESTFORORÁLARGUMENTAppcllecbelìevestherequestfororalârgumentshouldbcdcnied,becausethefactsandlcgalargumer-rtsareadecluatclypresentcdìnthcbdefsandrccord,¿ndthedccisionalproccsswouldnotbesignificant\'aidcdbyoralargumcnt.DESIGNATIONOFREFERENCESRecordReferencesTheCled<'slìecotdincludcsallofthcrelevantpleadingsandordcrs{ìledwiththctlialcourtandcletk.'Ì'hcClctk'slìecordscontairlsonevolumc.Iìeferenccsinthis,{ppellee'sBtieftotheClerk'slìecordarebyvolurreandpagcnumbcr,indicatedas"CIì1t-."'l'helìeporter'slìecordlncludesthctranscriptofthcbenchtr:ialheldonJúy22,201.4.'l'helì.eportcr'slìccordcontâinsthr:eevolumes.lìcfcrcncestothelìeportcr'sIìecordarebyvolumeandpagenurnbeL,ir-rdicatedas"lì1ì_:_."'l'hellepottcr'slìccordalsoincludcsallofthepâftics'cxhibitssubmittedtothctl:ìalcourtandaclmittcdrntoevidcnceduringthebcncl'rtrial.Copicsofallsuchexhíbitsal:eincludedinVolumc3ofthclì.eportcr'slìecor:d,lìcfctcnce1othcpar:tics'exhil¡itsareindrcatedas"Iìlì3:IrX#"or:"lìIì3:1ìX#lìcfetencestothetriâlcouÍt'sIrìndìngsofIìactatcindìcatcclas"IìIr#_lìeferer-rcestothetrialcourt'sCoflclusionsofLawaleindicatedas"CL#lìefcrcncestoAppellant'sllriefatcindicateclas""411:_,"PartyReferencesPaull).Stmmons,Âpltellant,shallbctcfcrredtoaseitbcr"Appellant"or"Paul"hercin.'I'cr:esaA.Simnons,Apltellee,shallberefelredtoas"Appcllee"ot"'I'ercsa."INDEXOFAUTHORITIESPage....5,13CoruþnterAssocs.,Int'lu.A/tai,Inc.,91BS.\7.2c1453,456(Tcx.1996)...................8l)trattu.Garcia,224SW.3d309,31,3('liex.App.,ì11Paso2005,noper,).,..........,.......4Coodeu..lhoakfe|t,943S.\ø.2d441,446(I'ex.1997).....,..................,..,6ITaasu.George,71S.\7.3d904,912(l-ex.App,-fcxarkana2002,nopet)..,...,.............,...,.....................,9LIalu.ShellOilCo.,986S\7.2d772,777(1'cx.App.-CorpusChristi1999,pet.denied)..,.................,..,..,..........8I'lEClExpl.Co.u.Nee/,982S.W.2clBB1,886(I"cx.1998).,....,..,......8InreT.J.L.,97S.!7.3d251,265(I'cx.r\pp.-I{ouston[14thDistI2002,ûopcr.)............4IntheAlariagaofReinauer,946S.Sø.2d853,B(r0(I'ex.App.*Arrlarillo1.997,1':tet.cleniccl)....................6I{PMGPeatMawii;ku.I-IarrisonCoanflIJoas.t*ur.Corp.,988S.\X/.2d746,749('1ex.1999)......................................7Lid.eu.Ude,116S.W.3d141,1,51(I'ex.Âpp.-BlPasr¡2003,nopcr.),.,.........................5I-nuu.['1etn1,221S.\X/.3c1609,61,4(I'ex.2007),...,.................,,.,.,............6Oliuru.Rogut',976S,W.2d792,802(llcx.App-Flouston[1"Disll1998,pct.dcnied).........,,.....,....,...,.....8Statutes\9003(b),fex.Iramì1yCode(Vernon's2015)............,S9.011,'I'ex.FamilyCode(y'ernon's2015).......,....,,.,..Page..................3................9STATEMBNTOFTHECASEAppellceaccepts-{ppellant'sStaternentofthcCase.ReplytoIssueNo.1:REPLYTOISSUEPRESENTED-I'hetrìalcourtproperlyexercìseditsdiscrctionbyenforcinganawardofletitementfundsto'l'ercsaanddenyingPaul'sstatutcoIlim.itationsdefensebcc¿use'I'eresabroughtthecnforcemcntact.ionwtthintwo1rs¿1sofhcrdiscoveringhisbreachofficluciaryrcsponsibility