Court Opinion

ID: 4041362
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-28 22:46:47.611963+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:31.130236
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                                                         13-14-00623-CV
                                                                                         THIRTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                                CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
                                                                                                    6/16/2015 2:52:27 PM
                                                                                                  CECILE FOY GSANGER
                                                                                                                  CLERK

          FILED
IN THE 13TH COURT OF APPEALS
  CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG

        6/16/15
CECILE FOY GSANGER, CLERK
BY DTello

                                                NO. 13-14-00623-CV

                                                                        RECEIVED IN
                                                                  13th COURT OF APPEALS
                                           IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
                                                               CORPUS CHRISTI/EDINBURG, TEXAS
                                            13TH DISTRICT OF TEXAS 6/16/2015 2:52:27 PM
                                            CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS CECILE FOY GSANGER
                                                                           Clerk

                                    G.W. KOLSTAD AND WILLIAM FRASER,
                                                APPELLANTS,

                                                         v.

                                          MARY JUNE OWEN MERRELL,
                                                  APPELLEE

                                                On Appeal from the

                               156th Judicial District Court of Live Oak County, Texas

                                            CAUSE NO. L-13-0197-CV-B

                                      BRIEF OF APPELLANTS- PLAINTIFFS,
                                     G.W. KOLSTAD AND WILLIAM FRASER

                                                          S. Tim Yusuf
                                                          State Bar No. 50511534
                                                          Law Offices of S. Tim Yusuf, PLLC
                                                          Pearland Town Center
                                                          11200 Broadway, Suite 2743
                                                          Pearland, Texas 77584
                                                          Telephone: 866-249-7633
                                                          Facsimile: 866-249-7635
                                                          tyusuf@yusuflegal.com

                                                          Attorney for
                                                          Appellants/Plaintiffs
                  IDENTITY OF PARTIES & COUNSEL

      Appellants’ counsel certifies that the listed persons and entities, as

described in TEX. R. APP. P. 38, have an interest in the outcome of this case:

Appellants – Plaintiffs:

      G. W. Kolstad and William Fraser, as successor in interest to Ms.

Doris Fraser, are residents of Montana and rightful owners of the mineral

estate made the basis of the declaratory judgment.

Counsel for Appellants – Plaintiffs:

S. Tim Yusuf
State Bar No. 50511534
Law Offices of S. Tim Yusuf, PLLC
Pearland Town Center
11200 Broadway, Suite 2743
Pearland, Texas 77584
Telephone: 866-249-7633
Facsimile: 866-249-7635
tyusuf@yusuflegal.com

M. Ryan Kirby
State Bar Number: 24036915
KIRBY, MATHEWS & WALRATH, PLLC
Esperson Building
815 Walker St., Suite 240
Houston, TX 77002
Telephone: (713) 489-4620
Telecopier: (713) 489-4619

                                       2
Appellee – Defendant:

     Mary June Owen Merrill, the surviving spouse of Charles R. Merrell,

is the lessee on the mineral lease made the basis of the declaratory

judgment.

Counsel for Appellee Mary June Owen Merrell

Michael C. Sartori
502A Houston Street
P.O. Box 1222
George West, Texas 78022-1222
michael@msartori.com

                                  3
                                       TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTITY OF PARTIES & COUNSEL .............................................................. 2

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .................................................................................. 5

APPENDIX .......................................................................................................... A1

STATEMENT OF THE CASE .............................................................................. 6

ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW…………………………………………...7

STATEMENT OF FACTS…………………………………………………..……8

STANDARD OF REVIEW…………………………………………………..…10

SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT…………………………………………...11

ARGUMENT……………………………………………………………………11

    I.        The property sought and granted by the prior Judgment was
              already severed from the mineral estate.

              a. Appellee Merrell’s claim under the five-year statute conveys
                 title after the mineral estate was already severed.

              b. Under the ten or twenty-five year statutes, Appellee Merrell
                 lacked exclusivity because the record holder of title exercised
                 dominion over the mineral estate.

