Court Opinion

ID: 4043919
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-28 23:28:56.544941+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:04:03.447030
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                         12-14-0030-cv
                                                            TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                         TYLER, TEXAS
                                                                    4/7/2015 7:01:51 PM
                                                                           CATHY LUSK
                                                                                 CLERK

                        No. 12-14-00300-CV
__________________________________________________________________
                                                       FILED IN
                                              12th COURT OF APPEALS
                                                   TYLER, TEXAS
                                               4/7/2015 7:01:51 PM
                IN THE TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS      CATHY S. LUSK
              TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT        Clerk
                          TYLER, TEXAS
__________________________________________________________________

        IN THE ESTATE OF RODNEY JOE KNIGHT, DECEASED
__________________________________________________________________

          ON APPEAL FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW,
                    CHEROKEE COUNTY, TEXAS
                        CAUSE NO. P12025
         THE HONORABLE KELLEY D. PEACOCK, PRESIDING
__________________________________________________________________

                       BRIEF OF APPELLEE
__________________________________________________________________

                                     Wayne D. Haglund
                                     Texas Bar No. 08697500
                                     Haglund Law Firm, P.C.
                                     P.O. Box 713
                                     Lufkin, Texas 75902
                                     Phone: (936) 639-0007
                                     Facsimile: (936) 639-0016
                                     ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE

                 ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED

                                 i
                 IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

Under Rule 38.1 and 38.2 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Roy D.
Knight supplies the following list of parties, and the names and addresses of
counsel:

Parties

Natosha Moore……………………..…....................................Contestant/Appellant

Roy D. Knight……………………………......Independent Exector of the Estate of
                          Rodney Joe Knight, Deceased/Appellee
Attorneys

Gilbert Hargrave……………………………Counsel for Appellant, Natosha Moore
State Bar No. 08999500     November 2013 to August 13, 2014
6269 FM 2892
Athens, Texas 75752
Tel: (903) 675-9338
Fax: (903) 675-0209

Bill Pedersen, III…………………………Counsel for Appellant, Natosha Moore
State Bar No. 24030011      August 13, 2014 to present
2501 Oak Lawn Avenue
Suite, 380, LB-50
Dallas, Texas 75219
Tel: (214) 630-4554
Fax: (214) 630-9264

Wayne D. Haglund…………………………Counsel for Appellee, Roy D. Knight,
State Bar No. 08697500        Independent Executor of the Estate of
Haglund Law Firm, P.C.        Rodney Joe Knight, Deceased
P.O. Box 713
Lufkin, TX 75902-0713
Tel: (936) 639-0007
Fax: (936) 639-0016
                         /s/ Wayne D. Haglund
                        Wayne D. Haglund

                                       ii
                                               Table of Contents

Identity of Parties and Counsel………………………………………………......ii

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….iii

Index of Authorities……………………………………………………………...iv,v

Statement of the Case ............................................................................................vi

Issues Presented ....................................................................................................vii

Request for Oral Argument……………………………………………………..viii

Statement of Facts ................................................................................................... 1

Response to the Summary of the Argument by the Appellant……………………..5

Argument and Authorities ........................................................................................8

         Issue #1: Appellant’s Verified Motion for Continuance…………………..12

         Issue#2: Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 245………………………..20

         Issue#3: Denial of Due Process…………………………………………… 22

         Issue#4: Trial by Consent………………………………………………….23

Prayer for Relief......................................................................................................26

Certificate of Service……………………………………………………………...27

Certificate of Compliance…………………………………………………………27

Appendix………………………………………………………………………….28

                                                           iii
                                  Index of Authorities
Cases

Balogh v. Ramos, 978 S.W.2d 696, 699 (Tex. App. – Corpus Christi 198, pet denied). ……..20, 21

Beaumont Bank N.A. v. Buller, 806 S.W.2d 223, 226 (Tex. 1991)………………………..…12

BMC Software Belgium, N.V. v. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789, 795 (Tex. 2002)……………….12

Bushell v. Dean, 803 S.W.2d 711 (Tex. 1991);…………………………………………………17

Cain v. Rust Indus. Cleaning Servs., 969 S.W.2d 464, 470 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998, pet.
denied); ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………….17
Campsey v. Campsey, 111 S.W.3d 767, 771 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 2003, no pet.) ……….…20

Commercial Standard Ins. Co. v. Merit Clothing Co., 377 S.W.2d 179, 181 (Tex.1964) ….…15

Daugherty v. Jacobs, 187 S.W.3d 607, 619 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no

pet.)…………………………………………………………………………………………..…13

Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238,241-242 (Tex. 1985)……………..12

Eads v. American Bank, N.A., 843 S.W.2d 208 (Tex. App. – Waco 1992,
no writ)………………………………………………………………………………………..…17

Frisch v. J.M. English Truckline, Inc., 151 Tex. 168, 246 S.W.2d 856, 858, 859 (Tex.
1952)……………………………………………………………………………………………..18

Goodchild v. Bombardier – Rotax GmbH Motorenfabrick, 979 S.W.2d 1, 6-7 (Tex. App. –
Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, pet denied);…………………………………………………………..17