.No.03-15-00008-CVINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSTHIRDJUDICIAIDISTRICTPAULD.SIMMONSAPPELLANTV.TERESAA.SIMMONSAPPELLBEONAPPEA]-I]IìOM'J]III-1191TIJUDICIAI,DIS'IIìIC'|COUITI'OFTOMGIìEENCOUNT'Y,]]IXASC^USI:ìNO.B-13-0232-IrBRIEFOFAPPELLEE'l'OTHEI-IONOIL\BLL,COUIìTOFAPPLrÂI.S:^PPELLII,E1'ìl,lìfis^À.SIMMONS(hcreaftcrdcsignatcd";\ppellec"or:"'Icresa")respectfullysul¡mrtsthisI'rerAppellec'sIìjcfandwouldashthiscourttoaffìrmtl-refìnalorclcrcntrtled'Judgrnent"sigîedoûSeptember15,201,4,,b)'theHonolal¡leBcnWoodward,ptesidìngjr-rdgeofthe119'r'JuclicialI)istrictCourtof',[-omGreenCounty,'I'cxas.STATEMENTOFFACTS'l-cresawouldaddthefollowngtoPaul'sStaten'rcntofFactsþ\R:6]:-IeresaÂledaIretitìonfor'IinforcementofOrder,("Petiuonforllnforccmcr-rt"),seekingtoenfotcetheDivorceDccrec,onÂpril3,201.4.(Clì1:35-37;Irl#10)(;\R:Appcndix2).Teres¿âssertedin1'retenforcernentpleadingthatshebecameâwareoftl-reretirementpaymelrtinI¡te201.2oteatly2013.(C1ì1:36).Paulassertedvariousaffìrmatìvcdefensesto'l'eresa'scnfotcerrrentaction,includingbutlrotlimitedto,thestatuteof[nritations.(Clt1:25-26;IrF#9)(ÂÌì:r\ppendix2),-I-etesametPaultotalktoI'rin-ronetirncaftettheirclivorcc.(l\1124:20-24).,,\tthatmeetingshementioneclsomethingtohrmw}rìleataneveningdinnct,andhehandcclhera(lonocoknifesaying"Hete,you've--you'vc-you'veeameclpartofthis."(l{lì25:10-12)'fcrcsatenindcclhil¡abouthcrpctccntage¿wardofletiremelrtì,aûdhesâicl"Ihnow,Iknow,Il<now.Iwon'tforget".(Iìlì25:13-15).'lclcsatcstifieclthatshefìrstleameclaboutPaulcashinginhistctirerrentfromherdaughter:whensl-retold-I'crcsathatPaul"toohirismoneyoutofColrocoandpaidhishomeofl"(Rlì21:2-B).'I'hettialcouttfoundthat"fl'cresa]le¿medofthisrctil:cmentdistributionsonretimcafter,August2012whe¡herdaughtertoldhcrthatl)efendar-rtwasmadataloancornpuyandpaidthernwithproccedsfrornarctilcmentdistribution."(Clì52;lìIr#7).Thetrialcourtfutthcrconcludcdthat"'I'heearlicst['I'elcsallcarncda]¡outtheretiremelltdistribuuontolPauÌJw¿safterr\r-rgust2012."(Cl\53;CJ,#z).Paulclidnordisputeuotwasthereanyevidenccadduccdtl-ratdisputed'I'etcsa'stestimoÍìy.SUMMARYOFARGUMENTTeresabtoughthcrcuforcer¡er1tâctionagairstPaulwithintwoyearsthedateherclairnaccruedagainstPaul,tl'rcd¿tcsl'reteccivednoticctlìathchadcashcdinI'risConocoretitetnent,failedtogivel-rerashareoftl'retetiLement,andbrcachcdI'risfiduciaryduty.'I'crcsaassertedinhercnforcemelrtpctìuor-rshcdidnotfincloutPaulhaclcashcdtnhistetiretnentuntilÂugust2012,t.c.,tl-ratshediscovcredherinjuryinAugustof2012.'I'I-Letrialcourt,l¡asedonundisputedfacts,foundthat'fcrcsafirstfoundoutPaulh¿dreceivcdatetitemelltdistributionir-rAugustof2012.'I'l'retrialcourtfutthermadethelcgalconclusionthâttl-ìccârlicstthePlaintiff['lietcsa]leatncclabouttherctìrcmentdistr:íbutiontol)cfcnc{ant[Par-rllwasaltclÂugust20[2.'Il-retrìalcourtímpliedlyfounclthatcashingoutrheredrementfundwasinhcrent\'undiscoverablc,andt,hat'l'cresahadexercisedtcasonal¡lccliligcncc.Assucl-r,thctrialcour:tpropcdycotrcludccldratthediscoveryruletolledtl-rcappìicabletwo-1rs¿¡statuteofLir¡itationsfoundûr'I'cx.Iìarn.Coclc$9.003(b).'lhetrìalcour:tproPedyenfotceclthelrtovisicxrofthedivorccdecrceìntegatdstothcdivisionofPaul'srctitetrentbel1cfìts.ARGUMENTREPLYTOISSUEPRESENTED:ThetialcourtproperlyexerciseditsdiscretionbyenforcinganawardofretirementfundstoTeresaanddenyingPaul'sstatuteoflimitationsdefensebecauseTeresabroughttheenforcementactionwithintwoyearsofherdiscoveringhisbreachoffiduciaryresponsibility.StandatdofRevíewAtrialcoutt'srulingor-râpost-divoÍcemotionfotenforcementofadivorccdecteeistcviewedunderanaì¡use-of-discretionstanclatd.SeeIøreT.J.I-.,97S.\(/.3d257,265(fex.;\pp.-Flouston[14t1'rDist.]2002,nopet.)(abuscofdíscrcrionstatrdardapplicdinlcviewingordctctrfotciugpaymentofchilcl'sl-realthcateexpcnsesanclunínsuredmedicalcxper-rses).Incleter:miningwl'rethelthcttialcourtabuseditsdiscretiolr,thcrcal:ctwoclucstiol'ìs:(1)didthetlialcoutthavesuffìcrcnttnformadonuponwhichtoexerciscitsdisctetion;ancl(2)dídthctrialcouÍteÍrirritsapplicationofdisclction?Duranu.Garcia,2245.W.3d309,31.3(Tex.App.-IilPaso2005,nopet.).llìthrespccttothcfìrstclucslion,thetr:¿ditron¿lsuffìcicncystanclarclsapply..lotelou.Conqahs,170S,W.3d783,787(l'ex.Âpp.-lìlPaso2005,1ropet.).Anappellantmaycl'rallcngethctrìalcourt'sûndingsoffactfotlcgalandfactualsuffìcicncyofthcevidence.Sofe/0,170S.W,3dat787.-A.legalsufficìcncy<¡r"noevidence"challengcwillbesust¿inedift1'rcpartysuffcringthcach.er;scdecisionattrialshows:(1)thecornplctcabsenccofavitalfact;(2)thccor-rttisl¡ancdbytulesoflaworevidencefrorngivingweighttotheoulyevidenceoffctedtopÍoveâvitalfact;(3)thecvidcnceofferecltoproveavitalfactísnomotethanascintilla;or(4)tl-reevidenceestablishcsconclusìvelytheopposítcofthcvitalfact,Cìb,0fKeileril.ll/ils0n,1.68S.\7.3d802,810(T'cx.2005),Wrcnconcluctin¡¡alegalsufficierrcyrevicw,evidcnccisr,rcwedir-rtheligl-rtmostfavorabletothcjudgmcnt,creditìngfavorableevidenccifateasonablefactfìndcrcoulcl,anddistegarcìingcolrtraÐ/evidenceunlessarcason¿blclactfìndcrcouldnot.id.at822.'I'l-¡efìnaltcstforlegalsufficieucymustalwa¡rsbcwhcthertheevidcnccattÍiâlwouldcnablcle¿rson¿bleandfairn'úrrdcdpeoplctolcachtheverclictuudetteview.id.lnafactualsuffìciencyreview,al1oftheer,'rdenceisconsidcrcd,bothtl-reevidenccwhicl-rter-rdstoprovcthccxistcnceofavitalfact,aswellaseviclcnccwhrcl'rtcndst<rdìsproveitsexistcr.rcc.So/.e/0,1,70S.W.3dat787.Afindirgshouldbcserâsideonlyifitissocoutlaq'totheovcÍwhclmingwei¡¡htofthccr,rdcnccastobcclcarlywrongandmanifestlyunjust..fcrCainu.Baitt,709S.W.2d175,1,76(I'ex.1986).Onccitisdetcrmincddratsufficientevicìenccexists,thecourtmustconsiclelwl-rctlrcrthettialcouftmâcleareasonablcclecision.L'ideu.Licle,116S.W.3ctL47,151(T'ex.Àpp.-lÌlPaso2003,11opet.),Inotherwolds,rhccourtlrrustdetermitlcthattherulingwasnettherarbitrary11orunrcasonal¡Ie.id.Underthcsccolrdinquiry,thctestisnotwhcthet,intheopinionoftl-relcvicwrngcourt,thefactsprcsclttana1t1tr-oprintccasefol:tlrctrìalcoutt'saction.Sotelo,1,70S.W.3d¿t787-88,llathcr:,theissuciswhetherthetrialcr¡uttactcclwitìrouttefete:ucetoanyguidingrulesol:prìnciplcssucl'rdratitsrulingwlsâÍbitrâlyotullreasonable.SeeLulu.IJenry,221S.