    II.       Appellee’s res judicata defense in 2015 is not supported by
              Appellee’s record in 1993.

CONCLUSION AND PRAYER…………………………………………….…16

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE……………………………………...……17

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE………………………………………………..…17

                                                          4
                     TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

Conley v. Comstock Oil & Gas, LP,
356 S.W.3d 755, 769 (Tex. App. – Beaumont 2011, no pet.)…………………12

Great Am Reserve Ins. Co. v. San Antonio Plumbing Supply Co.,
391 S.W.2d 41, 47 (Tex. 1965)…………………………………………..............10

Marino v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Ins. Co.,
787 S.W.2d 948, 950 (Tex. 1990)……………………………………………..…14

Rhodes v. Cahill,
802 S.W.2d 643, 645 (Tex. 1990)………………………………………………..13

Skiles v. Jack in the Box, Inc.,
170 S.W.3d 173, 178 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2006, no pet)………………………10

In re Staley,
320 S.W.3d 490, 502 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2010, pet. denied)…………...……15

Tran v. Macha,
213 S.W.3d 913, 914-15 (Tex. 2006)……………………………………………13

Valence Operating Co. v. Dorsett,
164 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. 2005)………………………………………..………10

Wilhoite v. Sims,
401 S.W.3d 752, 758 (Tex.App. - Dallas 2013, no pet.)………………………13

                                  5
                      STATEMENT OF THE CASE

      On October 28, 2013, Appellants (Plaintiffs) filed suit against

Appellee (Defendant) to establish rights under a mineral lease (R.1-12) by

means of a Suit to Quiet Title, Trespass to Try Title and the Declaratory

Judgments Act. (R. 8-10) Appellee asserted that Appellants’ claims are

barred by res judicata because the prior judgment granted her adverse

possession of both the mineral and surface rights to the property in

question. (R. 42). Parties agreed to most facts. Appellee’s asserted res

judicata barred Appellants’ claims. (R. 126) Appellants’ analyzed why the

1993 judgment, as a matter of law, could not have granted the mineral

rights along with the surface rights. (R. 343-345) Appellee’s motion for

summary judgment was granted on September 24, 2014. (R. 357).

Appellants’ filed their Notice of Appeal.

                                     6
                  ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW

Does the conveyance of mineral rights by record title owner negate the
element of exclusivity prerequisite to a claim for adverse possession?

Does the conveyance of mineral rights by record title owner constitute
the exercise dominion over property?

Does the execution of a mineral lease constitute the exercise of
dominion?

Does ambiguity in a judgment preclude res judicata?

Does ambiguity in a judgment create a genuine issue of material fact
precluding summary judgment based upon res judicata?

Does res judicata allow a prevailing party to define an ambiguous
judgment to include relief contrary to substantive law?

Does prior litigation between parties serve as a bar to claims outside the
scope of the prior judgment?

Can an incorrect finding of fact or conclusion of law result in a void
judgment immune from subsequent challenges?

Can the improper application of res judicata deprive a party from an
adequate remedy at law?

                                    7
                         STATEMENT OF FACTS

       Parties agree to the following facts regarding the title history of the

property in question:

