Norman Clarence Tolpo v. Mary Craver Denny ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
02-15-00231-CV
SECOND COURT OF APPEALS
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
12/17/2015 8:48:27 AM
DEBRA SPISAK
CLERK
No. 02-15-00231-CV FILED IN
2nd COURT OF APPEALS
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS 12/17/2015 8:48:27 AM
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS DEBRA SPISAK
FORT WORTH Clerk
NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO
Appellant
v.
MARY CRAVER DENNY
Appellee
Appeal from the 442nd Judicial District Court, Denton County, Texas
Cause No. 14-03723-362; Hon. Tiffany Haertling presiding
APPELLEE MARY CRAVER DENNY’S BRIEF
Loveless & Loveless, L.P. Michael J. Whitten & Associates, P.C.
Curtis M. Loveless Adam T. Whitten
Texas Bar No. 12607000 Texas Bar No. 24077199
curtis@cmloveless.com adam@whittenlawfirm.com
Darcy E. Loveless 218 N. Elm St.
Texas Bar No. 24013062 Denton, TX 76201
darcy@cmloveless.com (940) 383-1618 Ofc.
218 N. Elm St. (940) 898-0196 Fax
Denton, Texas 76201
(940) 387-3776 Ofc.
(940) 898-0196 Fax
Attorneys for Appellee Mary Craver Denny
Oral Argument Not Requested
Identity of Parties and Counsel
Appellant:
Norman Clarence Tolpo Trial and Appellate Counsel (Lead)
Frank A. Adams
Texas Bar No. 00855700
frankaadamspc@yahoo.com
Law Office of Adams & Adams
3280 Delaware Street
Post Office Drawer 7869
Beaumont, Texas 77726-7869
(409) 899-1900 Ofc.
(409) 892-3903 Fax
Appellate Counsel (Co-Counsel)
Bruce W. Cobb
Texas Bar No. 04431900
bwcobb54@gmail.com
Conley & Schexnaider
3280 Delaware
Beaumont, Texas 77703
(409) 899-3360 Ofc.
(409) 899-3372 Fax
Appellee:
Mary Craver Denny Trial and Appellate Counsel (Lead)
Curtis M. Loveless
Texas Bar No. 12607000
curtis@cmloveless.com
Darcy E. Loveless
Texas Bar No. 24013062
darcy@cmloveless.com
Loveless & Loveless, L.P.
218 N. Elm St.
Denton, Texas 76201
(940) 387-3776 Ofc.
(940) 898-0196 Fax
Appellate Counsel (Co-Counsel)
Adam T. Whitten
Texas Bar No. 24077199
adam@whittenlawfirm.com
Michael J. Whitten & Associates, P.C.
218 N. Elm St.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 383-1618 Ofc.
(940) 898-0196 Fax
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page i of xii
Table of Contents
Identity of Parties and Counsel ............................................................................... i
Table of Contents .................................................................................................... ii
Index of Authorities ................................................................................................ v
Record Citations..................................................................................................... ix
Statement of the Case ............................................................................................. x
Statement Regarding Oral Argument ................................................................... xi
Issues Presented .................................................................................................... xii
Statement of Facts................................................................................................... 1
Summary of the Argument ..................................................................................... 7
Argument ................................................................................................................. 8
Issue (1) Restated: Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it
limited Tolpo’s presentation of evidence after Tolpo failed to follow
discovery rules? ...........................................................................................8
(A) Tolpo failed to preserve error on the exclusion of evidence by
tendering an offer of proof or bill of exception. .................................8
(B) Even if Tolpo preserved error, the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in excluding evidence. ..................................................... 10
(1) Standard of review. ....................................................................... 10
(2) The trial court correctly excluded evidence not produced in
discovery. ............................................................................................ 11
Issue (2) Restated: Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it
characterized Denny’s condo as her separate property when she
purchased it before the marriage with separate funds?.................... 17
(A) Standard of Review and Applicable Law.......................................... 17
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page ii of xii
Issue (2)(a): Was there clear and convincing evidence of Denny’s
separate property ownership by inception of title? ................... 20
Issue (2)(b): Did Tolpo plead, present, and prove by clear and
convincing evidence that Denny delivered a gift of the condo? 21
(a) Applicable law on gifts and separate property. ....................... 21
(b) Denny’s testimony does not prove the contents of the deed. . 23
(c) Tolpo did not plead and present
clear and convincing evidence of a gift. ........................................ 26
Issue (3) Restated: Does the trial court’s failure to file findings of
fact and conclusions of law create harmful error?............................. 28
(A) Tolpo did not preserve error by timely filing notice of past-due
findings after the trial court modified the judgment. ...................... 28
(B) Tolpo was not harmed because he does not have to guess at the trial
court’s reasoning. .............................................................................. 30
(C) If Tolpo was harmed, then this Court should abate the appeal and
direct the trial court to remedy the error. ......................................... 32
Issue (4) Restated: Was Denny entitled to her attorney’s fees, and
were they reasonable, necessary, and segregated? ............................. 33
(A) Applicable Law and Standard of Review.......................................... 33
(B) Denny is entitled to her attorney’s fees.............................................. 34
(C) Denny proved her attorney’s fees and segregated them. .................. 36
Conclusion and Prayer.......................................................................................... 39
Certificate of Compliance .................................................................................... 40
Certificate of Service ............................................................................................ 40
Appendix ............................................................................................................... 41
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page iii of xii
(1) Order Modifying Final Decree of Divorce (CR 131–143) ......... Tab 1
(2) Denton County Local Rule 2.13 .................................................... Tab 2
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page iv of xii
Index of Authorities
Cases
A.G. Edwards & Sons v. Beyer, 235 S.W.3d 704 (Tex. 2007) .......................... 36
Akin v. Santa Clara Land Co., 34 S.W.3d 334
(Tex. App.—San Antonio, 2000, pet. denied).................................................. 8
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. v. Nat'l Dev. & Research Corp.,
299 S.W.3d 106 (Tex. 2009) ........................................................................... 33
Arthur Andersen v. Perry Equipment Corp., 945 S.W.2d 812 (Tex. 1997) ..... 36
Bahr v. Kohr, 980 S.W.2d 723
(Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, no pet.)............................................ 22, 26, 27
Barras v. Barras, 396 S.W.3d 154
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, pet. denied) ....................... 17, 19, 24
Byrnes v. Byrnes, 19 S.W.3d 556
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2000, no pet.) .......................................................... 34
Cameron v. Cameron, 641 S.W.2d 210 (Tex. 1982).......................................... 17
Cano v. Nino’s Paint and Body Shop, No 14-08-00033-CV
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 16, 2009) ......................................... 13
Chilton Ins. Co. v. Pate & Pate Enterprises, Inc.,
930 S.W.2d 877 (Tex. App.—San Antonio, 1996)........................................ 37
City of Laredo v. Montano, 414 S.W.3d 731 (Tex. 2013) (per curiam)............ 33
Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d 391 (Tex. 1983) .................................................... 35
Cornejo v. Jones, No. 05-12-01256-CV, 2014 WL 316607,
(Tex. App.—Dallas Jan. 4, 2014, no pet.) ...................................................... 15
Dallas Area Rapid Transit v. Morris, 434 S.W.3d 752
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2014, pet. denied) ........................................................... 10
Diaz v. Diaz, 350 S.W.3d 251
(Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, pet. denied)................................................. 33
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page v of xii
El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, 370 S.W.3d 757 (Tex. 2012) .............................. 33, 36
Estate of Finney, 424 S.W.3d 608 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.) ............. 10
Galvan v. Galvan, 534 S.W.2d 398
(Tex. Civ. App.—Austin, 1976, writ dism’d) ................................................ 22
Hayes v. Rinehart, 65 S.W.3d 286
(Tex. App.—Eastland 2001, no pet.) ........................................................ 21, 27
Hoefker v. Elgohary, 248 S.W.3d 326
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.) ............................................. 38
In re A.B.P., 291 S.W.3d 91 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet.) ...................... 18
In re A.M., 418 S.W.3d 830 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.) ................... 9, 15
In re Skarda, 345 S.W.3d 665 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.) ......... 22, 27
Jacobs v. Jacobs, 687 S.W.2d 731 (Tex. 1985).................................................. 17
Jensen v. Jensen, 665 S.W.2d 107 (Tex. 1984) .................................................. 18
Lane Bank Equip. Co. v. Smith S. Equip., Inc.,
10 S.W.3d 308 (Tex. 2000) ............................................................................. 28
Long v. Griffin, 442 S.W.3d 253 (Tex. 2014) (per curiam) ............................... 33
Magness v. Magness, 241 S.W.3d 910
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2007, pet. denied) ..................................................... 21, 26
McInnes v. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., 673 S.W.2d 185 (Tex. 1984)............ 9
Mecaskey v. Mills, 8 S.W.2d 688
(Tex. Civ. App—Fort Worth 1928, writ dism’d) ........................................... 23
Moroch v. Collins, 174 S.W.3d 849
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2005, pet. denied) ..................................................... 18, 20
Oscar Luis Lopez v. La Madeleine of Texas, 200 S.W.3d 854
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.) .................................................................. 11
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page vi of xii
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Malone,
972 S.W.2d 35 (Tex. 1998) ....................................................................... 10, 15
Perry v. S.N., 973 S.W.2d 301 (Tex. 1998) .......................................................... 1
Reaves v. Reaves, No. 11-11-00026-CV, 2012 WL 3799668,
(Tex. App.—Eastland Aug. 31, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.) ........................... 22
Sabine Offshore Serv., Inc. v. City of Port Arthur,
595 S.W.2d 840 (Tex. 1979) ............................................................................. 1
Sonnier v. Sonnier,
331, S.W.3d 211 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2011, no pet.) .............................. 29
Stavinoha v. Stavinoha, 126 S.W.3d 604
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, no pet.) .......................................... 19
White v. Harris-White, No. 01-07-00521-CV
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 28, 2009) ..................................... 30, 32
Wiesner v. FBI, 668 F. Supp. 2d 157 (D.D.C. 2009) ......................................... 23
Will. v. Cnty. of Dallas, 194 S.W.3d 29
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied) ..................................................... 13, 14
Constitutional Provisions
TEX. CONST. art. XVI, § 15 .................................................................................. 18
Statutes
TEX. FAM. CODE § 3.001 ................................................................................ 18, 21
TEX. FAM. CODE § 3.003 ...................................................................................... 18
TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.708(c)............................................................................ 33, 36
TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.709 ...................................................................................... 37
TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.711 .......................................................................... 30, 31, 32
TEX. FAM. CODE § 7.001 ...................................................................................... 17
TEX. FAM. CODE § 7.006 ...................................................................................... 34
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page vii of xii
Rules
DENTON CNTY. LOCAL R. 2.13 ............................................................................. 15
TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1 .............................................................................................. 34
TEX. R. APP. P. 33.2 ................................................................................................ 9
TEX. R. APP. P. 38.2(a)(1)(B) .....................................................................xi, xiii, 1
TEX. R. APP. P. 44.1(a) ......................................................................................... 18
TEX. R. APP. P. 44.4 .............................................................................................. 32
TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.6 ................................................................................ 11, 14, 15
TEX. R. CIV. P. 251................................................................................................ 14
TEX. R. CIV. P. 296.......................................................................................... 28, 30
TEX. R. CIV. P. 297.......................................................................................... 28, 29
TEX. R. CIV. P. 298 ................................................................................................ 30
TEX. R. CIV. P. 329b(g)......................................................................................... 28
TEX. R. CIV. P. 329b(h)......................................................................................... 28
TEX. R. EVID. 1004 ............................................................................................... 23
TEX. R. EVID. 1007 ......................................................................................... 23, 25
TEX. R. EVID. 103(a)(2) .......................................................................................... 8
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page viii of xii
Record Citations
Appellee will cite the Clerk’s Record as “CR [Page].”
