Estate Of: Lola Chenowith ( 2014 )

AFFIRM; and Opinion Filed August 5, 2014.
S In The
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
No. 05-13-00283-CV
KATIE GOSSETT, Appellant
V.
KIMBERLY BACK, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS INDEPENDENT EXECUTOR OF THE
ESTATE OF LOLA B. CHENOWETH, Appellee
On Appeal from the Probate Court No. 2
Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. PR-12-00202-2
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Justices Fillmore, Evans, and Lewis
Opinion by Justice Fillmore
Appellant Katie Gossett (Katie) appeals the probate court’s order appointing appellee
Kimberly Back (Kimberly) as the independent executrix of the Estate of Lola B. Chenoweth (the
Estate). In two issues, Katie asserts (1) the probate court erred by determining she was
disqualified to serve as the independent executrix of the Estate and (2) the evidence is legally
insufficient to support her disqualification as independent executrix of the Estate. We affirm the
probate court’s order.
Background
Lola B. Chenoweth (Lola) died September 30, 2011. Two weeks before Lola’s death,
pursuant to a durable power of attorney signed by Lola on July 31, 2001, Lola’s biological
daughter, Katie, executed a special warranty deed transferring Lola’s real property located at
3327 St. Johns Drive, Dallas, Texas, (the real property) to herself. The purported worth of the
real property is approximately $850,000. Although the special warranty deed states the
consideration for transfer of the real property to Katie was $10, no monetary consideration was
actually exchanged for transfer of the real property.
In Lola’s October 10, 2001 Last Will and Testament, the terms “child,” “children,”
“descendant,” and “descendants” include natural children, descendants, and those legally
adopted into the line of descent. Lola devised her personal property to her descendants, per
stirpes, provided that the executor of the Will had discretion to divide and distribute specific
items or sell items and include the proceeds in the residue of the Estate. Lola devised “all of the
rest and residue” of her Estate, including real property, to her descendants, per stirpes. The Will
provides that no portion of the Estate, except personal effects, is to be distributed in fee simple to
her descendants. The Will provides that the balance of the Estate is to be held in trusts
established for Lola’s descendants. The Will designates Katie as the primary trustee. In the
Will, Lola appointed Katie to be the independent executrix, with Glenn Lee Gossett as the first
alternate independent executor, 1 and Kimberly as the second alternate independent executor. 2
On January 18, 2012, Katie filed an application for probate of the Will as a muniment of
title only. Katie stated in the application that she was Lola’s only child. On January 30, 2012,
the Will was admitted to probate as a muniment of title.
On July 19, 2012, Katie filed an application for letters testamentary. In her application,
Katie stated that when the Will was admitted to probate as a muniment of title only on January
30, 2012, she believed there was no need for administration of the Estate, but she since
1
On September 5, 2012, Glenn Lee Gossett filed an application for letters testamentary. However, on October 16, 2012, he filed a
withdrawal of his application for letters testamentary.
2
In the Will, Kimberly is incorrectly referred to as Kimberly Shawn Chenoweth Bach. The probate court specifically found that Kimberly
“is one and the same person as Kimberly Shawn Chenoweth Bach.”
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“discovered and ascertained” a need for administration of the Estate. According to Katie, shortly
before January 30, 2012, she received information that Kimberly, Katie’s biological daughter,
“might have been adopted” by Lola. Katie stated that her attorney received a copy of a January
15, 1976 decree that purports to terminate Katie’s parent-child relationship with Kimberly and
grants Lola’s adoption of Kimberly, then named Kimberly Shawn Chenoweth. In her
application, Katie stated she believes Lola’s adoption of Kimberly was illegal and void. Katie
stated a controversy has “matured” between her and Kimberly regarding Katie’s execution, as
“attorney-in-fact” for Lola, of a special warranty deed transferring the real property to herself
prior to Lola’s death. Katie stated she believes the transfer of the real property is legally binding
on Kimberly and on Lola’s Estate. As the appointed independent executrix in the Will, Katie
requested the probate court enter an order granting her letters testamentary, a request opposed by
Kimberly.
On August 24, 2012, Kimberly filed her objection in the probate court to appointment of
Katie as independent executrix of the Estate and her application for appointment as independent
executrix of the Estate. In her objection, Kimberly asserted Katie’s transfer of the real property
to herself without consideration deprived the Estate of the property to vest the corpus of the
heirs’ trusts under the Will. Kimberly asserted that if Katie was appointed independent executrix
of Lola’s Estate, Katie, as executrix, would have to sue herself, as transferee of the real property,
for transfer of the real property back to the Estate for distribution under the Will. Kimberly
asserted that this “conflict of interest” warranted the probate court denying Katie’s application
for letters testamentary. Kimberly also noted that Katie continued to deny Lola legally adopted
Kimberly.