\7.3d609,614('I'cx.2007);Goodeu.Shonkfeh,943S.\ø.2d441,446(I'cx.1997).l\nabuseofclisctetiorrisshownifthctrialcouÍtdrewaniucottectconclusionoflawb1'misappllnngthelawtothefâctsor:ifthcconttollingfirrdingsoffactdo11otsupllol:tacorrectlcÉìaltheorysufûcicnttosupporttl'ìejudgmcnt.lote/.o,170S.W,3c1at788.TheDiscover|,RuleAvoidsLimitationsasaBattoTercsa'sClaimÂl¡sental¡asistodeferthelunningoftheclockforpurposes<¡fstatutesoflimitation,lìmitationsgenerallybcgintotunwhenthewrongfulactcausesaninjuq,.Childsu.Hattl.recker,/974,î.V/.2¿)/,i6(lex./998).Itthiscasc,-fercsawasìnjuredwhenPauldicìuotcomplywìththetcmsofthcdivorceclecree.'l'heparties'clivorccdccrcctcquireclPaultotcrnitto'felcsa"[a]portronofI'Iusband'sretjt:ement,pensìon,thrift,proÂtsharingancìothctcrnlrloycebcllcfitsâccluircddrtougìrllusband'scrnplolnlcntwrthOonoco,tobcpaidif,as,andwhenreccivedbyI*Iusbancl.(Cll1;14,111ì3:PX#5;FIr#5;FF#1)(z\ppendices2-3).'I'cLesa'sinjuryoccurredwhenPaulwidrdr:ewalloftl'refunclsfromthcletirernentaccountandupondoingsothcnfailedtoirnrnediatclyternit'I'etesa'spor:tio11tohet..1¿¿IntheMariageofReinaan',94óS.W.2d853,860(I'ex.App.-,,\rnarillo1.997,pet.denied).Itis'I'eresa'stnainconteutiontiratthediscovcryrulcappliestoavoidapplicationofPauì'slimitatiousdefcnsctol¡atherclaimagainsthir¡forfailutctopayhctawatdcdredtcmentfunds.'fhcdiscoverytuleisthelcgalpr:inciplewhicìr,whcnapplicablc,ptovidesthatlirnitationsLunftornthedatethcplaintiffdiscoversorshouldhavcdiscoveled,intheexctciscofrcasonablecareanddiligence,theÍìatureoftl'reinjury.lYilli¡a.Mauerick,760S.W.2d642,644(I'cx.19BB).\Xhcthcrthcdiscoveryrulcap¡rlicsinthefitstinstanccdepelrdsilrpartuponwhetherthcinjuryisinherentlyundiscoveral¡le;meaning,depcndìngortlleinjury,thciujuryisunlikelytobediscovcrcdwitl'rintl'relegislative\'prescribedlimitedper;iodcvcnwhentlreclaimanthasexetctscdcluccliligence.I{/agnerùBrown,Lld.u.LIonyood,58S.W3d732^t734-35(I'ex.2001).\X4rcnitapplics,thcdiscoverytuledefersaccrualofâcauseofactionuntiltl-rcplainuffknewol,cxer:cìsìngtcâso1râblediligencc,shoulclhavcknowtroftlrcwtcxrgfullycauscdinjury."I(PMGPeatÌ¡Laruicku.I:larri¡onConnþI7ont..Fin.Cor.p.,9B8S.W.2d746,749(l'ex.1999).Nor.rethelcss,tl.rccliscoveryruleisaLimítedcxcelltìontothestatutcoflinritaúonsandappliesoûl)¡"v/hcnthen¿turcoftl'replaintiffsinjuryisl¡othinhetentlyundiscovctablealrdobjectivelyvcrifìablc."ILonyood,5BS.W.3d^t734.Afterdeciclingwhet}rerthcdìscoveryrulcsapplìes,thencxtissucforthecoutttodeciclebecomcs"Whendid'Ì'eresalearnthatPaulhadnotrernitteclretiternentfundsorvecltolrer?".1¿¿Cl:i/d.