Takesha Dunlap v. Beauly, LLC ( 2017 )


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  •                                                                          ACCEPTED
    02-17-00052-CV
    SECOND COURT OF APPEALS
    FORT WORTH, TEXAS
    12/19/2017 4:23 PM
    DEBRA SPISAK
    CLERK
    No. 02-17-00052-CV
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS                  FILED IN
    2nd COURT OF APPEALS
    SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS             FORT WORTH, TEXAS
    FORT WORTH, TEXAS              12/19/2017 4:23:02 PM
    DEBRA SPISAK
    Clerk
    TAKESHA DUNLAP
    Appellants,
    v.
    BEAULY, LLC
    Appellee.
    ON APPEAL FROM
    COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 1 OF TARRANT COUNTY TEXAS
    THE HONORABLE DON PIERSON, PRESIDING JUDGE
    CAUSE NO. 2017-000378-1
    APPELLEE’S BRIEF
    Keith A. Wolfshohl
    SBN: 24047135
    BARRY & SEWART, PLLC
    4151 Southwest Freeway
    Suite 680
    Houston, Texas 77027
    Tel: (713) 722-0281
    Fax: (713) 722-9786
    Attorneys for:
    BEAULY, LLC
    IDENTITIES OF PARTIE S
    Appellants                       Appellants’ Counsel
    Takesha Dunlap                   Pro Se
    Appellee                         Appellee’s Counsel
    Beauly, LLC                      Keith A. Wolfshohl
    Anna C. Sewart
    David W. Barry
    Nicholas M. Frame
    Austin R. DuBois
    BARRY & SEWART, PLLC
    4151 Southwest Freeway
    Suite 680
    Houston, Texas 77027
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                     Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                Page ii
    TABLE OF CONTENTS
    Identities of Parties ........................................................................................................ ii
    Table of Contents.......................................................................................................... iii
    Table of Authorities ...................................................................................................... iv
    Statement of the Case.................................................................................................... 1
    Statement of the Facts ................................................................................................... 2
    Statement Regarding Oral Argument ........................................................................... 2
    Summary of the Argument............................................................................................ 3
    Argument ....................................................................................................................... 4
    A.       Introduction ...................................................................................................... 4
    B.       Nature of a forcible Detainer Action ............................................................... 4
    C.       Response to Issues Presented .......................................................................... 5
    Response to Issue One: The Justice Court had jurisdiction to
    determine the right of immediate possession. ...................................................... 5
    Response to Issue Two: The trial court properly tried the case
    despite the fact the Appellant filed a Motion for Summary Judgment. ............ 12
    D.       Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 14
    E.       Prayer .............................................................................................................. 15
    Certificate of Compliance ........................................................................................... 16
    Certificate of Service .................................................................................................. 16
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                                                         Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                                                   Page iii
    TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
    Cases
    Brittingham v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg. Corp.,
    2013 Tex.App. LEXIS 10624 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 2013) .............................. 15
    Brittingham v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg. Corp.,
    2013 Tex.App. LEXIS 10624 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth, 2013) ............................. 16
    Crumpton v. Stevens, 
    936 S.W.2d 473
    (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1996) ................... 13
    Deubler v. Bank of N.Y. Mellon,
    2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 4805 (App.—Fort Worth May 25, 2017) ........................ 12
    Fields v. Varrichio,
    2015 Tex.App. LEXIS 10221 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 2015) .............................. 13
    Herrera v. Bank of Am., N.A.,
    2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 7185 (Tex.App.—Texarkana 2016)................................. 16
    Hossain v. Fannie Mae,
    2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 6041 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2015). .............. 13
    Marshall v. Hous. Auth., 
    198 S.W.3d 782
    (Tex. 2006) ............................................... 9
    Murphey v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.,
    
    199 S.W.3d 441
    (Tex.App.—Houston[1st] 2006) ................................................. 15
    Olaoye v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
    2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 4946 (App.—Fort Worth 2012) ......................................... 9
    Payne v. Highland Homes, Ltd.,
    2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 6987 (App.—Fort Worth June 30, 2016) ........................ 17
    Peralta v. Heights Medical Center, Inc., 
    485 U.S. 80
    (1988). .................................. 18
    Reardean v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg. Corp.,
    2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 10111 (Tex.App.—Austin 2013) ..................................... 
