Court Opinion

ID: 4214976
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-10-26 13:20:20.361022+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:15:03.748299
License: Public Domain

In The
              Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana

                   No. 06-17-00059-CV

ESTATE OF JOHN BRECKENRIDGE GIBSON, JR., DECEASED

          On Appeal from the Probate Court No. 1
                   Tarrant County, Texas
             Trial Court No. 2011-PR01745-1

       Before Morriss, C.J., Moseley and Burgess, JJ.
       Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Morriss
                                      MEMORANDUM OPINION
         In 1989, the then unmarried John Breckenridge Gibson, Jr., began working for the

University of Texas at Dallas and designated his sister, Beverly Ward, as the beneficiary of any

and all death benefits payable from his retirement plan with the Teachers’ Retirement System of

Texas (TRS). Though, in 2003, Gibson married Mildred Diane Fox-Gibson, he never changed his

TRS beneficiary designation. In 2011, Gibson died intestate.

         Fox-Gibson was appointed the administrator of Gibson’s estate and later filed this action1

in the administration proceeding in her representative capacity seeking, inter alia, a declaration by

the Probate Court of Tarrant County2 that Fox-Gibson, individually, has a community property

interest in the TRS plan benefits and that the community property portion of Gibson’s death

benefits held by TRS should be paid over to her. After at least two hearings, 3 the probate court

1
 As administrator of Gibson’s estate, Fox-Gibson already had the authority to administer Gibson’s separate property
and the community property that had been under Gibson’s management during his marriage. See TEX. EST. CODE
ANN. § 453.009(a)(1)–(2) (West 2014). As administrator, she could also commence a suit for the recovery of personal
property, debts, or damages. See TEX. EST. CODE ANN. § 351.054(a)(1) (West 2014). We construe this pleading as a
suit for the recovery of personal property.
2
 Originally appealed to the Second Court of Appeals, this case was transferred to this Court by the Texas Supreme
Court pursuant to its docket equalization efforts. See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 73.001 (West 2013). We are unaware
of any conflict between precedent of the Second Court of Appeals and that of this Court on any relevant issue. See TEX.
R. APP. P. 41.3.
3
 On January 16, 2014, an initial hearing was held on the application. At the hearing, Fox-Gibson testified that she
was married to Gibson on September 26, 2003, and that he passed away on September 26, 2011. She also testified
that she is the alternate payee and that the community interest was any deposits and interest made into the account
after the date of their marriage. Fox-Gibson also entered into evidence certain business records concerning Gibson’s
TRS plan account. Ward stated that she was the named beneficiary and that Gibson left all of the benefits to her, but
she also asked that Fox-Gibson be awarded the community portion. At the end of the hearing, the probate court took
the case under advisement.
          On March 27, 2014, the staff attorney for the probate court notified Fox-Gibson that, before the probate court
could sign an order on the application, it would need to determine the heirship of Gibson. Fox-Gibson filed a verified
application to determine heirship in which she alleged that she and Ward were the only survivors of Gibson. The
probate court then appointed Bill Catterton as attorney ad litem to represent the interests of the unknown heirs. On
December 12, 2014, Catterton filed a report identifying Tina Gibson Triplett, Gibson’s daughter from a prior marriage,

                                                           2
as a surviving heir. Consequently, on February 20, 2015, Fox-Gibson filed her second amended application to
determine heirship in which she identified Triplett and herself, as the only heirs of Gibson.
         While both the application and the heirship determination were still pending on August 18, 2015, Ward, now
represented by counsel, filed her original answer to the application asserting that the beneficiary designation executed
by Gibson should control the distribution of the TRS plan benefits. Ward also filed her first amended petition for
declaratory judgment, joining Fox-Gibson, individually, and asking the probate court to declare that the beneficiary
designation was effective, that the community portion of the TRS plan benefits was under Gibson’s management and
control, and that Ward was entitled to all of Gibson’s separate and community property interest in the TRS plan
benefits. Fox-Gibson, as administrator, moved to strike Ward’s first amended petition, asserting that it was untimely
under Rule 63, filed without leave of court, and that Fox-Gibson was surprised and prejudiced by the filing. See TEX.
R. CIV. P. 63. By business records affidavit, Gibson’s beneficiary designation with TRS, naming Ward as his payable-
on-death beneficiary, was filed on November 25, 2015. On December 1, 2015, the probate court held a hearing on
the application to determine heirship and the declaratory judgment petition.
         On March 17, 2017, the probate court signed its judgment and decreed, inter alia, the following:

         1.           The TRS [plan] Benefits are a non-probate asset. Texas Estate Code Chap 111.

               ....