Gregg v. Cecil, 844 S.W.2d 851, 853 (Tex. App. – Beaumont, 1992, no writ)………………....12

Interest of J. (B.B.) M., 955 S.W.2d 405, 408 (Tex. App. – San Antonio 1997, no
pet.)………………………………………………………………………………………………20

In the Interest of L.D.W. and V.D.W., children, 2013 WL 2247383, (Tex.App.-Houston [14th
Dist.] May 21, 2013, no pet.) (mem.op.)……………………………………………………..14,15

Landers v. State Farm Lloyds, 257 S.W.3d 740, 747 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, no
pet)……………………………………………………………………………………………….17

                                             iv
McAx Sign Co. v. Royal Coach, Inc. et al, 547 S.W.2d 368 (Tex. Civ. App.-Dallas 1977, no
writ);……………………………………………………………………………………………18

NKC Energy, Invs. Inc. v. Sheldon, 182 S.W.3d 372, 378 (Tex. App. – Beaumont 2005, no
pet)…………………………………………………………………………………………….…13

New York Party Shuttle, LLC v. Bilello, 414 S.W.3d 206 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013,
pet. denied);………………………………………………………………………………………14

Pape v. Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, 48 S.W. 3d 908, 914 (Tex. App. –
Austin 2001 pet. denied)………………………………………………………………… ……...13

Standard Savings Ass’n v. Cromwell, 714 S.W.2d 49, 51 (Tex. App. Houston [14th Dist.] 1986,
no writ)…………………………………………………………………………………………...15

State v. Wood Oil Distrib., Inc., 751 S.W.2d 863, 865 (Tex. 1988)……………………………..12

State Farm Lloyds v. Carpet Exchange of North Texas, Inc., 2002 WL 31474179 (Tex. App. –
Dallas 2002 not designated for publication); ……………………………………………………18

Villegas v. Carter, 711 S.W.2d 624, 626 (Tex. 1986)…………………………………………12

Wal-Mart Stores, Tex., L.P. v. Crosby, 295 S.W.3d 346, 356 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2009, pet
denied)……………………………………………………………..........................................13, 18

Wastewater, Inc. v. Alpha Finishing and Developing Corp., 874 S.W.2d 940, 942 (Tex. App. –
Houston [14th Dist.] 1994, no writ)………………………………………………………………12

Statutes and Rules

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 11…………………………………………………10,11, 18

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 33.1 (a)(2)………………………………………………17

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 67………………………………………………………..26

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 251………………………………………………………17

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 252…………………………………………………8, 13, 17

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 245………………………………………………4, 7, 20, 21

Texas Rules of Evidence Rule 601(b)……………………………………………………….8, 19

                                             v
                              Statement of the Case

      Nature of the case:            Appellee filed an application to probate the
                                    Last Will and Testament and for Issuance of
                                    Letters Testamentary for the Decedent on
                                    November 20, 2013. (CR 1:8-10). The trial
                                    court conducted an evidentiary hearing on
                                    the Appellee’s application to probate the Will
                                    and an application for a temporary injunction
                                    on January 7, 2014. (CR 1: 60-61). The court
                                    had later hearings on February 24, 2014, May
                                    12, 2014 telephonic hearing on July 14,
                                    2014, a telephonic conference on August 13,
                                    2014 (RR Volume 3) and a final hearing on
                                    September 16, 2014 (RR Volume 4). (CR
                                    1:6-7)

Disposition of Trial Court:         On September 16, 2014, without any request
                                    for the presentation of additional evidence,
                                    the trial court entered a final judgment (CR
                                    2: 189-190). This appeal followed. (CR 2:
                                    191-193.

Parties in the Court of Appeals:            Appellant: Natosha Moore

                                            Appellee: Roy D. Knight,
                                            Independent Executor of the Estate of
                                            Rodney Joe Knight

                                       vi
                                 Issue(s) Presented

1. Appellant’s first issue asks whether the trial court abused its discretion in

   denying Appellant’s Verified Motion for Continuance. The record does not

   reflect that the trial court ever denied Appellant’s Verified Motion for

   Continuance.

2. Did the trial court violate the mandatory terms of Texas Rules of Civil

   Procedure 245?

3. The Appellant’s third issue asks whether the denial of Appellant’s Motion

   for Continuance was so arbitrary so as to violate her rights of due process?

   The record does not reflect that the trial court denied Appellant’s Motion for

   Continuance.

4. Was the question of informal marriage tried by consent?

                                       vii
                           Request for Oral Argument

      Should this Honorable Court determine that oral argument would assist it in

rendering its opinion, Roy D. Knight, Appellee requests that the Court set this case

for oral argument.

                                        viii
                         No. 12-14-00300-CV
__________________________________________________________________
                 IN THE TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS
              TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
                          TYLER, TEXAS
__________________________________________________________________
        IN THE ESTATE OF RODNEY JOE KNIGHT, DECEASED
__________________________________________________________________
          ON APPEAL FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW,
                    CHEROKEE COUNTY, TEXAS
                         CAUSE NO. P12025
__________________________________________________________________
                       BRIEF OF APPELLEE
__________________________________________________________________

To the Honorable Justices of the Court of Appeals:

                              Statement of the Facts

       This statement of facts by the Appellee is filed under the provisions of Texas

Rules of Appellate Procedure §38.2(a)(1)(B) because the Appellee is dissatisfied

with that portion of the Appellant’s Brief in several material respects.

