Zina Burkett v. Jason A. Burkett ( 2019 )

NUMBER 13-18-00385-CV
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI – EDINBURG
ZINA BURKETT, Appellant,
v.
JASON A. BURKETT, Appellee.
On appeal from the 430th District Court
of Hidalgo County, Texas.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Chief Justice Contreras and Justices Longoria and Hinojosa
Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Contreras
This is an appeal of a judgment rendered to enforce the provisions of a divorce
decree and settlement agreement. Appellant/cross-appellee Zina Burkett raises three
issues, arguing principally that the trial court erred by modifying an earlier enforcement
order after it had lost plenary power. Appellee/cross-appellant Jason A. Burkett raises
six issues, contending that various aspects of the trial court’s order were erroneous. We
affirm in part and reverse and remand in part.
I. BACKGROUND
The parties were married in 1996 and had two sons, born in 1998 and 2000. Zina
filed for divorce in 2011, and the parties signed an “Agreement Incident to Divorce” (AID)
in December of that year. The AID provided in part that Jason will pay $860,000 to Zina
to equalize the just and right division of property1 and that, when Jason sells his McAllen
dental practice, the net proceeds of the sale shall be divided equally between the parties.
It further stated that Jason will pay Zina $8,000 per month for thirty-six months as alimony,
beginning on the fifteenth day of the first month following the closing of the sale of the
parties’ residence.2 The AID did not contain any agreement regarding child support.
After a hearing on December 12, 2011, the trial court rendered a final divorce
decree which incorporated the AID by reference.3 The decree also contained a standard
possession order for the parties’ access to the children, and it required Jason to pay
monthly child support and medical expenses to Zina.4 Both parties signed the decree
under a statement indicating that they approved and consented to its form and substance,
1 The AID stated that the property division payments will be made in installments of $10,000 for
each month from January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2017; and installments of $5,000 for each month from June
1, 2017 to November 30, 2020.
2 The AID stated that Zina is entitled to receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of the residence.
3 In a section entitled “Division of Marital Estate,” the decree stated:
The Court finds that the parties have entered into an [AID], in a document separate from
this Final Decree of Divorce. To the extent provided by law, the Court approves the
agreement and incorporates it by reference as part of this decree as if it were recited herein
verbatim and orders the parties to do all things necessary to effectuate the agreement. A
copy of the agreement is not filed with the records of this Court.
The AID was not attached as an exhibit to the decree, but it was attached to Zina’s 2017 motion to enforce.
4 Specifically as to child support, the decree required Jason to pay $2,000 per month until one of
the parties’ children reaches the age of eighteen, marries, or dies; and $1,000 per month thereafter, until
the other child reaches the age of eighteen, marries, or dies.
2
and neither party appealed the decree.
Zina moved to enforce the decree in 2015. Following a mediation, the parties and
their attorneys executed a settlement agreement (MSA) on June 13, 2016, which stated
that the parties had reached an “agreement for enforcement” which was attached as an
exhibit to the MSA. Exhibit A to the MSA stated in its entirety as follows:
Agreement for Enforcement of Child Support Arrearage satisfies the
Alimony, Arrearage and Property Division Arrearage.
The parties agree to the following:
1. [Jason] agrees to pay [Zina] the sum of $760,000.00 incurring 4 ½
percent interest on any unpaid balance in child support arrearage
until paid in full as follows:
a. $5,500.00 commencing July 1, 2016 thru December 1, 2016
b. $6[,]000.00 from January 1, 2017 thru June 1, 2017
c. $6,500.00 from July 1, 2017 thru December 31, 2017
d. $7,500.00 from January 1, 2018 until paid in full.
2. The Judgment shall be secured with a lien and deed of trust on the
office buildings [used for Jason’s dental practice and the parties’
South Padre Island condominium]
3. Contractual Alimony in the amount of $125,000.00 which shall be
paid at the rate of $1[,]000.00 at (0) percent interest. Said payment
is incorporated in the payment schedule above.
4. Health Insurance: Husband to reimburse wife $140.84 per month
commencing July 1, 2016 and on the 1st of each month thereafter
until the youngest child emancipates in accordance with the decree.
....
Save and except any property in which the IRS has a lien on the property,
if a property is sold the net proceeds shall be paid toward[]s the child support
arrearage owed in this agreement.
All other provisions of the decree or incident to divorce [sic] remain in full
force and effect.
Zina subsequently moved the trial court to enter judgment on the MSA. After a
3
hearing on August 31, 2016, at which only Zina and her attorney appeared, the trial court
rendered a judgment (the 2016 Order) stating in relevant part as follows:
Agreement of Parties
The Court finds that the parties have entered into a written agreement as
contained in this order by virtue of having approved this order as to both
form and substance. To the extent permitted by law, the parties stipulate
the agreement is enforceable as a contract. The Court approves the
agreement of the parties as contained in this “Order”.
Merger of Settlement Agreement
The agreements in this “ORDER” were reached in mediation. This “Order”
is stipulated to represent a merger of a [MSA] between the parties. To the
extent there exist any differences between the [MSA] and this “Order”, this
“Order” shall control in all instances.
Findings
The Court finds that on December 12, 2011, the court rendered and signed
the Final Decree of Divorce on January 4, 2012 [sic] and was ordered to
make a payment of child support [sic] in Cause No. CAUSE NO. [sic] F-
132-11-J . . . in the 430TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Hidalgo County, Texas,
and states in relevant part as follows [sic]:
[recites child support provisions from MSA as set forth above]
The Court further finds that [Jason] has failed to comply with the provisions
of the [decree] as follows. The court finds and confirms that the balance
owed by [Jason] on previously confirmed child support arrearage and the
property division that [Jason] failed to pay. The parties agreed to modify
the terms of the property division and include it as child support arrearage
as set forth below.