On November 20, 2012, the probate court signed the order that is the subject of this
appeal. The probate court stated in the order that Katie is disqualified to serve as executrix of the
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Estate, and the trial court ordered the “muniment of title aspect” of a prior order set aside and
appointed Kimberly as independent executrix of the Estate.
On December 2, 2012, Katie filed a lawsuit, Katie B. Gossett v. Kimberly Back,
Individually and in Her Capacity as Independent Executrix of the Estate of Lola B. Chenoweth,
Cause No. DC-12-14115-A, in the 14th Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Texas, seeking a
declaration that the special warranty deed conveying the real property to her is valid. In her
pleading, Katie stated that she received a decree of adoption signed January 15, 1976, that
purports to terminate Katie’s parent-child relationship with Kimberly and grants adoption of
Kimberly by Lola, and she believes the adoption is illegal and void. Katie stated that there is a
controversy between her and Kimberly regarding Katie’s transfer of Lola’s real property during
Lola’s lifetime, because Kimberly, as Lola’s putative daughter, claims that she has a superior
right to the real property and that Katie was without authority under the durable power of
attorney to execute the special warranty deed transferring the real property to herself.
On February 15, 2013, the probate court signed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law. The probate court made the following findings of fact pertinent to this appeal:
2. The Will first appoints Katie B. Gossett to serve as independent executor.
3. The Will provides that if Katie B. Gossett is unable or unwilling to serve
as executor, then Glenn Lee Gossett is appointed to serve as independent
executor.
4. The Will provides that if Glenn Lee Gossett is unable or unwilling to serve
as executor, then Kimberly Shawn Chenoweth Bach is appointed to serve
as independent executor.
5. The Will gives, devises and bequeaths the residue of the Estate of Lola B.
Chenoweth to “[her] descendants, per stirpes.”
6. The Will defines the word “descendants” to “include both natural children
and descendants and those legally adopted into the line of descent.”
7. Kimberly Back is the biological daughter of Katie B. Gossett.
8. The parties dispute whether Katie B. Gossett’s parental rights over
Kimberly Back were lawfully terminated and Kimberly Back lawfully
adopted by Lola B. Chenoweth and her husband in 1976.
9. On or about September 16, 2011, Katie B. Gossett signed a Special
Warranty Deed as attorney-in-fact for Lola B. Chenoweth transferring
certain real property belonging to Lola B. Chenoweth to Katie B. Gossett.
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10. The parties dispute whether the transfer of this property to Katie B.
Gossett was valid.
11. Lola B. Chenoweth died on September 30, 2011.
The following are the probate court’s conclusions of law pertinent to this appeal:
2. There is a necessity for administration of this Estate.
3. Katie B. Gossett is disqualified from serving as independent executor of
the Estate of Lola B. Chenoweth due to a conflict of interest.
4. Kimberly Back is entitled to serve as independent executor of the Estate of
Lola B. Chenoweth.
5. Kimberly Back is not disqualified from serving as executor.
Katie’s motion for new trial was denied by the probate court. Katie filed this appeal of
the probate court’s order appointing Kimberly as executrix of Lola’s estate.
Standard of Review
A probate court’s order finding a person unsuitable to serve as executor is reviewed under
an abuse of discretion standard. In re Estate of Robinson, 140 S.W.3d 801, 807 (Tex. App.—
Corpus Christi 2004, pet. dism’d); Olguin v. Jungman, 931 S.W.2d 607, 610 (Tex. App.—San
Antonio 1996, no writ); see also In re Guardianship of Bayne, 171 S.W.3d 232, 235 (Tex.
App.—Dallas 2005, pet. denied) (court’s ruling on probate application generally reviewed under
abuse of discretion standard). The probate court abuses its discretion if its actions are
unreasonable or arbitrary or without reference to any guiding rules or principles. In re
Guardianship of Bayne, 171 S.W.3d at 235.
Under the applicable standard of review, we must make an independent review of the
entire record to determine if the probate court abused its discretion, and we are not limited to
reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support the probate court’s findings of fact. See In
re Estate of Clark, 198 S.W.3d 273, 275 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied); see also
Kirkland v. Schaff, 391 S.W.3d 649, 655 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.). Therefore, an
appellate court does not analyze a probate court’s fact findings separately from its analysis of
whether the probate court abused its discretion in disqualifying a person to serve as independent
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executor of an estate. See In re Estate of Clark, 198 S.W.3d at 275; see also Schaff, 391 S.W.3d
at 655.