Appellee will cite the Reporter’s Record as “[Vol.] RR [Page].”
Appellee will cite the Appendix to this brief as “Apx. [Tab].”
Volume 4 of the Reporter’s Record contains exhibits from the bench trial
(Vol. 2) as well as exhibits from the post-trial motion to modify and motion for
new trial (Vol. 3). To aid the Court and hopefully ease confusion, Appellee will
cite the exhibits “[hearing volume] RR [Ex. #].”
For example, Petitioner’s Exhibit 1 from the bench trial shall be cited as
“2 RR Pet. Ex. 1,” and Petitioner’s Exhibit 2 from the post-trial hearing shall be
cited as “3 RR Pet. Ex. 2.”
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page ix of xii
Statement of the Case
Denny is dissatisfied with Tolpo’s statement of the case and presents the
following for the Court’s consideration. TEX. R. APP. P. 38.2(a)(1)(B).
Nature of the This is a divorce and property characterization case.
Case
Appellee Mary Craver Denny filed for divorce from
Appellant Norman Clarence Tolpo. [CR 5–12 (Original
Petition for Divorce)]. Tolpo filed only a general denial
prior to rendition of judgment. [CR 13–14 (Respondent’s
Original Answer)]. The parties settled all issues between
them except for issues related to Denny’s condominium in
Austin, Texas. [4 RR Pet. Ex. 2, Vol. 2 (Agreement Inci-
dent to Divorce)].
Trial Court 442nd Judicial District Court, Denton County, Texas,
the Honorable Tiffany Haertling, presiding.1
Course of After a bench trial on April 28, 2015, Judge Haertling
Proceedings orally rendered judgment against Appellant and awarded
Appellee the Austin condo as her separate property. [2 RR
103:20–23].
Trial Court’s The trial court signed a Final Decree of Divorce on
Disposition May 26, 2015. [CR 61–72]. On Appellee’s motion, the
trial court entered a modified final judgment on July 17,
2015 [CR 131–143]; Apx. 1.
1
The case was originally assigned to the 362nd Judicial District Court, Denton County,
Texas, the Honorable Bruce McFarling, presiding. The case was administratively transferred
from the 362nd to the 442nd. [CR 222].
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page x of xii
Statement Regarding Oral Argument
This is a divorce and property characterization case. Denny believes the
law is settled and oral argument will not materially benefit the Court. Denny re-
serves the right to appear and argue if the Court sets the matter for oral submis-
sion.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page xi of xii
Issues Presented
Denny is dissatisfied with Tolpo’s issues presented and presents the fol-
lowing issues for the Court’s consideration. TEX. R. APP. P. 38.2(a)(1)(B).
(1) Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it limited Tolpo’s presen-
tation of evidence after Tolpo failed to follow discovery rules?
(2) Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it characterized Denny’s
condo as her separate property when she purchased it before the marriage with
separate funds?
(a) Was there clear and convincing evidence of Denny’s separate property
ownership by inception of title?
(b) Did Tolpo plead, present, and prove by clear and convincing evidence
that Denny delivered a gift of the condo?
(3) Does the trial court’s failure to file findings of fact and conclusions of
law create harmful error?
(4) Was Denny entitled to her attorney’s fees, and were they reasonable,
necessary, and segregated?
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page xii of xii
TO THE HONORABLE SECOND COURT OF APPEALS:
Appellee Mary Craver Denny respectfully files her Brief and would show
the Court the following:
Statement of Facts
Denny is dissatisfied with Tolpo’s statement of facts and presents the fol-
lowing for the Court’s consideration.2 TEX. R. APP. P. 38.2(a)(1)(B).
This is a divorce and property characterization case. Denny married Nor-
man Clarence Tolpo on or about May 6, 2005. [2 RR 24:17–19]. Tolpo threat-
ened to divorce Denny on several occasions. [2 RR 27:12–28:5]. Denny eventu-
ally filed for divorce on May 15, 2014. [CR 5–12]. Tolpo only filed a general
denial in response. [CR 13–14].
The parties entered into an Agreement Incident to Divorce confirming
most of the parties separate property and dividing any community or mixed char-
acter property. [2 RR Pet.’s Ex. 2]. The only remaining issues between the two
related to Denny’s condominium in Austin, Texas.
2
Tolpo’s statement of facts (and brief at large) is replete with references to discussions
in chambers, settlement negotiations, and other matters not presented at trial or at the post-trial
hearing. Such references are outside the record of this appeal and this Court should ignore
them. See e.g., Perry v. S.N., 973 S.W.2d 301, 303 (Tex. 1998) (“We may not consider factual
assertions that appear solely in the appellate briefs and not before the trial court.”) and Sabine
Offshore Serv., Inc. v. City of Port Arthur, 595 S.W.2d 840, 841 (Tex. 1979) (“Affidavits out-
side the record cannot be considered by the Court of Civil Appeals for any purpose other than
determining its own jurisdiction.”).
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 1 of 41
Denny bought her condo from Don and Ann Windle in 1993, twelve years
before the marriage. [2 RR Pet.’s Ex. 8]. Denny paid cash for her condo. [2 RR
26:2–7]. Denny paid all the expenses on her condo during the marriage. [2 RR
32:24–33:10 & 2 RR Pet. Ex. 6].
At the time Tolpo filed his answer, his attorney confirmed that Tolpo be-
lieved Denny’s condo was her separate property. [2 RR Pet. Ex. 9; “He prefers
not to get a divorce but if a divorce must happen, there is only one significant
piece of community property and that is a mortgage on a building on Guadalupe
Street in downtown Austin. Mr. Tolpo also has some pictures hanging on the
walls in Ms. Denny's condominium in Austin.”] (emphasis added).
The Agreement Incident to Divorce allowed, but did not obligate, the par-
ties to pursue any claims it wished regarding Denny’s condo: “The parties agree
and stipulate that either party may assert any claim, liability, debt obligation, ac-
tion or causes of action of any kind relating to or arising from the ownership and
liabilities of the Westgate condominium described herein below as [legal de-
scription of Denny’s condo].” [2 RR Pet. Ex. 2, p. 11, ¶ 3.17].
After the Agreement Incident to Divorce, Denny filed a First Amended
Petition for Divorce asserting that the condo was her separate property, or alter-
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 2 of 41
natively, to divide any community interest in a manner that was just and equita-
ble. [CR 19–31, ¶ 10]. Tolpo continued to rely on his previously-filed general
denial.
To gather evidence regarding the marital estate and condo specifically,
Denny sent Tolpo several routine discovery requests. [CR 15–18 (Certificates of
Written Discovery); 2 RR Pet. Ex. 1]. Tolpo failed to respond causing Denny to
file a motion to compel. [CR 34–49]. Afterwards, Tolpo and Denny entered into
a Rule 11 Agreement setting Tolpo’s deposition. [CR 50]. Tolpo untimely
moved to quash the deposition three days beforehand, but did not secure a hear-
ing or ruling. [CR 51–56].
Thereafter, Tolpo and Denny agreed to a final trial setting and had a spe-
cial setting with the trial court for April 28, 2015. [CR 57–58 (Notice of Final
Trial Setting); 2 RR 6:4–10 (special setting) & 9:9–15 (agreed setting)]. Despite
the agreed setting, Tolpo announced not ready and orally moved for a continu-
ance, which the trial court denied. [2 RR 6:14–16 (oral motion), 10:3–4 (contin-
uance denied)].
Denny testified on direct examination that Tolpo’s health and violent tem-
per caused strife in the marriage. [2 RR 27:2–11]. She testified about her owner-
ship of the condo and payment of expenses, totaling over $60,000 during the
marriage. [2 RR 32:24–33:10, 34:11–18 & 2 RR Pet. Ex. 6]. Denny read into
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 3 of 41
evidence the letter from Tolpo’s counsel that stated he believed the condo to be
Denny’s. [2 RR 36:19–24 & 2 RR Pet. Ex. 9]. She also testified that Tolpo, on
several occasions, stated that the condo was hers. [2 RR 36:25–37:10]. She tes-
tified that she never intended to convey Tolpo an interest in the condo. [2 RR
38:19–39:4]. Denny testified on cross examination that she intended to retain all
interest in her condo. [2 RR 52:4–7]. She also testified that Tolpo at first was not
asserting a claim to her condo. [2 RR 57:20–22].
During Denny’s cross examination, Tolpo attempted to question Denny
on a deed of a partial interest in her condo. Denny objected. After a review of the
objections and discovery requests, the trial court sustained Denny’s objection as
a discovery sanction and violation of local rules. [2 RR 45:5–49:13]. Tolpo again
attempted to get questions in regarding the deed, which the court denied. [2 RR
65:24–67:16].
After the conclusion of evidence and argument at bench trial, the trial
court orally awarded Denny’s condo to her as her separate property. [2 RR
103:20–23]. The trial court signed a Final Decree of Divorce on May 26, 2015.
[CR 61–71].
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 4 of 41
Denny filed a Motion for Temporary Orders Pending Appeal requesting
payment of certain condominium expenses during appeal, as well as appellate
attorney’s fees. [CR 77–78]. Denny also filed a Motion to Modify, Reform, or
Correct the Judgment, asking the Court to modify the judgment to include con-
ditional appellate attorney’s fees and for reimbursement to Denny for damages
to her condo caused by Tolpo. [CR 79–81]. The Court modified the judgment to
include appellate attorney’s fees and an award of $4,536.32 to Denny for dam-
ages to the condo caused by Tolpo. [3 RR 41:19–42:12 (oral rendition of dam-
ages); CR 128 (order); CR 131–143 (modified judgment)]. The trial court’s mod-
ified final judgment:
• Confirms the parties’ Agreement Incident to Divorce;
• Awards the condo as Denny’s separate property;
• Awards Denny $4,536.32 for damages to the condo3; and
• Awards Denny both attorney’s fees of $7,500 for trial and conditional
attorney’s fees on appeal.