    14 Rice v
    . Pinney, 
    51 S.W.3d 705
    (Tex. App.—Dallas 2001) ....................... 9, 13, 14, 15
    State Bar of Tex. v. Gomez, 
    891 S.W.2d 243
    (Tex. 1994) ................................... 10, 11
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                                Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                          Page iv
    Tex. Dep't of Parks & Wildlife v. Miranda,
    
    133 S.W.3d 217
    (Tex. 2004) ................................................................................... 11
    Wade v. Household Fin. Corp. III,
    2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 1914 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Feb. 25, 2016) ................. 14
    Statutes
    TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. § 27.031 ............................................................................... 13
    TEX. PROP. CODE § 24.004.......................................................................................... 12
    Rules
    TEX. R. APP. P. 38.1 ..................................................................................................... 17
    TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a .................................................................................................... 18
    TEX. R. CIV. P. 510.3(e) ................................................................................................. 9
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                                                   Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                                              Page v
    STATEMENT OF THE CAS E
    This is a forcible detainer action. Beauly, LLC, (hereinafter “Appellee”)
    sued Takesha Dunlap and all other occupants, (hereinafter “Appellant”), to obtain
    possession of the property located at 705 Champion Way, Mansfield, Texas
    (hereinafter “Property”). (CR 5 et seq.). The Property is legally described as:
    LOT 3, BLOCK 3 OF MANSFIELD NATIONAL, SECTION B,
    PHASE II, AN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF MANSFIELD,
    TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT
    THEREOF RECORDED IN CABINET A, SLIDE 8078, PLAT
    RECORDS, TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS.
    On December 20, 2016, the Justice Court awarded possession of the
    Property to Appellee. Appellant subsequently appealed to the Tarrant County Court
    at Law 1 of Tarrant County for a trial de novo.
    On February 10, 2017, judgment was rendered once again awarding
    possession of the Property to Appellee by the Tarrant County Court at Law. (CR
    81-82). Appellant subsequently appealed the decision to this Court. (CR 83-86).
    STATEMENT OF THE FAC TS
    Beauly, LLC (hereinafter “Beauly” or “Appellee”) purchased the Property, at
    a valid foreclosure sale conducted on June 3, 2014. (CR 12). Under the foreclosed
    deed of trust, Appellant is a tenant-at-sufferance. (CR 20-21). Appellee, demanded
    Appellant to vacate the property pursuant to the Texas Property Code. (CR 26-28).
    Despite receiving demand for possession, Appellant continues to reside at the
    property as tenant-at sufferance.
    STATEMENT R EGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT
    Appellee believes the issues are not so complex as to warrant oral argument
    and oral argument would only exacerbate costs associated with the forcible
    detainer. Therefore, oral argument is not requested. However, if the Court requests
    oral argument, Appellee respectfully requests to be heard.
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                  Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                             Page 2
    SUMMARY OF THE ARGUM ENT
    The Justice Court had jurisdiction to determine possession. The County
    Court at Law had jurisdiction when the Appellant appealed the case for trial de
    novo. This court has jurisdiction to decide the matter on Appeal.
    The Justice Court had original jurisdiction since the foreclosed deed of trust
    created a tenancy upon foreclosure, and the justice court did not have to decide
    issues of title to determine the right of immediate possession. A purchaser at a
    foreclosure sale is not required to prove the foreclosure was conducted in
    conformity with the terms of the note or deed of trust to be entitled to immediate
    possession of the property.
    While Appellant has not complied with the briefing requirements for her
    second issue and therefore waived the argument, Appellant was not entitled to
    summary judgment in the county court since the timing requirements for a motion
    for summary judgment were not met.
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                   Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                              Page 3
    ARGUMENT
    A.      INTRODUCTION
    Appellant’s Brief is little more than cobbled together snippets of other docu-
    ments with no clear argument or reasoning. Appellant is arguing that an irregularity
    in the foreclosure divests the justice court, and county court at law on appeal (and
    ultimately this Court), of jurisdiction to try the forcible detainer. Appellant cites no
    authority in support of her position. The Justice Court, the County Court, and this
    Court have and continue to have jurisdiction to determine the right of immediate
    possession without resorting to title.
