in the Matter of the Marriage of Emma Ruth Vinson and Ben Andrew Vinson, Sr. ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
06-14-00101-CV
SIXTH COURT OF APPEALS
TEXARKANA, TEXAS
6/8/2015 4:08:56 PM
DEBBIE AUTREY
CLERK
ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
CASE NO. 06-14-00101-CV FILED IN
6th COURT OF APPEALS
TEXARKANA, TEXAS
6/8/2015 4:08:56 PM
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DEBBIE AUTREY
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF TEXAS Clerk
AT TEXARKANA, TEXAS
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF
EMMA RUTH VINSON AND BEN ANDREW VINSON
BEN ADREW VINSON, RESPONDENT/APPELLANT
EMMA RUTH VINSON, PETITIONER/APPELLEE
On Appeal from the County Court at Law
Rusk County, Texas
The Hon. Robin Sage, Sitting by Assignment, Presiding
Trial Cause No. 2011-12-590CCL
RESPONSE BRIEF OF APPELLEE EMIVIA RUTH VINSON
BEAU T. SINCLAIR
SBN: 24029835
SINCLAIR LAW OFFICE, PC
400 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 102
Tyler, Texas 75702
(903) 533-1005
(903) 533—1379 (fax)
e-mail: inf0@sinclairlawtyZer.c0m
ATTORNEY FOR THE APPELLEE
IDENTITY OF ALL PARTIES AND COUNSEL
The undersigned counsel of record for Appellee certifies that the following
listed persons have an interest in the outcome of this case. These representations
are made so that this Court may evaluate possible disqualifications or recusal.
l. The Appellant and Respondent below is Andrew Ben Vinson. He
was represented at trial and on appeal by Joe Shumate. Appellant’s briefing
attorney on appeal is James J. Rosenthal. The contact information for Joe
Shumate and James J. Rosenthal is 107 N. Main St., PO Box 1915, Henderson,
Texas 75653.
2. Appellee and Petitioner below is Emma Ruth Vinson. She was
represented at trial by Robert Foster, SBN 07295200, 227 E. Tyler Street,
Longview, Texas 75601. She is represented on appeal by Christina M. Davis,
SBN 24074115, lead counsel. Appellee’s briefing attorney on appeal is Beau T.
Sinclair, SBN 24029835. The contact information for Beau T. Sinclair and
Christina M. Davis is 400 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 102, Tyler, TX 75702.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IDENTITY OF ALL PARTIES AND COUNSEL ................................................. .. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................... .. iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES - CASES .................................................................. .. iv
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES STATUTES AND RULES — ................................... .. iv
ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................. .. 1
STATEMENT OF THE RECORD ......................................................................... .. 1
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ............................................................................ .. 1-2
RESPONSE TO ISSUE PRESENTED ................................................................... .. 3
STATEMENT OF FACTS ...................................................................................... .. 2
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ............................................................................ .. 3-5
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ................................................................ .. 5-12
Response to Issue Presented: The trial coun did not abuse its discretion in
dividing the Texas Bank 401k Plan between the parties, nor did it abuse its
discretion by not confirming certain other portions of the account as
Appellant's separate property. ....................................................................... .. 6
PRAYER ............................................................................................................... .. 12
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ................................................................... .. 13
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE .............................................................................. .. 13
APPENDIX ........................................................................................................... .. 14
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
LSLS
Murflv. Murfl‘, 615, S.W.2d 696 (Tex. 1981) ......................................................... .. 5
Hedtke v. Hedtke, 112 Tex. 404, 248 S.W. 21 (1923) ............................................ .. 5
Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241-42 (Tex. 1985) .... .. 5
Garner v. Garner, 200 S.W.3d 303, 310-11 (Tex.App.~Da11as 2006, no pet.) 5, 12
Granger v. Granger, 236 S.W.3d 852, 855-56 (Tex.App.—Ty1er 2007, pet.
Denied) .................................................................................................................... .. 5
Licata v. Licata, 11 S.W.3d 269, 272-73 (Tex.App.—-Houston [14th Dis.] 1999,
pet. denied) .............................................................................................................. .. 6
Feldman v. Mar/cs, 960 S.W.2d 613, 614 (Tex. 1996) ........................................ .. 8, 9
Christiansen v. Prezels/a’, 782 S.W.2d 842, 843 (Tex.1990) (per curiam) ............. 8 ..
RWL Const., Inc. v. Erickson, 877 S.W.2d 449, 451 (Tex.App. —Houston [1 Dist.]
