Guillermo Rivera v. Maria E. Hernandez

COURT OF APPEALS
EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO, TEXAS
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GUILLERMO RIVERA, No. 08-11-00287-CV
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Appellant, Appeal from
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v. 65th District Court
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MARIA E. HERNANDEZ, of El Paso County, Texas
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Appellee. (TC # 2009CM2794)
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OPINION
Guillermo Rivera appeals from a final decree of divorce alleging that the trial court
mischaracterized his separate property as community property and divested him of his interest in
the real estate in violation of constitutional and statutory mandates. Because we agree, we
reverse and remand.
FACTUAL SUMMARY
Even a cold reading of the reporter’s record indicates that the trial was contentious and
that Husband was at best an uncooperative witness. Because the outcome of this case is fact
intensive, we recount the evidence in some detail.
The Pleadings
Husband filed his original petition for divorce on April 20, 2009 and pled, rather
generically:
10. Separate Property
Petitioner owns certain separate property that is not part of the community estate
of the parties, and Petitioner requests the Court to confirm that separate property
as Petitioner’s separate property and estate.
Nine days later, Wife filed her original counter-petition for divorce and asked the court divide the
community estate disproportionately in her favor. She amended her petition on July 22, 2010
and sought reimbursement for funds expended by the community estate for payment of unsecured
liabilities of Husband’s separate estate and reimbursement to her separate estate for funds paid
toward community indebtedness. More apropos to our review, she alleged:
The community estate has expended funds or assets to make capital improvements
on property claimed by [Husband] as separate property, giving rise to a claim for
reimbursement in favor of the community estate and against [Husband’s] separate
estate. [Wife] requests the Court to reimburse the community estate for these
expenditures, and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on the property claimed
by [Husband] as separate property to secure the claim.
****
[Wife] is or was obligated on a debt secured by a lien on property claimed by
[Husband] as separate property. The community estate has expended funds or
assets for payment of that debt. Those expenditures have resulted in the reduction
of the principal of that debt, giving rise to a claim for reimbursement in favor of
the community estate and against [Husband’s] separate estate. [Wife] requests the
Court to grant [her] claim for reimbursement, order a division of the claim to
[her], and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on the property claimed by
[Husband] as separate estate to secure the claim.
On September 3, 2009, Husband’s attorney filed a request for admissions in which he asked Wife
to admit or deny (1) that the property was purchased by Husband before marriage; and (2) that
the property was purchased by Husband in 1981. Wife objected to the first inquiry because it
asked the responding party “to admit to conclusions, opinions and statements of subjective
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intent.” She denied that the property was purchased in 1981.1
The Inventories and Proposed Divisions
Wife filed her inventory on November 4, 2010 and her proposed division of property on
May 2, 2011. Attached to her proposed division is a copy of Husband’s inventory which he
signed on September 30, 2010, but did not file with the trial court clerk. Husband’s inventory
identifies the real estate in issue as community property and states that he owns no separate
property. Wife references that characterization in her proposed division in a section entitled
“Economic Contribution/Reimbursement of Claims/Off Set.” In the next section, she avers:
[Husband] admitted that the whole property, land and structure at 147 Sun Park
was the homestead of the community property under Texas Property Code 41.005
and article XVI.50 of the Texas Constitution. Husband [sic] claim to separate
property is waived.
Furthermore, when [Husband] asked [sic] if he could not identify what proportion
or part of the loan belonged to the land and or to the structure he couldn’t because
it was so commingled that it was impossible to trace, the presumption is that the
real estate and structure is community property, any doubt as to the characterized
[sic] of property should be resolve [sic] in favor of the community estate.
Alternatively, she sought reimbursement for enhancement and then proposed that Husband’s
claim of separate property for the parcel of land “with a value of about $12,000.00 should be off
set in favor of [Wife]” for Husband’s wasting of assets.
Husband filed his proposed division of property on May 10, 2011. He alleged that the
home and property at 147 Sun Park were separate property “with minimum reimbursement for
wife”. This conclusion was based on the following facts which he outlined:
 Property purchased by Husband in 1982 ($12,000)
 Construction on home began in March 1983
1
The record reflects that the property was purchased in 1983.