    B.    NATURE OF A FORCIBLE DETAINER ACTION
    “A forcible detainer action is intended to be speedy, simple, and inexpensive
    means for resolving the question of the right to immediate possession of premises.”
    Rice v. Pinney, 
    51 S.W.3d 705
    , 709 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2001, no pet.); Marshall v.
    Hous. Auth., 
    198 S.W.3d 782
    , 787 (Tex. 2006). The only issue in an action for
    forcible detainer is the right to actual possession, and the merits of title shall not be
    adjudicated. TEX. R. CIV. P. 510.3(e). “[A]ny defects in the foreclosure process or
    the purchaser's title to the property may not be considered in a forcible detainer
    action.” Olaoye v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 02-11-00263-CV, 2012 Tex. App.
    LEXIS 4946, at *5 (App.—Fort Worth 2012, No. Pet.) Those defects may be
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                      Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                 Page 4
    pursued in suits for wrongful foreclosure or to set aside the substitute trustee’s
    deed, but they are not relevant in a forcible detainer action. 
    Id. C. RESPONSE
    TO ISSUES PRESENTED
    Response to Issue One: The Justice Court had jurisdiction to determine the right of
    immediate possession.
    Appellant erroneously contends that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to
    determine the right of possession because of an alleged irregularity in the
    foreclosure. Appellant believes the trustee was not properly appointed to conduct
    the foreclosure. Appellant filed a pleading entitled “Notice and Demand for a
    Definite Statement of Allegation of Bona Fide Jurisdiction” wherein she demanded
    Beauly, LLC (hereinafter “Beauly” or “Appellee”) prove the trial court had
    jurisdiction to try the forcible detainer. 1 Appellant attacks the trial court’s
    jurisdiction because she claims there are irregularities in the foreclosure. The
    justice court, and county court upon appeal, had jurisdiction to try the case because
    BeaulyAppellee 1.) had standing to bring the suit, 2.) the suit was filed in the
    justice court in the county in which the property lies, and 3.) the deed of trust
    created a tenancy-at-sufferance upon foreclosure.
    “Subject matter jurisdiction requires that the party bringing the suit have
    standing, that there [exists] a live controversy between the parties, and that the case
    1
    Because Appellant is a pro se defendant, her motions and pleadings may be read liberally.
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                                              Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                                         Page 5
    be justiciable.” State Bar of Tex. v. Gomez, 
    891 S.W.2d 243
    (Tex. 1994). Before a
    court may address the merits of any case, the court must determine at its earliest
    opportunity whether it has the constitutional or statutory authority to proceed. See
    Tex. Dep't of Parks & Wildlife v. Miranda, 
    133 S.W.3d 217
    (Tex. 2004). The court
    must have jurisdiction over the party or the property subject to the suit, jurisdiction
    over the subject matter, jurisdiction to enter the judgment, and capacity to act as a
    court. 
    Gomez, 891 S.W.2d at 245
    . “Whether a pleader has alleged facts that
    affirmatively demonstrate a trial court's subject matter jurisdiction is a question of
    law reviewed de novo. Likewise, whether undisputed evidence of jurisdictional
    facts establishes a trial court's jurisdiction is also a question of law.” 
    Miranda, 133 S.W.3d at 226
    . “However, if a plea to the jurisdiction challenges the existence of
    jurisdictional facts, [the court] consider[s] relevant evidence submitted by the
    parties when necessary to resolve the jurisdictional issues raised, as the trial court
    is required to do.” 
    Id. at 227.
    Appellant filed no evidence with her motion, but
    Appellee provided evidence of the jurisdiction when it filed its petition.
    In the forcible detainer petition, Appellee pled that it was the owner of the
    subject Property having purchased it at a nonjudicial foreclosure sale, evidenced by
    a Deed from the Substitute Trustee following the foreclosure sale. (CR 5-6, 14-25).
    Appellee attached a notarized copy of the Substitute Trustee’s Deed (CR 12-13) to
    the pleadings with a notarized statement of facts (CR 8) and filed copies of notices
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                     Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                Page 6
    demanding Appellant vacate the property. (CR 26-28). Beauly further pled that
    pursuant to the provisions of the Deed of Trust, Appellant was required to
    surrender possession of the Property to Appellee but had failed to vacate after
    proper notice was given. (CR 6). Additionally, Appellee pled that Appellant was a
    resident of Tarrant County within the precinct of the justice court (CR 5).
