in Re Hector L. Rodriguez ( 2016 )

NUMBER 13-16-00411-CV
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG
IN RE HECTOR L. RODRIGUEZ
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
NUMBER 13-16-00416-CV
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI – EDINBURG
HECTOR LEAL RODRIGUEZ, Appellant,
v.
TAMARA RODRIGUEZ, Appellee.
On appeal from the County Court at Law No. 8
of Hidalgo County, Texas.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Justices Rodriguez, Benavides, and Perkes
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Rodriguez1
By petition for writ of mandamus filed in cause number 13-16-00411-CV, relator
Hector L. Rodriguez contends that the trial court abused its discretion by striking his
amended pleadings and by denying him a jury trial on reasonable attorney’s fees.2 The
underlying proceeding is a suit to modify the parent-child relationship that was originally
instituted by Hector’s ex-wife and real party in interest, Tamara Rodriguez. We
conditionally grant the petition for writ of mandamus in part with regard to the amendment
of pleadings and deny it in part regarding a jury trial on attorney’s fees.
By a separate notice of appeal filed in cause number 13-16-00416-CV, Hector
seeks to appeal one of the orders that is also at issue in the original proceeding. Having
addressed this order by mandamus, we dismiss Hector’s appeal as moot.3
I. BACKGROUND
Pursuant to an agreed decree of divorce based on a mediated settlement
agreement, Hector and Tamara were appointed joint managing conservators of their two
minor children. The divorce decree provided that Hidalgo County would be the primary
1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(d) (“When denying relief, the court may hand down an opinion but is not
required to do so. When granting relief, the court must hand down an opinion as in any other case.”); TEX.
R. APP. P. 47.4 (distinguishing opinions and memorandum opinions).
2This original proceeding arises from trial court cause number F-0886-13-8 in the County Court at
Law No. 8 of Hidalgo County, Texas, and the respondent is the Honorable Omar Maldonado. See TEX. R.
APP. P. 52.2.
3 Hector filed a motion to consolidate the petition for writ of mandamus filed in cause number 13-
16-00411-CV and the appeal filed in cause number 13-16-00416-CV. Tamara opposed this motion and
filed a response in opposition. The Court, having examined and fully considered the opposed motion to
consolidate and the response thereto, grants the motion to consolidate and issues this opinion in both
causes.
2
residence of the children and gave Tamara the exclusive right to designate the children’s
primary residence within that county.
On March 3, 2015, Tamara filed a petition to modify the parent-child relationship
seeking to alter the child support provisions of the mediated settlement agreement and
the divorce decree. Her petition stated:
The circumstances of the children or a person affected by the order
have materially and substantially changed since the date of the signing of
the mediated settlement agreement on which the order to be modified is
based. Since the date of the mediated agreement, and since the date of
the decree of divorce, Respondent has failed to expend his time or funds
on matters that affect the best interests of the children. Despite having the
means and time to vacation with the children, and having set aside time and
expended funds to vacation with others, he has not taken his children for a
vacation. He has also not supported the children with his time or money in
other respects, including not providing support, or assisting in paying for
counseling sessions for one of the children, not providing support and
assistance for the children in school expenses, other than tuition, nor in the
payment of incidental expenses for the children. Respondent’s failure to
provide for the children in terms of time, activity has required Petitioner to
increase her support by spending more of her time with the children and
funds on the children, which adversely affects the time Petitioner can devote
to her employment, which adversely affects her income. While at the same
time Respondent’s income has increased dramatically.
At the time . . . the agreement between the parties was reached, the
child support amount was based upon an anticipation that Respondent
would spend more time with and resources on the children, and that the
parties’ income would be approximately equivalent. Based upon these
considerations, no child support payments were previously ordered other
than those related to health insurance and medical expenses. The absence
of support payments as previously ordered are not in substantial
compliance with the guidelines in chapter 154 of the Texas Family Code,
and the requested increase would be in the best interest of the children.
