Opinion ID: 2369521
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: requests for findings of fact

Text: Rule 41(a)(1) clearly relates to Rule 296. See TEX.R.APP. P. 41(a)(1) and TEX.R. CIV. P. 296. Rule 296 only entitles a party to findings of fact and conclusions of law in cases tried in district or county court without a jury. Chavez v. Housing Auth. of El Paso, 897 S.W.2d 523, 525 (Tex.App.-El Paso 1995, writ denied). A court tries a case when there is an evidentiary hearing upon conflicting evidence. Linwood, 876 S.W.2d at 395; Chavez, 897 S.W.2d at 525. Accordingly, findings of fact are appropriate only when the court is deciding fact issues. Chavez, 897 S.W.2d at 525. Where the court rules without determining discrete fact questions, requests for finding of fact and conclusions of law are neither appropriate nor effective for extending appellate deadlines. WISD Taxpayers Ass'n v. Waco Indep. Sch. Dist., 912 S.W.2d 392, 394 (Tex.App.-Waco 1996, no writ); Chavez, 897 S.W.2d at 525-26. Findings specifically tied to an appropriate legal standard are the only type of findings that can be truly beneficial to appellate review. Chrysler Corp. v. Blackmon, 841 S.W.2d 844, 853 (Tex.1992).