Court Opinion

ID: 2918868
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-11 00:09:56.707998+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:15:51.258544
License: Public Domain

NUMBER 13-99-222-CV

COURT OF APPEALS

THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

CORPUS CHRISTI
___________________________________________________________________

IN RE: WARREN DOWLING WHITCOMB, NCM

___________________________________________________________________

On appeal from County Court at Law No. 2 of 
Victoria County, Texas.

____________________________________________________________________

O P I N I O N

Before Justices Hinojosa, Chavez, and Rodriguez
Opinion by Justice Rodriguez

	This is a guardianship case.  Appellees Anna Marie Woodward and
Kathryn E. Fojt filed a suit to have a guardianship ordered for their father,
appellant Warren Dowling Whitcomb.  After a trial to the court, an order
was entered granting the guardianship and appointing appellees as co-guardians of appellant's person and estate.  By six issues, appellant
complains that (1) the order is void because it violates sections 685(a),
689, and 690 of the Texas Probate Code; (2) the evidence is insufficient
to support the finding of partial incapacity; and (3) the trial court erred
in failing to find an appraisal was necessary and to name appraisers of
appellant's estate, and in failing to set a sufficient bond for appellees as
guardians.  We reverse and remand.

	In his first issue, appellant complains that the trial court's order is
void because it appoints more than one guardian of appellant's person
and estate in direct violation of section 690 of the Texas Probate Code
which expressly provides that "[o]nly one person may be appointed as
guardian of the person or estate. . . ."  Tex. Prob. Code Ann. § 690
(Vernon Supp. 2000).  Appellees contend that the appointment of co-guardians is not error, and further, because the statute does not provide
that the appointment of more than one guardian will result in a void
order, any violation of the statute would merely be voidable.  

	We agree with appellant that the trial court violated the clear
language of section 690 of the probate code when it appointed co-guardians of appellant's person and estate.  See id.; Haas v. Dodson,
589 S.W.2d 193, 195 (Tex. Civ. App.--Waco 1979, no writ) (appointment
of two guardians of estate or person violates probate code); McAdams
v. Wilson, 164 S.W. 59, 62 (Tex. Civ. App.--Amarillo 1914, writ ref'd)
(appointment resulting "in two guardianships pending for the same
children . . . is clearly against the policy of the law, and in the face of the
statute.").  However,  we do not agree that the order is void, as is
asserted by appellant.

	"A judgment is void only when it is apparent that the court
rendering the judgment had no jurisdiction of the parties, no jurisdiction
of the subject matter, no jurisdiction to enter the judgment, or no
capacity to act as a court."  Mapco, Inc. v. Forrest, 795 S.W.2d 700, 703
(Tex. 1990) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam) (citing Cook v. Cameron, 733
S.W.2d 137, 140 (Tex. 1987); Browning v. Placke, 698 S.W.2d 362, 362
(Tex. 1985)).  But see Haas, 589 S.W.2d at 195 (disposition based on
jurisdictional issues, however, court also held appointment of two
guardians of the estate was void); see also McAdams, 164 S.W. at 62
(although not dispositive of case, court concluded two guardianships
pending for same children was illegal because statute provided that only
one guardian can be appointed of the person and estate)).  "[T]he mere
fact that an action by a court . . . is contrary to a statute, constitutional
provision or rule of civil or appellate procedure makes it [not void but]
'voidable' or erroneous." Mapco, 795 S.W.2d at 703.

	The record before this Court establishes that the trial court had
jurisdiction to hear this guardianship matter.  Further, jurisdiction has
not been challenged on appeal.  Accordingly, we conclude the order
from which this appeal is taken is not void.  However, by appointing co-guardians of both the estate and person in violation of section 690 of the
probate code, the order is voidable.

	Having concluded the order is voidable, we next address appellees'
contention that error, if any, has been remedied by the resignation of one
of the co-guardians.

	The resignation of co-guardian Fojt appears in the appellate record. 
However, no action has been taken by the trial court in response to the
filing of this resignation.  During oral argument, appellees acknowledged
that the resignation had only been tendered.  Therefore, the trial court's
order appointing co-guardians in violation of section 690 has not been
modified to reflect only one guardian of the estate or person as required
by the code.  We conclude that the error has not been remedied. 
Appellant's first issue is sustained.  Further, as this issue is dispositive
of the appeal, the remaining issues need not be addressed.  See Tex. R.
App. Pro. 47.1.

	Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is REVERSED and
REMANDED with instructions to vacate the order appointing co-guardians of appellant's estate and person, and to conduct further
proceedings consistent with this opinion and sections 685(a), 689, and
690 of the Texas Probate Code.

								NELDA V. RODRIGUEZ

								Justice

Opinion ordered published.

Tex. R. App. P. 47.3.

Opinion delivered and filed

this the 14th day of December, 2000.