Petitioner requests that any increase be made retroactive to the earlier of
the time of service of citation on Respondent or the appearance of
Respondent in this modification action. The requested modification is in the
best interest of the children.
Tamara also asked for attorney’s fees, expenses, costs, and interest.
3
On March 25, 2015, Hector filed an original answer generally denying Tamara’s
allegations, seeking “general relief,” and requesting attorney’s fees, expenses, costs, and
interest.
On or about January 7, 2016, Tamara filed a first amended petition to modify the
parent-child relationship which generally reiterated her previous allegations and further
asserted that Hector allowed the health insurance for the children to lapse. Tamara also
alleged:
Petitioner requests that the powers of the parent be modified granting
to Petitioner sole managing conservatorship and the exclusive right to
designate the primary residence of the children, without regard to any
geographic restriction.
Petitioner requests that the terms and conditions for access to or
possession of the children be modified.
The requested modification is in the best interest of the children.
Tamara asserted that “educational, medical and developmental conditions of the children
have arisen, the evaluation and treatment for which [Hector] has ignored and obstructed.”
She therefore “requested the modification of custody set out above, which supports an
order for the award of child support.”
On January 12, 2016, the trial court entered a docket control order which set the
case for trial on April 11, 2016. The order stated that the “case shall be tried by a jury if
there are any issues to which a party has the right to a determination by a jury trial,” but
provided that the case would be tried to the bench if “there are no issues that are required
to be submitted to a jury.” The docket control order set a mandatory status conference
for March 9, 2016, a pretrial conference for April 7, 2016, and a mandatory mediation
deadline of thirty days before trial. The order stated that “[a]ll deadlines shall be pursuant
to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise agreed to.”
4
On February 17, 2016, Hector requested a jury trial.
On March 21, 2016, Tamara filed a second amended petition to modify the parent-
child relationship. She essentially reiterated all of her previous allegations, but deleted
her request to grant her sole managing conservatorship and the exclusive right to
designate the primary residence of the children without regard to any geographic
restriction. She continued to request “that the terms and conditions for access to or
possession of the children be modified.”
On March 31, 2016, Hector filed a first supplemental original answer and counter
petition to modify the parent-child relationship. Hector sought to prevent the children from
associating with a specific individual and requested that he have the exclusive right to
designate the primary residence of the children, and that any such designation be with a
geographic restriction to Hidalgo County:
Counter-Petitioner would show unto the Court and jury that, should
a jury or the Court determine that the circumstances of the children or a
person affected by the prior Agreed Final Decree of Divorce which was
entered on May 16, 2014 have materially and substantially changed since
the date of the signing of the Agreed Final Decree of Divorce, which
Respondent continues to deny as to the support of the children, then in that
event Counter-Petitioner would show unto the Court and jury that the
conservatorship, possession, and access of the children by Counter-
Respondent should be modified such that, to protect the mental health and
welfare of the children, Counter-Respondent be prohibited from, during
Counter-Respondent’s periods of possession of the children, associating
with, traveling with, or otherwise allowing the children to come in personal
contact with, Mr. Alexander Cook. While Counter-Petitioner does not
believe the children the subject of this suit will be materially harmed or
injured by Counter-Respondent continuing to associate with, date,
communicate with, or engage in other activities with, Mr. Alexander Cook,
such conduct should not occur while Counter-Respondent has possession
of the children, as it would most likely lead to devastating results for the
children or one of the children.
Additionally, Counter-Petitioner would show unto the Court and jury
that, should a jury or the Court determine that the circumstances of the
children or a person affected by the prior Agreed Final Decree of Divorce
which was entered on May 16, 2014 have materially and substantially
5
changed as to the conservatorship, possession, and access of the children
by Counter-Respondent since the date of the signing of the Agreed Final
Decree of Divorce, Counter-Petitioner additionally requests that he be
designated the joint managing conservator with the exclusive right to
designate the primary residence of the children, and that any such
designation be with a geographic restriction to within Hidalgo County,
Texas.