A probate court’s findings are reviewable for legal sufficiency by the same standard
applied in reviewing evidence supporting a jury’s answer. See Schaff, 391 S.W.3d at 655. When
an applicant for appointment as independent executor “is among those named in the probate code
as a person entitled to priority, as in this instance, the party opposing the appointment has the
burden of establishing the applicant’s disqualification.” In re Estate of Robinson, 140 S.W.3d at
805; see also Powell v. Powell, 604 S.W.2d 491, 493 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1980, no writ) (when
applicant for appointment as administrator of estate is among those legislature has granted
priority, party opposing appointment has burden of establishing applicant’s disqualification). An
appellant attacking legal sufficiency of an adverse finding on an issue on which it did not have
the burden of proof must demonstrate there is no evidence to support the trial court’s adverse
finding. Schaff, 391 S.W.3d at 655. When examining a legal sufficiency challenge to a finding
of fact, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the challenged finding and indulge
every reasonable inference that would support it. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 822
(Tex. 2005). Evidence is legally sufficient if it rises to a level that would enable a reasonable
and fair-minded fact finder to make the finding under review. Id. at 827. A legal sufficiency
challenge fails if there is more than a scintilla of evidence to support the finding. Schaff, 391
S.W.3d at 656.
Analysis
Katie asserts the trial court erred by disqualifying her as the independent executrix of the
Estate. 3 As the person opposing Katie’s appointment as independent executrix of the Estate,
3
In her second issue, Katie contends the evidence is legally insufficient to support her disqualification as independent executrix of the
Estate. “In reviewing a trial court’s exercise of discretion, legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence are not independent grounds of error, but
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Kimberly had the burden of proof. See In re Estate of Robinson, 140 S.W.3d at 805. Katie must,
therefore, demonstrate there is no evidence to support the probate court’s disqualification of her
as independent executrix of the Estate. See Schaff, 391 S.W.3d at 655 (appellant attacking legal
sufficiency of an adverse finding on an issue on which it did not have the burden of proof must
demonstrate there is no evidence to support the trial court’s adverse finding). If there is more
than a scintilla of evidence to support the trial court’s finding, the no-evidence challenge fails.
Holt Atherton Indus., Inc. v. Heine, 835 S.W.2d 80, 84 (Tex. 1992).
Section 77 of the probate code provides in pertinent part that letters testamentary or of
administration shall be granted to persons who are qualified to act, with priority given a person
named as executor in the will of the deceased. TEX. PROB. CODE ANN. § 77(a) (West 2003). 4 A
person named as executrix under section 77, may be disqualified to serve if the probate court
finds she is “unsuitable” under section 78 of the probate code. See TEX. PROB. CODE ANN.
§ 78(e) (West 2003) (“No person is qualified to serve as an executor or administrator who is . . .
[a] person whom the court finds unsuitable.”). Although Katie had priority of appointment as
independent executrix of the Estate as the first person named as executrix in the Will, the probate
court disqualified her to serve as executrix.
The probate court has broad discretion in determining whether an individual is suitable to
serve as an executor or administrator. Dean v. Getz, 970 S.W.2d 629, 633 (Tex. App.—Tyler
1998, no pet.). The term “unsuitable” as used in section 78(e) is not defined in the probate code,
and cases interpreting section 78(e) “recognize that no comprehensive, discrete explanation
are merely factors to be assessed in determining if the trial court abused its discretion.” Agraz v. Carnley, 143 S.W.3d 547, 554 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2004, no pet.); Pickens v. Pickens, 62 S.W.3d 212, 214 (Tex. App.-–Dallas 2001, pet. denied). Accordingly, we will consider Katie’s
complaint regarding the sufficiency of the evidence as a factor in determining whether the probate court abused its discretion.
4
The Texas Probate Code has been recodified as the Estates Code. See Act of May 29, 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., ch. 1338, Tex. Gen. Laws
3884; Act of May 19, 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., ch. 823, 2011 Tex. Gen. Laws 1901; Act of May 26, 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., ch. 680, 2009 Tex. Gen.
Laws 1512. The Estates Code and the repeal of the Texas Probate Code took effect January 1, 2014. Act of May 29, 2011, § 2.55, 2011 Tex.
Gen. Laws at 3936; Act of May 19, 2011, § 4.03, 2011 Tex. Gen. Laws at 2095; Act of May 26, 2009, § 12, 2009 Tex. Gen. Laws at 1732.