The court find[]s by agreement that the child support arrearage is
$760,000.00. The court further finds that [Jason] is in arrears tin [sic] the
amount of $[]760,000.00 for the period February 1, 2012 for all monies due
and owing pertaining to child support and property division payments which
are now confirmed as child support arrearage.
Judgment should b[e] awarded against [Jason] in the total amount of
$760,000,00 for the child support arrerarge [sic] and interest by agreement
of the parties.
4
Judgment
IT IS ORDERED that [Zina] is granted a cumulative judgment for
child support arrearages, including accrued interest, against [Jason] of
$760,000.00 dollars such judgment bearing interest as 4.5% percent simple
interest per year form [sic] the date of the date of [sic] the mediation
agreement on June 13, 2016. The debt is cumulative and includes the
unpaid balance owed under the prior orders of the Court except for the
contractual alimony in Cause No. NO. [sic] F-132-11-J . . .in the 430TH
JUDICIAL DISTRICT Hidalgo County, Texas, dated December 21, 2011.
IT IS ORDERED THAT [Jason] SHALL pay [Zina] the sum of Seven
hundred and sixty thousand ($760,000.00) at 4 ½ % percent interest on any
unpaid balance on child support arrearage until paid in full as follows:
a. $5,500.00 commencing July 1, 2016 thru Decem[]ber 1, 2016
b. $6,000.00 from January 1, 2017[ ]thru June 1, 2017
c. $6,500.00 from July 1, 2017 thru December 31, 2017
d. $7,500.00 from January 1, 2018 until paid in full
Special Provision: $1[,]000.00 dollars of each of these payments that are
made in full shall be credited towards the contractual alimony payment.
The Judgement shall be secured with a lien and deed of trust on the office
building[s used for Jason’s dental practice and the parties’ South Padre
Island condominium]
Contractual Alimony
Contractual Alimony in the amount of $125,000.00 which shall be paid at
the rate of $1000.00 per month commencing July 1, 2016 and the 1st of
each month thereafter at (0) percent interest until paid in full. Said payment
is incorporated in the payment schedule above in the judgment language.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance: [Jason] to reimburse [Zina] $140.84 per month
commencing Ju[l]y 1, 2016 and on the 1st of each month thereafter until the
youngest child emancipates in accordance with the decree.
(Emphasis in original.)5 The 2016 Order was not signed by the parties or their attorneys,
5 The August 31, 2016 order stated that Jason “appeared in person and through counsel of
record . . . and announced ready for trial.” However, the parties agree that only Zina and her attorney
appeared at the hearing on that date.
5
and it was not appealed.
Zina filed a “Motion For Enforcement Of Child Support Order And Order To Appear
And Motion To Compel Property Division” on March 3, 2017. In this motion, Zina asserted
that Jason failed to make complete, timely payments as required by the MSA for the
months of November 2016 through February 2017, and that he failed to make any
payments for the months of July through October 2016 and March 2017. The motion also
alleged that Jason failed to comply with the AID’s provision requiring him to pay to Zina
half of the net proceeds arising from the sale of the dental practice. Zina asserted in an
amended motion filed on January 10, 2018, that Jason must pay $114,874.89 to become
current on his payments and that his total arrearage is $759,374.89. She asked the trial
court to confirm the arrearages, to order Jason’s income withheld to pay those amounts,
and to hold Jason in contempt.
In response, Jason argued, among other things, that the 2016 MSA constituted a
novation of the 2011 AID and, therefore, the AID is no longer enforceable. He argued:
In exchange for accepting a sum certain . . . , Zina promised Jason that she
would dismiss all her pending claims, including, but not limited to: current
child support, Child Support Arrearages, the Alimony Arrearages, and all
Property Division Arrearages including any proceeds allegedly due from the
sale of the dental practice against Jason and that all those claims that in
fact settled and were incorporated into the MSA.
....
In the MSA, th[e] aggregate amount of $760,000.00 included any amounts
allegedly owed from the sale of the practice and was a material
consideration in the inducement for Jason to enter into the MSA and Jason
would not have entered into the MSA had he been aware that the sale of
the dental practice was not a part of the MSA.
....
At the time of the MSA [Jason] was in arrearages in the principal amount of
$7,000.00. . . . The 8/31/16 Order confirming child support arrearages
make[s] the incredible finding that the child support arrearages is
6
$740,000.00. The entire amount of child support ordered by the Court from
the commencement of child support obligations through the majority of the
youngest child only totals $130,000.00.
Jason further argued that the 2016 Order is void and unenforceable because it altered
the terms of the MSA; that Zina’s attorney committed fraud by representing to the court
that the 2016 Order accurately reflected the terms of the MSA; that “there has been a
negative material change” in Jason’s income since 2016; and that Jason is “not only
current with his child support obligations” but has “overpaid” those obligations “by more
than $26,279.53, which he is requesting to be returned to him.”
After two hearings in January 2018, the trial court rendered an “Order Holding
[Jason] in Contempt, Granting Judgment and Suspending Commitment” on June 19, 2018
(the 2018 Order), which is the subject of this appeal. In the 2018 Order, the court found
that Jason failed to timely pay child support as ordered “in 6 out of 19 months” despite
having sufficient funds, and it held Jason in civil contempt.6 The order set forth the lump
sum payment provisions from the MSA and the 2016 Order, and it further stated in
relevant part:
18. In accordance with the Texas Family Code § 157.263 the Court
renders on [sic] cumulative judgment on child support and child
support arrearages as follows.