       By warranty deed dated November 1, 1917, the United States

Installment Realty Company, as Grantors conveyed Tracts 191, 192, and

193 in Block 16 of the Live Bee Land Subdivision No. 4, and originally a

part of the Festus Doyle Survey, No. 4, Live Oak County, to H. E. Hanson

and reserved a one-half (1/2) mineral interest.    Thereafter, H. E. Hanson

passed away intestate in January, 1940. As such, his one-half (1/2) mineral

interest devolved in accordance with the Texas laws concerning intestate

distribution as follows: one-half of one-half (1/2 of 1/2) to Eli Ness

Hanson, and one-third of one-half (1/3 of 1/2) to Annie H. Kolstad,

Hannah H. Keeney, and Sophia R. Routier, each. Eli Ness Hanson passed

away intestate on January 26, 1955, and her interested devolved in equal

shares to Annie H. Kolstad, Hannah H. Keeney, and Sophia R. Routier. By

Quit-Claim deed dated January 29, 1965, Sophia Routier, as Grantor, quit-

claimed all her interest in Lots 191, 192, and 193 of Block 16 of the Live Bee

Land Subdivision in the Festus Doyle Survey No. 4, to Hannah Keeney, as

Grantee. By Warranty Deed dated June 10, 1970, recorded in Volume 227,

Page 208 of the Deed Records, Hannah Keeney and Annie Kolstad, as

Grantors, conveyed the surface only to Tracts 191, 192, and 193, Block 16,

                                      8
Live Bee Land Subdivision No. 4, to Maurice M. Chapman, as Grantee, and

specifically reserved all minerals. After this Warranty Deed in 1970, 100%

of the surface was vested in Maurice M. Chapman, and a 2/3 of 1/2

mineral interest was vested in Hannah Keeney and a 1/3 of 1/2 mineral

interest was vested in Annie Kolstad.

       In January 1989, Charles R. and Margie L. Merrell, husband and

wife, unlawfully entered, occupied and sought to adversely possess the

subject property. (R. 235) In March 1989, Charles R. and Margie L. Merrell,

husband and wife, filed Charles R. Merrell, et al vs. Mrs. Henrietta Williman,

et al., Cause No. 6990-A in the 36th Judicial District Court of Live Oak

County, Texas. (R. 218-234).

       After being served with citation of suit, Appellants (Defendants)

G.W. Kolstad and Ms. Doris Fraser predecessor in interest to Appellant

William Fraser, answered in April 1989 (R. 265-279). In addition, to

entering a general denial to the adverse possession, Kolstad and Fraser

provided Merrell with evidence of Kolstad and Fraser’s mineral interests

on some of the property identified in Merrell’s suit. Two years later,

Kolstad and Fraser were served with an amended petition. Kolstad and

Fraser reviewed the amended petition and found that Merrell had not

changed a single word of the factual claims, property descriptions or

causes of action and did not refute or reply to their claims in any way.

                                      9
Kolstad and Fraser took no further action and Merrell adversely possessed

the surface rights in May 1993 (R. 293-310). Years later, Kolstad and Fraser

discovered that Mary June Merrell, had signe         a lease as Lessor and,

granted, leased and let Tracts 191, 192, and 193, Block 16, Live Bee Land

Subdivision No. 4, Killam Oil Co, LTD, as Lessee.

         After brief discussions among the relevant parties, Appellants

Kolstad and Fraser file suit.

                         STANDARD OF REVIEW

         A summary judgment is reviewed de novo. Valence Operating Co.

v. Dorsett, 164 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. 2005). On appeal, evidence that favors

the movant will not be “considered unless it is uncontroverted.” Great Am

Reserve Ins. Co. v. San Antonio Plumbing Supply Co., 391 S.W.2d 41, 47 (Tex.

1965).     When the motion for summary judgment is based on several

different grounds and the order granting the motion is silent as to the

reason for granting the motion, the appellant must show that each

independent grounds alleged is insufficient support summary judgment.

Skiles v. Jack in the Box, Inc., 170 S.W.3d 173, 178 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2006,

no pet.)

                                     10
                     SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT

        The 1993 judgment was factually and legally insufficient to have

conveyed the mineral estate as Appellees assert based upon the agreed

upon facts and relevant law. Appellee’s interpretation of the scope of the

previous judgment is incorrect or would result in a void judgment. As

such, Appellants’ claims should pierce the res judicata defense and be

presented before the trier of fact.

                                 ARGUMENT

   I.     The property sought and granted by the prior Judgment was
          already severed from the mineral estate.

          a. Appellee Merrell’s claim under the five-year statute conveys
             title after the mineral estate was already severed.

        In making a claim under the five-year statute, Merrell specifically

claimed adverse possession of the real property described and conveyed

“under Deed dated October 31, 1975, and duly registered and recorded in

Vol. 265, Page 436 of the Deed Records of Live Oak County, Texas…” (R.

235 (Orig. Pet.)), (R. 255 (Am. Pet.)), (R. 305 (Judm.)).

        Parties agree that Warranty Deed dated June 10, 1970, recorded in

Volume 227, Page 208 of the Deed Records, in which Hannah Keeney and

Annie Kolstad, as Grantors, conveyed the surface only to Tracts 191, 192,

and 193, Block 16, Live Bee Land Subdivision No. 4, to Maurice M.