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 Warehouse built in 1983 ($22,000)
 Two mobile homes added to property in 1984 ($18,000)
 Storage facility built in 1985 ($5,000)
 Foundation for house poured in 1985 ($12,000 plus $18,000 in materials)
 Married Wife in 1992
 House valued at $140,000
Such was the procedural backdrop for the trial.
Trial to the Bench
At trial, Husband introduced into evidence without objection a real estate lien note dated
January 7, 1983, whereby Husband purchased the land at 147 Sun Park for $12,000. By its
terms, mortgage payments were due on the 24th of each month beginning February 24, 1983.
The note was paid in full and the lien released on March 23, 1992. Husband testified that he
began living with Wife in April 1992. They were ceremonially married on June 12, 2004.
During the marriage, a 3360 square foot home was built on the property. It was appraised at
$170,000 in 2008 and the couple filed a designation of homestead on September 18, 2008.
Husband was cross examined concerning his inventory which characterized the property
as belonging to the community estate and identifying no separate property. Not surprisingly,
there was a bit of a row between the attorneys.
[Mr. Chacon (counsel for Husband)] Judge, if it’s listed as community property,
Judge, it’s a mistake on my part.
[Ms. Gonzalez (counsel for Wife)] (Laughter)
[Husband] But it’s been very clear, from the pretrial report, that that’s the issue in
question.
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[Judge Gutierrez] Is [sic] the 147 Sun Park?
[Mr. Chacon] Right. That is very simply the issue in question. That’s what [sic]
we have been here all this time, Judge.
[Ms. Gonzalez] Well, Your Honor, he’s not -- the presumption here is everything
is community, unless it’s noted. I don’t have any information on this inventory or
in the pretrial that that specific property is what is contentioned [sic] as separate
[sic] property.
[Judge Gutierrez] So just --
[Ms. Gonzalez] If --
[Judge Gutierrez] Okay. Well, hold on. So Mr. Chacon, you’re saying that when
you filed this, you really meant to put that this is separate property in your
allegation?
[Mr. Chacon] That’s correct, Your Honor. And that’s clear, even in the discovery
that she’s been provided. I provided her with Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2 -- and
everything that’s leading to our issue -- otherwise, it wouldn’t have been -- we
wouldn’t have been here, Judge.
[Ms. Gonzalez] Well, Your Honor.
[Judge Gutierrez] Okay.
[Ms. Gonzalez] It’s a premise of law that, you know, everything is presumed to
be community property. He would have to rebut the separate [sic] presumption.
[Judge Gutierrez] Right. Well, I think this is just -- this is just what he’s alleging.
So the Court understands it, and the Court will now change it to you’re alleging
that this is separate.
[Mr. Chacon] Right. Okay.
*****
[Ms. Gonzalez] Sir, let’s go back to your inventory, that you’re claiming that is
community property. Can you read what is --
[Mr. Chacon] Your Honor, we’re -- we’ve already cleared that up, Judge.
[Judge Gutierrez] Yeah. That was a mistake. That should be separate.
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[Ms. Gonzalez] Well, Your Honor, at no time -- This case has been pending for
many -- well, for more than a year. This is the first time that he says, ‘Oops, I
made a mistake.’ He designated in his inventory that property as community
property.
[Judge Gutierrez] Right. The Court understands that and Mr. Chacon has made it
clear that was a mistake. Did you ever file this?
[Mr. Chacon] I don’t remember Judge, I think I might have provided one that
day, because we were here that day on November.
And I don’t remember if I filed it or not, Judge --
[Ms. Gonzalez] Judge, I think it’s late --
[Mr. Chacon] Probably not, Judge.
[Ms. Gonzalez] It’s too late for him --
[Mr. Chacon] Judge, and I would appreciate -- Judge --
[Ms. Gonzalez] Now he’s saying, ‘Oops, I forgot.’
[Mr. Chacon] Judge, I would appreciate it if you would instruct counsel that I’m
speaking. That I allowed her the same privilege of completing her sentence before
she interrupts me.