On April 4, 2016, Tamara filed a motion to strike Hector’s first supplemental original
answer and counter petition. She asserted that Hector was requesting modification of
conservatorship, possession, and access “for the first time.” She stated that his previous
pleadings alleged that there had been no material and substantial change in
circumstances to warrant a modification, but “on the eve of trial,” he had “taken the
position that if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, such
a material and substantial change would support his requested modification rather than
[Tamara’s] requested modification.” Tamara asserted that she had not been able to
conduct discovery as to the requested modification or the “injunction” regarding Cook.
She requested a continuance of trial in the event that the trial court did not strike the
counter petition so that she could conduct discovery as to the “new claim for affirmative
relief.”
On April 8, 2016, in a separate cause number, F-0886-13-8, Hector filed a petition
to modify the parent child relationship. His allegations in this new and separate cause
mirror the allegations previously made in his counter petition in this case. Hector alleged
that the circumstances of the children had materially and substantially changed as to
Tamara’s actions in “intentionally bringing the children around [Cook],” and he sought to
prevent the children from associating with Cook. Hector further asserted that a material
and substantial change in circumstances had occurred:
As a result of [Tamara’s] changed position on the residency of the children,
including statements that she wishes to move the children out of the Rio
6
Grande Valley; as a result of her filing pleadings asking the Court and jury
to allow the geographic restriction to be lifted; and as a result of the
children’s counselor testifying that such move would not be in the children’s
best interest; Petitioner additionally requests that he be designated the joint
managing conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary
residence of the children, and that any such designation be with a
geographic restriction to within Hidalgo County, Texas.
Hector requested attorney’s fees, expenses, costs, and interest.
On April 12, 2016, trial began. That day, the trial court refused to allow Hector’s
claims to be tried with Tamara’s claims. By verbal ruling the trial court stated, “Court’s
going to go ahead and make a finding that the pleadings do, in fact, serve as surprise.
That’ll be the finding of the Court, so your motion to strike is granted.” During the trial,
the court ordered a social study and abated the case to allow the study to take place.
Hector moved for a mistrial and moved to consolidate the proceedings. He also sought
to stay the trial and sought an emergency continuance to conduct discovery and appoint
an expert in rebuttal to the social study. The trial court denied these requests.
This original proceeding ensued. By one issue with multiple sub-parts, Hector
contends that the trial court abused its discretion and Hector’s appellate remedy is
inadequate. More specifically, Hector contends (1) the trial court abused its discretion by
striking Hector’s counter claim where the counter claim was filed more than seven days
before trial, and there could be no surprise or prejudice; (2) the trial court should have
ordered a continuance instead of striking Hector’s counter claim, and after the trial court
later abated the case to conduct a social study, the trial court should have granted a
mistrial and allowed discovery to cure Tamara’s claim of surprise and prejudice; (3) the
trial court abused its discretion by later striking Hector’s separate lawsuit and denying his
request to consolidate the two proceedings where the reasoning stated in its orders is
logically inconsistent; (4) the trial court abused its discretion by denying Hector’s right to
7
a jury trial on the reasonableness of attorney fees; and (5) Hector lacks an adequate
remedy by appeal.4 Through a motion for emergency temporary relief, Hector sought to
stay the trial of this matter pending resolution of this original proceeding.
This Court granted a stay of the proceedings below and requested and received
Tamara’s response to the petition for writ of mandamus. Tamara objected to Hector’s
statement of facts and asserted that he has failed to present a sufficient record. Tamara
contends that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in making the foregoing rulings
and that Hector possesses an adequate remedy by appeal to address any alleged error.
This Court has received supplemental record materials as well as Hector’s reply to
Tamara’s response.