1994) ........................................................................................................................ .. 9
Texas Dept. ofHealth v. Rocha, 102 S.W.3d 348 (Tex.App.—Co1‘pus Christi-
Edinburg 2003) ........................................................................................................ .. 9
Mitchison v. Houston Independent School Dist., 803 S.W.2d 769, 65 (Tex.App. —
Houston [14 Dist.] 1991) ....................................................................................... .. 10
Statutes and Rules
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 7.001 ................................................................................. .. 6
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 3.001 ................................................................................. .. 6
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 3.003 ................................................................................. .. 6
iv
ABBREVIATIONS
In this briefl the Reporter’s Record will be abbreviated “RR.” and cited as
follows: (R.R. vol. xx at pg. xx, lines xx—xx.) In this brief, the Clerk’s Record will
be abbreviated “CR.” and cited as follows with the pg. numbers: (C.R. xx.)
STATEMENT OF THE RECORD
The clerl<’s record in this case consists of one (1) volume. The rep01ter’s
record consists of six (6) volumes of transcripts and exhibits.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
TO THE HONORABLE SIXTH COURT OF APPEALS:
NOW COMES EMMA RUTH VINSON, the Appellee, and respectfully
submits this, her brief in response to Appellant’s brief. Appellee seeks herein for
this Court to overrule Appellant’s issue and affirm the judgment of the trial court
or, in the alternative, if this Court in any way sustains Appellant’s issue, Appellee
requests that this Court remand the case to the trial court for a just and right
division.
This appeal is taken from the County Court at Law in and for Rusk County,
Texas, the Honorable Robin Sage, Judge presiding by assignment, cause number
2011-l2—590CCL, where said Court made a just and right division, which included
the division of a retirement account after a finding that the account was
commingled. (C.R. 26-36, 56; R.R. vol. 4, at pg. 78, lines 10-14.) This is an appeal
from a Final Decree of Divorce signed on October 14, 2015. (C.R. 36.) The Final
Decree of Divorce confirmed $243,000.00 of the Texas Bank 401k Plan as the
separate property of Appellant. (CR. 33.) The Final Decree of Divorce divided
the remainder of the Texas Bank 401k Plan as follows: fifty percent (50%) to
Appellant and fifty percent (50%) to Appellee. (C.R. 28, 29.) The appellant,
Andrew Ben Vinson (hereinafter “Mr. Vinson"), was the Respondent in the Trial
Court, and the appellee, Emma Ruth Vinson (hereinafter “Ms Vinson), was the
Petitioner in the Trial Couit. (C.R. 26.)
On April 21, 2014, trial commenced, the Trial Court recessed for a ruling on
characterization of property, and concluded on August 13, 2014, the trial court held
a bench trial in this matter. (C.R. 56.) The Trial Court signed the Final Decree of
Divorce on October 14, 2015. (C.R. 36.) On October 30, 2014, Mr. Vinson filed a
Request for Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. (C.R. 37.) On November
13, 2014, Mr. Vinson filed a Motion for New Trial. (CR. 39.) On November 21,
2014, Mr. Vinson filed a Notice of Past Due Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law. (C.R. 43.) On December 9, 2014, the Court filed its Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law. (C.R. 45.) On December 12, 2014, Notice of Appeal was
filed by Mr. Vinson. (C.R. 49.)
RESPONSE TO ISSUE PRESENTED
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in dividing the Texas Bank 40ll<
Plan between the parties, nor did it abuse its discretion by not confirming certain
other portions of the account as Appellant's separate property.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
As previously stated, this is an appeal from a Final Decree of Divorce signed.
on October 14, 2015. (CR. 36.) The Final Decree of Divorce confirmed
$243,000.00 of the Texas Bank 401k Plan as the separate property of Appellant.
(C.R. 33.) The Final Decree of Divorce divided the remainder of the Texas Bank
401k Plan as follows: fifty percent (50%) to Appellant and fifty percent (50%) to
Appellee. (C.R. 28, 29.)
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
The confirmation of only $234,000.00 and not more of the Texas Bank 401k
Plan as Mr. Vinson’s separate property was appropriate and was not an abuse of
discretion because the Trial Court was not presented with clear and convincing
evidence that any more than $234,000.00 of the Texas Bank 40lk Plan was Mr.
Vinson’s separate property. Further, there was a stipulation regarding the amount
of Mr. Vinson’s separate property in the Texas Bank 401k Plan. The Trial Court’s
3
division of the remainder of the Texas Bank 401k Plan was appropriate and was
not an abuse of discretion because the funds in the Texas Bank 401k Plan were
commingled.