[Judge Gutierrez] Okay.
[Ms. Gonzalez] Your Honor, my point here is I think it’s too late after we already
started this case, after we went into for [sic] temporary orders. After he’s filing
this on 9- -- I don’t know if he filed it or not -- but he sent it to me on 9/30/2010
designating that as his community estate that now he says that I am sorry I made a
mistake.
[Judge Gutierrez] Well, the Court is going to allow Mr. Chacon -- and the Court
understands, that’s what’s in dispute. That’s what’s in dispute, ‘Is it separate or is
it community?’ So the Court is going to allow Mr. Chacon to amend his
inventory and appraisal. But the Court understands that this is what we’re
fighting about.
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The Decree and
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
The decree awarded all of the property, land and improvements, to Wife. Upon timely
request, the trial court entered written findings of fact and conclusions of law. We are concerned
with five of them.
1. [Husband] and [Wife] were married on June 12, 2004.
*****
12. During the marriage, [Husband] and [Wife] acquired the following property other
than by gift or inheritance with the values shown: 147 Sun Park, Socorro, Texas.
13. During the marriage, a structure was built which the parties characterized as their
homestead and community property estate.
14. During the marriage of the parties, the property at 147 Sun Park, Socorro, Texas, was
mortgaged several times under both parties names. The last loan was obtained on
September 18, 2006 for the amount of $100,000. The property was valued at
$170,000.00. Nevertheless, at the hearing the parties stipulated a lower value of
$148,000.00, as per central appraisal district taxation value.
*****
19. The inventory filed by [Husband] on September 30th, 2010, characterized the
property at 147 Sun Park, Socorro, Texas, as the community property of the parties. No
other form of tracing or clear and convincing evidence to overcome the community
presumption was presented.
ISSUES FOR REVIEW
Husband brings four issues for review, complaining that (1) the trial court erred in
characterizing separate property as community property; (2) there is insufficient evidence to
support the trial court’s finding that the real property was acquired during marriage; (3) the trial
court’s award of his separate property to Wife constitutes an abuse of discretion; and (4) he has
been divested of his separate estate. Collectively, he presents one overarching issue of pure
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characterization. Is the realty community or separate property? Our discussion requires that we
address Wife’s contentions, and the trial court’s findings, that (1) designation of property as
homestead affects characterization, (2) community indebtedness secured by allegedly separate
realty affects characterization, (3) the inventory characterization of the property as community is
binding, and (4) Husband’s testimony that the house is owned by the children is a quasi-
admission. We must then determine whether the deed and release of lien constitute clear and
convincing evidence that the real estate was purchased before marriage so as to defeat the
community property presumption.
CHARACTERIZATION OF PROPERTY
Standard of Review
In a bench trial, findings of fact are the equivalent of a jury answer to the special issues.
Associated Telephone Directory Publishers, Inc. v. Five D’s Publishing Co., 849 S.W.2d 894,
897 (Tex.App.--Austin 1993, no writ); Lorensen v. Weaber, 840 S.W.2d 644 (Tex.App.--Dallas
1992), rev’d on other grounds sub nom.; Exxon Corp. v. Tidwell, 816 S.W.2d 455, 459
(Tex.App.--Dallas 1991), rev’d on other grounds, 867 S.W.2d 19 (Tex. 1993); A-ABC Appliance
of Texas, Inc. v. Southwestern Bell Tel. Co., 670 S.W.2d 733, 736 (Tex.App.--Austin 1984, writ
ref’d n.r.e.). We review a trial court’s findings of fact for both legal and factual sufficiency.
BMC Software Belgium, N.V. v. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789, 794 (Tex. 2002); Catalina v.