II. MANDAMUS
To be entitled to mandamus relief, the relator must demonstrate that the trial court
clearly abused its discretion and the relator has no adequate remedy by appeal. In re
Lee, 411 S.W.3d 445, 463 (Tex. 2013) (orig. proceeding); In re Reece, 341 S.W.3d 360,
364 (Tex. 2011) (orig. proceeding); In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124,
135–36 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding); see In re M-I L.L.C., No. 14-1045, 2016 WL
2981342, at *2, __ S.W.3d __, __ (Tex. May 20, 2016) (orig. proceeding). A trial court
clearly abuses its discretion if it reaches a decision so arbitrary and unreasonable as to
amount to a clear and prejudicial error of law or if it clearly fails to analyze the law correctly
or apply the law correctly to the facts. In re Cerberus Capital Mgmt. L.P., 164 S.W.3d
379, 382 (Tex. 2005) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam). The adequacy of an appellate
4 Specifically, Hector’s petition for writ of mandamus requests relief from the trial court’s (1) April
12, 2016 ruling striking Hector’s counter claim for modification of the parties’ divorce decree and denying
his request for a jury trial on attorney fees; (2) June 21, 2016 orders denying Hector’s motion to consolidate
and for a mistrial, and (3) July 1, 2016 order striking Hector’s original petition for modification of the divorce
decree.
8
remedy must be determined by balancing the benefits of mandamus review against the
detriments. In re Team Rocket, L.P., 256 S.W.3d 257, 262 (Tex. 2008) (orig. proceeding).
An improper order prohibiting a party from amending a pleading may be set aside
by mandamus when a party’s ability to present a viable claim or defense at trial is vitiated
or severely compromised. In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d 456, 462–64 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2014, orig. proceeding). In considering whether mandamus is appropriate
regarding the denial of amended pleadings, we consider the timing of the filing of the
proposed amended pleading and the procedural posture of the case at the time the motion
for leave to amend is filed. See id. In cases where discovery is complete, the trial court
has conducted a significant portion of the trial, disposing of a substantial portion of the
case as a result, and only few substantive issues remain pending, mandamus review of
interlocutory trial court rulings may actually defeat the goal of judicial economy and
efficient resolution of disputes. Id.; see In re McAllen Med. Ctr., 275 S.W.3d 458, 465
(Tex. 2008) (orig. proceeding). “In circumstances where the petition for writ of mandamus
frustrates, rather than enhances, the efficient resolution of the case as a whole, the
appropriate channel for review of a trial court’s order regarding amendment of pleadings
is by appeal.” In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64.
The denial of a trial by jury is reviewable by mandamus. In re Prudential Ins. Co.
of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 139; In re Baker, No. 14-16-00101-CV, 2016 WL 2605766, at *3,
__ S.W.3d at __, __ (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] May 5, 2016, orig. proceeding). In
addition, as our sister courts have explained, an appeal is particularly inadequate to
remedy the denial of a jury trial in cases involving child custody issues. See In re Baker,
2016 WL 2605766, at *3; In re Reiter, 404 S.W.3d 607, 611 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st
Dist.] 2010, orig. proceeding). While an order denying a request for a jury trial could be
9
remedied on appeal following a bench trial and final judgment, an appeal from a bench
trial would be inadequate where both parties would be required to endure a trial and its
attendant expenses for naught, and more importantly, the child affected by the underlying
case should not suffer the delay of a second trial before parental rights and obligations
can be established. See In re Reiter, 404 S.W.3d at 611. “Justice demands a speedy
resolution of child custody and child support issues.” Proffer v. Yates, 734 S.W.2d 671,
673 (Tex. 1987) (orig. proceeding). These principles apply here because the issues to
be tried include access, possession, and support of the parties’ children. See In re Baker,
2016 WL 2605766, at *3; In re Reiter, 404 S.W.3d at 611.
III. AMENDMENT OF PLEADINGS
By his first three sub-issues, Hector complains generally about the trial court’s
refusal to allow him to amend his pleadings. The “well-settled policy underlying the
practice of amending pleadings” is one that recognizes that litigants enjoy a “liberal right”
to modify their averments at will. In re Trident Steel Corp., 424 S.W.3d 126, 130 (Tex.
