Court Opinion

ID: 4235469
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-01-10 05:26:05.290199+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:37.344215
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                       03-17-00746-CV
                                                                             21628391
                                                             THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                       AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                                     1/5/2018 10:12 AM

                      NO. 03-17-00746-CV
                                                                     JEFFREY D. KYLE
                                                                                CLERK

                  IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
                  THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS               FILED IN
                       AUSTIN, TEXAS             3rd COURT OF APPEALS
                                                     AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                 1/5/2018 10:12:31 AM
                                                   JEFFREY D. KYLE
                      COMAL & CO., LLC.
                                                         Clerk

                                             Appellant,

                               v.

                       MICHELLE MAYS

                                              Appellee.

                     APPELLANT’S BRIEF

            On Appeal from the County Court at Law #1
                      Comal County, Texas
                  Trial Court No. 2017CVA0011
            Honorable Randy C. Gray, Judge Presiding

CATHERINE M. STONE               LANGLEY & BANACK, INC.
State Bar No. 19286000           745 E. Mulberry, Ste. 700
cstone@langleybanack.com         San Antonio, Texas 78212
PAULA C. BOSTON                  (210) 736-6600 Telephone
State Bar No. 24089661           (210) 735-6889 Facsimile
pboston@langleybanack.com

                ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT
                    COMAL & CO., LLC

Appellant Requests Oral Argument
                 IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES

Appellant:                     Comal & Co., LLC
                               (“Comal & Co.”)

Trial Counsel:                 None

Appellate Counsel:             Catherine M. Stone
                               Paula C. Boston
                               LANGLEY & BANACK, INC.
                               745 E. Mulberry, Ste. 700
                               San Antonio, Texas 78212
                               Telephone: (210) 736-6600
                               Facsímile: (210) 735-6889
                               cstone@langleybanack.com
                               pboston@langleybanack.com

Appellee:                      Michelle Mays (“Mays”)

Trial and Appellate Counsel:   James R. Heinbaugh
                               1111 N. Walnut Ave., Ste. 102
                               New Braunfels, Texas 78130
                               jimmy@nbtxlaw.com

Trial Court:                   The Hon. Randy C. Gray
                               County Court at Law #1
                               Comal County
                               424 S. Castell Ave., Ste 102
                               New Braunfels, Texas 78130
                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES ............................................................. i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...........................................................................ii
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .................................................................... iii
STATEMENT OF THE CASE .................................................................. v
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT .................................. v
ISSUE PRESENTED ............................................................................... vi
        When a Plaintiff fails to comply with Texas Rule of Civil
        Procedure 106 and the trial court erroneously grants an
        unacceptable substitution of service, all of which are obvious
        on the face of the record, should the default judgment be
        overturned in keeping with well-established Texas law?
STATEMENT OF FACTS ......................................................................... 1
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT .......................................................... 4
ARGUMENT ............................................................................................. 4
  A.      Standard of Review ........................................................................ 4
  B.      Appellant’s Burden of Proof in a Restricted Appeal...................... 5
  C.      The Burden of Proof is Met ............................................................ 5
  D.      There Was No Compliant Affidavit. .............................................. 6
  E.      The Trial Court Granted Unlawful Relief. .................................... 9
PRAYER .................................................................................................. 12
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ........................................................ 13
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE................................................................. 13
APPENDIX .............................................................................................. 14

                                                     ii
                                TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

CASES:

Benefit Planners, L.L.P. v. RenCare, Ltd.,
 81 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002,
 pet. denied).............................................................................................. 6
C.W. Bollinger Ins. Co. v. Fish,
 699 S.W.2d 645 (Tex. App.—Austin 1985, no writ) ....................... 11, 12
David A. Carl Enterprises, Inc. v. Crow-Shutt # 14,
 553 S.W.2d 118 (Tex. Civ. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
 1977, no writ) ........................................................................................ 11
Fid. & Guar. Ins. Co. v. Drewery Const. Co., Inc.,
 186 S.W.3d 571 (Tex. 2006) .................................................................... 4
Norman Communications v. Texas Eastman Co.,
 955 S.W.2d 269 (Tex. 1997) .................................................................... 4
Paramount Credit, Inc. v. Montgomery,
 420 S.W.3d 226 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
 2013, no pet.) ......................................................................................... 11
Pike-Grant v. Grant,
 447 S.W.3d 884 (Tex. 2014) .................................................................... 5
Primate Const., Inc. v. Silver,
 884 S.W.2d 151 (Tex. 1994) .................................................................... 4
TAC Americas, Inc. v. Boothe,
 94 S.W.3d 315 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, no pet.) .................................. 5
Torres v. Haynes,
 432 S.W.3d 370 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014,
 no pet.)..................................................................................................... 8
Wilson v. Dunn,
 800 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. 1990) ................................................................ 7, 8

                                                      iii
STATUTES:

TEX. BUS. ORGS. CODE § 2.251 ....................................................... 9, 10, 11
TEX. BUS. ORGS. CODE § 5.252 ................................................................... 9

RULES:

TEX. R. CIV. P. 26.1 .................................................................................... 3
TEX. R. CIV. P. 30 ....................................................................................... 3
TEX. R. CIV. P. 106 ........................................................................... passim
TEX. R. CIV. P. 107 ....................................................................... 10, 11, 12
Tex. R. Civ. P. 124 ................................................................................... 12

                                                    iv
                     STATEMENT OF THE CASE

     This is a restricted appeal of a default judgment signed on August

9, 2017, that was inappropriately rendered against Appellant, Comal &

Co., LLC.      The underlying matter is a roof repair dispute, with

allegations of breach of contract and deceptive trade practices, among

others. CR 8-14. Appellant never received proper notice of this matter

and learned of the default judgment only after the fact.        Because

Appellee, Michelle Mays, failed to obtain service of process on Appellant

and the substituted service approved by the trial court was invalid

under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the default judgment must be

reversed and the underlying matter remanded to the trial court for

disposition.

          STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT

     Although Mays’ failure to comply with Texas Rule of Civil

Procedure 106 is obvious on the face of the record before the Court, oral

argument is requested to aid the Court in resolving this issue and

discussing the arguments presented herein.

                                   v
                   ISSUE PRESENTED

When a Plaintiff fails to comply with Texas Rule of Civil
Procedure 106 and the trial court erroneously grants an
unacceptable substitution of service, all of which are obvious
on the face of the record, should the default judgment be
overturned in keeping with well-established Texas law?

                              vi
                      STATEMENT OF FACTS

     On January 9, 2017, Mays filed her Original Petition. CR 8. That

day, a Citation by Mailing was signed by the Deputy Clerk; however, no

return of service was received and no address is visible on the returned

envelope. CR 16-18. A second Citation by Mailing was sent to the

Secretary of State, but no return of service form was completed. CR 19-

20, 34.

     On March 30, 2017, an additional citation was issued by the

Deputy Clerk. CR 28-31. Again, no return of service form was filled

out, but an affidavit was provided by the service processor, stating that

he mailed the citation and original petition to an incorrect address for

Comal & Co., LLC’s registered agent, Rory Closson. CR 31-32 (stating

documents were delivered to 197 Acacia Parkway but not 1597 Acacia

Parkway).

      On May 1, 2017, another Citation by Mailing was signed by the

Deputy Clerk and presumably sent to the Secretary of State. CR 35-36.

Over one month later, on June 15, 2017, the Secretary of State provided

a certificate of service, stating that service by certified mail on the

registered agent had been returned as unclaimed. CR 37-38.
     After attempting, but failing, to serve Appellant, Mays filed a

Motion for Substituted Service. CR 39-47. However, Mays failed to

support her motion with an affidavit stating the location of Appellant’s

usual place of business or usual place of abode or other place where

Appellant could probably be found and stating specifically the facts

showing that service had been attempted under Texas Rule of Civil

Procedure 106(a)(1) or (2) at the location named in such affidavit but

had not been successful. CR 39-47.

