Court Opinion

ID: 4053404
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 03:51:25.52083+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:34.207245
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                    01-15-00276-CV
                                                          FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                  HOUSTON, TEXAS
                                                               3/26/2015 2:58:58 PM
                                                                CHRISTOPHER PRINE
                                                                             CLERK
                  01-15-00276-CV
             No. _ _ _ _ __

                                                    FILED IN
                                             1st COURT OF APPEALS
         In the Court of Appeals                 HOUSTON, TEXAS
                                             3/26/2015 2:58:58 PM
   for the           Judicial District       CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
              Houston, Texas                         Clerk

     In re PAULA TOMASI, Relator

    Original Proceeding Arising from the
245th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas
      Trial Court Cause No. 2012-03438
          The Honorable Roy Moore

 PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS

                    SCHLANGER, SILVER, BARG &      PAINE, LLP
                    Patricia A. Wicoff
                    State Bar No. 21422500
                    109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 300
                    Houston, Texas 77024
                    (713) 735-8514
                    (713) 351-4514 Facsimile
                    pwicoff@ssbplaw.com (non-service emails)
                    famlawservice@ssbplaw .com (email service
                    only)
                    Attorney for Paula Tomasi, Relator

                       1
                         IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

      The following is a list of all parties and all counsel who have appeared in
this matter:

Relator                          Paula Tomasi

Trial & Appellate                SCHLANGER, SILVER, BARG & PAINE, LLP
Counsel for Relator              Patricia A. Wicoff
                                 State Bar No. 21422500
                                 109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 300
                                 Houston, Texas 77024
                                 (713) 735-8514
                                 (713) 351-4514 Facsimile
                                 pwicoff@ssbplaw.com (non-service emails)
                                 famlawservice@ssbplaw.com (email service only)
                                 Attorney for Paula Tomasi, Relator

Respondent                       The Honorable Roy Moore
                                 245th Judicial District Court
                                 20 1 Caroline, 15th Floor
                                 Houston, Texas 77002

Real Party in Interest           Diego David Tomasi

Counsel for Real Party           BURGOWER & RAINWATER, LLP
in Interest                      Wendy S. Burgower
                                 State Bar No. 03383600
                                 service@brfamilylaw.com
                                 3355 W. Alabama, Suite 825
                                 Houston, Texas 77098
                                 (713) 529-3982
                                 (713) 522-5045 Facsimile

                                          2
                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL.............•...............•........... 2

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . . . . .                 4

STATEMENT OF THE CASE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • . • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . 5

STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION .......•.........•..•....•..................... 6

ISSUE PRESENTED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . • . . . 6

sTATEMENT OF FACTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . • . . • . • . •                 7-8

ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES

     A.        Standard of Review: Availability of Mandamus Relief. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

     B.        A Trial Court Has No Discretion to Fail and Refuse to
               Consider a Motion and Make a Ruling Upon that Motion ......... 9-11

     C.        IssuE: The Trial Court Clearly Abused Its Discretion by
               Failing and Refusing to Rule on Relator's Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13

CONCLUSION AND PRAYER..........•..................................•.•                                                                     13

CERTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • • . . • . . • . . . . . • • • •          15

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE......•...........................•.•...•..••                                                                   15

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.............................................•...                                                                  16

APPENDIX         A ............................................................ 17

APPENDIX B.          . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

                                                                     3
                                                  INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

CASE LAW
Barnes v. State, 832 S.W.2d 424 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, orig.
  proceeding); ........................................................................................................... 9
Erbs v. Bedard, 160 S.W.2d 750, 755 (Tex. App.-Dallas 1988, orig. proceeding)
  ....................................... ..... ........... ..... ...... .... ..... ................. ...... .. .......... ................ 12
Eli Lilly & Co v. Marshall, 829 S.W.2d 157 (Tex.1992)(per curiam) ........... 8, 9, 10
In re Blakeney, 254 S.W.3d 659, 661 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2008, orig.
  proceeding) ................................................................................................ 8, 10, 11
In re Cash, 99 S.W.3d 286, 288 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2003, orig. proceeding). 11
In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225,228 (Tex. App.-Amarillo 2001, orig. proceeding)
  .................................................................................................................. 10, 11,13
In re Hearn, 137 S.W.3d 681, 685 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 2004, orig.
  proceeding) ............................................................................................................ 9
In re Keeter, 134 S.W.3d 250, 253 (Tex.App.-Waco 2003, orig.
  proceeding) ........................................................................................................... 11
In re Layton, 251 S.W.3d 794, 795 (Tex. App.-Amarillo 2008, orig.
  proceeding) ............................................................................................................ 9
In re Molina, 94 S.W.3d 885, 886 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2003, orig.
  proceeding) ............................................................................................................ 9
In re Ramirez, 994 S.W.2d 682, 684 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 1998, orig.
  proceeding) .......................................................................................................... 11
In re Rodriguez, 77 S.W.3d 459, 460 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 2002, orig.
  proceeding) .......................................................................................................... 10
In re Shredder Co., L.L.C., 225 S.W.3d 676, 679 (Tex.App.-El Paso 2006, orig.
  proceeding). ......................................................................................................... 10
Kissam v. Williamson, 545 S.W.2d 265 (Tex.App.-Tyler 1976, orig. proceeding)
  (per curiam).......................................................................................................... 11
Safety-Kleen Corp. v. Garcia, 945 S.W.2d 268, 269 (Tex. App.-San Antonio
  1997, orig. proceeding) ....................................................................................... 8-9

APPENDICES:                      The following documents are attached to this petition and
                                 incorporated in it for all purposes.

App. B, Exhibit A, Agreed Final Decree of Divorce ................................................ 7
App. B, Exhibit B, Motion for Enforcement of Property Division .......................... 7
App. B, Exhibit C, Motion for the Court to Render Judgment ................................. 8

                                                                      4
                             STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Nature of the Case:              This is a mandamus action brought by Paula J.
                                 Tomasi, Relator.

Underlying Case:                 The underlying case arises out of Cause No.
                                 2012-03438, entitled "In the Matter of the
                                 Marriage of Diego David Tomasi and Paula J.
                                 Tomasi," in the 245th Judicial District Court of
                                 Harris County, Texas.

Respondent:                      The Honorable Roy Moore, Judge of the 245th
                                 Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas,
                                 whose address is 201 Caroline, 15th Floor,
                                 Houston, Texas 77002.

Course ofProceedings:            Relator filed a Motion for Enforcement of
                                 Property Division on April 25, 2013.

                                 A hearing on Relator's motion for enforcement
                                 commenced May 28, 2014, and at the close of
                                 the day, the hearing was recessed until the
                                 following morning. The hearing was concluded
                                 on May 29, 2014.

                                 Relator filed a Motion for the Court to Render
                                 Judgment on October 9, 2014. A hearing was
                                 held to consider the motion on January 16,
                                 2015.

Action for Which Relief is       Respondent has failed to rule on the Motion for
Sought:                          Enforcement of Property Division in a
                                 reasonable amount of time.

                                         5
                         STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION

       This Court has jurisdiction to issue a writ of mandamus under Section 6 of
Article V of the Texas Constitution and Section 22.221(a) of the Texas
Government Code.

                               ISSUE PRESENTED

ISSUE N0.1:       The trial court clearly abused its discretion by failing and
                  refusing to rule on Relator's motion.

                                        6
                               STATEMENT OF FACTS

      On or about March 20, 2013 the 245th Judicial District Court of Harris

County, Texas, entered a Final Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the

Petitioner, Diego David Tomasi (Diego), and Respondent, Paula J. Tomasi (Paula).

App. B, Exhibit A. The Respondent, Diego Tomasi failed to comply with several

terms of the agreement. It was out of necessity that on April25, 2013, Paula filed a

Motion for Enforcement of Property Division seeking relief from the court to

intervene in the facilitation of the terms of the settlement agreement. App. B,

Exhibit B.

      On February 27, 2014, almost a year after Paula's motion for enforcement

was filed, the trial court commenced the final trial on the motion. At the close of

the day, the trial court recessed the trial to reconvene on May 28, 2014. The trial on

Paula's motion for enforcement concluded the next day, May 29,2014.

      On October 9, 2014, more than four months after the trial on the motion,

Paula filed a Motion for the Court to Render Judgment. App. B, Exhibit C.

      A hearing on Paula's Motion for the Court to Render Judgment was heard on

January 16, 2015. At that hearing, Judge Moore orally assured counsel that a ruling

on the motion would be made within one weeks time. It has now been nearly ten

months since the motion was heard, and to date, the trial court has not made a

ruling on Paula's Motion for Enforcement of Property Division.

                                          7
      Relator now brings forth this Petition for Writ of Mandamus seeking relief

from this Court commanding the trial court to issue its ruling on Relator's motion.