19. The Court finds that [Jason] was ordered to pay child support as
stated in the Final Decree of Divorce in the amount of $2,000.00 per
month, until 5/1/17 and $1,000.00 per month thereafter until the
youngest child was emancipated.
20. The Court finds that [Jason] was ordered to pay of [sic] child support
as ordered in the Final Decree of Divorce from the commencement
of the child support order thru 6/1/16 in the amount of $108,000.00.
6 The order stated that Jason shall be confined in the county jail for not more than ninety days, to
be served on weekends; that the jail sentence is suspended and he is placed on community supervision
until July 1, 2019; and that Jason may purge the contempt and jail sentence if he timely pays child support
and fees to Zina as ordered.
7
21. The Court finds that [Jason] had paid a total of $76,000.00 in child
support and that on 7/1/16 [Jason] was in child support arrearages
in the amount of $32,000.00.
22. The Court finds that [Jason] was order[ed] to pay child support as
ordered in the Final Decree of Divorce from 7/1/16 thru 2/1/18 in the
amount of $30,000.00.
23. The Court finds that from 7/1/16 thru 2/1/18 that [Jason] was ordered
[to pay] medical support to [Zina] at the rate of [$]140.84 per month,
for a total obligation of $2,675.96.
24. The Court finds that the total amount of interest that [Jason] was
ordered to pay on the child support and the medical support thru
2/1/18 totaled $1,200.00.
25. The Court finds that from 7/1/16 thru 2/1/18 [Jason] was ordered to
pay the total amount of $33,875.96 in child support, medical support
and interest thereon.
26. The Court finds that the total amount of child support from the
commencement of the child support, medical support and interest
thereon, thru 1/1/18 that [Jason] owed to [Zina] totaled $65,875.96.
27. The Court finds that since 7/1/16 [Jason] has paid a total of
$84,645.51 in child support, medical support and interest thereon.
28. The Court finds that since the commencement of [Jason]’s
obligations to pay child support, medical support and interest
thereon, thru 2/1/18 totaled $141,875.96.
29. The Court finds that since the commencement of [Jason]’s
obligations to pay child support, medical support and interest
thereon, thru 2/1/18, [Jason] has paid a total of $160,645.51 in child
support, medical support an[d] interest thereon.
30. The court finds that as of March 1, 2018 [Jason] has paid more than
the total amount of child support as ordered in the Final Decree of
Divorce and that the amount of child support arrearages owed by
[Jason] to [Zina] is Zero Dollars ($0.00)
31. The Court finds that the balance of $18,769.55 that [Jason] has paid
has been credited to the judgment for breach of contract for unpaid
property division and unpaid contractual alimony as set forth below.
....
39. The Court finds that this judgment is cumulative of any money
judgment previously issued by this Court.
8
40. The Court finds that [Zina] should have judgment and recover from
Jason Burkett the amount of $1,144,153.48, as set forth below:
a. $657,325.29 from her claims for breach of contract for the
unpaid property division and unpaid contractual alimony[7];
and;
b. $479,327.99 for her claim for breach of contract under the
Agreement Incident to Divorce, from the ½ net proceeds from
the sale of the dental practice[8].
41. In accordance with Section 157.264 of the Texas Family Code,
beginning the 1st day of the month following the date of this
Judgment, [Jason] is ordered to make periodic payments on this
Judgment in the amount of $2,500 per month through May 2019,
increasing to $4,000 per month in June 2019 until such Judgment is
paid in full. Except for the $140.84 in medical support that [Jason] is
still required to pay, [Jason] is no longer required to pay the $7,500
monthly payment for child support arrearage or the $1,000 monthly
payment for contractual alimony set forth in the [2016 Order].
The court additionally found that Jason had attempted to transfer ownership of the parties’
South Padre Island condominium to his father, James Burkett, “to evade paying” child
support, and it ordered that property to be judicially foreclosed in favor of Zina. Finally,
the order awarded Zina $7,500 in attorney’s fees.
Both parties perfected appeals from the 2018 Order.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Standard of Review
A trial court’s decision to grant or deny the relief requested in a motion for
enforcement is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Chenault v. Banks, 296 S.W.3d 186,
7The order explained that Jason sold the dental office buildings on January 19, 2017, resulting in
net proceeds of $312,032.09, and that “because [Zina] had a lien on the proceeds from this office building
and there was no IRS lien on the building, the net sales proceeds should have been paid to [Zina] to reduce
the amount of the $760,000 child support arrearage” as set forth in the 2016 Order.
8The order explained that Jason sold his dental practice on January 1, 2015, resulting in net
proceeds of $1,558,655.98; that Zina was entitled to half of that amount ($779,327.99); that Jason had paid
Zina $300,000 on February 11, 2015; and therefore, that Jason is ordered to pay her an additional
$479,327.99.