         3.       A member of a state retirement system may designate one or more beneficiaries to receive
         benefits payable by the retirement system on the death of the member or annuitant. Tex. Govt. Code
         § 824.101.

         4.       Because Gibson designated . . . Ward, as his plan beneficiary on June 1, 1989[,] and never
         revoked, amended or changed his beneficiary designation on the TRS Plan after that time, . . . Ward,
         was the designated beneficiary on the TRS Plan at Gibson’s death.

                      ....

         10.          As a payable-on-death beneficiary, . . . Ward, is entitled to all of the TRS [plan] Benefits.

As a result of Fox-Gibson’s request, the probate court made the following findings of fact:

         1.           John Breckenridge Gibson, Jr. ([Gibson])[,] died on June 26, 2011.

         2.       Gibson was continuously employed by the University of Texas at Dallas from June l,
         1989[,] until his death on June 26, 2011.

         3.      As a benefit of Gibson’s employment, Gibson was a participant in the Teachers Retirement
         System of Texas Plan (hereafter “TRS”).

         4.       On June l, 1989, Gibson designated Gibson’s sister, . . . Ward, as the beneficiary of any
         benefits accruing under the TRS Plan.

         5.           At the time of the original beneficiary designation, Gibson had no spouse.

         6.       Gibson married . . . Fox-Gibson on or about September 26, 2003[,] and remained married
         to her until his death.

                                                               3
        7.     Gibson never revoked, amended or changed his beneficiary designation on the
        TRS Plan after June I, 1989.

        8.       No consent was sought or obtained by Gibson from . . . Fox-Gibson for a change of
        beneficiary on the TRS Plan.

The probate court also made conclusions of law, including that:

        1.       The TRS [plan] Benefits are a non-probate asset. Texas Estate Code Chap 111.

        2.         Beverly Ward properly brought the TRS Death Benefits issue to this court by a declaratory
        judgment action related to the probate of Gibson’s estate over which this Court has subject matter
        jurisdiction. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Chap 37.

        3.       A member of a state retirement system may designate one or more beneficiaries to receive
        benefits payable by the retirement system on the death of the member or annuitant. Tex. Govt. Code
        § 824.101.

        4.       Because Gibson designated . . . Ward, as his plan beneficiary on June 1, 1989 and never
        revoked, amended or changed his beneficiary designation on the TRS Plan after that time, . . . Ward,
        was the designated beneficiary on the TRS Plan at Gibson’s death.

        5.      Because Gibson had no spouse at the time of the designation of Beverly Gibson, aka
        Beverly Ward, as the plan beneficiary, no spousal consent was required for the designation. Tex.
        Admin. Code § 73.29(a) (l ).

        6.       The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Chap. 18 )(“ERISA”)
        does not apply to state governmental employee benefit plans per 29 U.S.C. Chap. 18 §§ 1002(32),
        1003.

        7.       The TRS Plan is, by definition, a state governmental employee benefit plan. Ibid.

        8.       Because ERISA does not apply to the TRS Death Benefits, there is no requirement that any
        of the TRS Death Benefits be payable to the Surviving Spouse of the Beneficiary.

        9.       Any presumption that the TRS Plan Benefits were community property, which might
        otherwise be raised by Tex. Fam. Code §3.003(a), were rebutted by the proof, by clear and
        convincing evidence, of the beneficiary designation and the non-revocation, amendment or change
        after June l, 1989. (Tex. Fam. Code § 3.003(b)).

        10.     The TRS Plan, to the extent it accrued benefits during the marriage of Gibson and . . . Fox-
        Gibson, was the sole management community property of Gibson. (Tex. Fam. Code § 3.102(a)).

        11.      At Gibson’s death, any death benefits payable by reason of the death of Gibson (TRS Death
        Benefits) became payable to his named beneficiary, . . . Ward.