[CR 131–143].
3
Tolpo admitted he owed these charges. [2 RR 93:10-25].
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 5 of 41
After the April 28 trial, Tolpo requested findings of fact and conclusions
of law, but the trial court did not file any. [CR 75–76 & 115–16]. Tolpo also filed
an Amended Answer without leave of the trial court 64 days after oral rendition
of judgment and 36 days after entry of the original written final decree, for the
first time filing a written pleading asserting the condo was his one-half separate
property through gift. [CR 96–99]. Tolpo also filed a motion for new trial. [CR
82–95]. The trial court denied Tolpo’s motion for new trial. [3 RR 19:25–20:1;
CR 127]. Tolpo timely filed his notice of appeal. [CR 129].
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 6 of 41
Summary of the Argument
Tolpo failed to preserve error on the exclusion of evidence because he did
not tender an offer of proof and the record does not contain a bill of exception.
Even if he did preserve error, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it
limited Tolpo’s presentation of the evidence because Tolpo did not follow well-
established rules for discovery and presentation of exhibits.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it characterized Denny’s
condo as her separate property. Denny bought the Westgate Condo twelve years
before the marriage with her separate funds. Denny presented clear and convinc-
ing evidence to rebut the presumption that the Condo was community property.
Tolpo failed to plead, prove, or present clear and convincing evidence that any
conveyance of an interest in the condo was a gift from Denny to Tolpo.
The trial court’s failure to file findings of fact and conclusions of law do
not create harmful error because Tolpo is able to present his appeal. Alterna-
tively, the correct remedy is for this Court to abate this appeal.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding Denny her attor-
ney’s fees. Denny pleaded, proved, and segregated her fees.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 7 of 41
Argument
This Court should affirm the trial court’s judgment in all things.
Issue (1) Restated: Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it limited
Tolpo’s presentation of evidence after Tolpo failed to follow discovery rules?
No. First, Tolpo failed to preserve error. Second, even if he did preserve
error, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in limiting Tolpo’s presentation
of evidence because Tolpo failed to respond to routine discovery, failed to appear
at an agreed deposition, failed to follow established witness and exhibit proce-
dures, and failed to file a written motion for continuance.
(A) Tolpo failed to preserve error on the exclusion of evidence
by tendering an offer of proof or bill of exception.
Tolpo’s second issue complains about the exclusion of a deed from Denny
to Tolpo allegedly conveying a 1/2 interest in the Austin condo. But Tolpo failed
to preserve error on the excluded evidence and has therefore waived this com-
plaint.
Tolpo failed to tender an offer of proof at trial. TEX. R. EVID. 103(a)(2). A
complaining party does not preserve error of excluded evidence “unless the sub-
stance of the evidence is made known to the court by offer, or was apparent from
the context within the questions were asked.” Akin v. Santa Clara Land Co., 34
S.W.3d 334, 339 (Tex. App.—San Antonio, 2000, pet. denied). “Without an of-
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 8 of 41
fer of proof, the appellate court cannot determine whether the exclusion of evi-
dence was harmful.” In re A.M., 418 S.W.3d 830, 840 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013,
no pet.) (citing Perez v. Lopez, 74 S.W.3d 60, 66 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2002, no
pet.)). Not once does the record reflect that Tolpo requested to tender an offer of
proof. Tolpo attempted to question Denny about the deed, but the trial court re-
peatedly sustained objections to those questions. Tolpo failed to request leave to
tender an offer of proof about the questions or the deed.
The record before this Court does not show that Tolpo requested or the
trial court permitted him to file a formal bill of exception. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.2.
A bill of exception is necessary to preserve error of matters outside the record.
Id. Because the record before this Court does not contain a formal bill of excep-
tion, the excluded deed is not before this Court for review.
This Court cannot reach the question of whether evidence was erroneously
excluded unless the excluded evidence is included in the record for its review via
offer of proof or bill of exception. See McInnes v. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.,
673 S.W.2d 185, 187 (Tex. 1984), aff'd, 977 S.W.2d 562 (Tex. 1998). Tolpo’s
failure to follow basic rules and procedures by tendering an offer of proof or bill
of exception precludes this Court’s review on appeal.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 9 of 41
(B) Even if Tolpo preserved error, the trial court did not
abuse its discretion in excluding evidence.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding evidence of
Tolpo’s alleged gift theory. Tolpo failed to follow discovery deadlines, failed to
appear at deposition, and failed to follow local rules for the exchange of exhibits
before trial. The trial court acted within its discretion. This Court should affirm.
(1) Standard of review.
The court of appeals reviews the trial court’s admission or exclusion of
evidence under an abuse of discretion standard. Estate of Finney, 424 S.W.3d
608, 612 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.). A trial court abuses its discretion
when it rules “without regard for any guiding rules or principles.” Owens-Corn-
ing Fiberglas Corp. v. Malone, 972 S.W.2d 35, 43 (Tex. 1998). A judgment will
not be reversed based on the admission or exclusion of evidence unless the ap-
pellant establishes that the trial court's ruling was error and the error probably
caused the rendition of an improper judgment. Id. When reviewing whether the
evidence was properly admitted or excluded, the appellate court must review the
entire record. Dallas Area Rapid Transit v. Morris, 434 S.W.3d 752, 763 (Tex.
App.—Dallas 2014, pet. denied). The appellate court must uphold a trial court's
evidentiary ruling if there is any legitimate basis in the record to support it.
Malone, 972 S.W.2d at 43.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 10 of 41
(2) The trial court correctly excluded evidence not produced in discovery.
Tolpo attempted to put a document into evidence after he failed to respond
to discovery requests and to follow established local rules to exchange exhibits
before trial. The trial court excluded the document and testimony regarding it
because of these violations. The trial court acted within the parameters of estab-
lished procedural rules and thus did not abuse its discretion.
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 193.6 mandates the exclusion of evidence
when a party fails to timely respond to discovery. TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.6. The rule
provides an exception where the party seeking to introduce evidence shows good
cause or that the evidence will not “unfairly surprise or unfairly prejudice the
other parties.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.6(a)(1)–(2). The burden rests on the party
seeking to introduce evidence. TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.6(b). The trial court’s ruling
must be supported by the record. TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.6(c). “[Rule 193.6] applies
when the existence of evidence was not disclosed in a timely manner, whether
or not such evidence related to an issue both parties knew existed in the case.”
Oscar Luis Lopez v. La Madeleine of Texas, 200 S.W.3d 854, 862 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2006, no pet.).
Tolpo’s brief appears to abandon any arguments related to good cause.
That is because he had none. Tolpo totally failed to respond to timely discovery
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 11 of 41
requests that would have required production of the deed. Tolpo failed to attend
an agreed upon deposition where he could have been questioned about the al-
leged gift by deed. Tolpo failed to exchange exhibits prior to trial. Tolpo at-
tempted to continue an agreed, specially set trial. Tolpo exercised his obstreper-
ousness at every turn of the proceedings in an attempt to avoid trial. He had no
good cause for failing to produce the document before trial, and he knew it.
Tolpo instead argues that introduction of the document would not work
unfair surprise or prejudice to Denny. But Tolpo’s argument that there was no
trial by ambush is not supported by the case law and the record.
The record contains Denny’s Request for Production, [2 RR Pet. Ex. 1],
the Rule 11 agreement setting Tolpo’s deposition, [2 RR Pet. Ex. 3], Tolpo’s
motion to continue the deposition, [2 RR Pet. Ex. 4], and her motion to compel,
[2 RR Pet. Ex. 5]. The Rule 11 Agreement limited the requests for production to
documents related to Denny’s condo. [2 RR Pet. Ex. 3 (“I only want documents
pertaining to the claims regarding the Austin condominium”)]. In reviewing the
documents and Denny’s objection, the trial court asked Tolpo whether the doc-
ument was ever produced in discovery, to which he replied “no.” [2 RR 47:20–
49:13]. The trial court denied the introduction of the document because it was
not produced in discovery. Id. The record thus supports the trial court’s exclusion
of the document.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 12 of 41
Likewise, the case law does not support Tolpo’s argument. Tolpo relies
on both Cano v. Nino’s Paint and Body Shop, No 14-08-00033-CV (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 16, 2009) and Williams v. Cnty. of Dallas, 194 S.W.3d
29, 32-33 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied), for the proposition that the trial
court’s admission of documents not produced in discovery does not work unfair
surprise or prejudice when “both parties had actual knowledge of the document.”
But Tolpo misstates the law, and Cano and Williams are distinguishable.
The Williams court affirmed the admittance of tax statements not pro-
duced in discovery because the county’s pleadings had put Williams on notice
of the issues and property in dispute, attached as an exhibit a statement for most
of the tax years in question, and stated that the suit covered all delinquent taxes
owed at time of trial. Williams, 194 S.W.3d at 32-33. The Cano court, relying on
Williams, applied the same logic, ruling that the trial court did not err admitting
five documents not produced in discovery because the same documents were
attached to the defendant’s pleadings. Cano, No 14-08-00033-CV.
Here, Tolpo filed only a general denial before trial. [CR 13–14]. He did
not attach exhibits. The general denial does not contain any affirmative pleading
regarding Tolpo’s separate property theory of gift. So unlike Williams and Cano,
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 13 of 41
Tolpo provided no notice of his theories and no notice of his supporting docu-
mentation before the trial date. The trial court therefore was well-within its
bounds to exclude the evidence.
Tolpo also misstates where the prejudice should fall, claiming that the ex-
clusion of the document works unfair prejudice to him. But the Rule states
plainly that the trial court must find that introduction of the evidence would not
“unfairly prejudice the other parties,” not the party moving its admission. TEX.
R. CIV. P. 193.6(a)(2) (emphasis added); Williams, 194 S.W.3d at 32-33. The
“unfair prejudice” to Tolpo was due entirely to his own conduct and is of no
consequence in this Court’s review.