9
189 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.). A court abuses its discretion when
it acts without reference to any guiding rules or principles, or fails to analyze or apply the
law correctly. Worford v. Stamper, 801 S.W.2d 108, 109 (Tex. 1990). Legal and factual
sufficiency of the evidence are relevant factors in determining whether the trial court
abused its discretion, but they are not independent grounds of error. Zeifman v. Michels,
212 S.W.3d 582, 587 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006, pet. denied).
B. Zina’s Issues
1. Improper Collateral Attack on 2016 Order
By her first two issues, Zina contends that the trial court erred by “modifying” the
2016 Order. She posits that the 2018 Order “made two significant changes” to the 2016
Order: (1) it “reduced the amount of the child support arrearage judgment owed as of
July 1, 2016 from $760,000 to $32,000” and (2) it “eliminated $5,500 to $7,500 in monthly
payments Jason was required to pay on the child support arrearage judgment.” Zina
claims that, as a result of these “changes,” she received $115,500 less than she was
entitled to between July 1, 2016, and January 2018, when the trial court heard her latest
motion to enforce.
Zina argues by her first issue that the trial court lacked legal authority to modify the
2016 Order under Texas Family Code § 153.0071(e), which states generally that a party
is entitled to judgment on an MSA if it meets certain requirements. See TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 153.0071(e). She further contends that the 2016 Order is not subject to collateral
attack because it is not void. See Travelers Ins. Co. v. Joachim, 315 S.W.3d 860, 863
(Tex. 2010) (noting that a void order is subject to collateral attack while a voidable order
must be attacked directly). By her second issue, Zina argues that the 2018 Order is itself
void because the trial court lost plenary power to modify the 2016 Order thirty days after
10
the 2016 Order was signed. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 329b(d) (“The trial court, regardless of
whether an appeal has been perfected, has plenary power to grant a new trial or to vacate,
modify, correct, or reform the judgment within thirty days after the judgment is signed.”);
In re Parker, 117 S.W.3d 484, 487 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.) (holding that
the trial court’s order vacating a final divorce decree is void because the trial court’s
plenary power had expired). She notes that Jason failed to appear at the August 31, 2016
hearing and did not perfect any appeal from the 2016 Order.
In response to Zina’s first two issues, Jason contends that the terms of the MSA
were “illegal” and therefore, the 2016 Order was void and subject to collateral attack.
Specifically, he argues that the MSA violated § 157.263 of the family code, which states
in part that “[i]f a motion for enforcement of child support requests a money judgment for
arrearages, the court shall confirm the amount of arrearages and render one cumulative
money judgment” and that “[i]n rendering a money judgment under this section, the court
may not reduce or modify the amount of child support arrearages . . . .” TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 157.263(a), (b-1). Jason cites Williams v. Patton, in which the Texas Supreme
Court noted that, because “child support is a duty owed by a parent to a child, not a debt
owed to the other parent,” parents may not enter into settlement agreements to
“prospectively modify[] court-ordered child support without court approval.” 821 S.W.2d
141, 143 (Tex. 1991).9 The Williams Court further held that, until the trial court reduces
9 The Williams Court explained the policy underlying this rule as follows:
Due to the financial hardships so frequently encountered by the custodial parent following
divorce, the failure of the former spouse to pay court-ordered child support puts the
custodial parent in a very difficult position. If the non-custodial parent offers to pay a portion
of child support arrearages in settlement of the entire amount due, the custodial parent
may be persuaded to accept the offer due to present financial difficulties and the possibility
of further delay and expense in collecting the unpaid amount.
Williams v. Patton, 821 S.W.2d 141, 144 (Tex. 1991).
11
the unpaid amount to written judgment or loses jurisdiction, the applicable statute
“prohibits parents from contracting for payment of the arrearages without court approval.”
Id. (observing that “the legislature intended for arrearages to remain under the supervision
of the trial court until the court reduces the unpaid amount to written judgment or until the
court loses jurisdiction”). Though the Williams Court construed an earlier version of the
statute that has since been repealed, Jason argues that these tenets of law still apply.
See Ochsner v. Ochsner, 517 S.W.3d 717, 724 (Tex. 2016) (citing but distinguishing
Williams); see also In re E.C., No. 13-04-00002-CV, 2005 WL 1244615, at *3 (Tex. App.—
Corpus Christi–Edinburg May 26, 2005, no pet.) (mem. op.) (citing Williams and
§ 157.263(a) of the family code).
Assuming but not deciding that Williams remains good law, we are nevertheless
unpersuaded by Jason’s argument that the 2016 MSA was “illegal” so as to render the
2016 Order void and subject to collateral attack. The cases cited by Jason merely
establish that an agreement by parents to modify a child support arrearage is
unenforceable unless approved by the court. See Ochsner, 517 S.W.3d at 724; Williams,
821 S.W.2d at 143; see also In re E.C., 2005 WL 1244615, at *3. The 2016 Order
explicitly stated that “[t]he Court approves the agreement of the parties as contained in
this ‘Order’.” Accordingly, even if the MSA modified Jason’s child support arrearages—
and even if that modification was detrimental to the interests of the children—that would
still not mean that the 2016 Order is illegal or void.
In general, as long as the court entering a judgment has jurisdiction of the parties
and the subject matter and does not act outside its capacity as a court, a judgment is not
void. Reiss v. Reiss, 118 S.W.3d 439, 443 (Tex. 2003) (citing Mapco, Inc. v. Forrest, 795
S.W.2d 700, 703 (Tex. 1990)). Errors other than lack of jurisdiction, such as “a court’s
12
action contrary to a statute or statutory equivalent,” merely render the judgment voidable
so that it may be “corrected through the ordinary appellate process or other proper
proceedings.” Id. (citing Mapco, Inc., 795 S.W.2d at 703). In Reiss, a divorce decree
incorrectly characterized certain funds as community property, but because the ex-
husband did not appeal the decree, the decree became final, and he could not later attack
it collaterally. Id. Similarly, Jason’s contention here—i.e., that the 2016 Order was an
“action contrary to a statute”—would, even if true, merely render the 2016 Order voidable.