     Attached to the Motion for Substituted Service was the Secretary

of State’s certification that a copy of the Citation and Plaintiff’s Original

Petition had been received on May 10, 2017, and had been forwarded to

the address provided for Appellant, but the documents were returned to

the Secretary of State’s office bearing the notation “Return to Sender,

Unclaimed, Unable to Forward.” CR 47. Also attached to the Motion

for Substituted Service, in place of the Return of Service form from the

County Court at Law #1, was the affidavit from the service processer

that lists an incorrect address for Comal & Co., LLC’s registered agent,

Rory Closson. CR 44.

     On June 23, 2017, the trial court granted May’s Motion for

Substituted Service by issuing an order stating that service was

                                     2
sufficient by the service of citation made May 10, 2017, on the Secretary

of State. CR 48. The trial court ordered that Appellant’s written answer

was due on or before the Monday following twenty days after the date of

service, which would have been prior to the signing of the order on June

5, 2017. 1 Id.

      On July 11, 2017, Mays filed a motion for default judgment, and

default judgment was entered against Appellant on August 9, 2017. CR

69-70.    On August 11, 2017 the trial court issued notice of the default

judgment entered against Appellant. CR 71.

      Appellant filed a timely notice of restricted appeal within six

months after the default judgment was signed. CR 82-85; see TEX. R.

CIV. P. 26.1(c), 30.

      1  Arguably, ordering a written answer to be due in an Order prior to any
possible notice of that Order is an error apparent on the face of the record.
                                      3
                  SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT

     Appellee, Michelle Mays, failed to comply with the requirements

of Rule 106 when requesting substituted service. The trial court then

permitted a method of service not authorized by law.        This error is

apparent on the face of the record. Accordingly, the default judgment

was erroneously granted and must be reversed.

                             ARGUMENT

A.   Standard of Review

     In a restricted appeal, this court’s review is limited to errors

apparent on the face of the record. Fid. & Guar. Ins. Co. v. Drewery

Const. Co., Inc., 186 S.W.3d 571, 573 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam). The face

of the record consists of all the papers on file in the appeal, including

the reporter’s record. Norman Communications v. Texas Eastman Co.,

955 S.W.2d 269, 270 (Tex. 1997) (per curiam).

     There are no presumptions in favor of valid issuance, service, and

return of citation, because presumptions can neither be confirmed nor

rebutted by evidence in an appellate court. Fid. & Guar. Ins. Co., 186
S.W.3d at 573. It is the responsibility of the party requesting service to

ensure both that service is properly accomplished and that service is

properly reflected in the record.   Primate Const., Inc. v. Silver, 884

                                    4
S.W.2d 151, 153 (Tex. 1994) (per curiam); accord TAC Americas, Inc. v.

Boothe, 94 S.W.3d 315, 321 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, no pet.).

B.   Appellant’s Burden of Proof in a Restricted Appeal
     To sustain a proper restricted appeal, the filing party must
     prove: (1) she filed notice of the restricted appeal within six
     months after the judgment was signed; (2) she was a party to
     the underlying lawsuit; (3) she did not participate in the
     hearing that resulted in the judgment complained of, and did
     not timely file any post-judgment motions or requests for
     findings of fact and conclusions of law; and (4) error is
     apparent on the face of the record.

Pike-Grant v. Grant, 447 S.W.3d 884, 886 (Tex. 2014). “For over half a

century, we have required courts to liberally construe the non-

participation requirement for restricted appeals in favor of the right to

appeal.” Id.

C.   The Burden of Proof is Met

     First, Appellant properly filed notice of the restricted appeal

within six months after the judgment was signed. See CR 69-70; 84-85.

     Second, Appellant was a party to the underlying lawsuit. CR 8-14;

see CR 69-70.

     Third, Appellant did not participate in the hearing that resulted

in the judgment complained of, and did not timely file any post-

                                   5
judgment motions or requests for findings of fact and conclusions of law.

See CR 2-3; 1 RR 2.

     Fourth, there are two errors apparent on the face of the record.

Specifically, Appellant was never served and substitute service was

improper because there was no applicable affidavit as required under

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 106. CR 39-47. Further, the trial court

failed to comply with Rule 106, by ordering that incomplete service

through the Secretary of State constituted sufficient service. CR 48.