Tolpo finally argues that the trial court should have granted a continuance
so that Tolpo could formally disclose the document. Appellant’s Brief at 23–24;
see TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.6(c). This is incorrect for two reasons. First, Tolpo re-
quested a continuance based on alleged health reasons of the client and his pro-
nouncement that he was not ready for trial. [2 RR 5:19–6:16]. The trial court
denied continuance. [2 RR 10:3–4]. Tolpo never requested a continuance under
Rule 193.6 after the trial court excluded the document he sought to admit. Sec-
ond, Tolpo presented only an oral motion for continuance, which does not com-
ply with the rules. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 251. Thus, Tolpo failed to preserve error
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 14 of 41
on any complaint about a continuance. In re A.M., 418 S.W.3d at 838 (citing
Strong v. Strong, 350 S.W.3d 759, 762 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011, pet. denied)).
Additionally, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it excluded
the document based on Denton County Local Rule 2.13, which requires the ex-
change of witness lists, exhibit lists, and exhibits prior to trial. See Apx. 2, DEN-
TON CNTY. LOCAL R. 2.134. The local rule authorizes the trial court to exclude
witnesses and exhibits not exchanged prior to trial. Id. The trial court did exactly
that and excluded the document because Tolpo did not exchange it prior to trial.
[2 RR 39:13–40:2].
The trial court correctly excluded the document and testimony. The trial
court expressly referred to guiding rules and principles in doing so and did not
err in its application of those rules and principles. Malone, 972 S.W.2d at 43. The
trial court therefore did not abuse its discretion in excluding the document under
both TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.6 and DENTON CNTY. LOCAL R. 2.13. See Cornejo v.
Jones, No. 05-12-01256-CV, 2014 WL 316607, at *3 (Tex. App.—Dallas Jan.
4, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op.) (stating that the trial court “possesses no discretion”
4
In practice, local practitioners exchange these the Friday before trial unless a sched-
uling order requires otherwise.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 15 of 41
in excluding evidence absent showing of good cause or unfair surprise or preju-
dice). This Court should thus affirm the exclusion of the document and testimony
related to it.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 16 of 41
Issue (2) Restated: Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it character-
ized Denny’s condo as her separate property when she purchased it before
the marriage with separate funds?
No. The property was presumed community and each side must present
clear and convincing evidence that it was their separate property. Denny pre-
sented clear and convincing evidence that she purchased the condo before mar-
riage, defeating the community property presumption. But Tolpo failed to plead,
present, and prove by clear and convincing evidence that Denny gifted him an
undivided 1/2 interest in the condo. This Court should therefore affirm.
(A) Standard of Review and Applicable Law
In a decree of divorce, a trial court must “order a division of the estate of
the parties in a manner that the court deems just and right.” TEX. FAM. CODE
§ 7.001. Only the community property of the parties is subject to division. Jacobs
v. Jacobs, 687 S.W.2d 731, 733 (Tex. 1985). To determine whether the trial court
erred in characterizing property, a reviewing court applies an abuse of discretion
standard.5 Barras v. Barras, 396 S.W.3d 154, 164 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2013, pet. denied). Under an abuse of discretion standard, the legal and
5
Tolpo cites Cameron v. Cameron, 641 S.W.2d 210, 220 (Tex. 1982), to argue that
this Court conducts a de novo review of the characterization of marital assets. Appellant’s Brief
at 16. Cameron, decided before the Legislature enacted TEX. FAM. CODE § 3.001, involved
characterization and division of personal property assets acquired in both community property
and common law property states. Nowhere in Cameron does the Court state that review of
characterization is de novo. The correct standard of review is abuse of discretion.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 17 of 41
factual sufficiency of the evidence are not independent grounds of error, but rel-
evant factors for determining whether the trial court abused its discretion. Mo-
roch v. Collins, 174 S.W.3d 849, 857 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2005, pet. denied). To
determine whether the trial court abused its discretion the reviewing court con-
siders whether the trial court (1) had sufficient evidence on which to exercise its
discretion and (2) erred in its exercise of that discretion. In re A.B.P., 291 S.W.3d
91, 95 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet.). Based on the elicited evidence the
appellate court determines whether the trial court made a reasonable decision. Id.
An abuse of discretion generally does not occur if some evidence of a substantive
and probative character exists to support the trial court's decision. Id. If an abuse
of discretion is shown, a reviewing court considers whether the error was harm-
less. See TEX. R. APP. P. 44.1(a).
It is presumed that property possessed by spouses on the dissolution of
marriage is community property. TEX. FAM. CODE § 3.003(a). But the presump-
tion is overcome by clear and convincing evidence that the asset is the separate
property of a spouse. Id. at § 3.003(b). Property a spouse owns before marriage
is separate property. TEX. CONST. art. XVI, § 15; TEX. FAM. CODE § 3.001(2).
The separate or community character of property is determined by tracing the
inception of title to the property. Jensen v. Jensen, 665 S.W.2d 107, 109 (Tex.
1984).
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 18 of 41
“The spouse claiming the separate nature of certain property must trace
and clearly identify the property claimed to be separate.” Barras, 396 S.W.3d at
163 (citing Graves v. Tomlinson, 329 S.W.3d 128, 139 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] 2010, pet. denied)). A spouse claiming separate property must prove
its case through clear and convincing evidence. Stavinoha v. Stavinoha, 126
S.W.3d 604, 607 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, no pet.). When re-
viewing the sufficiency of a separate property finding, a reviewing court is
instructed to look at all the evidence in the light most favorable to
the finding to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could
have formed a firm belief or conviction that its finding was true.
Looking at the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding
means that [the reviewing court] must (1) assume that the fact
finder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable
fact finder could do so, and (2) disregard all contrary evidence that
a reasonable fact finder could have disbelieved or found to have
been incredible. However, [the reviewing court is] not required to
disregard undisputed facts that do not support the finding, because
that might skew a clear and convincing analysis. If [the reviewing
court] determine[s] that no reasonable fact finder could form a firm
belief or conviction of the truth of the matter to be proved, [the re-
viewing court] must conclude that the evidence is legally insuffi-
cient.
Id. at 607 (citing In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002)). “As a general
rule, the clear and convincing standard is not satisfied by testimony that property
possessed at the time the marriage is dissolved is separate property when such
testimony is contradicted or unsupported by documentary evidence tracing the
asserted separate nature of the property.” Barras, 396 S.W.3d at 164.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 19 of 41
Issue (2)(a): Was there clear and convincing evidence of
Denny’s separate property ownership by inception of title?
Yes. This is undisputed. Denny purchased her condo 12 years before her
marriage to Tolpo. [2 RR Pet.’s Ex. 8]. Denny paid cash for her condo. [2 RR
26:2–7]. Tolpo does not dispute this and the deed was admitted without objec-
tion. [2 RR 26:16–19]. Denny paid all the expenses on her condo during the mar-
riage. [2 RR 32:24–33:10 & 2 RR Pet. Ex. 6]. The trial court therefore did not
err in finding that Denny presented clear and convincing evidence tracing the
inception of title of the condo to rebut the presumption that it was community
property. Moroch, 174 S.W.3d at 856 (citing McKinley v. McKinley, 496 S.W.2d
540, 543 (Tex. 1973)).
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 20 of 41
Issue (2)(b): Did Tolpo plead, present, and prove by clear and
convincing evidence that Denny delivered a gift of the condo?
No. Tolpo did not plead the condo was his separate property by gift, and
regardless, he did not present clear and convincing evidence establishing Denny
made a gift of the condo. Tolpo failed to prove his case. This Court should affirm.
(a) Applicable law on gifts and separate property.
Property a spouse acquired during marriage by gift is separate property.
TEX. FAM. CODE § 3.001(2). A deed for property from one spouse as grantor to
the other spouse as grantee creates a rebuttable presumption that the grantee
spouse received the property as separate property by gift. Magness v. Magness,
241 S.W.3d 910, 913 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2007, pet. denied). A gift is a transfer
of property made voluntarily and gratuitously, without consideration. Id. The ex-
istence of a gift requires sufficient proof of: (1) intent to make a gift; (2) delivery
of the property; and (3) acceptance of the property. Hayes v. Rinehart, 65 S.W.3d
286, 289 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2001, no pet.).
The intent of the donor is the principal issue in determining whether a gift
was made. Id. at 289. The spouse opposing gift may rebut the presumption of a
gift by offering evidence of fraud, accident, or mistake in the conveyance. Mag-
ness, 241 S.W.3d at 912–13. The opposing spouse may also rebut the presump-
tion through parole evidence that the deed was not intended as a gift when the
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 21 of 41
deed contains no specific recitals to that effect. Bahr v. Kohr, 980 S.W.2d 723,
726–27 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, no pet.); accord Galvan v. Galvan, 534
S.W.2d 398, 400 (Tex. Civ. App.—Austin, 1976, writ dism’d) (citing Hampshire
v. Hampshire, 485 S.W.2d 314 (Tex. Civ. App.—Fort Worth 1972, no writ)) and
Reaves v. Reaves, No. 11-11-00026-CV, 2012 WL 3799668, at *6–7 (Tex.
App.—Eastland Aug. 31, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.).
‘Whether property given by one spouse to the other is a gift and the
recipient's separate property is a fact-intensive decision.’ A trial
court, sitting as trier of fact, is the sole judge of the credibility of
the witnesses and the weight assigned their testimony. As such, the
trial court may consider all the facts and surrounding circumstances
in connection with the testimony of each witness and accept or re-
ject all or any part of that testimony.
In re Skarda, 345 S.W.3d 665, 671–72 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011, no pet.) (ci-
tations omitted).
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 22 of 41
(b) Denny’s testimony does not prove the contents of the deed.
Tolpo misplaces his reliance on Mecaskey v. Mills, 8 S.W.2d 688, 690
(Tex. Civ. App—Fort Worth 1928, writ dism’d), and TEX. R. EVID. 1007. Mecas-
key holds that an exception to the best evidence rule exists when a party makes
an admission of the contents of a document. Mecaskey, 8 S.W.2d at 690. Rule of
Evidence 1007 essentially codified this common-law principle and states, “The
proponent may prove the content of a writing, recording, or photograph by the
testimony, deposition, or written statement of the party against whom the evi-
dence is offered. The proponent need not account for the original.” TEX. R. EVID.
1007.6 The rule therefore requires the testimony of the contents to come from the
opposing party. But the record reflects that Denny never testified about the con-
tents of the deed, and the admissible portions of her testimony do not support
Tolpo’s claim.