Because no party timely appealed the 2016 Order, and because plenary power over that
order has since expired, that order cannot now be challenged by collateral attack. See
id.; see also TEX. R. CIV. P. 329b(c).10
We sustain Zina’s issues. Because the 2016 Order could not be collaterally
attacked, the 2018 Order constituted an abuse of the trial court’s discretion to the extent
that it materially altered the “substantive adjudicative portions” of the 2016 Order. See
Riggins v. Hill, 461 S.W.3d 577, 582 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2015, pet. denied)
(noting that a court has inherent power to enforce its judgment “[b]ut, after its plenary
power over a judgment expires, the trial court may not issue an order that is inconsistent
with the judgment or that otherwise constitutes a material change in the substantive
adjudicative portions of the judgment”); Schroeder v. LND Mgmt., LLC, 446 S.W.3d 94,
98 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, no pet.); Comm’n for Lawyer Discipline v.
10 Theoretically, in addition to a direct appeal, Jason could have also challenged the 2016 Order by
petitioning for a bill of review; however, he did not do so in this case. In any event, the record does not
reflect that the elements necessary to obtain a bill of review have been established. See King Ranch, Inc.
v. Chapman, 118 S.W.3d 742, 751–52 (Tex. 2003) (noting that “[a] bill of review is an equitable proceeding
to set aside a judgment that is not void on the face of the record but is no longer appealable or subject to a
motion for new trial” and stating that “a bill of review petitioner must ordinarily plead and prove (1) a
meritorious defense to the cause of action alleged to support the judgment, (2) that the petitioner was
prevented from making by the fraud, accident or wrongful act of his or her opponent, and (3) the petitioner
was not negligent”).
13
Denisco, 132 S.W.3d 211, 215 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, no pet.); see also
Evans v. Frost Nat’l Bank, No. 05-12-01491-CV, 2015 WL 4736543, at *5 (Tex. App.—
Dallas Aug. 11, 2015, no pet.) (mem. op.); Pope v. Gaffney, No. 04-05-00413-CV, 2006
WL 1684661, at *2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio June 21, 2006, pet. denied) (mem. op.); In
re Tarrant County, No. 02-05-00274-CV, 2005 WL 3436582, at *5 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth
Dec. 12, 2005, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.).
2. Erroneous Portions of 2018 Order
Having found that the 2018 Order was erroneous to the extent it materially altered
the substantive adjudicative portions of the 2016 Order, we must next determine which
portions of the 2018 Order, exactly, should be reversed for that reason. In her brief, Zina
asserts that paragraphs 15, 16, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 40(a), and 41 of the 2018 Order
should be reversed because they improperly modify the 2016 Order. We agree.
Paragraphs 15 and 16 set forth the findings of the court regarding the amounts
Jason owed and the amounts he paid for each of the nineteen months between July 2016
and January 2018, inclusive. However, in calculating the amounts due for each month,
the trial court only considered amounts for current child support and medical support; it
did not include any amounts attributable to the $760,000 judgment as agreed to in the
MSA and memorialized in the 2016 Order. Crucially, the record reflects that the $760,000
figure was intended to consolidate all of the amounts Jason owed as of the date of the
MSA for child support arrearages, interest on child support arrearages, and property
division. This is made clear by the first line of the MSA, which was incorporated verbatim
into the 2016 Order: “Agreement for Enforcement of Child Support Arrearage satisfies
14
the Alimony, Arrearage and Property Division Arrearage.”11 Although Jason contends
that this arrangement contravened the family code, we have already held that it is not
void, and therefore, it became final when neither party appealed the 2016 Order and
plenary power expired. Therefore, the trial court abused its discretion by excluding
installments on the $760,000 settlement when calculating the amounts due each month
in paragraphs 15 and 16. On remand, the trial court is instructed to recalculate the
amounts due for the months at issue under the payment terms set forth in the MSA and
the 2016 Order.
Paragraph 21 of the 2018 Order states that, as of July 1, 2016, Jason was in child
support arrears in the amount of $32,000. We agree with Zina that this provision
impermissibly modified a substantive adjudicative portion of the 2016 Order and is
therefore erroneous. See Riggins, 461 S.W.3d at 582. Instead, pursuant to the MSA and
2016 Order, the agreed child support arrearage amount as of July 1, 2016 was $760,000
(though this amount includes interest and property division payments, consistent with the
parties’ agreement).
Paragraphs 24, 25, 26, and 28 of the 2018 Order contain findings regarding the
amounts Jason owed for child support, medical support, and interest, for the relevant
months. Paragraph 30 finds that Jason overpaid his child support obligations and
paragraph 31 credits the overpayment to the money judgment for “unpaid property
division and unpaid contractual alimony.” These amounts were all apparently based at
least in part on the figures set forth in paragraphs 15, 16, and 21, which we have
11 The MSA and the 2016 Order both provided that Jason agreed to pay Zina $125,000 in alimony,
separate from the $760,000 payment. Thus, the only reasonable construction of the MSA and the 2016
Order is that the $760,000 figure was intended to consolidate Jason’s child support arrearage and property
division debts.
15
concluded were erroneous. Accordingly, paragraphs 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, and 31 are also
erroneous and must be recalculated on remand.