Further, both the Reporter’s Record and the C1erl<’s Record in this matter are
incomplete. This Court does not have in either Record a copy of the Agreement
in Contemplation of Marriage upon which Mr. Vinson bases a large part of his
argument. Given that this document is not a part of either Record presented to this
Court, this Court should rely on the information and documents contained in the
Records that are before the Court, which support the Trial Court’s ruling.
Finally, both the Trial Court and the litigants affirmed that the Trial Court
commenced trial in this matter on April 21, 2014, and recessed for, and did make, a
ruling regarding the characterization of the Texas Bank 401k Plan. The evidence
taken at this hearing and the Trial Court’s ruling that followed support the Trial
Court’s finding that the funds in the Texas Bank 401k Plan were commingled and
subject to division.
The Agreement in Contemplation of Marriage supports the Trial Cou1t’s
ruling that the funds in the Texas Bank 401k Plan were comrningled in that Mr.
Vinson willingly put separate property money into a community account, where it
was joined by community property funds and invested together. Further, there was
a withdrawal made from the Texas Bank 401k Plan that was not distinguished as
being from either part — separate or community ~ of the Texas Bank 401k Plan.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
Standard of Review — Court of Appeals
The Trial Court’s division of property in a divorce should be corrected on
appeal only when an abuse of discretion has been shown. Murjj’ v. Murfl 615,
S.W.2d 696 (Tex. 1981); Hedtke v. Hedtke, 112 Tex. 404, 248 S.W. 21 (1923). A
Trial Court abuses its discretion when it acts in an arbitraiy or unreasonable
manner, or when it acts without reference to any guiding principles. Downer v.
Aquamarine Operators, Inc, 701 S.W.2d 238, 241-42 (Tex. 1985). “The mere fact
that a trial Judge decides a matter within his discretionary authority in a different
manner than an appellate court would in a similar circumstance does not
demonstrate that abuse of discretion occurred.” Id. A Trial Court is permitted to
base its decisions on conflicting evidence without it being termed an abuse of
discretion. Garner v. Garner, 200 S.W.3d 303, 3lO~ll (Tex.App.—Da1las 2006,
no pet.). There is no abuse of discretion as long as some evidence of a substantive
and probative character exists to support the trial Court’s decision. Granger v.
Granger, 236 S.W.3d 852, 855~56 (Tex.App.—Ty1er 2007, pet. Denied).
Standard of Review —Property Division
The guiding principle in property division in a divorce is basic: the Court
shall divide property in a just and right manner, having due regard for the rights of
each party and any children of the marriage. Tex. Farn. Code Ann. § 7.001.
Regarding separate property, the Texas Family Code sets out that all
property owned by a spouse prior to marriage, and all property acquired during
marriage by gift, devise, or descent is the separate property of that spouse. Tex.
Fain. Code Ann. § 3.001. Despite the Texas Fmaily Code’s designation of separate
property, the Code states that there is a presumption upon divorce that all property
owned by the parties is presumed to be community property. Tex. Fam. Code
Ann. § 3.003. Further, as indicated by Appellant in his brief, it is the burden of the
party claiming separate property to overcome the community property presumption
by clear and convincing evidence. Licata v. Licata, ll S.W.3d 269, 272-73
(Tex.App.—I-Iouston [l4th Dis.] 1999, pet. denied).
Response to Issue Presented:
(Restated)
in dividing the Texas Bank
The trial court did not abuse its discretion
401k Plan between the parties, nor did it abuse its discretion by not
confirming certain other portions of the account as Appellant's separate
property.
A. The Trial Court did not abuse it’s discretion by confirming only
$234,000.00 of the Texas Bank 401k Plan as Mr. Vinson’s separate property.
The trial cou1t’s ruling regarding the separate property portion of the Texas
Bank 401k Plan was that only $234,000.00 of the total in the account was Mr.
6
Vinson’s separate property. (R.R. vol. 4, at pg. 78, lines 10-14.) That ruling was
accurately reflected in the Final Decree of Divorce. (C.R. 33.)
The way in which the Trial Court reached the number of $234,000.00 for
Mr. Vinson’s separate property was, first, purportedly by stipulation of the parties.
During the second day of the final trial in this matter, August 13, 2014, the Trial
Court stated, “It’s my recollection that you all stipulated that the Value that was in
contention at the last hearing as to whether it was community or separate property
was $234,000,” to which counsel for Mr. Vinson replied, “That's correct. ...”