6
Rule 1007, an exception to TEX. R. EVID. 1002, is identical to its federal counterpart,
but Denny can locate scant case law on the rule at either level. One federal case indicates that
Rule 1004 provides a gate-keeping function by first requiring certain conditions to be met be-
fore authorizing secondary evidence to prove the contents of a writing. See Wiesner v. FBI,
668 F. Supp. 2d 157, 159–60 (D.D.C. 2009) (suggesting that documents must be unavailable
under FED. R. EVID. 1004 before contents admissible under Rule 1007). If Rule 1004 is indeed
a prerequisite to Rule 1007, Tolpo fails to meet that burden. See TEX. R. EVID. 1004 (stating
original not required if is it (1) lost or destroyed; (2) cannot be obtained by judicial process; (3)
is not located in Texas; (4) in the control of the other party; or (5) not closely related to the
controlling issue). The document at issue does not meet any of those requirements. But even if
Rule 1004 is not applicable, Tolpo’s argument still fails based on the plain language of Rule
1007.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 23 of 41
Denny testified that she did not intend to convey Tolpo an interest but she
put him on a deed “so that if [she] died, he’d have a place to live.” [2 RR 38:21–
22]. She testified to her signature on a deed, but it was never admitted into evi-
dence. [2 RR 44:13–14]. Afterward, the trial court excluded the deed and future
testimony regarding it. [2 RR 49:9–13]. Denny therefore never testified about
the contents of the deed. Specifically, Denny never testified about the interest
transferred, whether it was transferred as a gift, whether it was transferred to the
community estate or to Tolpo’s separate estate, or any other contents of the doc-
ument. Additionally, the trial court specifically did not review the contents of the
deed before Tolpo offered it into evidence. [2 RR 44:6–7 (“Court: Here. You can
take this one because I shouldn't have it.”)].
After the trial court’s evidentiary ruling on the admissibility of the deed,
Tolpo testified about his belief in a one-half ownership due to an oral agreement.
[2 RR 93:3–6]. But this self-serving testimony does not satisfy Rule 1007 or
Mecaskey. See also Barras, 396 S.W.3d at 164 (“As a general rule, the clear and
convincing standard is not satisfied by testimony that property possessed at the
time the marriage is dissolved is separate property when such testimony is con-
tradicted or unsupported by documentary evidence tracing the asserted separate
nature of the property.”). Under the plain language of Rule 1007 the contents of
the document were not testified to by “the party against whom the evidence is
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 24 of 41
offered.” TEX. R. EVID. 1007. Mecaskey likewise does not provide relief. More-
over, Tolpo’s attorney affirmed in a letter that the condo was Denny’s. [2 RR Pl.
Ex. 9]. Tolpo’s reliance is therefore misplaced, and this Court should affirm.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 25 of 41
(c) Tolpo did not plead and present clear and convincing evidence of a gift.
“A party asserting separate property has the burden of rebutting the com-
munity property presumption by clear and convincing evidence.” Bahr, 980
S.W.2d at 726–27. To prove his case of separate property by gift Tolpo had to
present clear and convincing evidence that (1) Denny intended to make a gift of
an interest in the condo; (2) Denny delivered the interest in the condo to Tolpo;
and (3) Tolpo accepted the interest in the condo. Magness, 241 S.W.3d at 913. If
the deed was in evidence, then Tolpo would be entitled to a rebuttable presump-
tion that the deed created a gift. Id.. Since the trial court excluded the document,
Tolpo is not entitled to that presumption. Tolpo failed to produce clear and con-
vincing evidence of any of the elements of gift, and this Court should affirm.
Tolpo could not establish donative intent because Denny’s testimony is
unequivocal: She did not intend to convey an ownership interest in her condo to
Tolpo, certainly did not intend a gift, and intended to retain the entire condo for
herself. [2 RR 38:16–39:4, 52:4–7]. Furthermore, Denny’s testimony that she
paid all the expenses on the condo during the marriage from her separate property
is evidence that refutes both donative intent and intent to deliver an interest.
[2 RR 32:24–33:10 & 2 RR Pet. Ex. 6]. Lastly, Tolpo’s own admissions that he
forgot about any interest in the condo and his attorney’s admissions that the
condo was Denny’s neutralizes any proof in the record that Tolpo accepted any
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 26 of 41
conveyance of an interest. [2 RR 84:8–11; 2 RR Pet. Ex. 9]. The intent of the
donor is the principal issue in determining whether a gift was made. Hayes, 65
S.W.3d at 289. Because of the foregoing evidence the trial court did not abuse
its discretion in concluding no gift existed and the condo was Denny’s separate
property.
But even if the trial court admitted the deed into evidence it was still within
its discretion to award Denny her condo as her separate property. When a “deed
does not expressly recite the character and use of the property . . . the parol evi-
dence rule does not prevent introduction of evidence to rebut the presumptions
of community property and gift.” Bahr, 980 S.W.2d at 727. In a bench trial the
court is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight assigned
their testimony. In re Skarda, 345 S.W.3d at 671–72. The trial court’s acceptance
of Denny’s testimony and rejection of Tolpo’s testimony holds up to rebut the
presumption of a gift.
Tolpo did not meet his burden of clear and convincing evidence of a gift.
This Court should therefore affirm.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 27 of 41
Issue (3) Restated: Does the trial court’s failure to file findings of fact and
conclusions of law create harmful error?
No. Tolpo failed to timely file notice of past-due findings and thus waived
error. Even if he did, Tolpo did not suffer harmful error because the record shows
he was he was not prevented from arguing his appeal. In the alternative, if there
is harmful error, the appropriate remedy is to abate this appeal with instructions
for the trial court to file findings and supplement the record.
(A) Tolpo did not preserve error by timely filing notice of
past-due findings after the trial court modified the judgment.
Tolpo timely requested findings of fact and conclusions of law and timely
filed a notice of past due findings from the original judgment. But the trial court
modified the judgment, restarting the timetables. Tolpo thus failed to timely file
notice of past-due findings and has waived error.
A motion to modify the judgment delays the date the judgment becomes
final. TEX. R. CIV. P. 329b(g); see Lane Bank Equip. Co. v. Smith S. Equip., Inc.,
10 S.W.3d 308, 312–13 (Tex. 2000). Any modification of the judgment made
while the trial court retains plenary power restarts the appellate timetables. TEX.
R. CIV. P. 329b(h); see Lane Bank Equip. Co., 10 S.W.3d at 312–13.
A party must request findings of fact and conclusions of law within 20
days of the judgment. TEX. R. CIV. P. 296. If the court does not file them, the
party must file a notice of past due findings. TEX. R. CIV. P. 297. Failure to file a
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 28 of 41
notice of past due findings waives appellate complaint. Sonnier v. Sonnier, 331,
S.W.3d 211, 214 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2011, no pet.). In that situation the
court of appeals presumes all findings necessary to support the judgment. Id.
Denny filed a motion to modify, correct, or reform the judgment, [CR 79],
which the trial court granted. The trial court signed the modified judgment on
July 17, 2015. [CR 131]7. Because Tolpo filed his request for findings of fact
prematurely to the modified judgment, they are deemed filed on the day of the
modified judgment. TEX. R. CIV. P. 306c. But Tolpo failed to re-file his notice of
past due findings by August 16, 2015, thirty days after the filing of his request.
TEX. R. CIV. P. 297. It would make no sense to rule that the previously-filed no-
tice of past due findings was timely based on Rule 306c because the findings
were not past-due on July 17. Tolpo has therefore waived his appellate com-
plaint, and this Court should presume all findings necessary to support the judg-
ment. Sonnier, 331, S.W.3d at 214.
7
Denny calculates the trial court’s original deadline to file the findings, 40 days from
the original request, as July 18, 2015.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 29 of 41
(B) Tolpo was not harmed because he does not have to guess
at the trial court’s reasoning.
This is not a situation where a party is left to guess the trial court’s reason-
ing regarding multiple parties, claims, and issues. This two-party case presented
the trial court with one primary issue, and the trial court ruled in Denny’s favor.
At the request of a party, the trial court must file findings of fact and con-
clusions of law concerning the characterization and value of the marital estate.
TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.711; TEX. R. CIV. P. 296, 298. An appellant is presumptively
harmed by the trial court’s failure to file sufficient findings unless the face of the
record reflects that the appellant was not harmed. White v. Harris-White, No. 01-
07-00521-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 28, 2009) (citing Panchal
v. Panchal, 132 S.W.3d 465, 466–67 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2003, no pet.). “The
failure to make sufficient findings of fact becomes harmful error when the ap-
pellant is prevented from making an appeal.” Id. “The remedy for such a harmful
error is for the reviewing court to abate the appeal.” Id. “The controlling issue is
whether the circumstances of the particular case require the appellant to guess at
the reasons for the trial court's decision.” Id..
Section 6.711 instructs the trial court to file findings of fact and conclu-
sions of law concerning “(1) the characterization of each party's assets, liabilities,
claims, and offsets on which disputed evidence has been presented; and (2) the
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 30 of 41
value or amount of the community estate's assets, liabilities, claims, and offsets
on which disputed evidence has been presented.” TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.711(a).
In light of the Agreement Incident to Divorce, the parties presented dis-
puted evidence over one issue: Is Denny’s condo her separate property, or does
it hold another character? Denny’s case was plain—she bought her condo 12
years before the marriage. And the trial court agreed.
Tolpo does not have to guess at the evidence or legal theories involved.
The trial court as fact finder weighed the credible evidence in Denny’s favor and
against Tolpo, applying the law that property purchased before marriage is sep-
arate property. The case distills to that. The circumstances of this case do not
require Tolpo to guess beyond this.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 31 of 41
(C) If Tolpo was harmed, then this Court should abate the ap-
peal and direct the trial court to remedy the error.
If the Court concludes there is harmful error by the trial court’s failure to
file findings of fact and conclusions of law under TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.711, then
the correct remedy is for this Court to abate this appeal with instructions to the
trial court to file the required findings. White, No. 01-07-00521-CV (citing Pan-
chal v. Panchal, 132 S.W.3d 465, 467 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2003, no pet.).
In the alternative to a resolution on the merits as argued above, if the Court
concludes that Tolpo correctly requested findings of fact and conclusion of law,
then Denny moves the Court to abate this appeal and instruct the trial court to
file findings of fact and conclusions of law compliant with TEX. FAM. CODE
§ 6.711. See TEX. R. APP. P. 44.4 (authorizing court of appeals to direct trial court
to correct remediable error).
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 32 of 41
Issue (4) Restated: Was Denny entitled to her attorney’s fees, and were they
reasonable, necessary, and segregated?
Yes. Denny’s attorney’s fees were authorized, supported by appropriate
evidence and expert testimony, and were segregated. The trial court did not abuse
its discretion in awarding them.
(A) Applicable Law and Standard of Review
A Texas trial court can generally award attorney’s fees only under a con-
tract or a statute. See Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. v. Nat'l Dev. &
Research Corp., 299 S.W.3d 106, 120 (Tex. 2009). A trial court has discretion
to award reasonable attorney’s fees in a suit for dissolution of marriage. TEX.