Paragraph 40(a) of the 2018 Order sets forth a $657,325.29 judgment attributable
to unpaid property division and alimony payments. However, as noted, the $760,000
lump sum detailed in the MSA and 2016 Order was intended to consolidate Jason’s
property division and child support arrearages into a single monthly obligation. Further,
the MSA and 2016 Order separately provide that Jason shall pay $125,000 in alimony,
and that $1,000 of each monthly payment shall be attributable to the separate alimony
obligation. Jason agreed to the MSA and the 2016 Order is final. Accordingly, paragraph
40(a) is erroneous and must be recalculated on remand.
Finally, paragraph 41 of the 2018 Order sets forth a payment schedule which is
based, at least in part, on the other impermissible modifications of the 2016 Order.
Accordingly, paragraph 41 is erroneous and a new payment schedule must be formulated
on remand. Pursuant to the MSA, the 2016 Order, and the unchallenged findings in the
2018 Order, the new payment schedule must require that Jason pay to Zina: (1) the
$760,000 lump sum, representing (a) child support and interest due up until July 1, 2016,
and (b) property division equalization; (2) 4.5% annual interest on the $760,000 lump sum
from July 1, 2016 until paid in full; (3) $125,000 in alimony; (4) $30,000, representing child
support arrearages from July 2016 to February 2018; (5) $2,675.96, representing medical
support due from July 2016 to February 2018; (6) interest on the unpaid child support and
medical support amounts due from July 2016 to February 2018; and (7) any currently-
due child support and medical support owed but unpaid for the months since February
2018, along with interest.
16
C. Jason’s Cross-Issues
On cross-appeal, Jason argues the trial court erred by: (1) awarding judgment for
breach of the AID; (2) ordering him to pay half of the net proceeds from the sale of the
dental practice in monthly installments; (3) ordering judicial foreclosure on the South
Padre Island property; (4) ordering a lien on Jason’s separate property; (5) ordering
Jason’s overpayment of child support to offset the breach of contract award; and (6)
denying his motion to reopen the evidence.
We have already concluded that several portions of the 2018 Order are erroneous
and must be reversed, as set forth above. We address Jason’s cross-issues only insofar
as they concern provisions of the 2018 Order which we have not already found to be
erroneous. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.1.
1. Breach of the AID
Paragraph 2.10(F) of the 2011 AID required Jason to pay Zina half of the net
proceeds from the sale of his dental practice. Jason’s first cross-issue challenges
paragraph 40 of the 2018 Order to the extent that the damages awarded therein are
attributable to his alleged violation of paragraph 2.10(F). Jason argues specifically that:
(1) the MSA constituted a novation of the AID, thereby precluding enforcement of the AID;
(2) the AID is not enforceable due to the doctrine of res judicata; and (3) there was legally
and factually insufficient evidence to support the $479,327.99 damages award.
A party relying on the affirmative defense of res judicata must prove: (1) a prior
final determination on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction; (2) identity of parties
or those in privity with them; and (3) a second action based on the same claims as were
or could have been raised in the first action. See Travelers Ins. Co., 315 S.W.3d at 862.
Here, Jason contends the issue of the dental practice proceeds was “previously litigated”
17
in Zina’s 2015 motion to enforce, which was resolved by the MSA as memorialized in the
2016 Order. We agree.
Zina’s 2015 motion complained of Jason’s failure to make timely complete
payments on his child support obligations as well as on the original $860,000 property
division settlement provided in the AID and in the decree. The $860,000 obligation was
set forth in paragraph 2.7 of the AID, entitled “Debt to Accomplish Just and Right Division,”
which explained that the obligation was “[f]or the purpose of a just and right division of
property under this agreement.” Zina’s 2015 motion also complained of Jason’s failure
to comply with paragraph 2.10(F) of the AID. Both paragraphs 2.7 and 2.10(F) are part
of Article 2 of the AID, entitled “Division of Marital Estate.” The MSA, which featured the
$760,000 lump sum obligation, was entitled “Agreement for Enforcement of Child Support
Arrearage satisfies the Alimony, Arrearage and Property Division Arrearage.”
Paragraphs 2.7 and 2.10(F) of the AID both concern property division, and Jason’s
failure to make timely payments under either provision is therefore properly considered a
“Property Division Arrearage.” See Arrears, BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (11th ed. 2019)
(defining “arrears” as “[t]he quality, state, or condition of being behind in the payment of
a debt or the discharge of an obligation”). Accordingly, it is apparent that the parties
intended the $760,000 payment to supplant and replace the amounts due under both
paragraphs 2.7 and 2.10(F) of the AID. At the very least, Zina “could have . . . raised” her
complaint regarding the past-due payment under paragraph 2.10(F) in the 2015
enforcement proceeding. See Travelers Ins. Co., 315 S.W.3d at 862. Therefore, we
conclude that paragraph 40(b) of the 2018 Order, which awarded Zina $479,327.99 as
half of the net proceeds from the sale of the dental practice, is barred by the doctrine of
18
res judicata.12 Paragraphs 46 and 47 of the 2018 Order, which contained detailed findings
as to the $479,327.99 judgment, are erroneous for the same reason. Jason’s first cross-
issue is sustained.