Because the Estates Code was not in effect at the time of the proceedings in the probate court that are the subject of this appeal, we cite the Texas
Probate Code in this opinion. See TEX. ESTATES CODE ANN. § 21.033(a) (West Supp. 2013).
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exists delineating the attributes which make someone unsuitable under the Probate Code.” Id.;
see also In re Estate of Robinson, 140 S.W.3d at 807 (trial court has broad discretion in finding
proposed executor “unsuitable”). “While there is no ‘bright line’ test to be applied, generally a
person claiming ownership of property, to the exclusion of the estate, is deemed unsuitable
because of the conflict of interest between the person and the estate . . . .” In re Estate of
Robinson, 140 S.W.3d at 806; see also Olguin, 931 S.W.2d at 610 (noting that common theme
gleaned from cases addressing issue of “unsuitability” under the probate code indicates that an
individual “asserting a claim against property, claiming it as their own to the exclusion of the
estate, is deemed unsuitable because of the conflict,” whereas an individual “making a claim
within the probate process (i.e. person claiming under the will or attempting to collect a debt
from the estate) is not”); Formby v. Bradley, 695 S.W.2d 782, 785 (Tex. App.—Tyler 1985, writ
ref’d n.r.e.) (finding by trial court that surviving wife was unsuitable as representative of
husband’s estate affirmed by appellate court where appointment “would be inimical” to the
interests of the estate, and “inimical” defined as adverse, antagonistic, and hostile). “Clearly,
one whose personal interests are so adverse to those of the estate or the beneficiaries thereof that
both cannot be fairly represented by the same person, then that person is not a proper person to
administer the estate.” Bays v. Jordan, 622 S.W.2d 148, 149 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1981, no
writ) (quoting Haynes v. Clanton, 257 S.W.2d 789, 792 (Tex. Civ. App.—El Paso 1953, writ
dism’d by agr.)).
Katie disputes the legality of Lola’s adoption of Kimberly. If Katie is unsuccessful in
challenging the validity of that adoption, Kimberly is a descendant of Lola and entitled to a per
stirpes distribution of the Estate. Katie acknowledges a controversy has “matured” between her
and Kimberly regarding Katie’s execution, as Lola’s “attorney-in-fact,” of a special warranty
deed transferring the real property to herself prior to Lola’s death. Katie contends the real
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property “is not part of” the Estate, because she transferred the real property to herself before
Lola’s death. Katie testified she paid no monetary consideration for the transfer of what would
have been a valuable asset of the Estate. If Katie had been appointed independent executrix of
the Estate, any effort to recapture the real property for the benefit of the Estate would have
required Katie, as executrix, to sue herself in her individual capacity. Katie testified she has no
intention of transferring the real property back to the Estate so that it could be disposed of in
accordance with the terms of the Will.
We conclude that more than a scintilla of evidence supports the probate court’s
disqualification of Katie as independent executrix of the Estate. Here, Katie asserts a claim to
the real property as her own to the exclusion of the Estate, supporting the probate court’s
determination that Katie is unsuitable to serve as the independent executrix of the Estate. The
record contains legally sufficient evidence to support the probate court’s determination that Katie
was unsuitable under section 78(e) of the probate code to serve as executrix of the Estate.
Accordingly, we discern no abuse of discretion in the probate court’s disqualification of Katie as
independent executrix of the Estate. We resolve Katie’s first and second issue against her.
Conclusion
Having resolved Katie’s issues against her, we affirm the probate court’s order
appointing Kimberly as the independent executrix of the Estate.
/Robert M. Fillmore/
ROBERT M. FILLMORE
JUSTICE
130283F.P05
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S
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
JUDGMENT
KATIE GOSSETT, Appellant On Appeal from the Probate Court No. 2,
Dallas County, Texas,
No. 05-13-00283-CV V. Trial Court Cause No. PR-12-00202-2.
Opinion delivered by Justice Fillmore,
KIMBERLY BACK, INDIVIDUALLY Justices Evans and Lewis participating.
AND AS INDEPENDENT EXECUTRIX
OF THE ESTATE OF LOLA B.
CHENOWETH, Appellee
In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, the order of the probate court
appointing appellee Kimberly Back as the independent executrix of the Estate of Lola B.
Chenoweth is AFFIRMED.
It is ORDERED that appellee Kimberly Back recover her costs of this appeal from
appellant Katie Gossett.
Judgment entered this 5th day of August, 2014.
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