                          ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES

A.    Standard of Review: Availability of Mandamus Relief.

      Mandamus relief is proper only to correct a clear abuse of discretion when

there is no adequate remedy by appeal. In re Columbia Med. Ctr. Of Las Colinas,

290 S.W.3d 204, 207 {Tex. 2009) (orig. proceeding). A court may abuse its

discretion by failing to execute a ministerial task for which no discretion attaches.

See Eli Lilly & Co v. Marshall, 829 S.W.2d 157, 158 {Tex.1992)(per curiam); In re

Blakeney, 254 S.W.3d 659, 661 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2008, orig. proceeding).

When a motion is properly filed and pending before a trial court, considering and

ruling on that motion is a ministerial act, and mandamus may issue to compel the

trial court to act. Safety-Kleen Corp. v. Garcia, 945 S.W.2d 268, 269 {Tex. App.-

San Antonio 1997, orig. proceeding); Barnes v. State, 832 S.W.2d 424, 426

(Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, orig. proceeding); see also Eli Lilly & Co. v.

Marshall, 829 S.W.2d 157, 158, {Tex. 1992) (holding trial court abused its

discretion by refusing to conduct hearing and render decision on motion).

      To obtain mandamus relief for such a refusal, a realtor must establish that:

(1) the trial court had a legal duty to perform a non-discretionary act, (2) a demand

for performance was made, and (3) the trial court failed or refused to rule within a

                                          8
reasonable amount of time. Barnes v. State, 832 S.W.2d 424, 426-27 (Tex.App.-

Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, orig. proceeding). That is, the movant is required to show

that the motion was brought to the attention of the trial court and the trial court

failed or refused to rule on the motion with a reasonable time. In re Layton, 257
S.W.3d 794, 795 {Tex. App.-Amarillo 2008, orig. proceeding); In re Molina, 94
S.W.3d 885, 886 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2003, orig. proceeding); In re Hearn,

137 S.W.3d 681, 685 {Tex.App.-San Antonio 2004, orig. proceeding).

B.    A Trial Court Has No Discretion to Fail and Refuse to Consider a
      Motion and Make a Ruling Upon That Motion.

      When a motion is properly filed and pending before a trial court, the act of

considering and resolving it is ministerial. Barnes v. Texas, 832 S.W.2d 424, 426

(Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, orig. proceeding) (citing Eli Lilly & Co. v.

Marshall, 829 S.W.2d 157 {Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding)). A ministerial act is one

that, according to law, must be performed with such certainty it does not require

the exercise of judicial discretion. In re Rodriguez, 77 S.W.3d 459, 460

{Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 2002, orig. proceeding). A court may abuse its

discretion by failing to execute a ministerial task for which no discretion attaches,

such as refusing to conduct a hearing or rule on a properly-pending motion. See Eli

Lilly & Co v. Marshall, 829 S.W.2d 157, 158 {Tex.l992)(per curiam); In re

Blakeney, 254 S.W.3d 659,661 {Tex.App.-Texarkana 2008, orig. proceeding).

                                          9
      A trial judge is required to perform the ministerial duty of considering and

ruling on a properly filed and pending motion within a "reasonable time." In re

Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225, 228 {Tex. App.-Amarillo 2001, orig. proceeding); In re

Blakeney, 254 S.W.3d 659, 661 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 2008, orig. proceeding). A

trial court's refusal to rule on a pending motion within a reasonable amount of time

constitutes a clear abuse of discretion. In re Shredder Co., L.L.C., 225 S.W.3d 676,

679 (Tex.App.-El Paso 2006, orig. proceeding). Mandamus relief is available to

compel a trial court to make a ruling within a reasonable time. /d. This rule does

not intrude upon the trial court's discretion because a trial court has no discretion

to refuse to act. Barnes v. State, 832 S.W.2d 424, 426 {Tex.App.-Houston [1st

Dist.] 1992, orig. proceeding). The trial court's judicial discretion extends only to

its decision how to rule after it considers a motion properly before it. /d.

      Whether a reasonable time has lapsed depends on the circumstances of each

case. In re Blakeney, 254 S.W.3d 659, 662 {Tex.App.-Texarkana 2008, orig.

proceeding). In considering what constitutes a reasonable amount of time, courts

have examined a "myriad" of criteria including: (1) the trial court's actual

knowledge of the motion, (2) its overt refusal to act on the same, (3) the state of the

court's docket, (4) the existence of other judicial and administrative matters which

must be addressed first, and (5) the trial court's inherent power to control its own

                                           10
docket. In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225, 228-29 (Tex. App.-Amarillo 2001, orig.

proceeding).