        12.      Because the TRS Death Benefits are payable pursuant to the TRS Plan to the named
        beneficiary under the plan, no domestic relations order regarding the payment of plan benefits was
                                                         4
entered judgment that Ward, as the named payable-on-death beneficiary under the TRS plan, was

to be paid all of the plan benefits.

         On appeal, Fox-Gibson complains that the probate court erred in failing to strike Ward’s

allegedly late-filed petition for declaratory judgment, in its conclusion of law that the TRS plan

benefits were separate property, and in failing to award Fox-Gibson any portion of the plan

benefits. We affirm the probate court’s judgment because (1) considering Ward’s petition for

declaratory judgment was not error, (2) conclusion of law number nine, though erroneous, had no

harmful effect, and (3) Fox-Gibson’s other complaints were not preserved or were waived.

(1)      Considering Ward’s Petition for Declaratory Judgment Was Not Error

         In her first issue,4 Fox-Gibson complains that the probate court abused its discretion by

failing to strike Ward’s amended petition for declaratory judgment. Fox-Gibson argues that the

matter had been fully tried in a January 16, 2014, hearing and that the probate court abused its

discretion in permitting Ward to amend her pleadings months later without leave of court and when

it both surprised and prejudiced Fox-Gibson, all in violation of Rule 63. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 63

         entered in this case and the provisions of Texas Government Code § 804.001 defining ‘alternate
         payee’ are thus inapplicable.

After the probate court filed its findings of fact and conclusions of law, Fox-Gibson did not file a request for additional
or amended findings of fact and conclusions of law. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 298. Fox-Gibson appeals from the March
17 judgment.

4
 In a prefatory paragraph before discussing her issues, Fox-Gibson asserts that the probate court’s errors and its signing
deprived her of her marital property and resulted in a deprivation of her constitutional right to due process. Fox-
Gibson cites Mayhew v. Town of Sunnyvale, which held that “a plaintiff alleging a procedural due process takings
claim must establish that he was deprived of notice and an opportunity to be heard with respect to a decision affecting
his property rights.” 964 S.W.2d 922, 939 (Tex. 1998). In this case, Fox-Gibson instituted the proceeding and fully
participated through her pleadings and in the hearings on the matter. Hence, the record shows that she had both notice
and the opportunity to be heard. To the extent this argument is asserted as a separate issue on appeal, or in support of
her stated issues, we find that it is without merit.
                                                            5
(pleading filed after seven days before trial may be filed only after obtaining leave of trial judge,

“which shall be granted unless there is a showing that such filing will operate as a surprise to the

opposite party”).

       We review a trial court’s decision to allow the filing of late-filed pleadings for an abuse of

discretion. See Crosstex N. Tex. Pipeline, L.P. v. Gardiner, 451 S.W.3d 150, 176 (Tex. App.—

Fort Worth 2014), aff’d, 505 S.W.3d 580 (Tex. 2016). A trial court abuses its discretion if its act

is arbitrary or unreasonable, or without reference to any guiding rule or principle. Cire v.

Cummings, 134 S.W.3d 835, 838–39 (Tex. 2004); Gardiner, 451 S.W.2d at 176.

       “The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure govern proceedings in probate matters except in those

instances in which a specific provision has been made to the contrary.” Cunningham v. Parkdale

Bank, 660 S.W.2d 810, 812 (Tex. 1983) (citing TEX. R. CIV. P. 2). The Texas Estates Code

provides, “A person interested in an estate may, at any time before the court decides an issue in a

proceeding, file written opposition regarding the issue. The person is entitled to process for

witnesses and evidence, and to be heard in opposition, as in other suits.” TEX. EST. CODE ANN.

§ 55.001 (West 2014). Section 55.001 does not require leave of court to file an opposition and

does not allow the probate court to deny the filing because of prejudice or surprise to a party

opposing the filing. Compare TEX. EST. CODE. ANN. § 55.001, with TEX. R. CIV. P. 63, 66.