       The initial Answer and Contest of Will, which was filed by Contestant’s

counsel in a handwritten form, globally denied each and every allegation of the

Application to Probate Will and For Letters Testamentary and asked that the

Application for Probate “….be dismissed in favor of her (appellant) as rightful

surviving spouse.” This handwritten Original Answer and Contest of the Will by

the Appellant was filed December 2, 2013. (Answer and Contest of Will; CR 1:20)

(Application to Probate Will & For Letters Testamentary; CR 1:8-10).

                                          1
      On December 27, 2013, the Applicant/Appellee filed his Original Response

to the Contestant’s Answer and Contest of Will and joined a Motion to Dismiss

Claims in the Will Contest, an Application for Temporary Restraining Order,

Temporary Injunction, and Permanent Injunction and a Counter-claim for

Attorney’s Fees and Sanctions, filed on December 27, 2013. (CR 1:25-39) The trial

court issued a Temporary Restraining Order on December 27, 2013 and set a

hearing on the Application for Temporary Injunction and a hearing on the

Application for Probate of the Last Will and Testament of the Decedent on January

7, 2014. (CR 1:49-50)

      At the January 7, 2014 hearing, the Contestant/Appellant offered only the

testimony of the Contestant/Appellant that the Will had been stolen but offered no

other proof of any of the other allegations made in the First Amended Opposition

to Probate of Will and to Issuance of Letters Testamentary.

      At the January 7, 2014 hearing, both of the witnesses called by the

Contestant/Appellant attempted to testify extensively about the existence of an

informal    marriage     relationship   between     the       Decedent   and   the

Contestant/Appellant.    The Contestant/Appellant offered no other testimony

regarding the validity of the Will, regarding the allegations that the Will was a

forgery, regarding the allegations that the document submitted was a copy, or that

                                         2
there was any evidence that the Decedent had intended to revoke and destroy the

Will. (RR 2:40-55, RR 2:56-85).

      The hearing scheduled and held by the Court on January 7, 2014 was

mischaracterized by the Appellant as the final trial on the merits. The Temporary

Restraining Order signed by the Court on December 27, 2013 clearly shows that

the issues set for hearing on January 7, 2014 were only two: the issue of whether a

Temporary Injunction would be granted in accordance with the Applicant’s

pleadings and whether the original Last Will and Testament submitted directly to

the clerk by the longtime attorney for the Decedent would be admitted to probate

and the Applicant appointed Independent Executor of the Estate. (CR 1:49-50).

      The Appellant’s Statement of Facts also mischaracterizes, in bold print, that

the January 7, 2014 hearing was the only evidentiary hearing in this case. The

court scheduled and held at least five other conferences or hearings at which the

Contestant/Appellant offered no evidence. Hearings or conferences of the counsel

were held before the Court or by telephone on February 24, 2014, May 12, 2014,

July 14, 2014, August 13, 2014, and September 16, 2014. (CR 1:6-7).

      The Appellant’s Statement of Facts states that the trial court denied the

Appellant’s Motion for Continuance and heard testimony when, in fact the Court

expressly advised counsel that it was carrying its Motion for Continuance along

and would hear testimony on other matters. (RR 2:5 lines 24-25). The Court never

                                        3
formally denied the Motion for Continuance as complained about in this appeal.

The Appellant voluntarily participated in these hearings, without raising any

objection under Rule 245, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

                                        4
         Response to the Summary of the Argument by the Appellant

      The hearing set for January 7, 2014 was not a final trial on the merits but

rather was a hearing set on the Applicant/Appellant’s Motion for a Temporary

Injunction and the Application for the Probate of the Last Will and Testament of

the Decedent and for the appointment of an independent executor.

      The essence of the injunctive relief sought by Appellee was to prevent the

Contestant/Appellant from the operation of three (3) motor vehicles owned by the

Estate, but in the possession of the Contestant/Appellant, following the receipt of

notice of the cancellation of all auto insurance, both comprehensive and liability

coverage for the vehicles and following the admission of contestant/appellant’s

counsel to counsel for Appellee that the contestant/appellant did not have the

money to reinsure the vehicles but would continue to operate them without

insurance. The auto insurance had been cancelled December 19, 2013. The

Appellee also received policy cancellation notices for the home owner’s insurance

and personal property insurance of the decedent. The personal property insurance

would expire on December 21, 2013; the personal umbrella insurance coverage of

the decedent would expire on December 21, 2013 and the homeowner’s insurance

coverage would be cancelled on December 25, 2013. (CR 1:53-55)

      The Contestant/Appellant filed its First Amended Opposition to Probate of

the Will and to the Issuance of Letters Testamentary on January 7, 2014. The First

                                         5
Amended Opposition to Probate of Will and to Issuance of Letters Testamentary

alleged that the Will submitted for probate was not the lawful and valid Will of the

Decedent; alleged that the Decedent had revoked the Will by destroying it; alleged

that the instrument filed for probate was a copy; alleged that the destruction of the

Will was accomplished by acknowledgment of the loss of the Will through theft,

and alleged an unspecified declaration of the Decedent that the loss of the Original

Will by theft satisfied the Decedent’s intent to destroy or revoke that Will. The

Contestant also alleged that the Will was last seen in the possession of the

deceased and had not been found amount his personal effects. The First Amended

Contest alleged that the Will submitted was a forgery and was not the Will of the

Decedent, rather the Will of some person whose identity is unknown and that

pages have been substituted by persons unknown. The First Amended Contest

further alleged that no legal or valid will was made by the deceased and that the

deceased died intestate. (CR 1:25-39.)