(R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 63, lines 8-1 1.) Second, the Trial Court received the number of
$234,000.00 from Ms Vinson during her testimony on that same date, wherein she
confirmed that exact number to be the amount Mr. Vinson “started with” in the
Texas Bank 401k Plan. (R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 19, lines 4, 9.) Third, and finally, in its
ruling, the Trial Court acknowledged that it, “...previously found the $234,000
was his separate property.” (R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 78, lines l0-l 1.)
At this point, it becomes important to note that the Reporter’s Record in this
case is not complete, as indicated in Appe1lant’s brief. It is clear from both the
Trial Court’s docket sheet and from Appellant’s Brief that the final hearing in this
matter began on April 21, 2014, and was finished several months later on August
13, 2014. (CR. 56.) Although the extent of what is missing from the Reporter’s
Record is not clear, there is not a transcript, nor are there any exhibits or any other
item, in the Reporter’s Record regarding the hearing on April 21, 2014. See
Reporter 19 Record. When an appellant presents an incomplete Reporter’s Record
on appeal, “the appellate court must presume that the omitted portions are relevant
and support the trial court's judgment.” Feldman v. Marks, 960 S.W.2d 613, 614
(Tex. 1996); Christicmsen V. Prezelski, 782 S.W.2d 842, 843 (Tex.1990) (per
curiam).
In the record of the hearing held on August 13, 2014, there are both
stipulations referenced and a finding of separate property referenced that
purportedly occurred at the portion of the trial held on April 21, 2014. (R.R. vol, 4
at pg. 63, lines 8-11; R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 78, lines 10-11.) Further, there is a
statement by counsel for Ms Vinson that, “[Mr. Vinson] consented and waived any
claim with regard to growth on that separate amount in our last hearing.” (R.R.
vol. 4 at pg. 62, lines 22-24.) This Court should assume that the omitted portions
of the Reporter’s Record, specifically the transcript of the portion of the final trial
held on April 21, 2014, are relevant and that they support the Trial Court’s ruling,
specifically the ruling that the portion of the Texas Bank 401k Plan that was Mr.
Vinson’s separate property was only $234,000.00.
The Trial Court appropriately confirmed that the portion of the Texas Bank
401l< Plan that was Mr. Vinson’s separate property was only $234,000.00 and in
doing so did_ not abuse it’s discretion.
B. The Trial Court did not abuse it’s discretion by dividing the remaining
portion of the Texas Bank 401k Plan.
The Trial Court ordered that any amount of the Texas Bank 401k Plan above
the $234,000.00 set aside as Mr. Vi11son’s separate property to be divided equally
between the parties. (R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 78, lines 10-1 1.)
As previously noted, the Reporter’s Record in this matter is not complete,
which enables this Court to “presume that the omitted portions are relevant and
support the trial court's judgment.” Feldman v. Marks at 614. Appellant spent
significant time in his brief arguing that the Agreement in Contemplation of
Marriage was not appropriately adhered to by the Trial Court and even cited
portions of the Agreement in Contemplation of Marriage. This document,
however, does not appear in the Reporter’s Record volume containing the other
exhibits from trial, nor does it appear in any other place.
Further, although Appellant claims the Agreement in Contemplation of
Marriage was attached to the First Amended Original Petition for Divorce in this
matter, neither that pleading nor the Agreement in Contemplation of Marriage
appears in the Clerl<’s Record in this matter. On appeal, the Court “must hear and
determine a case on the record as filed, and may not consider documents attached
as exhibits to briefs.” RWL Conszfi, Inc. v. Erickson, 877 S.W.2d 449, 451
(TeX.App. —Houston [1 Dist.] 1994); Texas Dept. ofHealth v. Rocha, 102 S.W.3d
348 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg 2003); Mitchison v. Houston
Independent School Dist, 803 S.W.2d 769, 65 Ed.LaWRep. 1329 (Tex.App. —
Houston [14 Dist.] 1991).
It is clear from the record of the August 13, 2014, portion of the final trial
that the “prenuptial agreement” was entered into evidence at some point for the
Trial Court’s consideration in its ruling. (R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 53, lines 9-16.) This
Court should assume that the omitted portions of the Reporter’s Record and the
Clerl<’s Record, specifically the Agreement in Contemplation of Marriage, are
relevant and that they support the Trial Court’s ruling, specifically the ruling that
the portion of the Texas Bank 401k Plan remaining after deducting the
$234,000.00 of Mr. Vinson’s separate property was commingled and, therefore,
able to be divided between the parties.