    Jurisdiction to hear a forcible detainer action is expressly given to the justice
    court of the precinct where the property is located and, on appeal, to the county
    court at law for trial de novo. Rice v. Pinney, 
    51 S.W.3d 705
    , 708 (Tex. App.—
    Dallas 2001, no pet.); see TEX. PROP. CODE ANN. § 24.004 (West 2000) The
    property in question lies within the justice court’s territorial jurisdiction. Therefore,
    the justice court was the proper court in which to bring the forcible detainer suit.
    Appellee has standing in this case because it was deeded the property
    through the trustee’s deed. Appellee is not required to prove title, but is required to
    prove that it has a greater right of immediate possession. Deubler v. Bank of N.Y.
    Mellon, N2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 4805, at *4 (App.—Fort Worth May 25, 2017,
    Pet. Den’d.)(mem. op.) The trustee’s deed and deed of trust, both included with
    the original petition, establishes Beauly’s standing in this case.
    A justiciable dispute between the parties exists because Beauly demanded
    possession of the property, but Appellant failed to vacate the property after
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                      Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                 Page 7
    possession was demanded. Because both parties contest possession of the property,
    a justiciable suit exists.
    Appellant’s argument that the foreclosure was invalid cannot be considered
    by the trial court. To raise such an argument is to question the validity of the
    foreclosure—a scope of inquiry outside the jurisdiction of the justice court.
    “Courts of appeals consistently have allowed forcible detainer actions to proceed
    based on a tenancy at sufferance clause in a deed of trust without regard to whether
    the party seeking possession complied with the terms of the deed of trust.” Hossain
    v. Fannie Mae, No. 14-14-00273-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 6041 (Tex. App.—
    Houston [14th Dist.] June 6, 2015, pet. dism'd w.o.j.). As this Court has noted in
    previous cases, “[t]he eviction proceedings below involved the adjudication of only
    who has the superior right to immediate possession and not of who holds title to
    the property, whether [the bank] violated any duty or law by foreclosing on the
    property, whether the foreclosure was proper, or who ultimately has the right of
    possession.” Fields v. Varrichio, No. 02-15-00060-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS
    10221, at * 4 (App.—Fort Worth Oct. 1, 2015, no pet.).
    Justice courts have original jurisdiction to determine the right of possession
    through a forcible detainer. TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. § 27.031(a)(2), (b)(4) (West
    Supp. 2015). It is only when a justice court must determine title before determining
    the right of possession does the justice court lose jurisdiction to hear a forcible
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                     Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                Page 8
    detainer. See 
    Rice, 51 S.W.3d at 708
    (citing Crumpton v. Stevens, 
    936 S.W.2d 473
    ,
    476 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1996, no writ)); see Wade v. Household Fin. Corp. III,
    No. 06-15-00074-CV, 2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 1914 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Feb.
    25, 2016, no pet.) (mem. op.). However, if a foreclosed deed of trust creates a
    landlord-tenant relationship upon foreclosure, the justice court has an alternative
    method of determining the right of immediate possession without resorting to
    issues of title. Reardean v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg. Corp., No. 03-12-00562-CV,
    2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 10111 (Tex.App.—Austin Aug. 14, 2013, no pet)(mem.
    op.); 
    Rice, 51 S.W.3d at 709
    , 713.
    Appellant seems to assert that the foreclosure was invalid and that Beauly
    was required to prove the foreclosure was conducted in compliance with the Deed
    of Trust. However, the argument is an attempt to put an additional elemental
    burden on the Appellee on a matter the trial court cannot consider—title to
    property. Appellant’s argument would require the trial court to determine whether
    the foreclosing lender complied with the terms of the Deed of Trust when it
    foreclosed, thus determining if the title is valid. This is outside the scope of the
    justice court’s jurisdiction.