      At the hearing held on the Application for Temporary Injunction and the

Application for Probate on January 7, 2014, the Court found that the Will

submitted was not filed with the Court by the Applicant/Appellee, but rather had

been mailed directly to the Clerk of the Court by James Beck, Attorney at Law

practicing in Houston, Texas, who had been the longtime lawyer for the Decedent.

                                         6
The Will was an original, not a copy, and had been witnessed, notarized, and self

proved in the manner required by law.

      At the January 7, 2014, the trial court found that no evidence had been

offered that would prevent the admission to probate of the Last Will and Testament

of the Decedent that was offered for probate by the Appellee.

      The case had been on file for three hundred (300) days in the trial court

before the court’s final order. Two hundred fifty-two (252) of those days came

after the January 7, 2014 hearing on the Application for Probate. At no time did

the Appellant request another evidentiary hearing, seek to present additional

evidence, or complain about the lack of appropriate notice under Rule 245 of the

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Appellee submits that even if the trial Court had

denied Appellant’s Motion for Continuance, any error or harm under Rule 245 of

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure has been waived and not preserved on appeal.

      The Appellant never complained or denied that the issue of informal

marriage had been tried by consent on January 7, 2014 until this appeal.

      The Trial Court never denied Appellant’s January 7, 2014 Motion for

Continuance, but rather carried the Court’s ruling along, and heard evidence from

two witnesses presented by the Appellant at that hearing. The trial judge stated

with reference to Apellant’s January 7, 2014 Motion for Continuance, “I’ll carry

                                         7
forward your motion, I guess, but I want to hear some evidence today…” (RR 2:5,

lines 24-25).

      The Appellant’s January 7, 2014 Motion for Continuance references that

plural witnesses are in existence and not available on January 7, 2014, but names

only one (1) witness in that Motion. The Motion for Continuance then refers to

hearsay evidence from the one (1) named witness arising from one (1) phone call

with counsel which took place one (1) week after the January 7, 2014 hearing was

set and three (3) days before the hearing. Neither the Motion for Continuance nor

the Affidavit satisfy the strict requirements of Rule 252 of the Texas Rules of Civil

Procedure.. (CR 1:56-59).

                      ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES

      Appellant plead and testified that she believes that she and the Decedent had

an informal or “common-law” marriage. (RR 2:56 lines 17-19). During

Appellant’s testimony on January 7, 2014, counsel for the Appellee repeatedly

made objections that the Appellant’s testimony was inadmissible under the “Dead

Man’s Rule”, Texas Rules of Evidence 601(b). That rule provides that in civil

actions by or against executors in which judgment may be rendered for or against

them as such, neither party shall be allowed to testify against the others as to any

oral statement by the testator unless that testimony to the oral statement is

corroborated or unless the witnesses called at the trial to testify thereto by the

                                         8
opposite party. The trial court repeatedly sustained objections made by counsel for

the Appellee to testimony by the Appellant and finally granted the Appellee a

running objection to violations of the Dead Man’s Rule by the Appellant. (RR 1:1-

61). The facts which Appellant alleged established the basis for an informal

marriage were all properly objected to and excluded from the record by the court

during the January 7, 2014 hearing. (RR 2:42 lines 14-25; RR 2:42, lines 1-3; RR

2:49, lines 2-11; RR 2:51, lines12-15; RR 2:54, lines 2-10; RR 2:57, lines 12-24;

RR 2:61, lines 19-24; RR 2:62, lines 2-25, RR 2:63, lines 1-2; RR 2:66, lines 21-

24; RR 2:72, lines 18-25; RR 2:73, line 1). The Contestant/Appellant offered no

corroboration of any statement alleged to have been made by the Decedent.

      When asked by Appellee’s counsel if the Appellant had any corroboration

that she could offer to the Court to corroborate her testimony in support of an

informal marriage to the Decedent, the Appellant stated that she had documents or

writings that would corroborate her testimony that were in her truck. (RR 2:70

lines 7-14). When asked if she could bring them in to the court, counsel for the

Appellant stated that neither he nor his client had gone through the records and

that: “it would be impossible to bring them in right now.” (RR 2:70, lines 7-21).

      In the 252 days after the January 7, 2014 hearing that the case was before the

trial court, the Appellant never sought to bring forward any of the documents she

                                         9
claimed would corroborate her status as the spouse of the Decedent by informal

marriage.

      The Appellee filed a Motion to Compel and for Sanctions, which was set for

hearing on two different dates. (CR 1:90-92). At the hearing on May 12, 2014, on

the record, counsel for the Appellant entered into a Rule 11 Agreement to provide

the discovery responses and the documents requested by the Appellee and the

Appellant agreed to pay $750.00 in attorney’s fees plus costs for a total of $810.00

to Appellee based upon the Appellant’s failure to timely and properly respond to

discovery requests. (CR 1:6-7).