D.   There Was No Compliant Affidavit.

     “It is a basic tenet of jurisprudence that the law abhors a default

because equity is rarely served by a default.” Benefit Planners, L.L.P. v.

RenCare, Ltd., 81 S.W.3d 855, 857–58 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002,

pet. denied). A default judgment cannot withstand a direct attack by a

defendant complaining that he was not served in strict compliance with

the applicable requirements. Id. Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 106

permits a court to authorize substitute service only when specific

requirements are met:

     (a) Unless the citation or an order of the court otherwise
     directs, the citation shall be served by any person authorized
     by Rule 103 by

                                    6
           (1) delivering to the defendant, in person, a true copy of
           the citation with the date of delivery endorsed thereon
           with a copy of the petition attached thereto, or

           (2) mailing to the defendant by registered or certified
           mail, return receipt requested, a true copy of the
           citation with a copy of the petition attached thereto.

     (b) Upon motion supported by affidavit stating the
     location of the defendant's usual place of business or
     usual place of abode or other place where the
     defendant can probably be found and stating
     specifically the facts showing that service has been
     attempted under either (a)(1) or (a)(2) at the location
     named in such affidavit but has not been successful,
     the court may authorize service

           (1) by leaving a true copy of the citation, with a copy of
           the petition attached, with anyone over sixteen years of
           age at the location specified in such affidavit, or

           (2) in any other manner that the affidavit or other
           evidence before the court shows will be reasonably
           effective to give the defendant notice of the suit.

TEX. R. CIV. P. 106 (emphasis added).

     “[S]ubstitute service is not authorized under Rule 106(b) without

an affidavit which meets the requirements of the rule demonstrating

the necessity for other than personal service.” Wilson v. Dunn, 800
S.W.2d 833, 836 (Tex. 1990). In Wilson, the Supreme Court of Texas

found that a party was not served in strict compliance with Rule 106(b),

because substitute service was not properly authorized absent an

affidavit explicitly required by the rule. Wilson, 800 S.W.2d at 836.

                                    7
That is exactly the situation presented in this case. Mays’ Motion for

Substitute Service was granted absent an affidavit as required by Rule

106. Under that rule, May was required to file an affidavit state the

location of Appellant’s usual place of business or usual place of abode or

other place where it could be found and stating specifically the facts

showing that service had been attempted under Rule 106(a) at the

location named in the affidavit but had not been successful. See id.;

TEX. R. CIV. P. 106(b); CR 39-47.

     Mays wholly failed to file the required affidavit.      An affidavit

executed by the process server did not receite that the address to which

he purportedly mailed the process was Appellant’s usual place of abode

or other place where the Appellant could be found. CR 31-32. In any

event, the address recited in the affidavit is incorrect. Id. (citing

delivery to 197 Acacia Parkway rather than to 1597 Acacia Parkway).

     Because “[a] trial court has no jurisdiction to render default

judgment when the rules governing service of process have not been

strictly complied with,” this Court must reverse the trial court’s default

judgment and remand the cause to the trial court. Torres v. Haynes,

432 S.W.3d 370, 371 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014, no pet.).

                                    8
E.   The Trial Court Granted Unlawful Relief.

     The trial court exceeded its jurisdiction.     Under Texas Rule of

Civil Procedure 106, only once a properly supported motion for

substitute service is presented can a court authorize service by either

(1) leaving a true copy of the citation, with a copy of the petition

attached, with anyone over sixteen years of age at the location specified

in such affidavit, or; (2) in any other manner that the affidavit or other

evidence before the court shows will be reasonably effective to give the

defendant notice of the suit. TEX. R. CIV. P. 106(b).

     However, the trial court incorrectly concluded that service on the

Secretary of State sufficed, even when there was clear evidence

attached to the Motion for Substitute Service that no reasonable

diligence had been undertaken to find the registered agent at the

registered office and that the Secretary of State had also been unable to

effectuate service on the Appellant. CR 48.