       In this case, the determination of whether, and to what extent, the TRS plan benefits

consisted of community property, as well as whether Fox-Gibson was entitled to any of the TRS

plan benefits, was initially brought before the probate court in Fox-Gibson’s application. Although

there was a hearing on the application in January 2014, this was by no means the final hearing on

                                                 6
these issues. The probate court, realizing that the evidence at the proceeding was not sufficient for

it to make a ruling on the issues, required the filing of an application to determine heirship to obtain

additional evidence before it ruled on Fox-Gibson’s application. While the heirship proceeding

was still pending, Ward filed her additional opposition to the application by filing both her original

answer and her petition for declaratory judgment. Since the issues regarding whether the TRS

plan benefits contained any community property, and Fox-Gibson’s entitlement to any of the

benefits, had not been decided, Section 55.001 of the Texas Estates Code gave Ward the right to

file her opposition and for that opposition to be heard. Further, since Ward’s opposition was filed

several months before the final hearing on these issues, Rule 63, which only applies to pleadings

filed “within seven days of trial or thereafter,” was not applicable. TEX. R. CIV. P. 63.

         Since Section 55.001 permitted the filing of Ward’s petition for declaratory judgment in

opposition to the application, and gave Ward the right to be heard on her opposition, we find that

the probate court’s actions in permitting the filing and hearing of Ward’s opposition was not an

abuse of discretion.5 We overrule this issue.

5
 Fox-Gibson also faults the probate court’s refusal to consider her motion to strike Ward’s petition. She points to an
exchange at a hearing on her objections to the proposed judgment, which occurred several months after the final
hearing. However, the record of this hearing shows that, when Fox-Gibson attempted to assert her motion to strike at
that hearing, the probate court responded that the motion had been heard at a docket control conference hearing, which
took place over a month before the final hearing. Fox-Gibson did not include the transcript of the docket control
conference hearing in the reporter’s record. When an appellant fails to bring forward a complete reporter’s record,
we must presume that it would support the probate court’s assertion that the motion had been previously heard and
decided. See Feldman v. Marks, 960 S.W.2d 613, 614 (Tex. 1996). Further, even assuming the exchange at the post-
trial hearing showed the probate court refused to rule on her motion to strike, to preserve any complaint for appellate
review, Fox-Gibson was required to object to the refusal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(2)(B). The record shows she
failed to object to the court’s refusal to rule on her motion. Therefore, Fox-Gibson has failed to preserve this complaint
for our review.
                                                            7
(2)    Conclusion of Law Number Nine, Though Erroneous, Had No Harmful Effect

       Fox-Gibson also complains that the trial court erred in its ninth conclusion of law that

“[a]ny presumption that the TRS Plan Benefits were community property . . . w[as] rebutted by

the proof, by clear and convincing evidence, of the beneficiary designation . . . .” Fox-Gibson

argues that, because the TRS plan benefits were in the possession of Gibson during their marriage,

they are presumed to be community property and that Ward did not offer any evidence to overcome

that presumption. She also argues that the probate court’s tenth conclusion of law contradicts its

ninth conclusion of law. In addition, she challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence

supporting the ninth conclusion of law. This resulted, she argues, in the trial court’s erroneous

failure to order that she receive the plan benefits.

       We review a trial court’s conclusions of law de novo. See BMC Software Belgium, N.V. v.

Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789, 794 (Tex. 2002). An “appellant may not challenge a trial court’s

conclusions of law for factual sufficiency; however, the reviewing court may review the trial

court’s legal conclusions drawn from the facts to determine their correctness.” Id. (citing Dallas

Cty. v. Sweitzer, 881 S.W.2d 757, 763 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1994, writ denied)). “If the reviewing

court determines a conclusion of law is erroneous, but the trial court rendered the proper judgment,

the erroneous conclusion of law does not require reversal.” Id. (citing Scholz v. Heath, 642 S.W.2d
554, 559 (Tex. App.—Waco 1982, no writ)).

       Generally, the character of property as separate or community is determined at the

beginning of that property’s ownership. Barnett v. Barnett, 67 S.W.3d 107, 111 (Tex. 2001);

McCurdy v. McCurdy, 372 S.W.2d 381 (Tex. Civ. App.—Waco 1963, writ ref’d). “Community

                                                   8
property consists of property other than separate property that is acquired by either spouse during

the marriage.” McClary v. Thompson, 65 S.W.3d 829, 834 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2002, pet.

denied) (citing TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 3.002 (West 2006)). Further, income produced by separate

property during marriage is community property. Id. (citing Lipsey v. Lipsey, 983 S.W.2d 345,

350 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1998, no pet.)). Deferred compensation plans, such as the TRS plan,

are considered community property only to the extent they are attributable to the spouse’s

employment during marriage. Boyd v. Boyd, 67 S.W.3d 398, 406–07 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth

2002, no pet.).