ç,974S.W.2dat37.Aftcrapplicâtionofthediscovetyrule,resolvingwhcn'I'ercsahadactualoÍconstructiveknowlcdgeofPaul'sfailur:ctorernitthetetitemcntfundstohersl-rouldrcsolvethcissucwhcthctthetrialcouîtpÍopcdyrefusedtotimebar'l'etesa'sclaim.Pau|'sDectsionto.NotPayTeresa,aBreacltofFiduciaryDuty,fs"fnherentlyUndiscoverable"i\ninjuryis"inl-rcrcndyundrscoverable"ifitis,bynatulc,unhhclytobediscovctcdwrthintheptesctibcdlirnit¿tionspctioddespitethcplaintiffsdiligence.She//Oi/Co.u.Ror,356S.W.3d924,930(l"ex.2001);IY/agnera.Bron,n,Ltd.,u.Honuood,58S.W.3d732,734-35(Iex.2001);ContpaterAtncl,Int'/u.Alrd|Iilî.,918S.W.2d453,456(Tcx.1996).\X/hcthetaninjuryisinl-rerentlyundiscoveral¡leisdctermincdcategorically-thatis,byexarniningwhetherthepalticularrypcofrnjuryclairncclìsgcnetaldìscovcrablcthroughthecxctciseofreasonablcdiligcncc,IJECIExpl.Co.u.Nee/,982S.W.2d881,886(l'cx.1998).'l'heplaintiffmustdemonstrateonlyrhatitwa,qdiffìculttodiscovertheìnjnty,theplaintìffdc)csnotneecltol)rovcthatitwasimpossiblc.SeeS.I/.u.R.l/.,933S.W.2cl1(fcx.1996),Aninjutyis"objecuvclyvetifiable"ifthernjury'scxisrcnceandthcdefendant'swrongfulactcânûotbedisputedandtl-refactsonwhichhabilityisassertcdaredcnronstr¿tedbyditectphysicalcvidcnce.IJalu.She/lOi/Co.,986S.\ø.2d172,771('I'ex.App.-CotpusChdsu1999,pet.denìecì).'I-hismightbestbedemor.rstraredbyexample.Aninjuryresultingfromabrcachofconttactisobjectìvelyvcr:ifìablebyk;olringattheclefcndant'scontractwìthathírdpany.SaeOliueru.Rogers,976S.W.2d'792,802(I'cx.,,\pp.*Iloustor.r[1"Dist,]1998,pet.dcnrcd),\(/hcteas,sexualabusebyaparcntwouldnotbeobjecuvclyvcriÂablebecausethereisnoscicntificcolrsensusorhowtogaugcthcüueorfalsityofrecoveredrnernc¡riesupotrwhichtl-reclairnwonldbebased.-1¿¿.r.V.,933S.W.2dat18.'I'hcfirstpartoItl'reinquiryiswhetl-rer'fcresa'sinjuryisinl-rerendyurrdiscoveral¡le.'l-etcsadidnotteceìvepaymcntofrctircmentfundssl'rewasawarded,audshedidnotrcceivethetnbecausePaulteceivedtl-rernfìrstanddid11otpâythcn'ìtoI'rer,butpaiclbíllsinstc¿d.(1ìlì1:52;lîÌì#3,4).\71'renPaulteceivedtherctircmentlundsawardedto'I'eresa,aficluciaryobligatiol'ìinfavorof'I'eresarvascreatcd,acollsttuctlvctrustwaspìacedonthosefuudsforthebcnefitof'l'eresa,andPaulowedaûduciarylcsponsibilitytopaytl-refundsto'I'eresa.Sec.9.011,'I'ex.lìarnilyCocle(Veruon's2015).Paull¡rcachcdhisfiduciaryrcsponsibiLiryto'I'etesabynotpayingthetctitenentfi-urdshel'reldto'I'eresa.'l'hankful\''l'cxascasclawisclcar:thatinjuricsatisurgfi:omabl:eachofafiducialydutyareconsidercdinhetentll'undiscovcrable5.V.,933S.W.2datB;ConþnlerA.r.roc.r,918S,W.2dtt456;Tlaatu.George,71S.\)í.3d904,912(I'ex.App.-'I'exatkana2002,nopet.).Gener:al\',apartywhoìsov¡edafìclucìar:yclutyìsrelievedoftesponsibilit.yofclilìgentincluiryintothefiduciar:y'sconductaslongasthcrclauonslripexists.,1.Z,933S.W.2clat8;'freailu.Treni/,311S.W.3cl11,4,123(I'ex.App.-Ileaumont2010,nopct.).FIowcver,oûceficluciarymisconductbecomesapparent,itcannotbcignorecl,r:egalcllcssofthenatutcoftherclatìonship.ConpuÍerzl¡socs.,91BS.W.2dat45ó.'I'hcrccanbcnoothelconclusionbutthat'l'ercs¿hasrnethctfirstbutdcnofdemonstratingtl'rathcrinjuty,sufferingfromabreacl-rofhduciar'ydr-rty,isthcqpeoflljurythatis"inhegrt\'undisc<¡verablc".Teresa'sIniuryisObiectivelyVerifrableJlvrdenceattrialwasunclisputecìtl'ratPaullcceivedtherctircmcntfundsar-rdspentthccntirearnountr:cccivedtopaybílls.