     Although Mays asserted in her Motion for Substituted Service

that Texas Business Organizations Code §§ 5.251-2 supported her

position that service on the Secretary of State sufficed, under the facts

of this case, these provisions do not support Mays’ request for

substituted service. See CR 39-40. The Secretary of State is an agent of

                                     9
an entity for service of process only if the entity either fails to appoint

or maintain a registered agent in Texas or the registered agent cannot

with reasonable diligence be found at the registered office of the entity.

TEX. BUS. ORGS. CODE § 5.251. There is no dispute that Comal & Co.,

LLC, has maintained a registered agent in Texas at all pertinent times.

CR 8 (Plaintiff’s Original Petition in which Comal & Co, LLC’s

registered agent is listed).

     It is also apparent from the record that no reasonable diligence

was undertaken to find the registered agent at the registered office.

The sole affidavit of service attached to Mays’ Motion for Substituted

Service states that the service was attempted on the registered agent,

Rory Closson, at “197 Acacia Parkway, Spring Branch, TX 78070.” CR

44 (emphasis added). However, the address for the registered agent

was “1597 Acacia Parkway, Spring Branch, TX 78070.” CR 8 (emphasis

added). Furthermore, this affidavit does not state, as required by Texas

Rule of Civil Procedure 107, the diligence used to execute service and

the cause of failure to execute service and where the defendant was to

be found, if ascertainable. See CR 44. Thus the sole return of service

provided in the record is noncompliant with Texas Rule of Civil

Procedure 107 and disproves any suggestion that reasonable diligence

                                    10
was used to find the registered agent at the registered office. See

Paramount Credit, Inc. v. Montgomery, 420 S.W.3d 226, 231-33 (Tex.

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, no pet.); David A. Carl Enterprises, Inc.

v. Crow-Shutt # 14, 553 S.W.2d 118, 120-21 (Tex. Civ. App.—Houston

[1st Dist.] 1977, no writ); CR 44.

     Mays’ assertion in her Motion for Substituted Service that there

were “two separate attempts at personal service,” in addition to two

separate delivery attempts via certified mail, is also not supported by

the record. CR 39; see CR 15-20. The Return of Service Forms are not

filled out, CR 16, 20, and the address on the envelope purportedly

returned is not visible. CR 18.

     Thus, as a matter of law, the Secretary of State was not

Appellant’s agent under TEX. BUS. ORGS. CODE § 2.251; Appellant was

never served; substitution of service was erroneously granted; and the

default judgment violates the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. See TEX.

R. CIV. P. 107(h), 124.

     To the extent that Mays relies on C.W. Bollinger Ins. Co. v. Fish,

699 S.W.2d 645, 652 (Tex. App.—Austin 1985, no writ), this reliance is

misplaced.   C.W. Bollinger dealt with service on the Commissioner

under the Insurance Code, which the court distinguished from the

                                     11
Texas Business Corporations Act that was then in effect. 699 S.W.2d at

651-652. The Insurance Code is not involved in this matter, nor is the

Texas Business Corporations Act applicable.

     Appellant also notes that no proof of service was ordered, such

that a default judgment was further inadequate under Texas Rule of

Civil Procedure 107(f). See Tex. R. Civ. P. 107(h).

     Because Appellant was never served, the trial court granted a

default judgment in violation of Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 124,

which prohibits the rendering of a judgment against any defendant that

is not served unless expressly provided by law, as well as in violation

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 107(h). Thus, this Court should reverse

the trial court’s default judgment and remand this matter to the trial

court.

                                PRAYER

     WHEREFORE the Appellant, Comal & Co., LLC, respectfully

requests that this Court reverse the trial court’s default judgment,

remand this cause for further proceedings, and grant all further relief

Appellant is entitled to in law and equity.

                                    12
                                Respectfully submitted,

                                /s/ Catherine M. Stone
                                CATHERINE M. STONE
                                State Bar No. 19286000
                                Email: cstone@langleybanack.com
                                PAULA C. BOSTON
                                State Bar No. 24089661
                                Email: pboston@langleybanack.com
                                LANGLEY & BANACK, INC.
                                745 E. Mulberry, Ste. 700
                                San Antonio, Texas 78212
                                (210) 736-6600 Telephone
                                (210) 735-6889 Facsimile

                                ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT
                                COMAL & CO., LLC

                CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

     In compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3),
Appellants certify that the number of words in Appellant’s Brief,
including its headings, footnotes, and quotations, is: 2457.