App.—Amarillo 2014, no pet.); KSNG Architects, Inc. v. Beasley, 109 S.W.3d 894, 899
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2003, no pet.). Thus, a party generally has a right to amend its
pleadings freely. In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64. However, this liberal right
to amend pleadings must be balanced against the right of the trial court to control its
docket in a manner that permits the efficient administration of justice. See id. A trial court
has broad discretion to manage its docket, and we will not interfere with a trial court’s
exercise of its discretion absent a showing of clear abuse. Bagwell v. Ridge at Alta Vista
Invs.I, L.L.C., 440 S.W.3d 287, 292 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2014, pet. denied).
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 63 provides that parties may amend their pleadings
“as they may desire . . . at such time as not to operate as a surprise to the opposite party;
10
provided, that . . . within seven days of the date of trial or thereafter” any pleading
amendments may be filed only with prior leave of court, “which leave shall be granted”
unless the opposing party makes a showing of surprise. TEX. R. CIV. P. 63. Rule 63 is to
be “liberally construed.” Lee v. Key W. Towers, Inc., 783 S.W.2d 586, 588 (Tex. 1989).
Only when amendment is sought within seven days of trial or after such time as may be
ordered by the judge under a scheduling order need the litigant obtain leave of the court.
In re Trident Steel Corp., 424 S.W.3d at 130; see TEX. R. CIV. P. 63. And, even then,
leave must be granted unless “there is a showing that such filing will operate as a surprise
to the opposite party.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 63.
A trial court has no discretion to refuse an amendment unless (1) the opposing
party presents evidence of surprise or prejudice; or (2) the amendment asserts a new
cause of action or defense, and thus is prejudicial on its face, and the opposing party
objects to the amendment. State Bar of Tex. v. Kilpatrick, 874 S.W.2d 656, 658 (Tex.
1994); Greenhalgh v. Serv. Lloyds Ins. Co., 787 S.W.2d 938, 939 (Tex. 1990); In re City
of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64; Tanglewood Homes Ass’n, Inc. v. Feldman, 436 S.W.3d
48, 64 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, pet. denied); Gunn v. Fuqua, 397 S.W.3d
358, 377 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, pet. denied); Rodriguez v. Crowell, 319 S.W.3d 751,
758–59 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2009, pet. denied); Hakemy Bros., Ltd. v. State Bank & Trust
Co., Dallas, 189 S.W.3d 920, 924 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied). The burden of
showing prejudice or surprise rests on the party resisting the amendment. Greenhalgh,
787 S.W.2d at 939; Kilpatrick, 874 S.W.2d at 658; First State Bank of Mesquite v.
Bellinger & Dewolf, LLP, 342 S.W.3d 142, 146 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2011, no pet.);
Rodriguez, 319 S.W.3d at 758–59; Hakemy Bros., Ltd., 189 S.W.3d at 924.
11
An amendment that is of a “formal, procedural nature” typically will not result in
surprise or prejudice, and thus a need to allow additional time for trial preparation, and
should be allowed in most circumstances. See Chapin & Chapin, Inc. v. Tex. Sand &
Gravel Co., Inc., 844 S.W.2d 664, 665 (Tex. 1992); In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at
462–64. Examples of procedural amendments include matters such as increasing the ad
damnum to conform to the evidence introduced without objection at trial or substituting a
verified denial for an unverified denial. See Chapin & Chapin, Inc., 844 S.W.2d at 665;
In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64.