FAM. CODE § 6.708(c). Attorney’s fees must be supported by some evidence,
usually expert testimony of the party’s attorney in addition to invoices, and fees
calculated under a lodestar method (reasonable hourly rate times reasonable
hours on the case) should usually be supported by specific evidence instead of
generalities. See Long v. Griffin, 442 S.W.3d 253, 254–56 (Tex. 2014) (per cu-
riam); City of Laredo v. Montano, 414 S.W.3d 731, 736–37 (Tex. 2013) (per
curiam); El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, 370 S.W.3d 757, 763 (Tex. 2012). The court
of appeals reviews the award of attorney’s fees for an abuse of discretion. Diaz
v. Diaz, 350 S.W.3d 251, 256 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, pet. denied).
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 33 of 41
(B) Denny is entitled to her attorney’s fees
Tolpo’s argument that the Agreement Incident to Divorce precludes
Denny’s attorney’s fees is incorrect. First, Tolpo failed to raise the argument in
the trial court and thus waived it. Second, reading the Agreement as a whole
shows that the parties did not intend to limit any claims related to Denny’s condo,
including claims for attorney’s fees.
Tolpo appears to argue that the Agreement precludes attorney’s fees under
the Texas Family Code. Tolpo failed to preserve error that Denny was not enti-
tled to attorney’s fees under the Agreement when he failed to timely complain to
the trial court. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1. Indeed, Tolpo failed to ask Denny’s attorney
a single question on cross examination, [2 RR 78:20–21], or raise the issue in his
closing arguments. [2 RR 101:21–103:19]. But even if he had not waived the
error, the Agreement does not support Tolpo’s arguments.
The Agreement is a contract between Tolpo and Denny because it was
approved by the trial court at both parties’ request and incorporated into the final
divorce decree. TEX. FAM. CODE § 7.006; see Byrnes v. Byrnes, 19 S.W.3d 556,
559–60 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2000, no pet.) (citing Traylor v. Traylor, 789
S.W.2d 701 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1990, no writ.) (stating circumstances an
agreed incident to divorce becomes an enforceable contract). In construing a
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 34 of 41
written contract, the primary concern of the court is to ascertain the true inten-
tions of the parties as expressed in the instrument. Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d
391, 393 (Tex. 1983). To achieve this objective, courts should examine and con-
sider the entire writing in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all the provi-
sions of the contract so that none will be rendered meaningless. Id. No single
provision taken alone will be given controlling effect; rather, all the provisions
must be considered with reference to the whole instrument. Id.
Paragraph 3.14 of the Agreement entitles a party enforcing the Agreement
to attorney’s fees, but the clause “does not apply to any litigation over the West-
gate condominium.” [2 RR Pet. Ex. 2]. The Agreement further expressly pro-
vides that the parties “may assert any claim, liability, debt obligation, action or
causes of action of any kind” regarding Denny’s condo. [2 RR Pet. Ex. 2, ¶ 3.17].
The Agreement released all claims except for those related to Denny’s condo. [2
RR Pet. Ex. 2, ¶ 3.2]. The Agreement as a whole shows that the parties intended
to reserve the parties’ right to assert any claim regarding Denny’s condo, includ-
ing a claim for attorney’s fees. Coker, 650 S.W.2d at 393. Tolpo’s argument that
the parties intended to exclude only the attorney’s fees regarding Denny’s condo
simply does not follow from the language of the rest of the Agreement.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 35 of 41
(C) Denny proved her attorney’s fees and segregated them.
A trial court may award reasonable attorney’s fees in a suit for dissolution
of marriage. TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.708(c). Attorney’s fees should be supported by
evidence of the well-known, non-exhaustive factors from Arthur Andersen v.
Perry Equipment Corp., 945 S.W.2d 812, 818 (Tex. 1997). Attorney’s fees
should be segregated by claims, but a party need not segregate fees for insepara-
ble legal services. See A.G. Edwards & Sons v. Beyer, 235 S.W.3d 704, 710 (Tex.
2007).
Denny pleaded for her attorney’s fees. [CR 24, ¶ 21]. Denny introduced
her invoices from the entire case. [2 RR Pet. Ex. 7]; El Apple I, Ltd., 370 S.W.3d
at 763. Her attorney testified at length about the time and labor required, his
hourly fee, and his knowledge, experience, and reputation, as well as covering
those factors for his paralegals and law partner. [2 RR 70:9–78:20]; Arthur An-
dersen, 945 S.W.2d at 818. Denny thus proved her entire legal expenses, which
she then segregated.
Denny’s attorney testified that the fight over Denny’s condo began in late-
August and thus segregated out $6,000 from the total. [2 RR 78:15–19] (“And
so that would take $6,000 off of the total that I had testified to earlier from the
[$]23,871.31. And those, I believe, were fees that unfortunately were necessary,
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 36 of 41
due to the problems dealing with the Austin condominium.”). But even looking
at the invoices the trial court’s award is justified.
Denny signed the Agreement Incident to Divorce at the end of January
2015. Taking the first invoices starting at January 29 through the trial date, April
28, 2015, shows a total billed charge of approximately $10,422. [See 2 RR Pet.
Ex. 7]. The trial court’s award of $7,500 for work through trial was thus not only
reasonable but also significantly discounted from the actual work performed.
Finally, Tolpo has judicially admitted that Denny segregated her attor-
ney’s fees at trial. [CR 89 (Resp.’s Mot. for New Trial): “Even the attorney fees
to Petitioner's attorney related to the title and ownership of the condominium and
not the settlement of the vast majority of the parties' assets.”]; see e.g. Chilton
Ins. Co. v. Pate & Pate Enterprises, Inc., 930 S.W.2d 877, 884 (Tex. App.—San
Antonio, 1996) (citing Houston First Am. Sav. v. Musick, 650 S.W.2d 764, 767
(Tex.1983)) (“A judicial admission occurs when an assertion of fact is conclu-
sively established in live pleadings, making the introduction of other pleadings
or evidence unnecessary.”). This Court could affirm on that basis alone. But even
if this were not a judicial admission, Denny still proved her case as shown above.
Tolpo also misstates that the appellate fees are mandatory. Although
Denny moved the trial court for post-judgment attorney’s fees on appeal to pre-
serve the property and the status quo, see TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.709, the trial court
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 37 of 41
denied that motion. [3 RR 41:19–43:7]8. Instead, the trial court reformed the
judgment, which specifies the appellate fees are conditioned on an unsuccessful
appeal. [CR 140–41, ¶ 29–30 (“In the event an appeal by NORMAN CLAR-
ENCE TOLPO to the Court of Appeals is made but is unsuccessful”)]. Denny’s
attorney testified about his expected appellate fees. [3 RR 31:17–32:22]. An
award of appellate fees must be conditional on an unsuccessful appeal. See
Hoefker v. Elgohary, 248 S.W.3d 326, 332 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
2007, no pet.).
The trial court therefore did not abuse its discretion in awarding Denny
her attorney’s fees, either for trial or conditional fees on appeal, and this Court
should affirm.
8
The record does not contain a written order denying Denny’s post-judgment motion
for support.
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 38 of 41
Conclusion and Prayer
Tolpo did not preserve error on many of his appellate points, and even if
he did, the trial court did not abuse its discretion on any of them.
In consideration of the foregoing, this Court should conclude that the trial
court committed no reversible error and therefore affirm the trial court’s final
judgment in all things.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Adam T. Whitten
Curtis M. Loveless Adam T. Whitten
Texas Bar No. 12607000 Texas Bar No. 24077199
curtis@cmloveless.com adam@whittenlawfirm.com
Darcy E. Loveless Michael J. Whitten & Associates, P.C.
Texas Bar No. 24013062 218 N. Elm St.
darcy@cmloveless.com Denton, TX 76201
Loveless & Loveless, L.P. (940) 383-1618 Ofc.
218 N. Elm St. (940) 898-0196 Fax
Denton, Texas 76201
(940) 387-3776 Ofc.
(940) 898-0196 Fax
Attorneys for Appellee
Mary Craver Denny
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 39 of 41
Certificate of Compliance
According to Rule 9.4(i)(3) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, I
certify that this document contains 8,149 words as measured by my computer’s
word processor (Microsoft Word 2013, Windows 7 Professional), including
headings, footnotes, and quotations, but not including the caption, identity of
parties and counsel, statement regarding oral argument, table of contents, index
of authorities, statement of the case, statement of issues presented, statement of
jurisdiction, statement of procedural history, signature, proof of service, certifi-
cation, certificate of compliance, and appendix.
/s/ Adam T. Whitten
Adam T. Whitten
Certificate of Service
I certify that on December 17, 2015 I sent a true and correct copy of this
document to the following:
Via E-Filing and Regular Mail: Via E-Filing and Regular Mail
Frank A. Adams Bruce W. Cobb
frankaadamspc@yahoo.com bwcobb54@gmail.com
Law Office of Adams & Adams Conley & Schexnaider
3280 Delaware Street 3280 Delaware
Post Office Drawer 7869 Beaumont, Texas 77703
Beaumont, Texas 77726-7869 (409) 899-3360 Ofc.
(409) 899-1900 Ofc. (409) 899-3372 Fax
(409) 892-3903 Fax
/s/ Adam T. Whitten
Adam T. Whitten
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 40 of 41
Appendix
(3) Order Modifying Final Decree of Divorce (CR 131–143) .......... Tab 1
(4) Denton County Local Rule 2.13 .................................................... Tab 2
No. 02-15-00231-CV
Tolpo v. Denny
Appellee Mary Craver Denny’s Brief Page 41 of 41
. .
FILED
:>ENTON CO\!~H Y. TE Xh S
CAUSE NO. 14-03723-362
2015 JUl I1 Pt112: 15
IN THE MATTER OF §
s•:~r;; i
i,G:LSTEIN
THE MARRIAGE OF § DiS HUCT CLERK
§ BV s ~ DEPUTY
MARY CRAVER DENNY § IN THE DISTRICT COURT
AND § DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS
NORMANCLARENCETOLPO § ~.JUDICIAL DISTRICT
41./~;v;,f
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE
On April 28, 2015, the Court heard this case. On July 10, 2015, the Court heard
Respondent's Motion for New Trial, Petitioner's Motion for Temporary Orders Pending
Appeal, and Petitioner's Motion to Modify, Correct, or Reform Judgment Under Texas
Rule of Civil Procedure 329b.
Appearances
1. On April 28, 2015, Petitioner, MARY CRAVER DENNY, appeared in person and
through attorney of record, Curtis M. Loveless. On July 10, 2015 Petitioner, MARY
CRAVER DENNY, appeared by and through attorney of record, Curtis M. Loveless, and
announced ready.