                                /s/ Paula C. Boston
                                PAULA C. BOSTON

                   CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

     A true and correct copy of the foregoing document has been served
upon the following counsel of record pursuant to the Texas Rules of
Appellate Procedure on January 5, 2018.

                                /s/ Paula C. Boston
                                PAULA C. BOSTON

                                 13
                            APPENDIX

A.   Default Judgment

B.   Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 106

C.   Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 107

D.   Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 124

E.   Texas Business Organizations Code § 5.251

F.   Texas Business Organizations Code § 5.252

                                 14
                                                                        APPENDIX A

                                       NO. 2017CVA0011

MICHELLE MAYS                                       §   IN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW
Plaintiff,                                          §
                                                    §
v.                                                  §   NO. _ _ _ _ _ __
                                                    §
COMAL & CO. LLC                                     §
Defendant.                                          §   COMAL COUNTY, TEXAS

                                   DEFAULT JUDGMENT

       The hearing on this cause was held on

Plaintiff, Michelle Mays, appeared and Defendant, Comal & Co. LLC, although duly cited to

appear by filing an answer herein, failed to file an answer within the time allowed by law.

       I.      On the claim of Deceptive Trade Practices, common law fraud, breach of

contract, and residential construction liability, the court finds in favor of Plaintiff, Michelle

Mays, and against Defendant, Comal & Co. LLC, in the amount of $17,490.42 (Seventeen

Thousand Four Hundred Ninety and 42/100 Dollars), an amount in treble damages as provided

by Section l 7.50(b)(l) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code.

       5.      Plaintiff, Michelle Mays, is entitled to prejudgment interest on the damages

awarded herein, measured from January 15'\ 2017, at the rate of5.0% per annum, in the sum of

$445.64 (Four Hundred Forty Five and 64/100 Dollars).

       6.      Plaintiff, Michelle Mays, is entitled to postjudgment interest on the total amount

of the judgment and any prejudgment interest awarded hereinabove, at the rate of 5% per annum

from the date this judgment is signed until paid.

       7       Plaintiff, Michelle Mays, is entitled to the sum of $4,777.50 (Four Thousand

Seven Hundred Seventy-Seven and 50/100 Dollars), as attorney's fees, to bear interest at the rate

of 5% per annum from the date this judgment is signed until paid.
       8.     Costs are hereby taxed against Defendant.

       9.     All other relief not expressly granted in this judgment is denied.

       IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff, Michelle Mays, is entitled to enforce this judgment

through abstract, execution and any other process necessary.

       SIGNED on     g . . . . :) ~, 2017.

                                             JUDGE PRESIDIN

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

/signed/
James R Heinbaugh
Attorney for Plaintiff Michelle Mays
Email: jimmy@nbtxlaw.com
297 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Tel. (830) 214-6053
Fax. (830) 202-8056
Rule 106. Method of Service, TX R RCP Rule 106

                                                                                       APPENDIX B
  Vernon's Texas Rules Annotated
    Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
      Part II. Rules of Practice in District and County Courts
        Section 5. Citation (Refs & Annos)

                                         TX Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 106

                                              Rule 106. Method of Service

                                                      Currentness

(a) Unless the citation or an order of the court otherwise directs, the citation shall be served by any person authorized
by Rule 103 by

  (1) delivering to the defendant, in person, a true copy of the citation with the date of delivery endorsed thereon with
  a copy of the petition attached thereto, or

  (2) mailing to the defendant by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, a true copy of the citation with
  a copy of the petition attached thereto.