2. Judicial Foreclosure
By his third cross-issue, Jason contends the trial court erred in paragraph 49 of the
2018 Order by ordering judicial foreclosure of the parties’ South Padre Island
condominium.13 Jason argues that Zina’s live pleadings do not contain any allegations
requesting such an award, identifying any specific property to be foreclosed, or identifying
any lienholders. See Garza v. Allied Fin. Co., 566 S.W.2d 57, 62 (Tex. App.—Corpus
Christi–Edinburg 1978, no writ) (“A judgment of foreclosure of a chattel mortgage should
not be granted unless it has been specifically requested; a general prayer is not
sufficient.”) (citing First Baptist Church of Paris v. Fort, 54 S.W. 892 (Tex. 1900)). He
further contends that he already conveyed the subject property to Manny Garcia in 2017,
12 In light of this ruling, we need not consider Jason’s arguments that the judgment for dental
practice sales proceeds was barred by novation or insufficient evidence. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.1. We
also need not consider his second issue, which argues that the trial court erred under the family code in
ordering the judgment to be paid in monthly installments; or his fifth issue, arguing that the trial court erred
in transferring his alleged overpayment of child support to offset the breach of contract award. See id.; TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 157.264.
13 Paragraph 49 stated:
The Court also orders that the condominium on South Padre Island is hereby judicially
foreclosed in favor of [Zina]. The February 28, 2017 Warranty Deed with Vendor’s Lien on
such condominium was signed by grantee Manny Garcia, rather than grantor [Jason]
Burkett, so it did not convey legal title to Manny Garcia. A deed that is not signed by a
grantor is void ab initio and cannot pass title, even to an innocent purchaser. . . . Because
Manny Garcia did not have legal title, a subsequent deed dated August 14, 2017 from
Manny Garcia to James Raymond Burkett was also void ab initio and did not convey legal
title. Therefore, legal title still rests in [Jason]. If [Zina] sells the condominium, then after
the payment of closing costs, sales costs and valid and perfected liens, [Jason] will receive
a credit of the remaining net sales proceeds against the amounts owed by him in this
Judgment. Within 10 days of any such sale, [Zina] is ordered to provide a copy of the
closing statement to [Jason]. In order to get this credit, [Jason] must file a copy of the
closing statement from such sale with this Court along with a motion asking for the
application of the credit.
19
and he notes that neither Garcia nor the current owner of the property—Jason’s father—
were joined as parties to the suit. See Ladner v. Reliance Corp., 293 S.W.2d 758, 763
(Tex. 1956) (“A junior lienholder or person in possession of or claiming an interest in the
security if a necessary party to an action to foreclose a note and mortgage on either real
or personal property.”).
In response, Zina argues the issue was tried by consent. She also contends that
the record supports the trial court’s finding that the purported 2017 sale was void because
Jason did not sign the deed. See Sanchez v. Telles, 960 S.W.2d 762, 768 (Tex. App.—
El Paso 1997, pet. denied) (finding that the failure of the grantor to sign a deed “created
a void deed ab initio” and noting that “[a] deed which is void cannot pass title even to an
innocent purchaser from the grantee”).
We disagree that the issue was tried by consent. “When issues not raised by the
pleadings are tried by express or implied consent of the parties, they shall be treated in
all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 67; Gamboa v.
Gamboa, 383 S.W.3d 263, 271 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012, no pet.). Trial by consent
is intended to cover only the exceptional case in which it clearly appears from the record
as a whole that the parties tried the unpleaded issue; it should be applied with care and
is not intended to establish a general rule of practice. Guillory v. Boykins, 442 S.W.3d
682, 690 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, no pet.); In re A.B.H., 266 S.W.3d 596,
600 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008, no pet.); Greene v. Young, 174 S.W.3d 291, 301 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied). To determine whether an issue was tried
by consent, we examine the record not for evidence pertaining to the issue, but rather for
evidence that the issue was actually tried. Guillory, 442 S.W.3d at 690; Greene, 174
S.W.3d at 301. A party’s unpleaded issue may be deemed tried by consent when
20
evidence on the issue is developed under circumstances indicating both parties
understood the issue was present in the case, and the other party failed to make an
appropriate complaint. Prize Energy Res., L.P. v. Cliff Hoskins, Inc., 345 S.W.3d 537,
567 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, no pet.).
Section 157.323 of the family code permits an action to foreclose a lien on property
imposed to secure a child support obligation. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 157.323. But
Zina’s live motion to enforce did not seek this relief, nor did it even mention the lien on
the condominium. Zina notes that there was evidence adduced at the January 2018
hearings regarding the appraised value of the condominium, and regarding Jason’s
attempts to transfer the property in an apparent attempt to “deprive [her] of her
collateral.”14 That may be true, but we find nothing in the record indicating that both
parties understood that judicial foreclosure was a potential remedy. Instead, based on
this record, we conclude that the judicial foreclosure set forth in paragraph 49 of the 2018
Order was improper because it did not conform to the pleadings.15 See TEX. R. CIV. P.
301 (“The judgment of the court shall conform to the pleadings . . . .”). Jason’s third cross-
issue is sustained.
3. Lien on Separate Property
By his fourth cross-issue, Jason contests paragraph 48 of the 2018 Order, which
provides:
48. The Court hereby imposes a lien on any membership or ownership
14 That evidence included: (1) a copy of a warranty deed purporting to transfer the condominium
from Jason to Garcia which was signed only by Garcia; (2) a copy of another warranty deed purporting to
transfer the condominium from Garcia to James Burkett; (3) Jason’s testimony that he “sold” the condo to
his father to satisfy a $70,000 debt based on a “father and son deal”; and (4) Jason’s testimony that he
“sold” the condo to Garcia for $178,000 but received “[z]ero” money from Garcia.