While the assertion of a new cause of action may be prejudicial on its face, it is not
automatically prejudicial as a matter of law. Tanglewood Homes Ass’n, Inc., 436 S.W.3d
at 64; Rodriguez, 319 S.W.3d at 758–59; LeBoeuf, 16 S.W.3d at 839. An amendment is
prejudicial if: (1) it asserts a new substantive matter that reshapes the nature of the trial
itself; (2) the opposing party could not have anticipated it in light of the development of
the case up to the time the amendment was requested; and (3) the opposing party’s
presentation of its case would be detrimentally affected by the amendment. In re City of
Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64; Tanglewood Homes Ass’n, Inc., 436 S.W.3d at 64–65;
Rodriguez, 319 S.W.3d at 758–59. Even additional, separately stated causes of action
may not constitute new subject matter if the added claims have common elements with
claims previously asserted and require the same evidentiary proof required to support an
already pleaded claim or defense. In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64; Rodriguez,
319 S.W.3d at 758–59. The question is not whether the opposing party did in fact
anticipate the amended pleading, but rather whether it could have been anticipated.
Rodriguez, 319 S.W.3d at 758–59; Allstate Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Gutierrez, 281 S.W.3d
12
535, 539 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2008, no pet.); Whole Foods Mkt. Sw., L.P. v. Tijerina, 979
S.W.2d 768, 777 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, pet. denied).
We review a trial court’s decision to grant or strike a pleading amendment for an
abuse of discretion. Kilpatrick, 874 S.W.2d at 658; Greenhalgh, 787 S.W.2d at 939–40;
Ginn v. NCI Bldg. Sys., Inc., 472 S.W.3d 802, 837 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015,
no pet.); Rodriguez, 319 S.W.3d at 758–59. A trial court’s decision on a motion for leave
to amend pleadings must be evaluated in the context of the entire case, and the potential
for delay in the ultimate disposition of a case caused by a proposed amendment may be
considered in determining whether the trial court has abused its discretion. In re City of
Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 463; Tanglewood Homes Ass’n, Inc., 436 S.W.3d at 64; Rodriguez,
319 S.W.3d at 758–59. On review, the party complaining of the court’s ruling bears the
burden of demonstrating that the trial court erred. Hardin v. Hardin, 597 S.W.2d 347, 349
(Tex. 1980); Ginn, 472 S.W.3d at 838. We note, generally, that “[a]ppellate courts rarely
find an abuse of discretion when a trial court refuses to strike an amended pleading filed
more than seven days before trial.” Christensen v. Chase Bank USA, N.A., 304 S.W.3d
548, 555 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, pet. denied).
In this case, Hector’s counter petition was filed more than seven days before trial
and the trial court had not issued a scheduling order pertaining to the amendment of
pleadings, thus, no leave of court was necessary under Rule 63 or otherwise. See TEX.
R. CIV. P. 63. Thus, the trial court was required to allow the amendment unless Tamara
showed that it operated to surprise her. See id. Tamara asserts that: Hector’s counter
petition asserted a new cause of action and is prejudicial on its face; no discovery took
place on his claims for affirmative relief; a brief continuance would not cure surprise and
13
prejudice, and the trial court modified the docket control order to allow discovery as to the
social study.
We disagree with Tamara’s assertion that Hector’s counter petition presents a new
and patently surprising claim. Hector’s counter petition addressed the same central issue
as Tamara’s petition—the child’s best interest. If Hector had simply filed a general denial,
it would have entailed substantially the same evidence and argument. Reviewing the
pleadings in detail, Tamara instituted the underlying lawsuit in March of 2015 on the
premise that the circumstances of the parties had materially and substantially changed
and modification of the original decree—to increase her child support—would be in the
children’s best interest. In January 2016 in her amended petition, she reiterated that the
circumstances had materially and substantially changed and modification of the original
decree—with regard to her request for (1) increased support, (2) sole managing
conservatorship and the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children,
without regard to any geographic restriction, and (3) modification of the terms and
conditions for access to or possession of the children—would be in the children’s best
interest. Two months later and three weeks prior to the beginning of trial, Tamara again
amended her petition, essentially reiterated all of her previous allegations, but deleting
the request to grant her sole managing conservatorship and the exclusive right to
designate the primary residence of the children. Consistently maintaining that the
circumstances of the parties had materially and substantially changed and modification
of the original decree would be in the children’s best interest, she continued to request
“that the terms and conditions for access to or possession of the children be modified.”