(b) Upon motion supported by affidavit stating the location of the defendant's usual place of business or usual place of
abode or other place where the defendant can probably be found and stating specifically the facts showing that service
has been attempted under either (a)(1) or (a)(2) at the location named in such affidavit but has not been successful, the
court may authorize service

  (1) by leaving a true copy of the citation, with a copy of the petition attached, with anyone over sixteen years of age
  at the location specified in such affidavit, or

  (2) in any other manner that the affidavit or other evidence before the court shows will be reasonably effective to give
  the defendant notice of the suit.

Credits
Oct. 29, 1940, eff. Sept. 1, 1941. Amended by orders of Aug. 18, 1947, eff. Dec. 31, 1947; July 22, 1975, eff. Jan. 1,
1976; July 11, 1977, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; June 10, 1980, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; July 15, 1987, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; April 24, 1990,
eff. Sept. 1, 1990.

Editors' Notes

COMMENT--1988
  Conforms to amendment to Rule 103.

Notes of Decisions (360)

                 © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                    1
Rule 106. Method of Service, TX R RCP Rule 106

Vernon's Ann. Texas Rules Civ. Proc., Rule 106, TX R RCP Rule 106
Current with amendments received through December 1, 2017

End of Document                                       © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

              © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                      2
Rule 107. Return of Service, TX R RCP Rule 107

                                                                                    APPENDIX C
  Vernon's Texas Rules Annotated
    Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
      Part II. Rules of Practice in District and County Courts
        Section 5. Citation (Refs & Annos)

                                          TX Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 107

                                                  Rule 107. Return of Service

                                                         Currentness

(a) The officer or authorized person executing the citation must complete a return of service. The return may, but need
not, be endorsed on or attached to the citation.

(b) The return, together with any document to which it is attached, must include the following information:

  (1) the cause number and case name;

  (2) the court in which the case is filed;

  (3) a description of what was served;

  (4) the date and time the process was received for service;

  (5) the person or entity served;

  (6) the address served;

  (7) the date of service or attempted service;

  (8) the manner of delivery of service or attempted service;

  (9) the name of the person who served or attempted to serve the process;

  (10) if the person named in (9) is a process server certified under order of the Supreme Court, his or her identification
  number and the expiration date of his or her certification; and

  (11) any other information required by rule or law.

               © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                      1
Rule 107. Return of Service, TX R RCP Rule 107

(c) When the citation was served by registered or certified mail as authorized by Rule 106, the return by the officer or
authorized person must also contain the return receipt with the addressee's signature.

(d) When the officer or authorized person has not served the citation, the return shall show the diligence used by the
officer or authorized person to execute the same and the cause of failure to execute it, and where the defendant is to
be found, if ascertainable.

(e) The officer or authorized person who serves or attempts to serve a citation must sign the return. If the return is signed
by a person other than a sheriff, constable, or the clerk of the court, the return must either be verified or be signed
under penalty of perjury. A return signed under penalty of perjury must contain the statement below in substantially
the following form:

  “My name is __________ (First) __________ (Middle) __________ (Last), my date of birth is __________, and my
  address is __________ (Street), __________ (City), __________ (State), __________ (Zip Code), and __________
  (Country). I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

  Executed in __________ County, State of __________, on the ___ day of __________ (Month), ___ (Year).

  ......................................................................................................................................................................................

  Declarant”

(f) Where citation is executed by an alternative method as authorized by Rule 106, proof of service shall be made in the
manner ordered by the court.

(g) The return and any document to which it is attached must be filed with the court and may be filed electronically or
by facsimile, if those methods of filing are available.

(h) No default judgment shall be granted in any cause until proof of service as provided by this rule or by Rules 108 or
108a, or as ordered by the court in the event citation is executed by an alternative method under Rule 106, shall have
been on file with the clerk of the court ten days, exclusive of the day of filing and the day of judgment.

Credits
Oct. 29, 1940, eff. Sept. 1, 1941. Amended by orders of July 11, 1977, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; June 10, 1980, eff. Jan. 1, 1981;
July 15, 1987, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; April 24, 1990, eff. Sept. 1, 1990; Dec. 12, 2011, eff. Jan. 1, 2012.

Editors' Notes

COMMENT--1988
  Amendments are made to conform to changes in Rule 103.