2. On April 28, 2015, Respondent, NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO, appeared in
person and through attorney of record, Frank A. Adams. On July 10, 2015,
Respondent, NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO, appeared by and through attorney of
record, Frank A. Adams, and announced ready.
Record
3. The record of testimony was duly reported by Nikki Garcia, the court reporter for
the 442nd Judicial District Court of Denton County, Texas.
Apx. 1
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 1
131
Jurisdiction and Domicile
4. The Court finds that the pleadings of Petitioner are in due form and contain all
the allegations, information, and prerequisites required by law. The Court, after
receiving evidence, finds that it has jurisdiction of this case and of all the parties and
that at least sixty days have elapsed since the date the suit was filed.
Jury
5. A jury was waived, and questions of fact and of law were submitted to the Court.
Divorce
6. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that MARY CRAVER DENNY, Petitioner, and
NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO, Respondent, are divorced and that the marriage
between them is dissolved.
Child of the Marriage
7. The Court finds that there is no child of the marriage of Petitioner and
Respondent and that none is expected.
Agreement Incident to Divorce
8. The Court finds that the parties have entered into an Agreement Incident to
Divorce, in a document separate from this Final Decree of Divorce. 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. The parties have requested that the Agreement Incident to Divorce not
be filed with the Court. In accordance with that agreement, a copy of the agreement is
not filed with the records of this Court and IT IS SO ORDERED.
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 2
132
Property Not Disposed of by the Agreement Incident to Divorce
9. The Court finds that the Agreement Incident to Divorce confirmed each party's
separate property and divided any community or mixed character property in
accordance with that Agreement Incident to Divorce except for any claim, liability, debt,
obligation, or causes of action of any kind relating to or arising from the ownership and
liabilities of the Westgate Condominium, described below.
A. Being a unit located in THE WESTGATE COMDOMINIUMS, a
condominium project established according to the Condominium
Declaration recorded in Book 8, Page 392, Condominium Records,
Travis County, Texas, and in Volume 8224, Page 374, Volume
8590, Page 12, Volume 8590, Page 21, Volume 8944, page 399,
Volume 9092, Page 518, Volume 10300, Page 953, Volume 10488,
Page 721, Volume 11196, Page 355, Volume 11293, page 98,
Volume 11754, Page 65 and in Volume 11762, Page 27 4, Real
Property Records, Travis County, Texas, and being Unit, 1301,
Building A, together with an undivided .41686 percentage interest in
the general common elements of such condominium project
appurtenant to such unit as set forth in the Condominium
Declaration.
10. The Court finds that the Westgate Condominium described herein should be and
is hereby confirmed as the separate property of MARY CRAVER DENNY, Petitioner. It
is therefore ORDERED AND DECREED that the following described property is
confirmed as the separate property of MARY CRAVER DENNY, Petitioner:
A. Being a unit located in THE WESTGATE COMDOMINIUMS, a
condominium project established according to the Condominium
Declaration recorded in Book 8, Page 392, Condominium Records,
Travis County, Texas, and in Volume 8224, Page 374, Volume
8590, Page 12, Volume 8590, Page 21, Volume 8944, page 399,
Volume 9092, Page 518, Volume 10300, Page 953, Volume 10488,
Page 721, Volume 11196, Page 355, Volume 11293, page 98,
Volume 11754, Page 65 and in Volume 11762, Page 27 4, Real
Property Records, Travis County, Texas, and being Unit, 1301,
Building A, together with an undivided .41686 percentage interest in
the general common elements of such condominium project
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 3
133
appurtenant to such unit as set forth in the Condominium
Declaration.
Income Taxes-- For Prior Years
11. The parties contractually agree that NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO and MARY
CRAVER DENNY shall be equally responsible for all federal income tax liabilities of the
parties from the date of marriage through December 31, 2013, and each party shall
timely pay 50 percent of any deficiencies, assessments, penalties, or interest due
thereon and shall indemnify and hold the other party and his or her property harmless
from 50 percent of such liabilities unless such additional tax, penalty, and/or interest
resulted from a party's omission of taxable income or claim of erroneous deductions. In
such case, the portion of the tax, penalty, and/or interest relating to the omitted income
or claims of erroneous deductions shall be paid by the party who earned the omitted
income or proffered the claim for an erroneous deduction. The parties agree that
nothing contained herein shall be construed as or is intended as a waiver of any rights
that a party has under the "Innocent Spouse" provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
12. The parties contractually agree that if a refund is made for overpayment of taxes
for any year during the parties' marriage through December 31 of 2013, each party shall
be entitled to one-half of the refund, and the party receiving the refund check is
designated a constructive trustee for the benefit of the other party, to the extent of
one-half of the total amount of the refund, and shall pay to the other party one-half of
the total amount of the refund check within five days of receipt of the refund check.
Each party agrees to endorse a refund check on presentation by the other party.
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 4
134
13. The parties contractually agree that, for the calendar year 2014 and 2015 each
party shall file an individual income tax return in accordance with the Internal Revenue
Code.
Income Taxes-- Calendar Years 2014 and 2015
Partition and Exchange Agreement
14. Petitioner, MARY CRAVER DENNY and Respondent NORMAN CLARENCE
TOLPO intend to and do hereby partition and exchange all income and earnings from
their respective property, wages, salaries, and other forms of compensation received on
or after January 1, 2014, as each party's separate property, effective January 1, 2014.
15. In recognition of the partition and exchange of income between the parties as set
forth herein and to effect the division of tax liability for income received in 2014 and
2015 as set forth herein, the parties contractually agree that this agreement shall serve
as a partition of income, setting aside to MARY CRAVER DENNY as her separate
property (1) all earned income including wages, salaries, or professional fees, and other
amounts received as compensation for personal services actually rendered by MARY
CRAVER DENNY; (2) trade or business income, and a partner's distributive share of
partnership income; (3) income which is derived from the property awarded or
confirmed to MARY CRAVER DENNY by this agreement; (4) any other income and
earnings, wages, salaries, and other forms of compensation received by MARY
CRAVER DENNY on or after January 1, 2014; (5) all deductible expenditures paid by
MARY CRAVER DENNY; (6) deductible expenditures, depreciation, and losses
attributable to property awarded or confirmed to MARY CRAVER DENNY by this
agreement; (7) all income tax withheld from MARY CRAVER DENNY's earned income;
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 5
135
(8) all prepayments personally paid by MARY CRAVER DENNY for the tax year 2014
and 2015; and (9) non-payment credits attributable to MARY CRAVER DENNY's
earnings awarded or confirmed to MARY CRAVER DENNY by this agreement; which
were earned, received, generated or accrued between and including January 1, 2014,
and the date of this agreement; and setting aside to NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO as
his separate property (1) all earned income including wages, salaries, management
fees, fees for contract labor, consulting fees, or professional fees, and other amounts
received as compensation for personal services actually rendered by NORMAN
CLARENCE TOLPO; (2) trade or business income, and a partner's distributive share of
partnership income; (3) income which is derived from the property awarded or
confirmed to NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO by this agreement; (4) any other income
and earnings, wages, salaries and other forms of compensation received by NORMAN
CLARENCE TOLPO on or after January 1, 2014; (5) all deductible expenditures paid by
NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO; (6) deductible expenditures, depreciation, and losses
attributable to property awarded or confirmed to NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO by this
agreement; (7) all income tax withheld from NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO's earned
income; (8) all prepayments personally paid by NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO for tax
year 2014 and 2015; and (9) non-payment credits attributable to his earnings or
property awarded or confirmed to NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO by this agreement;
which were earned, generated or accrued between and including January 1, 2014, and
the date of this agreement.
16. This partition is made under the provisions of TEX. CONST. Art. XVI, Section 15,
as amended November 2, 1999, which provides that:
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 6
136
A. "Spouses ... may by written instrument from time to time partition
between themselves all or any part of their property then existing or
to be acquired or exchanged between themselves the community
interest of one spouse ... in any property for the community interest
of the other spouse ... in other community property then existing or
to be acquired, whereupon the portion or interest set aside to each
spouse ... shall be and constitute a part of the separate property and
estate of such spouse" and in accordance with TEX. FAMILY
CODE, Subsections 4.102 (as amended, effective September 1,
2005), 4.103, 4.104, 4.105, and 4.106 (as amended, effective
September 1, 1997) and Section 7.002(c)(1), effective September
1, 2003.
17. The parties agree and IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that, for the
purposes of determining income tax liability, any property awarded to a party in
this decree shall be deemed to have been partitioned to that party and have been
that party's separate property as of January 1, 2014, and thereafter. The parties
further agree and IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that any tax payments and
any payments that are tax deductible are assigned to the party who made those
payments.
18. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that for the tax years 2014 and 2015,
each party shall file an individual income tax return in accordance with the
Internal Revenue Code.
19. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that MARY CRAVER DENNY shall
report 100 percent of her income, withholdings, prepayments, and deductions
and none of NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO's income, withholdings,
prepayments, and deductions. MARY CRAVER DENNY shall be entitled to
receive 100 percent of any refund for which she might be entitled on her federal
income tax returns for 2014 and 2015. MARY CRAVER DENNY shall pay 100
percent of any liability shown on her 2014 and 2015 income tax returns.
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 7
137
20. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO
shall report 100 percent of his income, with holdings, prepayments, and
deductions and none of MARY CRAVER DENNY's income, withholdings,
prepayments, and deductions. NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO shall be entitled
to receive 100 percent of any refund for which he might be entitled on his federal
income tax returns for 2014 and 2015. NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO shall pay
100 percent of any liability shown on his 2014 and 2015 income tax returns.
Transfer and Delivery of Property
21. This decree shall serve as a muniment of title to transfer ownership of all
property awarded to any party in this Final Decree of Divorce.
22. IT IS ORDERED that if any document is necessary to effectuate the
transfer of property allocated in the parties' Agreement Incident to Divorce,
NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO is ORDERED to execute and deliver to MARY
CRAVER DENNY, at her last known address, any such document presented to
him by MARY CRAVER DENNY, within thirty days of its presentation to him.
23. MARY CRAVER DENNY is ORDERED to execute and deliver to
NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO, at his last known address, any such document
presented to her by NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO, within thirty days of its
presentation to her.
24. In order to effectuate the award of property as shown in the Agreement
Incident to Divorce signed by the parties, IT IS ORDERED that the optional
service retirement annuity selection of MARY CRAVER DENNY in her retirement
with the Employee Retirement System of Texas is ORDERED changed to a
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 8
138
standard service retirement annuity. MARY CRAVER DENNY is authorized to
complete any forms promulgated by the Employee Retirement System of Texas
to effectuate this change and to change her beneficiary designation, AND IT IS
SO ORDERED.