Chapman, as Grantee, and specifically reserved all minerals. After this

                                       11
Warranty Deed in 1970, 100% of the surface was vested in Maurice M.

Chapman, and a 2/3 of 1/2 mineral interest was vested in Hannah Keeney

and a 1/3 of 1/2 mineral interest was vested in Annie Kolstad.

       In order for mineral rights to pass along with surface rights to

adverse possessors, it must be prior to severance of the minerals from the

surface estate. Conley v. Comstock Oil & Gas, LP, 356 S.W.3d 755, 769 (Tex.

App. – Beaumont 2011, no pet.) When a mineral interest has been

separated from the surface ownership, no interest in the minerals can be

acquired; for the mineral owner has an estate that is distinct from the

surface fee.

          b. Under the ten or twenty-five year statutes, Appellee Merrell
             lacked exclusivity because the record holder of title
             exercised dominion over the mineral estate.

       Appellants’ Kolstad and Fraser Original Answer asserted claims

and defenses with particularity, “[defendants] are the owners of one-half

(1/2) of the oil and gas mineral estate and ores underlying said Tracts 191,

192, 193…” (R. 269). Appellants also submitted a mineral lease executed

by G.W. Kolstad in 1983. (R. 276-279)

       Merrell’s subsequent amended petition, findings of fact and

judgment, however, failed to refute or address in any way, Appellants’

claims. In fact, from the original petition in March 1989 (R. 218) until the

final judgment in May 1993 (R. 310) - Merrell’s factual allegations and

                                    12
claims remained word for word identical. Merrell’s judgment failed to

explain or even address why Kolstad’s 1983 lease ought not break the

chain of Merrell’s adverse possession.

       “Adverse Possession,” as defined in TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE

16.021, “must be commenced and continued under a claim of right that is

inconsistent with and hostile to the claim of another.” The possession of

the land cannot be shared with the record title owner or the public in

general. Tran v. Macha, 213 S.W.3d 913, 914-15 (Tex. 2006); see Rhodes v.

Cahill, 802 S.W.2d 643, 645 (Tex. 1990) ([adverse] possession must be of

such character as to indicate unmistakably an assertion of a claim of

exclusive ownership in the occupant (emphasis in original)). Appellee

Merrell must show possession exclusive enough to exclude Kolstad’s

mineral lease. Wilhoite v. Sims, 401 S.W.3d 752, 758 (Tex.App. - Dallas 2013,

no pet.)(denying adverse possession because the element of exclusive

possession was unsatisfied).

                                     13
   II.      Appellee’s res judicata defense in 2015 is not supported by
            Appellee’s record in 1993.

         A judgment is res judicata only with respect to facts and conditions

that existed at the time of the judgment. Res judicata will not bar a later

action if there had been a change in the material facts between the first

judgment and the second suit. Marino v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Ins. Co., 787
S.W.2d 948, 950 (Tex. 1990).       The underlying record herein reveals a

material change in Appellee’s actions. If the underlying record (1989 –

1993) contained even one of the numerous arguments from Appellee’s

summary judgment, Appellants would have been on notice to directly

attack the judgment. Comparing Appellee’s original petition (R. 219- 237)

with the amended petition (R. 239-257) filed (two years) after Appellants’

answers – not a single word was changed. The reasonable conclusion is

that Appellee had no need to respond to Appellants’ defenses because

Appellee’s was unaffected by them – because, Appellee only sought to

adversely possess the surface estate.

                                        14
In 2015, Appellee argues that the adverse possession, (R. 132)

Whereas in 1989, Appellee swears:

Appellee makes the same statement two years later. (R. 254) This is clearly

a material change in facts and representations between 1993 and 2015. Res

judicata is a plea in avoidance. It does not deny the plaintiff's claims but

rather alleges an independent reason why the plaintiff should not recover.

In re Staley, 320 S.W.3d 490, 502 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2010, pet. denied). For

the doctrine of res judicata to apply in a subsequent proceeding, the

original judgment must not be void nor contain fundamental error.