      After the Appellant changed counsel, her current counsel disavowed the

Rule 11 Agreement made on the record in court, and refused to provide the

documents committed to be provided in the Rule 11 Agreement. The requested

discovery and documents were never produced in the trial court. (CR 1:6) (See

Appendix, Tab 1)

      The trial court never denied the Appellant the opportunity for an additional

evidentiary hearing or the opportunity to present additional witnesses or

documentary evidence to support the position of the Appellant.

      The actions of the trial court are not arbitrary or unreasonable given the lack

of diligence of the Appellant to produce additional witnesses and evidence and the

                                         10
refusal of the Appellant to comply with Rule 11 of the Texas Rules of Civil

Procedure and the rules of discovery.

      The trial court judge stated that she did not find the testimony of the

Appellant on January 7, 2014 to be credible. (RR 2:83, lines 10-23; RR 2:87, lines

13-14).

                                        11
  ISSUE #1: APPELLANT’S VERIFIED MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

      The decision to grant or deny a continuance rests within the sound discretion

of the trial court. The trial court’s ruling on a Motion for Continuance will not be

disturbed on appeal unless the record discloses a clear abuse of discretion. Villegas

v. Carter, 711 S.W.2d 624, 626 (Tex. 1986). State v. Wood Oil Distrib., Inc., 751

S.W.2d 863, 865 (Tex. 1988), BMC Software Belgium, N.V. v. Marchand, 83

S.W.3d 789, 795 (Tex. 2002). The court should not be overruled unless the trial

court acted unreasonably or in an arbitrary manner without reference to any

“guiding rules or principles.” Beaumont Bank N.A. v. Buller, 806 S.W.2d 223,

226 (Tex. 1991) (quoting Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d

238,241-242 (Tex. 1985).       In exercising the discretion of the trial court in

determining whether cause exists for a continuance, the trial court may take into

account the entire procedural history of the case.       Wastewater, Inc. v. Alpha

Finishing and Developing Corp., 874 S.W.2d 940, 942 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th

Dist.] 1994, no writ). In making the determination of whether the record reflects a

clear abuse of discretion by the trial court, the appellate court must examine the

entire record and not just the sworn allegations in the Motion for Continuance.

Gregg v. Cecil, 844 S.W.2d 851, 853 (Tex. App. – Beaumont, 1992, no writ).

Abuse of discretion will be found if it “clearly appears from the record that the trial

court has disregarded the party’s rights” and that “the trial court’s decision was

                                          12
arbitrary and unreasonable.” NKC Energy, Invs. Inc. v. Sheldon, 182 S.W.3d 372,

378 (Tex. App. – Beaumont 2005, no pet).

      Rule 252 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure provide that if the ground

for an application for continuance is the want of testimony, the party applying for

the continuance must make an affidavit that such testimony is material, showing

the materiality thereof, and that the party applying for the continuance has used

due diligence to procure such testimony, stating such diligence and the cause of

failure, if known, that such testimony cannot be procured from any other source.

The application must state what the party expects to prove by the missing witness.

(Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 252). The absence of a material witness provides

sufficient cause for a continuance, but only if the party requesting a continuance

has exercised proper diligence to procure the testimony of the witness. Daugherty

v. Jacobs, 187 S.W.3d 607, 619 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no pet.)

The trial court does not abuse its discretion by denying a Motion for Continuance

but does not meet the requirements of Rule 252. Wal-Mart Stores Tex., L.P. v.

Crosby, 295 S.W. 3d 346, 356 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2009, pet. denied) (citing Pape

v. Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, 48 S.W. 3d 908, 914 (Tex. App. – Austin

2001 pet. denied)).

      The Motion for Continuance filed by the Contestant/Appellant refers to

multiple witnesses, but names only one. Neither the Motion for Continuance nor
                                        13
the Affidavit states specifically what the Contestant/Appellant expects to prove by

this testimony, referencing only one alleged, uncorroborated statement made

during one telephone conference with Appellant’s counsel.

      The Appellant/Contestant also failed to demonstrate that she exercised due

diligence in procuring the testimony of any witness. There is nothing in the record

to suggest that the Appellant/Contest subpoenaed any witness at any time, or ever

attempted to take a deposition at any point in time from the time the original

conflicts to will was filed on December 2, 2013 until the final Order entered by the

Court on September 16, 2014.       Neither the Motion for Continuance nor the

Affidavit explained why neither a deposition nor testimony at any other time could

be   obtained.     While    the   Motion     for   Continuance    states   that   the

Contestant/Appellant requested ninety (90) days to produce such witnesses, no

such witness testimony was every offered by the Contestant/Appellant.