    Ultimately, Appellant’s argument is that Appellee is not entitled to
    possession merely because she raises a claim that the foreclosure was not
    conducted properly. She is free to make this argument in a court of competent
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                      Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                 Page 9
    jurisdiction in an effort to set aside the foreclosure sale. However, a forcible
    detainer suit it is not a proper venue to raise such issues when the foreclosed deed
    of trust creates tenancy-at-sufferance upon foreclosure. “Any defects in the
    foreclosure process or with appellee’s title to the property may not be considered in
    a forcible detainer action” Brittingham v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg. Corp., 2013
    Tex.App. LEXIS 10624 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 2013).
    To prove a forcible detainer has occurred, a party must show 1) that it is the
    owner of the property, 2) that the opposing party is in possession of the property;
    3) that a lien was foreclosed superior to the opposing party’s right of possession; 4)
    that the party seeking possession made a sufficient written demand for the property
    and 5) that the opposing party refused to leave after the written demand. See Rice,
    Murphey v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 
    199 S.W.3d 441
    (Tex.App.—
    Houston[1st] 2006, pet. den’d).
    Appellee showed the Trial Court that it was entitled to possession of the
    property by submitting the Substitute Trustee’s Deed into evidence. (CR 12-13).
    Appellee also provided the trial court a copy of the Deed of Trust (CR 14-25). The
    Deed of Trust states:
    If the Property is sold [at foreclosure], Borrower or any person holding
    possession of the property through Borrower shall immediately
    surrender possession of the Property to the purchaser at that sale. If
    possession is not surrendered Borrower or such person shall be a tenant
    at sufferance and may be removed by writ of possession. (CR 21).
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                     Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                               Page 10
    As previously stated, any defects in the foreclosure process or with
    Appellee's title to the property may not be considered in a forcible detainer action.
    U.S. Bank Nat’l 
    Ass’n, 266 S.W.3d at 625
    . There is no requirement that an owner
    must prove the foreclosure was conducted in conformity with the Deed of Trust or
    the Property Code in a forcible detainer suit. Brittingham v. Fed. Home Loan
    Mortg. Corp., 2013 Tex.App. LEXIS 10624 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth, 2013).
    Appellant makes the same argument made in Herrera v. Bank of Am., N.A.,
    No. 06-15-00081-CV, 2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 7185 (Tex.App.—Texarkana 2016).
    In Herrera, the appellant argued that the landlord’s failure to prove the trustee was
    properly named as a substitute trustee, deprived the trial court with jurisdiction to
    try the forcible detainer. 
    Id. at *7.
    The court rejected that argument because the
    foreclosed deed of trust contained a provision that created a landlord-tenant
    relationship upon foreclosure. 
    Id. at *9.
    The Justice Court and County Court on appeal had jurisdiction to try the
    forcible detainer suit. The Deed of Trust created tenancy at sufferance upon
    foreclosure. The property was foreclosed, Beauly was the highest bidder and a
    deed was given to Appellee. The suit was filed in the county in which the property
    sits and additionally within territorial jurisdiction of the justice court in which the
    suit was filed.
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                      Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                Page 11
    Response to Issue Two: The trial court properly tried the case despite the fact the
    Appellant filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.
    “To present an issue to this court, a clear and concise argument for the
    contention made with appropriate citations to the authorities and record is
    necessary. Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(i). Bare assertions of error, without argument or
    authority, waive error.” Payne v. Highland Homes, Ltd., No. 02-14-00067-CV,
    2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 6987, at *4 (App.—Fort Worth June 30, 2016). Appellant
    merely points the Court to the law which allows a party to file a motion for
    summary judgment and the purpose behind a motion for summary judgment.
    Appellant failed to brief the Court on why the trial court should have granted her
    motion for summary judgment. Appellant also failed to point to the record showing
    her motion for summary judgment was properly before the court. Consequently,
    Appellant waived the argument by failing to adequately brief the issue on appeal.
    Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(i). Appellee, without waiving the issue, will briefly respond as
    if the Appellant properly briefed the issue.
    Appellant seems to assert that the trial court could not have proceeded to
    trial without first resolving her Motion for Summary judgment. Appellant’s Brief
    at 16-18. Appellant has not pointed to any case law, statute or rule that holds the
    position that a Motion for Summary Judgment must be granted upon filing or must
    be decided before the court may proceed to trial.
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                    Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                             Page 12
    Appellant has not alleged that she set the “Motion for Summary Judgment”
    for a hearing. To prevail on a motion for summary judgment, the movant must give
    the non-movant 21-day notice of a hearing or submission. Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c).