Appellee Merrell’s claim under 1993 judgment includes a finding of fact

that “The persons holding the apparent record title to the Property, or portions

thereof, have not exercised dominion over the property… during the twenty-

                                      15
five (25) years preceding the commencement of this action.” (R. 306,

emphasis added). This statement can only be correct if the judgment was

limited to the surface estate. If Appellee Merrell’s judgment is expanded

to include the mineral estate, res judicata is still inapplicable.

                       CONCLUSION AND PRAYER

      Appellants’ claims should not be barred by res judicata. Appellee’s

claims to the mineral rights are unsupported by the underlying record and

untenable at law. WHEREFORE PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellants

pray that this Court grant the relief requested and allow the case to be

remanded to the 156th District Court for actions consistent with the orders

of this Court.

                           Respectfully submitted,

                           LAW OFFICES OF S. TIM YUSUF, PLLC.

                           By:___________________________________
                                 S. Tim Yusuf
                                 State Bar No. 50511534
                                 Pearland Town Center
                                 11200 Broadway, Suite 2743
                                 Pearland, Texas 77584
                                 Telephone: 866-249-7633
                                 Facsimile: 866-249-7635
                                 tyusuf@yusuflegal.com

                                       16
                    CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

       I certify that this document was produced on a computer using

Microsoft Word 2011 for Mac and contains 2,611 words as determined by

the computer software’s word-count function and complies with TRAP

9.4(i)(3).

                                          ________________________________
                                                               S. Tim Yusuf

                       CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       The undersigned hereby certifies that on the 8th day of June 2015, a

true and correct copy of the attached and foregoing Appellants’ Brief was

electronically filed with the Clerk of the Court for the 13th Circuit Court of

Appeals, and a copy of the foregoing Appellants’ Brief electronically

served upon Counsel for Appellee

Counsel for Appellee Mary June Owen Merrell
Michael C. Sartori
502A Houston Street
P.O. Box 1222
George West, Texas 78022-1222
michael@msartori.com
                          __________________________________________
                                                         S. Tim Yusuf

                                     17
                                       NO. 13-14-00623-CV

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
                              13TH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                              CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

                           G.W. Kolstad and William Fraser,
                                        Appellants,

                                                       v.

                                  Mary June Owen Merrell,
                                           Appellee

                                APPELLANTS’ APPENDIX

                             Documents from
         Kolstad and Fraser v. Merrell, Cause No. L-13-0197-CV-B
      in the 156th Judicial District Court, Live Oak County, Texas

1. Order Granting Summary Judgment - September 24, 2014
Rawle 357 ........................................................................................................... A003

2. Plaintiffs’ Original Petition – October 28, 2013
Rawle 5. .............................................................................................................. A004

3. Defendant’s Original Answer – November 21, 2013
Rawle 13. ............................................................................................................ A012

4. Defendant’s 1st Am. Answer – July 14, 2014
Rawle 41. ............................................................................................................ A040

5. Defendant’s 2nd Am. Answer – July 17, 2014
Rawle 53. ............................................................................................................ A052

                                                    A001
                                Documents from
              Merrell & Merrell v. Williman, et al, Cause No. 6990-A
          in the 36th Judicial District Court, Live Oak County, Texas

6. Plaintiff’s Original Petition for Adverse Possession – March 29, 1989
Rawle 219 ........................................................................................................... A125

7. Original Answer, Kolstad & Fraser – April 21, 1989
Rawle 265 ........................................................................................................... A144

8. Plaintiff’s 1st Am. Petition – October 23, 1991
Rawle 239 ........................................................................................................... A156

9. Findings of Fact from Adverse Possession – May 12, 1993
Rawle 281 ........................................................................................................... A175

10. Judgment granting Adverse Possession – May 12, 1993
Rawle 294 ........................................................................................................... A187

                                                   A002
       357

A003
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                                CLERK’S RECORD

                                  VOLUME 1 OF 1

                    Trial Court Cause No. L-13-0197-CV-B
                           In the 156th District Court
                          Of Live Oak County, Texas
                  Honorable Joel B. Johnson, Judge Presiding
====================================================================
             G.W. KOLSTAD AND WILLIAM FRASER, Appellant

                                          v.