      Finally, the Contestant/Appellant does not allege the materiality of any

witness’s testimony, or explain what she sought to prove by such testimony as

required. New York Party Shuttle, LLC v. Bilello, 414 S.W.3d 206 (Tex. App.—

Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. denied); McAx Sign Co. v. Royal Coach, Inc. et al,

547 S.W.2d 368 (Tex. Civ. App.-Dallas 1977, no writ); State Farm Lloyds v.

Carpet Exchange of North Texas, Inc., 2002 WL 31474179 (Tex. App. – Dallas

2002) (not designated for publication); In the Interest of L.D.W. and V.D.W.,
                                        14
children, 2013 WL 2247383, (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] May 21, 2013, no

pet.) (mem.op.)

      The Appellant correctly states that to obtain a continuance, the moving party

has the burden of establishing both: 1). that the need for the continuance is not due

to the fault or lack of diligence of the moving party or that party’s counsel; and 2).

That the failure to grant a continuance will result in substantial harm or prejudice

to the moving party in the presentation of the party’s case or defense. Commercial

Standard Ins. Co. v. Merit Clothing Co., 377 S.W.2d 179, 181 (Tex. 1964);

Standard Savings Ass’n v. Cromwell, 714 S.W.2d 49, 51 (Tex. App. Houston [14th

Dist.] 1986, no writ).

      The Appellee respectfully submits that the Appellant fails to satisfy its

burden on either prong of the cited test.       The sworn affidavit of Appellant’s

counsel fails to allege or establish any diligence whatsoever to obtain the testimony

needed. The Sworn Affidavit only alludes to several witnesses, only one of which

is named. The only contact provided is one phone call by counsel within three (3)

days prior to the hearing on January 7, 2014. There is no reference to the nature of

the testimony, other than it would go to the issue of informal marriage, no

indication of any other issue that could be established or how any such testimony

might be material to the issues before the court at the January 7, 2014 hearing.

From the record, it is clear that there were five (5) hearings either in court or by

                                         15
telephonic hearings after the January 7, 2014 hearing over a period of 252 days.

During that time and during those five (5) additional hearings, neither the

Appellant nor her counsel requested an evidentiary hearing or offered to produce

any witnesses or testimony.

      The Appellee twice propounded discovery requests to the Appellant. The

second requests were never responded to by the Appellant. (CR 1:90-91) The

Appellant cannot establish that the failure to grant a continuance on January 7,

2014 would result in substantial harm or prejudice to the Appellant in the

presentation of that party’s case or defense when the Appellant displays a total lack

of diligence in failing to produce evidence or request hearings.

      All of the problems stated by Appellant’s Motion for Continuance applied

only to the January 7, 2014 hearing. The record contained no justification or

factual basis whatsoever for the failure of the Appellant to request hearings at

which additional witness testimony could be placed into the records between the

January 7, 2014 hearing and the court’s final order on September 16, 2014. This

failure amounts to a lack of diligence on the part of the Appellant and establishes

the Appellant’s fault if the needed testimony is not on the record. The Appellant or

her counsel participated in five (5) additional hearings or telephonic conferences at

which time any harm or prejudice claimed at the January 7, 2014 hearing could

have been cured.

                                         16
      Most significantly, the court never denied the Appellant’s January 7, 2014

Motion for Continuance. Rather, the court expressly carried the motion along

without a ruling. (RR 2:5, lines 24-25). The court stated:

             “I’ll carry forward your motion, I guess, but I want to

             hear some evidence today…” (RR 2:5, lines 24-25).

      The Appellant failed to object to the Court’s refusal to rule on the Motion

for Continuance. The Appellant failed to preserve any error for this appeal. Texas

Rules of Civil Procedure 33.1 (a)(2). Goodchild v. Bombardier – Rotax GmbH

Motorenfabrick, 979 S.W.2d 1, 6-7 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, pet

denied); Bushell v. Dean, 803 S.W.2d 711 (Tex. 1991); Cain v. Rust Indus.

Cleaning Servs., 969 S.W.2d 464, 470 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998, pet. denied);

Eads v. American Bank, N.A., 843 S.W.2d 208 (Tex. App. – Waco 1992, no writ).

      A motion for continuance seeking time to present a witness must be

supported by an affidavit that describes the evidence sought, explains its

materiality, and shows the party requesting the continuance used due diligence to

timely obtain the requested testimony. Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 251, 252;

Landers v. State Farm Lloyds, 257 S.W.3d 740, 747 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st

Dist.] 2008, no pet). Conclusory allegations of diligence are insufficient. If the

motions for continuance does not allege facts showing diligence in attempting to

procure testimony, the denial of the Motion for Continuance is proper. See Wal-

                                         17
Mart Stores, Tex., L.P. v. Crosby, 295 S.W.3d 346, 356 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2009,

pet denied). “A party who fails to diligently use the rules of discovery is not

entitled to a continuance.” Landers v. State Farm Lloyds, 257 S.W.3d 740, 747

(Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, no pet). (citing State v. Wood Oil Distrib.,

Inc., 751 S.W.2d 863, 865 (Tex. 1988). It is well established that the failure of the

litigant to diligently utilize the Rules of Civil Procedure for discovery purposes

will not authorize the granting of a continuance, Frisch v. J.M. English Truckline,

Inc., 151 Tex. 168, 246 S.W.2d 856, 858, 859 (Tex. 1952).

       The fact that Appellant had not contacted witnesses, deposed witnesses,

issued and served subpoenas, undertaken discovery, or later requested hearings and

produced testimony and witnesses, is a predicament of the Appellant’s own

making.

