Court Opinion

ID: 9674951
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:37:48.449819+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:30.376174
License: Public Domain

*654VANCE, Justice,
dissenting.
Because I do not interpret Jody’s pleading as a “will contest” and because I believe that her claims are barred by the statute of limitations, I respectfully dissent.
I agree with the majority’s statement that “nowhere in the pleading ... does [Jody] expressly request that the will be set aside because of [the] fraud or lack of testamentary capacity.” However, after stating the relevant facts, the petition asserts that she is entitled to injunctive relief to preserve the status quo and asserts causes of action for fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, conversion, constructive fraud, and negligence and gross negligence. It further seeks an accounting, the imposition of a constructive trust on all property formerly owned by Richard Stodder and the income and proceeds of that property, attorney’s fees, and costs. In alleging fraud, constructive fraud, and a conversion, the petition asserts that Richard Stodder lacked testamentary capacity and that the circumstances surrounding the execution of the will were suspicious; however, these allegations form the basis for the imposition of a constructive trust. This interpretation of the petition is consistent with the prayer, which asks for (1) temporary restraining orders, (2) a temporary injunction, (3) an accounting, (4) the imposition of a constructive trust, (5) an order requiring the constructive trustee to convey all of Richard Stodder’s property to Jody, (6) costs of suit, and (7) attorney’s fees.
When one fraudulently acquires title to property, equity will intervene by impressing a constructive trust in favor of the one who is entitled to it. Batten v. Batten, 497 S.W.2d 394, 398 (Tex.Civ.App. — Houston [1st Dist.] 1973, writ ref'd n.r.e.) (citing Binford v. Snyder, 144 Tex. 134, 189 S.W.2d 471 (1945)). A present right to possession is immaterial— that right is what Jody seeks to establish by her suit. Specific grounds for a contest of the will are immaterial because the suit seeks to avoid the effects of the probated will by the imposition of a constructive trust. See id. Thus, Jody’s petition essentially asserts a right to a constructive trust, a claim within the jurisdiction of the District Court of Falls County.
Turning to the merits of the summary judgment, I would hold that Jody’s claims are barred by the statute of limitations. Evans’ summary judgment proof shows that Jody’s alleged adoptive father, George Hammond Stodder, Jr., the relative through whom she claims to be the only heir-at-law of Richard Stodder, survived Richard by six and one-half years. During that time, he and he alone had the right to assert the claims now asserted by Jody. Because the time allowed for bringing the suit expired during George Jr.’s lifetime and because Jody did not allege facts that would avoid the effects of the statute’s running against George, Jr. and produced no summary judgment evidence of any fact issue that would avoid the running of the statute, I would affirm the summary judgment.