15 We note that the lien securing the $760,000 child support obligation, which was imposed by the
2016 Order, is still in effect.
21
interests owned by Jason Burkett in the professional association
known as Jason A. Burkett, DDS, P.A. and the limited liability
company known as JRCM Enterprises, PLLC to secure the amounts
owed in this Judgment. Any distributions from either entity to which
Jason Burkett is entitled shall be paid to Zina Burkett to satisfy the
amounts owed in this Judgment. In the event any dental practice
owned by Jason A. Burkett, DDS, P.A. is sold, the net sales proceeds
remaining after the payment of closing costs shall be paid to Zina
Burkett to satisfy the amounts owed in this Judgment.
Jason argues that the imposition of a lien on his separate property was improper because
the property “did not directly benefit from the community estate.”
“When dividing marital property upon divorce, and absent a reimbursement interest
to the community, trial courts may not impose liens on a spouse’s separate property for
the general purpose of securing a just and right division of marital property.” Winkle v.
Winkle, 951 S.W.2d 80, 87 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 1997, pet. denied)
(citing Heggen v. Pemelton, 836 S.W.2d 145, 146 (Tex. 1992)). “But trial courts generally
may impose equitable liens on one spouse’s separate property as a means for securing
the discharge of payments owed by one spouse to the other.” Id. (citing Hegger, 836
S.W.2d at 146; In re Marriage of Jackson, 506 S.W.2d 261, 267 (Tex. App.—Amarillo
1974, writ dism’d)). “Such liens, however, are permissible only against the separate
property to which improvement was made at community expense.” Id. (citing Smith v.
Smith, 715 S.W.2d 154, 161 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1986, no writ)).
Jason argues that the evidence shows that he “sold and closed” the dental practice
that was in existence during the marriage, and that the entities mentioned in paragraph
48 were established in 2017; therefore, according to Jason, those entities could not have
“benefitted from the community estate.”
In response, Zina contends that the lien is justified because “Jason spent the
majority of Zina’s share from the sale of the dental practice on his personal debts and
22
taxes, and improperly sold or transferred the collateral . . . that was securing Zina’s child
support judgment.” However, Zina does not dispute Jason’s contention that the specific
entities mentioned in paragraph 48 were established several years after the divorce was
finalized in 2011. We conclude that the lien imposed in paragraph 48 is erroneous
because the separate properties mentioned therein were not subject to “improvement [at]
community expense.” See id. Jason’s fourth cross-issue is sustained.
4. Motion to Reopen Evidence
Following the hearings on Zina’s 2017 motion to enforce, but before judgment was
rendered, Jason filed a motion seeking, among other things, to reopen the evidence.
Jason sought to introduce evidence of a Corrected Warranty Deed ostensibly curing the
defects—specifically, the lack of his signature—on the 2017 deed purporting to transfer
the South Padre Island condominium to Manny Garcia. According to Jason, the
Corrected Warranty Deed contained both his and Garcia’s signatures and thus proves
that Jason has no ownership interest in the property. Jason contends by his sixth cross-
issue that the trial court erred in denying this motion.
“When it clearly appears to be necessary to the due administration of justice, the
court may permit additional evidence to be offered at any time . . . .” TEX. R. CIV. P. 270.
In determining whether to permit additional evidence under this rule, a court should
consider whether (1) the moving party showed due diligence in obtaining the evidence;
(2) the proffered evidence is decisive; (3) reception of such evidence will cause undue
delay; and (4) granting the motion will cause injustice. Poag v. Flories, 317 S.W.3d 820,
827 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2010, pet. denied). The decision to reopen is within the trial
court’s sound discretion. Id. “[A] trial court does not abuse its discretion by refusing to
reopen a case after evidence is closed if the party seeking to reopen has not shown
23
diligence in attempting to produce the evidence in a timely fashion.” Lopez v. Lopez, 55
S.W.3d 194, 201 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 2001, no pet.).
We have already concluded that the judicial foreclosure provision in paragraph 49
of the 2018 Order was not supported by the pleadings. In any event, in his motion to
reopen the evidence, Jason summarily alleged that he “was diligent in obtaining the
evidence”; however, he did not explain why or how he was unable to procure the evidence
prior to the January 2018 hearings on Zina’s enforcement motion. Under these
circumstances, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion. Jason’s sixth cross-
issue is overruled.
III. CONCLUSION
This case involves multiple agreements, decrees, and orders which purport to
govern Jason’s obligations as to child support, alimony, and property division. Ultimately,
the parties came to a settlement agreement in 2016, which was incorporated into an order
that is now final and enforceable. The trial court erred in modifying that order. Instead,
the court had a duty to confirm the amount of child support arrearages and render a
cumulative money judgment. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 157.263(a) (“If a motion for
enforcement of child support requests a money judgment for arrearages, the court shall
confirm the amount of arrearages and render one cumulative money judgment.”); In re
Dryden, 52 S.W.3d 257, 263 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 2001, orig.
proceeding) (noting that § 157.263(a) “imposes an affirmative, mandatory duty on the trial
court to reduce a child support arrearage to a money judgment upon request”); see also
Chenault, 296 S.W.3d at 189 (observing that the trial court “acts as a mere scrivener in
mechanically tallying up the amount of arrearage”).
For the reasons set forth herein, we reverse paragraphs 15, 16, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28,
24
30, 31, 40, 41, 46, 47, 48, and 49 of the 2018 Order, and we remand for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion. On remand, the trial court is instructed to
calculate the amount of arrearages based upon the payment schedule set forth in the
2016 Order, and to confirm those arrearages. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 157.263(a).
The remainder of the 2018 Order is affirmed.
DORI CONTRERAS
Chief Justice
Delivered and filed the
25th day of July, 2019.
25