       Further, the failure and refusal of the Appellants to respond to the discovery

propounded by the Appellee and the refusal of the Appellant’s current counsel to

honor the Rule 11 TRCP Agreement made by prior counsel in open court on May

12, 2014, provide additional grounds for this court to not disturb the sound

discretion of the trial court.

       The Appellant had more than eight (8) months after the January 7, 2014

hearing at which to produce the witnesses, testimony, and documents that the

                                         18
Appellant claimed to have to support her claim. The testimony of the one (1)

named witness in the January 7, 2014 Motion for Continuance, Mr. Williams,

would forever remain subject to exclusion under the Dead Man’s Rule unless

corroborated. Tex. R. Evid. 601(b). The Appellant never produced any

corroborating evidence in the more than eight (8) months that passed after the

January 7, 2014 hearing.

      There is no basis upon which this court should reverse and remand the

decision of the trial court, based upon the lack of diligence and refusal to produce

documents properly requested by the Appellee.

      The Appellant’s Brief, at page 30, cites the trial court’s acknowledgment

that it did not render judgment on January 7, 2014 (RR 3: 8, lines 22-25; RR 9,

lines 1-2; RR 3:14, lines 22-24).

      In this appeal, the Appellant does not attack the trial court’s order admitting

the will to probate and appointing the decedent’s brother as the Independent

Executor.    Rather, Appellant complains only of the trial court’s denying her

Motion for Continuance. It is undisputed from the record the trial court never

denied the Motion, merely carried it along. Accordingly, there cannot be an abuse

of discretion by the trial court for a ruling that it never made.

                                           19
      ISSUE #2: TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE RULE 245

      As previously stated, the January 7, 2014 hearing was never set as a “final

trial on the merits.” The only two issues before the court that day were the

granting of a temporary injunction to prevent the loss of assets and damages to the

Estate of the Decedent and the consideration of the Application for Probate of the

written Last Will and Testament of the Decedent.

      The only reason the January 7, 2014 proceeding resulted in a final judgment

nine (9) months later is because the Appellant never produced the requested

discovery, never requested another evidentiary hearing, and never produced

witnesses, testimony, or documentary evidence to support its claims.

      The Appellant’s brief directly states that the obligation lies with an appellant

to affirmatively illustrate the lack of notice or compliance in Texas Rules of Civil

Procedure Rule 245. Campsey v. Campsey, 111 S.W.3d 767, 771 (Tex. App. –

Fort Worth 2003, no pet.) Error resulting from the trial court’s failure to provide

parties proper notice under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 245 is waived if a party

proceeds to trial and fails to object to the lack of notice. Interest of J. (B.B.) M.,

955 S.W.2d 405, 408 (Tex. App. – San Antonio 1997, no pet.) A party may waive

a complaint under Rule 245 Texas Rules of Civil Procedure by failing to take

action when a party receives some but less than forty-five (45) days notice. Balogh

                                         20
v. Ramos, 978 S.W.2d 696, 699 (Tex. App. – Corpus Christi 198, pet denied). The

Appellant never raised the rule 245 requirement before the trial court. The first

time Rule 245 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure was ever raised is in the

Appellant’s brief filed before this court.

      The Appellant did not voice an objection under Rule 245 at the time that it

filed its Motion for Continuance on January 7, 2014. By the clear language of

Rule 245, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the forty-five day notice applies only to

the first setting of the final trial on the merits, which was not scheduled for January

7, 2014. No error was preserved by Appellant as to Rule 245 of the Texas Rules of

Civil Procedure.

                                             21
                   ISSUE #3: DENIAL OF DUE PROCESS

      The record clearly establishes that the trial judge never denied the

Appellant’s Motion for Continuance. In fact, the record is clear that the judge

carried the motion along and never ruled on the Motion for Continuance. Because

the Appellant never obtained a ruling and then voluntarily participated in the

hearing without objection, calling two (2) witnesses, the Appellant waived any

issue with regard to the ruling on the Motion for Continuance.

      Because the court made no ruling on the Motion for Summary Judgment and

because the Appellant failed to object to the Motion for Summary Judgment, the

Appellant has failed to preserve any issues on appeal.

      Further, because the court never entered a Judgment until September 16,

2014, there can be no issue regarding the denial of due process. The Appellant had

more than eight (8) months during which any testimony or evidence for informal

marriage could have been presented to the court prior to the court’s final judgment.

Failure of the Appellant to make any effort to produce such evidence in that period

of time removed any issue of denial of due process from this appeal.

                                         22
                        ISSUE #4: TRIAL BY CONSENT

      Appellant’s handwritten Answer and Contest of Will filed on December 2,

2013 alleged that the Appellant was the surviving spouse of the Decedent, Rodney

Joe Knight. (CR 1:20)

      On December 27, 2013, the Appellant filed an Original Response to the

Contestant’s Answer Appraisal and Contest of Will; Motion to Dismiss Claims in

Will Contest; Application for Temporary Restraining Order; Temporary Injunction

and Permanent Injunction and Counter-Claim for Attorney’s Fees and Sanctions.