       In this case, the trial court’s findings of fact establish that Gibson began his employment

with the University of Dallas in June 1989 and continued his employment until his death in

June 2011. Gibson was a member of the TRS plan for the duration of his employment. Gibson

and Fox-Gibson were married in September 2003. Therefore, that portion of the TRS plan benefits

attributable to Gibson’s employment while he was married to Fox-Gibson is community property.

Id. The later designation of Ward as Gibson’s beneficiary under the plan, therefore, has no effect

on the nature of the property interest in the plan, whether community or separate. As a result, we

agree with Fox-Gibson that conclusion of law number nine is erroneous.

       That is not the end of our inquiry, however. Property passing at death pursuant to the terms

of a contract, such as contributory retirement plans, are non-probate assets that are not subject to

disposition by will or by the rules of intestate succession. Valdez v. Ramirez, 574 S.W.2d 748,

750 (Tex. 1978). The disposition of these assets is controlled by lifetime transfer rules. Id.

Further, while being earned by the employee spouse, the right to the benefits under the retirement

                                                 9
plan is subject to the employee spouse’s sole management, control, and disposition. Id. at 751.

This includes the right to designate how the benefits will be paid, whether at retirement or in the

event of the employee spouse’s death. See id. By statute, a TRS plan member may “designate one

or more beneficiaries to receive benefits payable by [TRS] on the death of the member” and file it

with TRS. TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 824.101(a) (West 2012).

       In this case, the probate court also made unchallenged findings of fact and conclusions of

law that the TRS plan benefits are non-probate assets; that the TRS plan, to the extent it accrued

benefits during the marriage of Gibson and Fox-Gibson, was the sole management community

property of Gibson; that Gibson designated Ward as his plan beneficiary in June 1989; that the

designation was never revoked, amended, or changed; and that at Gibson’s death the TRS plan

benefits became payable to Ward. The ultimate judgment of the probate court, then, was that the

TRS plan benefits were payable to Ward as the designated beneficiary under the plan. These

unchallenged findings and conclusions, as well as the judgment of the probate court, are consistent

with the Supreme Court’s holdings in Valdez. Therefore, since the probate court entered the proper

judgment, its erroneous conclusion of law does not require reversal. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d at 794.

We overrule this issue.

(3)    Fox-Gibson’s Other Complaints Were Not Preserved or Were Waived

       Finally, Fox-Gibson asserts that the probate court erred in denying Fox-Gibson any portion

of the TRS plan benefits. Fox-Gibson argues that the probate court should have found that she

was entitled to a portion of the TRS plan benefits by reason of (1) the improvements to the benefits

during her marriage to Gibson, (2) a right to reimbursement, and (3) the portion accrued during

                                                10
marriage. First, Fox-Gibson did not assert a cause of action asserting a theory of recovery based

on either a right of reimbursement or improvements to the TRS plan benefits during marriage.

Since she did not assert those theories of recovery in the probate court, the complaints were not

preserved for our review. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1) (requiring a timely request to the trial

court as a prerequisite to presenting a complaint for appellate review).

       Fox-Gibson did assert her right to a portion of the TRS plan benefits accruing during her

marriage to Gibson in her application. However, after the probate court entered its findings of fact

and conclusions of law that did not contain any determination of what portion, if any, of the TRS

plan benefits was community property, Fox-Gibson did not request additional findings of fact and

conclusions of law. By failing to timely request additional findings and conclusions, Fox-Gibson

forfeited her complaints related to the trial court’s failure to determine what portion of the plan

benefits was community property or her entitlement to them. See Friend v. Friend, No. 02-15-

00166-CV, 2016 WL 7240596, at *3 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 15, 2016, no pet.) (mem. op.);

Villalpando v. Villalpando, 480 S.W.3d 801, 810 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2015, no pet.)

(“The failure to request amended or additional findings or conclusions waives the right to complain

on appeal about the trial court’s failure to make the omitted findings or conclusions.”).

       We overrule this issue.

                                                11
      For the reasons stated, we affirm the judgment of the probate court.

                                           Josh R. Morriss III
                                           Chief Justice

Date Submitted:      October 13, 2017
Date Decided:        October 25, 2017

                                              12