Hector’s counter petition, filed ten days after Tamara’s second amended petition
and twelve days before trial, asserted that if a jury determined that circumstances had
14
materially and substantially changed, then “conservatorship, possession, and access of
the children” should be modified to protect the mental health and welfare of the children.
He further sought to be designated as the joint managing conservator with the exclusive
right to designate the primary residence of the children, and that any such designation be
with a geographic restriction to within Hidalgo County, Texas.
All pleadings filed in this case from its inception concern whether or not the
circumstances of the parties have materially and substantially changed and modification
of the original decree would be in the best interests of the children. See TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 153.002 (“The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration
of the court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access
to the child.”); § 156.101 (“The court may modify an order that provides for the
appointment of a conservator of a child, that provides the terms and conditions of
conservatorship, or that provides for the possession of or access to a child if modification
would be in the best interest of the child and . . . the circumstances of the child, a
conservator, or other party affected by the order have materially and substantially
changed . . . .”); § 156.401(a)(1) (providing for the modification of child support where “the
circumstances of the child or a person affected by the order have materially and
substantially changed”); see also In re J.R.D., 169 S.W.3d 740, 742 (Tex. App.—Austin
2005, pet. denied) (“The party moving for modification has the burden of proving the
occurrence of ‘material and substantial change.’”). The fundamental issue in this suit, no
matter how it is pleaded, is the childrens’ best interest. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §
153.002; In re Lee, 411 S.W.3d 445, 454 (Tex. 2013).
Based on the foregoing and considering the context of the entire litigation, Hector’s
counter petition does not assert a new substantive matter that reshapes the nature of the
15
trial itself. See In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64 Tanglewood Homes Ass’n,
Inc., 436 S.W.3d at 64–65; Rodriguez, 319 S.W.3d at 758–59; see also In re E.W.A., No.
2-07-135-CV, 2008 WL 1867144, at *7 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Apr. 24, 2008, no pet.)
(mem. op.) (concluding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing amended
pleadings with additional rationales for the termination of parental rights where the
parent’s “only defense to the termination of his rights with regard to E.A. was the issue of
E.A.’s best interest—an issue for which the parties were presumably prepared”). Even if
we were to consider Hector’s counter petition as including additional, separately stated
causes of action, the counter petition does not incorporate new subject matter because
the added claims have common elements with claims previously asserted and require the
same evidentiary proof required to support Tamara’s already pleaded claims or defenses.
See In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64; Rodriguez, 319 S.W.3d at 758–59.
Moreover, Tamara could have anticipated Hector’s amended pleadings in light of the
development of the case up to the time the amendment was requested. See Rodriguez,
319 S.W.3d at 758–59; Allstate Prop. & Cas., 281 S.W.3d at 539.
Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in
refusing to allow Hector to amend his pleadings. We sustain Hector’s first three sub-
issues to that effect.
IV. JURY TRIAL
In his fourth sub-issue, Hector alleges that the trial court abused its discretion in
refusing to allow him a jury trial regarding the reasonableness of attorney’s fees. Section
105.002 of the Texas Family Code delineates the right to a trial by jury in family law cases.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 105.002 (West, Westlaw through 2015 R.S.). Under this section,
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“a party is entitled to a verdict by the jury and the court may not contravene a jury verdict”
on the following issues:
(A) the appointment of a sole managing conservator;
(B) the appointment of joint managing conservators;
(C) the appointment of a possessory conservator;
(D) the determination of which joint managing conservator has the
exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child;
(E) the determination of whether to impose a restriction on the
geographic area in which a joint managing conservator may
designate the child’s primary residence; and
(F) if a restriction described by Paragraph (E) is imposed, the
determination of the geographic area within which the joint managing
conservator must designate the child’s primary residence.