      No specific amount of time has been established as to what separates a

reasonable time period from an unreasonable one. See In re Keeter, 134 S.W.3d
250, 253 (Tex.App.-Waco 2003, orig. proceeding). However, periods of thirteen-

months, five-months, and three-months have been held too long for a trial court not

to rule. In re Ramirez, 994 S.W.2d 682, 684 {Tex.App.-San Antonio 1998, orig.

proceeding); In re Cash, 99 S.W.3d 286, 288 {Tex.App.-Texarkana 2003, orig.

proceeding); Kissam v. Williamson, 545 S.W.2d 265 (Tex.App.-Tyler 1976, orig.

proceeding)(per curiam).

C.    Issue No. 1: The Trial Court Clearly Abused Its Discretion by Failing
      and Refusing to Rule on Relator's Motion.

      Mandamus is appropriate in this case, as Relator can demonstrate that all

requisites have been met for mandamus relief. First, the trial court has a

nondiscretionary legal duty to consider and rule upon Relator's Motion for

Enforcement of Property Division. Second, Relator demanded performance of this

nondiscretionary act when she properly filed and was heard on her Motion for

Enforcement of Property Division. Third, Relator has established that the trial

court has failed and refused to perform its ministerial duty to enter a ruling within a

reasonable time after Relator requested that it be performed. Relator has shown

                                          II
that this petition is an appropriate request for mandamus relief, as all three

requisites for mandamus relief have been met. See Erbs v. Bedard, 760 S.W.2d 750,

755 {Tex. App.-Dallas 1988, orig. proceeding).

      Relator has shown that the trial court has a legal duty to consider and rule on

her properly filed Motion for Enforcement of Property Division, and that such an

act is considered a ministerial task, for which no discretion attaches.

      Relator has demonstrated that the trial court has knowledge, as she has

demanded performance through repeated attempts to secure a ruling from the trial

judge on her motion for enforcement. Relator properly pled and filed her motion

for enforcement with the trial court. Nearly one year later, a hearing on the motion

was held before the trial judge. More than ten months have now elapsed since the

trial court considered Relator's motion for enforcement.

      Additionally, Relator went a step further in attempting to call the trial court's

attention to the pending status of a ruling when she properly filed and urged her

Motion for the Court to Render Judgment. Despite the trial judge pledging to

deliver its ruling within a weeks time from that hearing, to date -some four

months later-there has been no ruling on Relator's Motion for Enforcement of

Property Division.

      Relator has also shown that the trial court is outside of the reasonable time in

which to make a ruling. Considering the factors set forth above, ( 1) the trial court

                                          12
has knowledge of Relator's motion, as a hearing on her motion was held on May

28 and May 29, 2014, (2) the trial court has refused to rule on her motion despite

assurances that a ruling would be made some four months prior to the filing of this

petition, (3) the trial court's docket was of such a state that it was able to hold a

hearing on Relator's motions and a number of other matters, (4) no judicial and

administrative matters remain that must be addressed before the trial court's ruling,

and (5) the trial court has the power to make a ruling on this motion. See In re

Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225,228-29 {Tex.App.-Amarillo 2001, orig. proceeding).

      Relator's Motion for Enforcement of Property Division was properly filed

with and has been heard by the trial court. The trial court has refused and failed to

rule on Relator's Motion for Enforcement of Property Division, though almost ten

months have elapsed since the trial court heard Relator's motion. The trial court

has a ministerial duty to rule on this properly filed and pending motion for

enforcement. The trial court's failure to issue its ruling within a reasonable amount

of time constitutes a clear abuse of discretion.

                               CONCLUSION AND PRAYER

      For the reasons set forth above, Relator respectfully prays that this Court

issue its writ of mandamus commanding the Honorable Roy Moore, Judge of the

245th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, to rule on Relator's Motion

for Enforcement of Property Division.

                                          13
Respectfully Submitted,

SCHLANGER, SILVER, BARG & PAINE, LLP

  atricia A. Wic
  tate Bar No. 21422500
109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77024
Tel: (713) 735-8514
Fax: (713) 351-4514
pwicoff@ssbplaw.com (non-service emails)
famlawservice@ssbplaw .com (email service only)
Attorney for Paula Tomasi, Relator

       14
                                CERTIFICATION

     I certify that I have reviewed the above Petition for Writ of Mandamus and I
have concluded that every factual statement in said petition is supported by
competent evidence included in the ap nd· or ecord filed with this Court.