COMMENT--1990

                    © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                                                             2
Rule 107. Return of Service, TX R RCP Rule 107

    To state more directly that a default judgment can be obtained when the defendant has been served with process
    in a foreign country pursuant to the provisions of Rules 108 or 108a.

Notes of Decisions (265)

Vernon's Ann. Texas Rules Civ. Proc., Rule 107, TX R RCP Rule 107
Current with amendments received through December 1, 2017

End of Document                                           © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

              © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                          3
Rule 124. No Judgment Without Service, TX R RCP Rule 124

                                                                                     APPENDIX D
  Vernon's Texas Rules Annotated
    Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
      Part II. Rules of Practice in District and County Courts
        Section 5. Citation (Refs & Annos)

                                         TX Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 124

                                       Rule 124. No Judgment Without Service

                                                      Currentness

In no case shall judgment be rendered against any defendant unless upon service, or acceptance or waiver of process,
or upon an appearance by the defendant, as prescribed in these rules, except where otherwise expressly provided by law
or these rules.

When a party asserts a counterclaim or a cross-claim against another party who has entered an appearance, the claim
may be served in any manner prescribed for service of citation or as provided in Rule 21(a).

Credits
Oct. 29, 1940, eff. Sept. 1, 1941. Amended by order of Dec. 5, 1983, eff. April 1, 1984.

Notes of Decisions (89)

Vernon's Ann. Texas Rules Civ. Proc., Rule 124, TX R RCP Rule 124
Current with amendments received through December 1, 2017

End of Document                                             © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

              © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                            1
§ 5.251. Failure to Designate Registered Agent, TX BUS ORG § 5.251

                                                                                             APPENDIX E
  Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated
    Business Organizations Code (Refs & Annos)
      Title 1. General Provisions (Refs & Annos)
        Chapter 5. Names of Entities; Registered Agents and Registered Offices
           Subchapter F. Service of Process on Entity

                                       V.T.C.A., Business Organizations Code § 5.251

                                       § 5.251. Failure to Designate Registered Agent

                                                   Effective: January 1, 2006
                                                          Currentness

The secretary of state is an agent of an entity for purposes of service of process, notice, or demand on the entity if:

  (1) the entity is a filing entity or a foreign filing entity and:

     (A) the entity fails to appoint or does not maintain a registered agent in this state; or

     (B) the registered agent of the entity cannot with reasonable diligence be found at the registered office of the entity; or

  (2) the entity is a foreign filing entity and:

     (A) the entity's registration to do business under this code is revoked; or

     (B) the entity transacts business in this state without being registered as required by Chapter 9.

Credits
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

Notes of Decisions (5)

V. T. C. A., Business Organizations Code § 5.251, TX BUS ORG § 5.251
Current through the end of the 2017 Regular and First Called Sessions of the 85th Legislature

End of Document                                                  © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

               © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                1
§ 5.252. Service on Secretary of State, TX BUS ORG § 5.252

                                                                                      APPENDIX F
  Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated
    Business Organizations Code (Refs & Annos)
      Title 1. General Provisions (Refs & Annos)
        Chapter 5. Names of Entities; Registered Agents and Registered Offices
           Subchapter F. Service of Process on Entity

                                     V.T.C.A., Business Organizations Code § 5.252

                                           § 5.252. Service on Secretary of State

                                                 Effective: January 1, 2006
                                                        Currentness

(a) Service on the secretary of state under Section 5.251 is effected by:

  (1) delivering to the secretary duplicate copies of the process, notice, or demand; and

  (2) accompanying the copies with any fee required by law, including this code or the Government Code, for:

     (A) maintenance by the secretary of a record of the service; and

     (B) forwarding by the secretary of the process, notice, or demand.

(b) Notice on the secretary of state under Subsection (a) is returnable in not less than 30 days.

Credits
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

Notes of Decisions (4)

V. T. C. A., Business Organizations Code § 5.252, TX BUS ORG § 5.252
Current through the end of the 2017 Regular and First Called Sessions of the 85th Legislature

End of Document                                               © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

               © 2018 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                             1