(Clì:52,llfffi,4).(ll1ì2:5,L9-24).'I'heinjurycanbequantrÊcdanddetermiucdwrtl-rcettainty,asopposedtootheÍinjuricswhichcanbedisputcdandcannotbcdcmonstratedbydir:cctphysrcalevidelrce.Iìxarnplesofthelatteral:cclaimsptoveclbyâncxpcrtopiniorlbasedonrcpressedortecovelcdrnernorieswhicharetrotsuffìcienttoobjectivclyverifyâninjury;therewasnoscicntiûccollscnsusonhowtogaugctruthorfalsityoftcc<;vcrcdrncrnorìcs.J.lZ,933S.\?.2dat18.'I'etesa'sinjurybeing"objectìvclyvcrifiable",thesccondprongofthetestI'rasbeenmct,andthecliscor.cÐ¡ruleapplicstodclayapplicationofthcstatutcoflimitatjonstoPaul'sbteachoffìducìaryduty.EwdencelVasSufficientTeresaExerc.ísedDueDiIlgenceandFiledClaimWithinTwoYeatsofNottce'I'hcevrdcnceadduceciattriâlrcgardingdiscovcryofthcinjuryandcffortstodiscovcltl'reinjurywastlletcslimolryof'I'eresa,whotcstìfìedasfollows:aOhay,Now,whendidyoufìtstlearnthatyour:husbandhadcasl'redinhistetitetnentwitl-rConoco?l0A,Ilcarned,uhm,whcnrnydaughtcr,gosh,uhfiì,vzas-justhappcncdt<¡rncnúonwhenshcwastallangtomethatheI'radgottenaggravatcdâtd1eilrsural-ìcecompâllyoïsomethû1gforgoingupor-ìtheirpticcsandhejustpaìdhishorneoflFIcroohhismoncyoutofConocoanclpaidhishr¡rncoff.aOkay.r\ndthâtwouldÌravebcenI'rowlongago?^.Uhûrllntl-rirrkingthatwassomewheren2012.aOkay.^Norv,letmetellyou,Idcx-r'tcliscusswitlrhrmwithrnykìcìsbccauseIdolr'tu/antmykidstobedr:uglrtoanykrnclofsnrfflikethat.aOkay.Butshejusthappcncdtotrentionthat?A.Yeah.aAndthenattlìatpointintimeyoust^rted-whatdidyout1-ytoclothen.,\.Istartedcolrtactillgdiffctent,uhm,attomeys.IthoughtatthetirncthathewaslivinginNewMcxrco,ar-rdsoIcontactccla1lattorûc)¡inNervMcxicoandspol<cwithlrim.Iluthcwasn'tlivinginNewNlcxico,hel-racì-,hcwasthcnlìr'ìng-aI'lere?A.-herc.SothenIcontactcdyou.aAndclidhecvertcllyouthathchadcâsl'ìedi1rhìsretitcmcntwiththcrn?r\.,{bsolutclynot.(ìDidyouknowal¡outtl-rcbanhnrptcl'wejustfoundoutabout?^.Irnayhavchcardaboutitslrcet1-ren,uhrn.,fiomoneofthekicls.Ididnotgetâlìynoticeofauybankr:uptrcy,no.aOkay.Âr-rdâfe)¡ouaskngthcCoutttoaward1'6¡thcmonc;'thatI'rewoulclowcyoufolyoursl'rareofhisrctiremcot?lll\Ycs,andattorney'sfccsanclcosts.(lì1ì2:p.21.,L2top.22,1.9).aÂud1'6¡fceltl-ratyou'rcelrddedtoâportionofhisretiremcnt?^.Iabsolutclydo.aÁ.ndyoudidn'tknowthathewasgctringârctiremenrbcncfitunúlyourdaughtertoldyou?.{.'I'hat'scorrect.I-Ihavcscenhirntotalktohirnonctimesinccwcwcredivorced.Itl-rrr-rl<,anclthatwasafewyeatsbeforcl-reretlrcdwhenthcladswcrebothintowr.Jessewasintownatrdthel<idswantcdustomectfordinner,tl'refourofus,anclIfìnal\'agt:ecdtoit.aWe,accordir-rgtoPagc4ofyourdecrce,whichrvasbacki¡1.981,youkncwthatatetitementwâsâccruingâtthetìmeaccorclingtoy6¡1owndecrec,--A.Yeah.a-diclyounot?A.Yes,Idid.aWell,thenw}rydidyouwaitanother25yearsorsotomahcaclaim?