                   MARY JUNE OWEN MERRELL, Appellee
====================================================================

                                    Appealed to the
                     Court of Appeals, at Corpus Christi, Texas
               For the 13th District of Texas, at Corpus Christi, Texas

====================================================================
            Attorney for Appellant:

            Name:                  SYED-SAIFUDDIN TIM YUSUF
            Address:               11200 Broadway St. Ste. 2743
                                   Pearland, Texas 77584
            Telephone:             866-249-7633
            Fax:                   866-249-7635
            SBOT No.               50511534
            Attorney for:          G.W. Kolstad and William Fraser, Appellant
====================================================================
                          Delivered to the Court of Appeals,
              For the Thirteenth District of Texas, at Corpus Christi,
                    Texas On this the 3rd day of February, 2015

                                   Melanie Matkin, District Clerk
                                   Live Oak County, Texas

                                   BY: /S/ Aleasha French deputy
====================================================================
                     Appellate Court Cause No. 13-14-00623-CV
             Filed in the Court of Appeals for the 13th District of Texas,
                              At Corpus Christi, Texas
                          This _____ day of February, 2015

                               Dorian Ramirez, Clerk

                       By ____________________________, Clerk

                                                                                1
                                 TRIAL COURT CAUSE NO. L-13-0197-CV-B
                               APPELLANT COURT CAUSE NO. 13-14-00623-CV

G.W. KOLSTAD AND WILLIAM FRASER §                                       IN THE DISTRICT COURT

V.                                                            §         156th DISTRICT COURT

MARY JUNE OWEN MERRELL                                        §         LIVE OAK COUNTY, TEXAS

_______________________________________________________________________
Volume 1                INDEX_________________________________________

Cover...……………………………………………………………………………….……...1

Index…………………………………………………………………………………………2

Caption ………………………………………………………………………………………4

Original Petition – Filed October 28, 2013………………………………………………… 5

Defendant’s Original Answer – Filed November 21, 2013………………………………13

Defendant’s First Amended Original Answer – Filed July 14, 2014……………………….41

Defendant’s Second Amended Original Answer – Filed July 17, 2014 ………………..… 53

Defendant’s Motion for Traditional Summary Judgment – Filed August 15, 2014 …...…126

Plaintiff’s Response to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment –

Filed September 19, 2014 ……………………………………………………………....…341

Defendant’s Reply to Plaintiff’s Response to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment –

Filed September 22, 2014 ....................................................................................................347

Order Granting Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment –

Filed September 24, 2014 ....................................................................................................357

  Plaintiff’s Notice of Appeal – Filed October 28, 2014……………………………….....358

Letter of Designation of Clerk’s Record – Filed January 8, 2015 …………………...…..360

                                                                                                                                   2
                                                                        p. 2

Bill of Costs – Filed January 9, 2015 …………………………………………………361

Payment Receipt in Full for Clerk’s Record – Filed February 2, 2015 ………………362

Judge’s Docket Sheet………………………………………………………………….363

Clerk’s Certificate …………………………………………………………………….364

                                                                                3
The State of Texas                         §

County of Live Oak                         §

       In the 156th District Court of Live Oak County, Texas, the Honorable Joel B. Johnson,
Judge Presiding, the following proceedings were held and the following instruments and other
papers were filed in this cause, to-wit:

                        Trial Court Cause Number L-13-0197-CV-B

                                           §      IN THE 156th DISTRICT COURT

G.W. KOLSTAD and WILLIAM FRASER,
      Appellant
                                                         OF
v.

MARY JUNE OWN MERRELL,                     §      LIVE OAK COUNTY, TEXAS
    Appellee

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The State of Texas                       §

County of Live Oak                       §

        I, Melanie Matkin, Clerk of the 156th District Court of Live Oak County,
Texas, do hereby certify that the documents contained in this record to which this
certification is attached are all of the documents specified by Texas Rule of
Appellate Procedure 34.5(a) and all other documents timely requested by a party to
this proceeding under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 34.5(b).

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL at my office in Live Oak County, Texas,
this the 3rd day of February, 2015.

                                         MELANIE MATKIN, District Clerk
                                         Live Oak County, Texas

                                         By /s/ Aleasha French
                                                      deputy

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