Id. §105.002(c)(1). In contrast, this section provides that issues pertaining to child support
may not be submitted to a jury. See id. § 105.002(c)(2); see also Ayala v. Apodaca, No.
07-14-00295-CV, 2016 WL 3965396, at *3, __ S.W.3d __, __ (Tex. App.—Amarillo July
18, 2016, no. pet.). Further, issues regarding a “specific term or condition of possession
of or access to the child” or “any right or duty of a conservator, other than the
determination of which joint managing conservator has the exclusive right to designate
the primary residence of the child” may be not submitted to the jury. See TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 105.002(c)(2). Finally, issues pertaining to attorney’s fees that are submitted to a
jury are merely advisory. Satterfield v. Huff, 768 S.W.2d 839, 841 (Tex. App.—Austin
1989, writ denied) (construing former version of the statute); Havis v. Havis, 657 S.W.2d
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921, 923 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1983, writ dism’d) (same); Killpack v. Killpack, 616
S.W.2d 434 (Tex. Civ. App.—Fort Worth 1981, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (same).5
To the extent that Hector asserts that he is entitled to a jury trial on the
reasonableness of attorney’s fees, we disagree. The Texas Family Code, within the
context of a modification suit, identifies those issues that a jury must decide, those a jury
may decide, and those it may not decide. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 105.002. Attorney’s
fees are found in none of these provisions. See id.; see also McInnes v. Fife, No. 14-00-
00201-CV, 2001 WL 777078, at *1 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] July 12, 2001, no
pet.) (mem. op.). Accordingly, we overrule Hector’s fourth sub-issue insofar as it asserts
a right to a jury trial on attorney’s fees.
V. ADEQUACY OF REMEDY BY APPEAL
We have sustained Hector’s first three sub-issues alleging generally that the trial
court abused its discretion in refusing to allow him to amend his pleadings. We conclude
that the trial court’s order vitiated or severely compromised Hector’s ability to present his
claims and defenses at trial with regard to whether the circumstances of the parties have
materially and substantially changed and modification of the original decree would be in
the best interests of the children. Accordingly, the trial court’s refusal to allow Hector to
amend his pleadings may be set aside by mandamus. See In re City of Dallas, 445
S.W.3d at 462–64. Further, considering that Hector’s request to amend his pleadings
was timely, the trial of this matter has been abated to allow for a social study and related
discovery, and the main substantive issues remain pending in this case, mandamus
review will promote the goal of judicial economy and the efficient resolution of this dispute.
5 The Texas Supreme Court discussed the former statute’s distinction between binding and
advisory jury verdicts and the Legislature’s amendment to this section to clarify which issues a jury may
decide in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. See Lenz v. Lenz, 79 S.W.3d 10, 20 (Tex. 2002).
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See id.; see also In re McAllen Med. Ctr., 275 S.W.3d at 465. We thus conclude that
Hector lacks an adequate remedy by appeal and mandamus is available to remedy the
trial court’s error. See In re City of Dallas, 445 S.W.3d at 462–64. We sustain Hector’s
fifth issue.
VI. CONCLUSION
The Court, having examined and fully considered the petition for writ of mandamus,
the response, the reply, and the applicable law, is of the opinion that Hector has shown
himself entitled to part of the relief sought. Accordingly, we lift the stay previously imposed
in this cause. We conditionally grant mandamus relief, in part, insofar as we direct the
trial court to allow Hector to amend his pleadings. Our writ will issue only in the event
that the trial court fails to comply. All other relief sought in the original proceeding is
denied. We dismiss Hector’s appeal as moot.
NELDA V. RODRIGUEZ
Justice
Delivered and filed the
4th day of October, 2016.
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