^.Iìecause,uhm,1heclivorccdccteeorclercdthatwhenhcretilcdIwoulcltcccivcthatperceutage.WhenwclrretfordinncrthattimcinOl<lahor¡¿(ìity,Irnentioncdsolncttú1rÉÌtohimactuallythatverycvening.IIel-rancìcdmca(lonocoknifeancll-resaid"Ilerc,you've-)¡ou'vc-you'veeamcdpartofthis."AndIsaid."Don'tforget¿bouttl-ratpeÍccrltâfleof¡r¡¡s¡retiremel1t."FIcsaid,"Iknow,Iknow,Iknow.Iwon'l:forget."Andagrecdthatheowedittome.SoI-whatwoulclyoul-raverncdo?(lìlì2:p.24,1.20top.25,1.16).t2'fl'reevidencefrom'I-ctesaSitnmons\À/âsthatshedìscovereclPaulhadnotpaiclhertlreretrremcntwhenshew¿sputo11lroticeby1-rerclaughtert¡2012.'I-eresafìledapet.itiontoenfotccthedivorccdccteeonApril3,2014.(Clì2:52)(Iìf1#10).'l'etesaalsotestìfiedthatshchadasl<edPaultonotforgetaboutthetetirementawardedto1rer,alrdhestated"Iwon'tforget."Importantly,therccordinthiscaseteflectsthatPaulneveltestifìcdtl-rat'I'cresa'sâccoulltoftheconvcrsationbetween'I'etesaandPaulneveroccurred,noldidPauloffetanyeviclcncethathetrecountingofthecxcl'rangcwasinaccutate.Itisthereforcuncontrovcrtcdthat'l'crcsainquircdofPaulabouttherelirer¡ent¿wardandthatPaultgreecltoberesponsiblcfotit.Afincleloffactcannot"ignoteundisputcdtcstin-ronythatisclcal,positìve,direct,otherwrsecredible,frccfromcontradictiolrsandìnconsistencies,andcouldl.ravcbcenrcaclilycontrovetted."Ci4to.fIQ/hru.l.(/il¡on,1,68S.\7.3d802,B11(I'cx.200s).Underthcfactsofthiscasc,whenPault:ccerveddrereútetrcntfunclscluc'I'etesa,I-rcowedher:afìcluciaryrespotisibilitytosafekeepthefundsandpayI'rerwhatwasowed.Theundisputedtestimonyisthat'I'eresaashedofPaul,andPaulagrccd,tcrber;esponsiblefotthctctitemelltduc'fetesaundettheclivolcedecree.Paulhadsoleconttoloverthedecisiontowithdr:awfundsfton-rhisConocoaccoullt,andheagreedwitl'r'I'ctcsa'sÍequcsttoberespousiì¡lcforthepayrnclltwhenhemadctheclecision.Nothínginthcrecorclwouldrnal<cthcrequestby'l-clesaoïthcacceptanccofthc13responsibilitybyPauluntcasonablc.Iikewise,rotl'ìinginthcr:ecoldwouldrnakc'l-cres¿'stelianceonPaultodelivelthcpayrnentunreasonable,especiallyconsidcringPaulundisputcdacce¡rtanceofthatresponsibiLity.Mor:cimportant\',itìsarguablethatTcrcsawâsnotrecluìredtc¡askofPaulabouttl'reretirer¡entbecauscheheldherfundsinaconstructivettust,andhcowedafidr.rciaryresponsibilìtyto'fcresatopayher.Itis'I'cresa'scontentiontl'ratPaulr,rolatedhisfìduciaryresponsibiliryto'I'cresawheuhcteceivedtheretitementfunclsanddidnotpayher.Itis'Icrcs¿'sfurthercontefltiolrthatherrequcsttoPaulhonesdyrnadcanclundisputcdlyacceptedbyPaultornal<ethcrctirerner-rtpaymclrtsatisfìesan)¡ÍcqrÌircmentofre¿sonablediligcrrceforapplicatrouofthediscovcryrtrleir-rthisc¿se.'I'l'rerewasnocviclcnccintherecor:dtoPutT'eresaonnoticethatshesllouldnotre\¡o11Pâul'sâcccptalrccofherrcquesttobelcspoÍrsibleforthettaûsfetuûtil'I'cresahcardfromhcrdaughtcrregardiûgPaul'spossiblcuseoftctircmcntfuûcìs,andTcrcsafileclsuitwithintwoycarsoftiratnotrcc.Basedontheuncìisputecl,clear,¡rositiveancldirecttcstimon¡,of'Jieresa,whichcouldhavebeenreadilycoutrovertcdbyPaul,'lercsaexercisedtcasonablccliligcncebyleasonablyre\ii11gnuPaultotransfctthefunds,ar:csponsibiLityrequestedofhimanclacceptedbyl'rirnwithoutrescrvâlioû.Undelthcfactsofthiscasc,thetrialcourtcliduotabuseitsdiscrct-iolrbyfìndngthatthcclaimby'I'eresafortherctrremcntfundsdidnotaccrueundlsl'rcwasgivcnnoticebyhcrdaughterthatPaulwâs1-ìotgoingtot4fulfilll-risagr:eed-uponrcsponsibilitytrotrânsfertheretiremcntfunclsto'l'eresawhcnhetcceivedthcm.Paul'sargumenttothìsCourt:isthat'I'etcsacouldh¿vehadaQDIIOsi¡yred,orshecoulclhavccontacrcdConoco,olshecouldI'ravecalleclÌ)aulagainanclagainonsomeundetetmiuedtcgr-rlatbasistodctetmrlrehisretucmcntstatus,whcthcthehaclreclucstedaletìtcmentalrroulrtir-rsomefonnfromConoco,andwhetl'rerhchadactuallyreccivedfundsfromConoco.Itis'I'eresa'spositionthatwl-rìleanyoncofanurnbetofpossibilitiesexisttocxerciscdìligcnce,thefiduciarydutyowcdto'l'eresabyPaul,coupledwith'I'cresa'srequcstofPaultorakercspor-rsibilityfortheretiremcnttransfer,andPaul'sunhiûdcredandvoluntaryacceptallceofthatrcqucstto,suppoÍts'I'etesa'spositiontl-r¿tiswasPar-rl'scluq,todisck¡sctheinjuty.fiurdrcr,hcrrclianceonPaultomalçcthcr:clircrncntpâymcntwasrcasonal¡lc.Àssucl'r,tothccxtentr:cc¡uircdbyanyrneasure,-feresacxctcisecìthc"leasonabìcdilìgcncc"l:ccluitcdofhertowaldsdiscovetyofan"inhcrentlyundiscovelable"rnjurysufficienttoallowappJicatìor-rofthediscoveryr:u1etodelayirnposrtìonofthcstatutec¡flimitationsintl'rìscase.CONCLUSIONANDPRA\'ER'Ihcttialcourtpropctlyfcrundtl-rat'I'cr:cs¿filcdhctclairnagaínstPaulwitl'rintwoyeal'softhedatcshehnewotsl-rouldhavcl<nownofhcrinjury.'1'1-rettialcourtptoPertytefusedtobar'I'ercsa'sclairnagair-rstPaulfolrctitcmcntfur-rdshcfailcdtcrdelivcrtol'rer.'I'cresapraysthatthìsCourtdenyPaul'stcquestedrelicf.15WHlllìEIrOÌìF,,Plì.li,MISBSCONSIDElììjl),Âppellcc'l-cres¿À.SirnmonsthatthisCourtaffinnthcttìalcor-rrt'sjudgrnent,anddeuyallteliefr:eclucstcdbyAppellant,lìespcctfullysubrnitted,GartettClarl<sonFliglcysIlN24046074l,awOfficeofGarrettC.I-Iigley,Pl,l-C508\(/.12'r'StreetÀustin,'I'cxas78701(512)514-1940IìaxN<¡.(512)391-0028Gatett@higleyfarnilylaw.comÀncl]-,\WOFIìIC]I'SOFItoltlit{f11.LU'rFlIitì,P.c,1800lììo(lranclcStrcct-Austin,'fexas78701(s12)477-2323Iìax(512)478-1,824By,/S/lìol¡ertll.l,uthcrlìobcttlJ.J-uthersIlN12704000Ilbluthet(@lutl.rlaw.cor¡.Attorncysfor:l\ppellce,-I'crcsaÂ.SimmonsCER'TIFICATEOFCOMPLIANCEInaccordancewithlìules9.4(e)and(I)ofthe'IïXASI{ULESOIr,ÀPPll'l-LA'I"L,PÌìOCEDUlìlì,theundctsiglrcclattorneyofrecordcertìfìcsthattl'reIlnefofAppelleecontains14-pointtypefacefor:thebodyofthcbricf,121oint$pefaccfolfo<¡tnotesinthel¡r'iefandcontains3873words,excludingthoscwordsidentifiedasnotbeingcountcdrnlìulca.4(Ð(1)anclwasprcparcdonS(/ordPerfectversionX6./S/llobett11.LuthcrIìol¡cltIl.Lutl'rerCERTIFICATEOFSERVICEIccrtifythatatruccopyoftl-rcabovcwasscrvedonÂpcl1ant,byandthr:ougl-rhisattorucl'softecord,Melviu(ìraya¡dlìlcdl3rigrna¡viacserviccatsgteen@grayandbri¡¡man.com,inaccordanccwlthtl-re'I'exasRulcsofCivilProccdureandtlre'I'exaslìulcsofÂppellatcProcedurconOctober21,2015./S/ltobctt11,l,uthcr:I{obcrtIl.Lutl-retT7