If, however, this Court does consider the Agreement in Contemplation of
Marriage attached to Appellant’s brief, the Agreement in Contemplation of
Marriage, itself, still supports the Trial Court’s finding that the Texas Bank 40lk
Plan was “cornmingled.” (R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 78, lines 10-14.) Section 2.04 of the
Agreement in Contemplation of Marriage states as follows:
“In addition, any separate property defined by 2.01 or 2.02 which a
party has knowingly invested in community property or has allowed
to be commingled with community property shall be deemed to have
become community property and all rights of reimbursement are
hereby waived unless Ben and Ruthie agree in writing otherwise.”
Mr. Vinson testified that he rolled some portion of separate property funds into a
community property account, the Texas Bank 401k Plan, into which additional
community deposits were made. (R.R. vol. 4, at pg. R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 62, lines 2-
9.)
Further in support of the “commingled” finding, the Texas Bank 401k Plan
statement entered into evidence shows on page two of that document under “Your
current investment mix” that all funds contained in the Texas Bank 401k Plan were
divided up into various investments and “funds.” (R.R. vol. 6, pg. at pg. 85.) The
money in the Texas Bank 401k Plan — both the separate property portion and the
community portion — were literally mixed together in investments.
Finally, in support of the Trial Court’s “commingled” finding, the testimony
from Mr. Vinson was that he withdrew money from the Texas Bank 401k Plan to
repay a loan. (R.R. vol. 4 at pg. 75, lines 4-6.) The amount withdrawn by Mr.
Vinson from the Texas Bank 401k Plan was $50,000.00. (R.R. vol. 6, pg. at pg.
86.) There is no evidence that this amount was particularly drawn from one
portion of the Texas Bank 401k Plan or another, meaning it could have come from
Mr. Vinson’s separate property amount in that account or the community property
in that account. The Texas Bank 401k Plan was commingled at that point and
there is no way to distinguish the source funds for this withdrawal; it decreased the
total, not any portion in particular.
11
A Trial Court is permitted to base its decisions on conflicting evidence
without it being termed an abuse of discretion. Garner at 310-311. The money in
the Texas Bank 401k Plan was “commingled” for the Trial Court’s purpose, which
supports the Trial Cou1t’s division of that account.
PRAYER
WI-IEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the Appellee asks Court to
overrule Appellant’s issue and affirm the judgment of the trial court or, in the
alternative, if this Court in any way sustains Appe1lant’s issue, Appellee requests
that this Court remand the case to the tiial court for a just and right division.
Additionally, the Appellee prays for all other relief required by justice.
Respectfully submitted this 8th day of June, 2015.
SINCLAIR LAW OFFICE
By: £1‘/6/”‘\
Beau T, Sinclair
SBN: 24029835
400 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 102
Tyler, Texas75702
(903) 533-1005
(903) 533-1379 (Fax)
E—mail: beau@sinclairlawlyler.com
12
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), I hereby certify that this
brief contains 2,208 words (excluding any caption, identity of parties and counsel,
statement regarding oral argument, table of contents, index of authorities,
statement of the case, statement of issues presented, statement of jurisdiction,
statement of procedural history, signature, proof of service, certification, certificate
of compliance, and appendix). This is a computer-generated document created in
Microsoft Word using l4—pint type for all text, except for footnotes (page
numbers), which are in 12-point type. In making this certificate of compliance, I
am relying on the word count provided by the software used to prepare the
document.
Date: ‘Lo; E.’
Beau T. Sinclair
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
hereby certify that a true and correct copy of this pleading has been
I
provi ed accordance with the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, on
In
ft lb; § , to the following individuals:
Mr. Joe Shumate
Mr. James J. Rosenthal
107 N. Main St.
PO Box 1915
Henderson, Texas 75653
Beau T. Sinclair
APPENDIX
This appendix contains the following Items:
1. The text of any rule, regulation, statute, constitutional provision or
other law upon which the argument is based.
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. 7.001
GENERAL RULE OF PROPERTY DIVISION. In a decree of divorce or
annulment, the court shall order a division of the estate of the parties in a manner
that the court deems just and right, having due regard for the rights of each palty
and any children of the marriage.
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 3.001
SEPARATE PROPERTY. A spouse's separate property consists of:
(1) the property owned or claimed by the spouse before marriage;
(2) the property acquired by the spouse during marriage by gift, devise, or descent;
and
(3) the recovery for personal injuries sustained by the spouse during marriage,
except any recovery for loss of earning capacity during marriage.
Tex. Fain. Code Ann. § 3.003
PRESUMPTION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY.
(a) Property possessed by either spouse during or on dissolution of marriage is
presumed to be cominunity property.
(b) The degree of proof necessary to establish that property is separate property is
clear and convincing evidence.