Exclusive Use of Property Pending Appeal
25. The Court finds that MARY CRAVER DENNY shall have the exclusive and
private use and possession of the Austin condominium located at 1122 Colorado
Street, Unit 1301, Austin, Texas 78701, until final judgment in this case, AND IT
IS SO ORDERED.
Payment for Repairs to the Austin Condominium
26. The Court finds that NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO shall pay the sum of
$4,536.32 to MARY CRAVER DENNY for repairs made to the Austin
Condominium. Judgment is hereby granted in favor of MARY CRAVER DENNY
against NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO in the amount of $4,536.32, AND IT IS
SO ORDERED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the judgment for repairs shall
bear interest at the rate of five percent per annum from July 13, 2015 until paid.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO pay to MARY
CRAVER DENNY care of Loveless & Loveless, Attorneys at Law, 218 N. Elm St.,
Denton, Texas 76201, the sum of $4,536.32 plus any accrued interest on or
before August 10, 2015.
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 9
139
Attorney's Fees
27. As part of the claims and causes of action relating to the ownership of the
Westgate Condominium described elsewhere herein, the Court finds that a judgment
should be granted to Curtis M. Loveless and Loveless & Loveless, Attorneys at Law,
L.P., against NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO for a portion of the attorney's fees incurred
by MARY CRAVER DENNY in connection with presenting the issues relating to the
Westgate Condominium. The Court further finds the amount of that judgment for
attorney's fees through the trial of this case should be in the amount of $7,500.00.
28. Judgment is hereby granted in favor of Curtis M. Loveless and Loveless &
Loveless, Attorneys at Law L.P. in the amount of $7,500.00 for a portion of the
attorney's fees, expenses, and costs incurred by MARY CRAVER DENNY, with post-
judgment interest at five percent per annum from May 26, 2015 until paid. The
judgment, for which let execution issue, is awarded against NORMAN CLARENCE
TOLPO. Curtis M. Loveless and Loveless & Loveless Attorneys at Law, L.P. may
enforce this judgment, together with interest, in his own name by any means available
for the enforcement of a judgment for debt.
29. In the event an appeal by NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO to the Court of Appeals
is made but is unsuccessful, the Court finds that a judgment should be granted in favor
of Curtis M. Loveless and Loveless & Loveless, Attorneys at Law L.P. in the amount of
$12,500.00, with post-judgment interest at five percent per annum until paid. The
judgment, for which let execution issue, is awarded against NORMAN CLARENCE
TOLPO. Curtis M. Loveless and Loveless & Loveless Attorneys at Law, L.P. may
enforce this judgment, together with interest, in his own name by any means available
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 10
140
for the enforcement of a judgment for debt. The judgment for $12,500.00 shall be due
within 30 days following the judgment of the Court of Appeals affirming the trial court's
judgment.
30. In the event of an unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court of Texas by
NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO, the Court finds that a judgment should be granted in
favor of Curtis M. Loveless and Loveless & Loveless, Attorneys at Law L.P. in the
amount of $10,000.00, with post-judgment interest at five percent per annum until paid.
The judgment, for which let execution issue, is awarded against NORMAN CLARENCE
TOLPO. Curtis M. Loveless and Loveless & Loveless Attorneys at Law, L.P. may
enforce this judgment, together with interest, in his own name by any means available
for the enforcement of a judgment for debt. The judgment for $10,000.00 shall be due
within 30 days following the final judgment of the Supreme Court of Texas denying a
petition for review filed by NORMAN CLARENCE TOLPO.
Court Costs
31. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that costs of court are to be borne by the party
who incurred them.
Indemnification
32. Each party represents and warrants that he or she has not incurred any
outstanding debt, obligation, or other liability on which the other party is or may be
liable, other than those described in this Final Decree of Divorce and Agreement
Incident to Divorce. Each party agrees and IT IS ORDERED that if any claim, action, or
proceeding is hereafter initiated seeking to hold the party not assuming a debt, an
obligation, a liability, an act, or an omission of the other party liable for such debt,
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 11
141
obligation, liability, act, or omission of the other party, that other party will, at his or her
sole expense, defend the party not assuming the debt, obligation, liability, act, or
omission of the other party against any such claim or demand, whether or not well
founded, and will indemnify the party not assuming the debt, obligation, liability, act, or
omission of the other party and hold him or her harmless from all damages resulting
from the claim or demand.
33. Damages, as used in this provision, includes any reasonable loss, cost, expense,
penalty, and other damage, including without limitation attorney's fees and other costs
and expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred in enforcing this indemnity.
34. IT IS ORDERED that the indemnifying party will reimburse the indemnified party,
on demand, for any payment made by the indemnified party at any time after the entry
of the divorce decree to satisfy any judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction or in
accordance with a bona fide compromise or settlement of claims, demands, or actions
for any damages to which this indemnity relates.
35. The parties agree and IT IS ORDERED that each party will give the other party
prompt written notice of any litigation threatened or instituted against either party that
might constitute the basis of a claim for indemnity under this decree.
Clarifying Orders
36. Without affecting the finality of this Final Decree of Divorce, this Court expressly
reserves the right to make orders necessary to clarify and enforce this decree.
Relief Not Granted
37. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that all relief requested in this case and not
expressly granted is denied. This is a final judgment, for which let execution and all writs
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 12
142
and processes necessary to enforce this judgment issue. This judgment finally disposes
of all claims and all parties and is appealable.
Date of Judgment
SIGNED ON---~.,.``':``---1.___]....____ _ _ _ , 2015.
:z~ ~
JUDGE rt¥DING
APPROVED AS TO FORM ONLY:
LOVELESS & LOVELESS
Attorneys at Law, L.P.
218 N. Elm Street
Denton, Texas 76201
Phone: (940) 387-3776
Fax: (940) 898-0196
Curtis M. Loveless
State Bar No. 12607000
Email: curtis@cmloveless.com
Darcy E. Loveless
State Bar No. 24013062
Email: darcy@cmloveless.com
Attorneys for Petitioner
Frank A. Adams
Law Offices of Adams & Adams
3280 Delaware Street
P.O. Drawer 7869
Beaumont, TX 77726-7869
Phone: (409) 899-1900
Fax: (409) 892-3903
Frank A. Adams
State Bar No. 00855700
Email: frankaadamspc@yahoo.com
Attorney for Respondent
ORDER MODIFYING FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE- Page 13
143
UNIFORM RULES OF COURT FOR THE DISTRICT AND
STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS OF DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS
. Title I. General Rules
Rule 1.1: Title, Scope, Authority and Application of Local Rule~
1.1.1 These Rules are the Local Rules p feourt of Denton County. Texas. They shall
govern proceedings in the District and Statutory County Courts ofDeotan County, Texas, for the
purpose of securing uniformity and fairness in those proceedings and in order to promote justice.
1.1.2 The term "Courts" shall refer to the District and Statutory County Courts of
Denton County, Texas. and/or any other coun who subsequently adopts these Rules as their
Local Rules.
1. 1.3 These Rules are adopted by the trial judges of the District and Statutory County
Court s acting in concert pursuant to the inherent power of courts to control and guide the trial
and disposition of causes, and pursuant to the provisions of the Supreme Court's order of
September 13 , 1999, as amended, adopting Rules o f Judicial Administration and to the provisio n
of the Court Admin istration Act, Sec. 74.093, Government Code, as amended.
1.1.4 These Rules are standing order of all District and Statutory County Courts of this
county, now existing or as may be created hereafter. Knowing or intentional violation of these
Rules may be punished by contempt or other sanction authorized by law or by rules of procedure
as the trial judge may deem appropriate.
1. 1.5 For purposes of these Rules, juvenile cases originating under Title 3, Juvenile
Justice Code, of the Texas Family Code are ne ither criminal no r civil; however, for juveniles
incarcerated pending a contested adjudication. the case shall be given at least the priority
afforded an adult criminal case. .
Rule 1.2: Repeal and Effective Date
1.2. 1 All prior Local Rules are repealed as of the effective date of these Rules .
1.2.2 Th~se Ru les are effective September 1, 2003, or at such later date as they may be
approved by the Supreme Court. They shall govern all proceedings occurring on or after their
effective date.
Rule 1.3: Attorneys' Responsibilities to the Court
1.3 . 1 Attomeys are officers of the Court and shall assist the Court in maintlii[ijngrproper
decorum at all times Court is in sessio n.
Uniform Rules of Court for the Disuict and Statutory Cowuy Courts of Denton Cowu)', Texas. Page I
Apx. 2
for dismissal of the case for want of prosecution.
Rule 2.12: Failure to Appear in Civil Cases
Failure ofa party seeking affinnative relief to appear at any scheduled trial or hearing
shall result in disnUssal of the case or waiver of the matters presented in the motion scheduled
for hearing.
Rule 2.13: Trial Procedure in Civil Cases
Af the time the parties report for 'trial, they" will deliver to the Court and the other parties a
witness liSt, exhibit list, any motion in limine, and any requested instructions and questions if
trial is by jury (on disk). Any witnesses and exhibits not shown on such list can be used at the
trial only upon leave of the Court. The week prior to commencement of tria!, all exhibits will be
marked, exchanged, and examined by counsel so that the trial will not be delayed by such
examination.
Rule 2.14: Business Records Affidavits and Affidavits Concerning the Cost and
Necessity of Services
2.14.1 The following Affidavits shall be filed with the Clerk in accordance with the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code; however, the
attachments shall not be filed :
(a) Texas Rules of Evidence Rule 902(0): "Business Records Accompanied
by Affidavit"
(b) Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code §18.00 1: "Affidavit Concerning
Cost and Necessity of Services."
2. 14.2 The Affidavits described in the preceding paragraphs shall be served upon, and
the attachments shall be made available to, all other lead counselor parties in accordance with
the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code at the cost
of the requesting party.
Rule 2.15: Use of Videotaped Depositions
Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the parties or ordered by the Court, counsel
intending to offer videotaped depositions or other films or videotapes at trial, except those
offered solely for impeachment, must serve opposing counsel with page and line designations for
videotaped depositions not late!' than 30 days prior to trial. Opposing counsel shall serve the
proffering attorney with all objections to the testimony and page and line designations of any
portions he/she intends to introduce at trial within 10 days of receiving the designation. A
hearing on objections to the proffered testimony shall be at the time the objections are served,
Uniform RuJcs of Cow1 for the District and Statutory COWl~ Courts ofDcnton County, Texas· Page 11 -