                         CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

      I hereby certify that the number of words continued in this document is
1,888 and that I am relying upon the p ogra used to prepare this document for
such word count.

                                       15
                           CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I certify that a true copy of this Petition for Writ of Mandamus was served
on all parties in accordance with Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 6.3 and
9.5(b), (d) and (e) on March 26, 2015 as follows:

      Via: Hand Delivery

      THE HONORABLE ROY MOORE, Respondent Trial Judge
      245 1h Judicial District Court
      201 Caroline, 151h Floor, Houston, Texas 77002

      Via: Electronic Delivery

      WENDY S. BURGOWER, Burgower & Rainwater L.L.P.
      3355 W. Alabama, Suite 825 Houston, Texas 77098

                                     Patricia A. Wico
                                     Attorney for Relator

      A copy of this notice is being filed wit the appellate clerk in accordance
with rule 25.1(e) of the Texas Rules of pe e Procedure.

                                     Patricia A. Wico
                                     Attorney for Relator

                                        16
APPENDIX A:

                               AFFIDAVIT OF PATRIClA A. WICOFF

      STATE OF TEXAS                          §
                                              §
      COUNTY OF HARRIS                        §

BEFORE ME, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared Patricia A.
Wicoff, who, after being duly sworn, stated under oath:

      "My name is Patricia A. Wicoff. I am above the age of eighteen years of age,
and I am fully competent to make this affidavit. I am the attorney of record for
Relator, Paula J. Tomasi, in this Petition for Writ of Mandamus. I am licensed to
practice law in the state of Texas. I have thoroughly reviewed the Court's file in
this matter. The facts stated in this affidavit are within my personal knowledge and
are true and correct.

      "Attached to this affidavit are true and correct copies of the following
pleadings:

                                                                     Lj{
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME on this .;2                    t   d ay of March,
2015, to certify which witness my hand and official seal.

           ELIZABETH M. RODRIGUEZ                 Nota
                Notary Public
              STATE OF TEXAS
              My Comm Exp. 01·19·2017

                                                  eliukH< j.l. ~t&r~ vQk
                                                  Notary's Printed Name

                                             17
APPENDIXB:

      This appendix contains the following:

                                          EXHmiT

A.         Agreed Final Decree of Divorce                    Court        3/20/ 13

B.         Motion for Enforcement of Property                Wicoff       4/25/ 13
           Division

c.         Motion for Court to Render Judgment               Wicoff        10/9/ 14

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME on this                     ~~ay of March,
2015 , to certify which witness my hand and official seal.

             ELIZABETH M. RODRIGUEZ
                 Notary Public
               STATE OF TEXAS
               MyComm Exp. 01 ·19-20 17
                                                 fllt.tt:     (713) 521-5045

    492Bbi-r                                                                                     ·Page4 of5

     aar-
      DDT
                State B.~r 'No. 214;2.2500
                AMY R. HARRIS
                State B.ar No. ,24041057
                AttQr·neys for Respondent
    109 North Post ·oak Lane; Suite 300
    Houston,. T¢xas 77024
    Telephone:         (713)    735-8514
    Telefax-~          -(7i3.) .351-4514

    APPROVED AND CONSENTED· TO AS TO BOTI-J FORM AND SUBSTANCE:

    DII:G       DAVID TOMASI, Pet1t1oner

)   £!11~.~4-N--
    PAULA TOM - I, Respondent

    4928.02~1

    o.o.r
      DDT
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       JUij/.03/:~13/~0X   J3:4J PM

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                                                                 ((AUSJ NO.. 2012.-03438
                                                                        .,....
                                                                                                ,. . . Ai'l} ~147
                     IN THE MAntR OF                                                       IN.THI,OI$TI.IICT COURr Of                        ""
                     TME MARRIAG£0~                                     §
                                                                                                                                          P,)
                                                                        .§
                     DIEfiO DAV.1D TOMASI                                §                 HAaRIS COUNTY., T E JC AS(/($()
                     AND         .                                       §
                     PAULA JOMA.SI                                       §                 2~1t JUDICIAL DISTRJCT
                                                                                                                                          C\)
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                            't:·ls· ~~·Om~ th-.: any: atrt.harized· person ei~'n Ytfr$ of. a~«i! Q.r older who !s
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                      APPROVED:

                                         ~.BDrg'&l'Ome UP

                                     ·~.A il~h \
                              P.ATR-ioA.A. WJtOFF
                              State ·a~ tto.. 21422500
                              A)lt"{A fifAt\N$
                              State. iJJl" N~~:i4El4i0.S7
                              -Attotlie.y'S tcrr Pt1~~~ to..,.
                      109 Nortb PQSt oa~ La"~' Suite soa
                      ffpustoo., T.-a& 77014
                      T:efepqone: .fllBj 7~~8.514
                      FacSimile:      (113.}"~85..2091

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                       49El413-1                                                                                               Pap1~f1
          EXHIBITC
Motion for the Court to Render Judgment

                   21
                                                                                                              10/9/2014 4:05:16 PM
                                                                                         Chris Daniel - District Clerk Hanis County
                                                                                                             Envelope No. 2783027
                                                                                                                   By: Maria Arroyo
                                                                                                       Filed: 10/9/2014 4:05:16 PM
.---   ~
       I

                                                CAUSE NO. 2012-03438

           IN THE MATTER OF                             §                      IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
           THE MARRIAGE OF                              §
                                                        §
           DIEGO DAVID TOMASI                           §                      HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
           AND                                          §
           PAULA J. TOMASI                              §                      245TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

                            MOVANT'S MOTION FOR THE COURT TO RENDER JUDGMENT

                 COMES NOW, Movant, PAULA J. TOMASI and files this Motion for the Court to Render
           Judgment and who would respectfully show in support of such motion as follows:

                                      Chronological and Procedural Background

                   On or about March 20, 2013, this Court entered a Final Decree of Divorce in the above
           referenced matter dissolving the parties' marriage and, on or about the same time, the parties
           executed an Agreement Incident to Divorce providing for the terms of the settlement of the
           marital estate.
  )
                  On or about April 25, 2013, Movant filed a Motion for Enforcement of Property Division
           seeking relief from the Court to intervene in the facilitation of the terms of the settlement
           agreement.

                 Thereafter, on or about May 28, 2014, the Court commenced the final trial on Movant's
           motion for enforcement, and at the close of the day, recessed the trial to the following
           morning, that being May 29, 2014, and the trial concluded that same day.

                                          Effects of a Ruling from the Court

                  It was out of necessity that Movant filed a motion for enforcement and asked the Court
           to order that the parties comply with the terms of their settlement agreement.      Movant's
           motion did not get heard until more than a year after it was filed, and it has now been more
           than four (4) months since the trial concluded, and there has not been a ruling.

                  Additionally, the parties are on the Court's trial docket on a separate post-trial issue.
           Movant respectfully requests that the Court render in the enforcement matter so that the
           enforcement is brought to a conclusion, but additionally, so that the current trial setting is not
           delayed.

                  As of the date of the filing of this Motion, Movant is unaware of a ruling in the
           enforcement matter.

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         Movant prays that the Court render a ruling on Movant's Motion for Enforcement and
for all further relief authorized by law.

                                            Respectfully Submitted,
                                            Schlanger, Silver, Barg & Paine, LLP

                                            By:_ _ ___./..;;.s'-/.;;....;Pa:;.;:t~ri=ci.;:;.a.;..;A~.W~ic=o.:..:.ff_._ __
                                                   Patricia A. Wicoff
                                                   State Bar No. 21422500
                                                   Amy R. Harris
                                                   State Bar No. 21422500
                                                   Attorneys for Petitioner, Paula Tomasi
                                            109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 300
                                            Houston, Texas 77024
                                            Telephone:      (713} 735-8514
                                            Facsimile:      (713} 351-4514
                                            pwicoff@ssbplaw.com (Non-service emails)
                                            aharris@ssbplaw.com (Non-service emails)
                                            famlawservice@ssbplaw.com (Email service only)

                                   CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I certify that a true copy of the above was served on each attorney of record or party in
accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure on the 9th day of October, 2014.

       Wendy S. Burgower
       BURGOWER & RAINWATER, LLP                                   via electronic delivery
       3355 W. Alabama, Suite 825
       Houston, Texas 77098

                                                           Is/ Patricia A. Wicoff
                                            Patricia A. Wicoff
                                            Amy R. Harris
                                            Attorneys for Petitioner, Paula Tomasi

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