Opinion ID: 1669823
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: denial of writ of error

Text: The question first confronted is not whether Brown can obtain review by writ of error, but whether, assuming such review, there were any grounds before the court of civil appeals warranting reversal of the trial court's judgment. The four elements necessary for a review by writ of error are: (1) it must be brought within six months of the date of judgment; (2) by a party to the suit; (3) who did not participate in the trial; and (4) error must be apparent from the face of the record. In the presence of two witnesses and a notary public, Brown executed an Affidavit of Relinquishment of Parental Rights to Licensed Child Placing Agency. This affidavit was then filed within the suit for termination of parental rights, the subject of this cause. The affidavit provides in part: It is in the best interest of the children that the children be placed for adoption in a suitable home by an agency licensed by the Texas Department of Human Resources to place the children for adoption. I therefore designate McLennan County Children's Protective Services of the Texas Department of Human Resources as managing conservator of the children. I have been informed of my parental rights, privileges, powers, and duties. I freely, voluntarily, and permanently give and relinquish to the above-named agency all my parental rights, privileges, powers, and duties. I consent to the placement of the children for adoption by this agency. I fully understand that a lawsuit will be promptly filed in the 19th District Court of McLennan County, Texas, to terminate forever the parent-child relationship between me and the above-named children.... With that in mind, I hereby declare that this Affidavit of Relinquishment of Parental Rights is and shall be final, permanent, and irrevocable. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT, IF I CHANGE MY MIND AT ANY TIME, I CAN NEVER FORCE THE AGENCY TO DESTROY, REVOKE, OR RETURN THIS AFFIDAVIT AND THAT I CANNOT TAKE BACK OR UNDO THIS AFFIDAVIT IN ANY WAY.... Not wishing to appear or be cited in the termination suit, I hereby waive the right to issuance, service, and return of all process in any suit to terminate the parent-child relationship between me and the children. I agree to termination of the parent-child relationship between the children and me without further notice to me. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL NOT BE INFORMED FURTHER ABOUT THIS SUIT. Contrary to the court of civil appeals opinion, Brown was still a party in interest after she executed the affidavit in question. Section 15.02 of the Texas Family Code allows the court to grant a petition terminating the parent-child relationship when the parent is not the petitioner if the court finds that: (1) the parent has: ... (K) executed before or after the suit is filed an unrevoked or irrevocable affidavit of relinquishment of parental rights as provided by Section 15.03 of this code; and in addition, the court further finds that (2) termination is in the best interest of the child. Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 15.02, (Vernon Supp. 1980-81). Therefore, Brown was a party in interest until the Decree of Termination was entered. The writ of error was filed within six months of the date of judgment and it is undisputed that Brown did not participate in the trial. The remaining question is whether there was error on the face of the record. Brown contends the following constitutes such error: 1. No citation was issued and any pre-suit waiver of citation is ineffective and constitutes a violation of her due process. 2. No record or statement of fact was prepared by the trial court as required by Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 11.14(d) (Vernon's 1975); 3. She was denied due process by lack of notification of her right to counsel and lack of representation by counsel at the time of execution of the affidavit and the following trial.