(CR 1: 25-40). In that Original Response by the Appellant, the Appellant denies

that the Appellant is a person interested in the Will and the Estate of the Decedent

and denies that the Appellant is an heir or spouse of the Decedent. Roy Knight’s

Original Response to the Contestant’s Answer and Contest of Will pleads fully the

facts and law on the issue of the alleged informal marriage between the Decedent

and the Appellant.

      The Appellant’s Brief states at page 26 that the Appellant “reasonably

believed that the question of informal marriage was not joined and the trial court’s

imposition of the harsh penalty of trial by consent was an abuse of discretion.”

However, the record of the January 7, 2014 hearing clearly reflects that counsel for

the Appellant requested permission of the Court to present two (2) witnesses which

request was granted by the trial court. The two (2) witnesses called by the
                                        23
Appellant testified primarily on the issue of informal marriage. (RR 2:40 lines 6-7,

RR 2:55 lines 16-17).

      The Appellant, Natasha Moore, testified only briefly about the alleged theft

of the original Last Will and Testament and then devoted the remainder of her

testimony to answering questions from her counsel regarding the issue of informal

marriage.

      The other witness called by the Appellant, Vincent Rincon, sought to testify

only about the issue of informal marriage between the Decedent and the Appellant.

      The witnesses called by Appellant and the testimony elicited totally belie the

assertion that the Appellant reasonably believes that the issue of informal marriage

is not joined. (RR 2:40-55, RR 2:56-85).

      The Appellant’s Brief, at page 26, selectively removes statements out of

context from Appellee’s pleadings and then asserts that Appellee has judicially

admitted that there is no issue of informal marriage.

      The Motion to Dismiss Claims and Will Contest filed on May 27, 2014 by

the Appellee devotes nearly two (2) full pages to a discussion of the legal

requirements to establish an informal marriage. That motion points out the failure

of the Appellant to establish any basis for informal marriage. (CR 1:104-108)

                                         24
       The Appellant’s Brief suggests that the issue of informal marriage was not

raised by the pleading.     (Appellant’s Brief, page 28).     The First Amended

Opposition to Probate of Will and to Issuance of Letters Testamentary filed

January 7, 2014, the Affidavit of Natasha Moore concerning her alleged marriage

to Rodney Joe Knight, and the Motion for Continuance filed by Appellant on

January 7, 2014 raised the issue of informal marriage and plead specifically that

the Appellant is the common-law spouse of the Decedent. (CR 1:53-55; CR1:56-

59).

       Mr. Hargraves states at the hearing on January 7, 2014 that he would like to

“put on evidence that the Decedent thought the Will was destroyed.” He then

proceeded to call Mr. Vincent Rincon as a witness and did not ask him any

questions regarding the validity of the Decedent’s will or his intent to destroy it.

All of the questions to Mr. Rincon by Appellant’s counsel were related to the issue

of informal marriage. It was the Appellant who sought to introduce testimony

regarding the informal marriage at the hearing on January 7, 2014. (RR 2:39, lines

24-25; RR 2:40, lines 1, 6-7; RR 2:40-55).

       The record is clear that the issue of informal marriage was plead by both

parties, that the only witnesses called to testify of that informal marriage were

called by the Appellant. For the Appellant to now claim that the issue was not

                                        25
tried both by pleadings and at the urging of the Appellant is contrary to the Court

record and is disingenuous.

      Because the issue of informal marriage was plead by both parties and

testimony submitted on this issue, there is no application of Rule 67 Texas Rules of

Civil Procedure.

                                Prayer for Relief

      Premises considered, the Appellee prays to the Court to dismiss the Appeal
and to affirm the judgment of the trial court in all respects.

                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                              Haglund Law Firm, P.C.
                                              107 W. Kerr Avenue
                                              P.O. Box 713
                                              Lufkin, Texas 75902-0713
                                              Telephone: (936) 639-0007
                                              Facsimile: (936) 639-0016

                                      By:    /S/ Wayne D. Haglund___________
                                              WAYNE D. HAGLUND
                                              State Bar No. 08697500
                                              Attorney for Appellee, Roy D.
                                              Knight, Independent Executor of the
                                              Estate of Rodney Joe Knight

                                        26
                         CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

This is to certify that a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing instrument
was served by telecopier transmission on April 7, 2015, addressed to the following:

Gilbert Hargrave…………………………… ………………..Fax: (903) 675-0209
6269 FM 2892
Athens, Texas 75752

Bill Pedersen, III………………………… …………………..Fax: (214) 630-9264
2501 Oak Lawn Avenue
Suite, 380, LB-50
Dallas, Texas 75219

                            By: _/S/Wayne D. Haglund_________________
                                Wayne D. Haglund

                      CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

I certify that the above brief complies with type-volume limitations in that
according to the word-count program in Microsoft Word it contains 36 pages and
5,307 words, excluding exempt sections, proportionately spaced with Microsoft
Office default margins using Times New Roman font in 14-point for text and 12-
point for footnotes.

                            By: /S/ Wayne D. Haglund____________________
                                Wayne D. Haglund

                                         27
                        Appendix

May 22, 2014 letter to
Wayne Haglund from Bill Pedersen…………………………………………..Tab 1

                           28
TAB 1