    A hearing was not scheduled on Appellant’s Motions and therefore the “Motion for
    Summary Judgment” 2 was not properly before the court for consideration.
    If the court granted the Appellant’s motion upon filing, as Appellant alleges
    should have occurred, ’s procedural due process rights would have been violated
    since it was not provided the requisite 21-day notice. See Peralta v. Heights
    Medical Center, Inc., 
    485 U.S. 80
    , 84, 
    108 S. Ct. 896
    , 899, 
    99 L. Ed. 2d 75
    (1988).
    Notice must be given that is “reasonably calculated, under the circumstances, to
    apprise interested parties of the pendency of the action and afford them the
    opportunity to present their objections.” 
    Id. Appellee was
    not entitled to have the
    “Summary Judgments” heard without first providing notice to Appellee of the
    hearing on the “Summary Judgment” at least 21 days prior to the hearing.
    2
    Appellant filed motions titled Judicial Notice; In The Nature Of Writ Of Coram Non Judice & A Demand For Dis-
    missal & Objection For Lack Of Jurisdiction and Judicial Notice; In The Nature Of Demand For Clerk’s Entry 0f De-
    fault As To Plaintiff “Beauly, Llc, (sic) and Request Entry Of Default Judgment And Supporting Certification and No-
    tice And Demand For Default Judgment. Appellant filed said motions between February 6, 2017 and February 7, 2017,
    mere three to four days before the trial. It would have been improper for the Court to grant the summary judgment
    before the trial.
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                                            Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                                     Page 13
    D.     CONCLUSION
    The trial court had jurisdiction in this case. The case was filed in the justice
    court in whose jurisdictional territory the property lies. Beauly has standing
    because it is the owner of the property and a justiciable controversy exists between
    the parties because Appellant refused to tender possession to Beauly upon demand.
    Because the Deed of Trust created a landlord tenant relationship, an
    independent basis exists to determine possession without resorting to issues of title.
    The trial court could not and did not need to determine if the lender foreclosed
    properly before proceeding to trial. If the trial court was required to determine if
    the foreclosure was conducted pursuant to the Deed of Trust and laws of the State
    of Texas, it would be determining title to the Property which the trial court was
    denied jurisdiction to do. Therefore, the trial court properly awarded possession of
    the Property to the Appellee.
    Appellant waived any argument she may have had regarding her motion for
    summary judgment when she failed to properly brief the issue to this Court.
    However, even if properly briefed, the trial court could not have granted the
    summary judgment prior to the trial because the Appellant did not provide 21-day
    notice that the motion for summary judgment would be considered by the Court.
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                     Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                               Page 14
    E. PRAYER
    Wherefore premises considered, Appellee prays this Court find against
    Appellant in all respects and uphold the decision of the Trial Court.
    Respectfully submitted,
    /S/ Keith A. Wolfshohl
    Anna C. Sewart, SBN: 24029832
    David W. Barry, SBN: 01835200
    Keith A. Wolfshohl, SBN: 24047135
    Nicholas M. Frame, SBN: 24093448
    Austin R. DuBois, SBN: 24065170
    BARRY & SEWART, PLLC
    4151 Southwest Freeway
    Suite 680
    Houston, Texas 77027
    Tel: (713) 722-0281
    Fax: (713) 722-9786
    Attorneys for:
    BEAULY, LLC
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                       Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                                Page 15
    CERTIFICATE OF COMPL IANCE
    I certify that this document was produced on a computer using Microsoft
    Word 2016 and contains 3,051 words, as determined by the computer software’s
    word-county function, excluding the sections of the document listed in TEX. R.
    APP. P. 9.4(i).
    /S/ Keith A. Wolfshohl
    Keith A. Wolfshohl
    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
    I certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Appellee’s Brief was
    served upon the Appellant at the address listed below on this the 19
    th day of December 2017.
    Takesha Dunlap
    705 Champion Way
    Mansfield, Texas 76063
    /S/ Keith A. Wolfshohl
    Keith A. Wolfshohl
    No. 02-17-00052-CV                                                   Appellee’s Brief
    Dunlap v. Beauly                                                             Page 16