Blasdel, 881 S.W.2d 295, 297 (Tex. 1994). In a traditional legal sufficiency review, we consider
the evidence and inferences that tend to support the findings and disregard all evidence and
inferences to the contrary. Bernal v. Chavez, 198 S.W.3d 15, 18 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2006, no
pet.); Catalina, 881 S.W.2d at 297. If any probative evidence supports the factual finding, it
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must be upheld. Bernal, 198 S.W.3d at 18. In conducting a traditional factual sufficiency
review, we consider all the evidence, including that which tends to prove the existence of a vital
fact in addition to evidence which tends to disprove its existence. Id. The trial court’s finding of
fact must be so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly
wrong. Id. The trier of fact determines the weight to be given to the testimony and resolves any
conflicts in the evidence. Id. at 19.
But traditional sufficiency review is heightened when the burden of proof is clear and
convincing evidence. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266-67 (Tex. 2002); In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d
17, 25 (Tex. 2002). In a legal sufficiency review, we look at all the evidence in the light most
favorable to the fact finding to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a
firm belief or conviction that the finding was true. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. In so doing,
we must assume that the fact finder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable
fact finder could do so. Id. We should disregard all evidence that a reasonable fact finder could
have disbelieved or found to be incredible, but this does not mean that we must disregard all
evidence that does not support the finding. Id. If we determine that no reasonable fact finder
could form a firm belief or conviction that the fact is true, then we must conclude that the
evidence is legally insufficient. Id. In a factual sufficiency review, we must give due
consideration to evidence that the fact finder could reasonably have found to be clear and
convincing. Id., citing In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 25. We are to consider whether disputed
evidence is such that a reasonable fact finder could not have resolved the dispute in favor of its
finding. Id. “If, in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence that a reasonable factfinder
could not have credited in favor of the finding is so significant that a factfinder could not
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reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction, then the evidence is factually insufficient.”
In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266.
Principles of Characterization
All property on hand at the dissolution of marriage is presumed to be community
property. Tate v. Tate, 55 S.W.3d 1, 4 (Tex.App.-El Paso 2000, no pet.); TEX.FAM.CODE ANN.
§ 3.003(a)(Vernon 2006). It is a rebuttable presumption, requiring a spouse claiming assets as
separate property to establish their separate character by clear and convincing evidence. Id.;
TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 3.003(b). Property owned before marriage, or acquired during marriage
by gift, devise or descent, is separate property. Id.; TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 3.002. Where an
asset is purchased during marriage with monies traceable to a spouse’s separate estate, the asset
may appropriately be characterized as separate property. Pace v. Pace, 160 S.W.3d 706, 711
(Tex.App.--Dallas 2005, pet.denied).
Characterization of property is determined by the time and circumstances of its
acquisition. Leighton v. Leighton, 921 S.W.2d 365, 367 (Tex.App.--Eastland 1996, no writ),
citing Carter v. Carter, 736 S.W.2d 775, 780 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1987, no writ).
This doctrine, known as “inception of title.” arises when a party first has right of claim to the
property by virtue of which title is finally vested. Scott v. Estate of Scott, 973 S.W.2d 694
(Tex.App.--El Paso 1998, no pet.).
Effect of Homestead Designation
Under Texas law, a homestead may be community property or the separate property of
one of the spouses. TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 5.001 (West 2006). Possession of a homestead
interest is not dependent upon ownership; a person is permitted to hold homestead rights in his or
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her spouse’s separate property. Denmon v. Atlas Leasing, L.L.C., 285 S.W.3d 591, 595
(Tex.App.--Dallas 2009, no pet). Here it is undisputed that the parties jointly filed a designation
of homestead upon completion of the house. Wife’s signature to the homestead declaration did
not alter the characterization of the realty if Husband proved he owned the property prior to
marriage. It is this principle which leads directly to the next issue. Because the property was
homestead, it could not be sold or encumbered without Wife’s joinder. TEX.PROP.CODE ANN. §
53.254(c)(West 2007); TEX. CONST. art XVI, § 50(b)(West Supp. 2013).
Effect of Encumbrance by Collateralization
Simply stated, the fact that Husband and Wife borrowed funds during marriage for which
the real estate served as collateral has no effect on its characterization whatsoever. A similar
argument was raised in Leighton. There, the court properly noted that once separate property
character attaches, that character does not change because community funds are spent to
improve the property. “[T]he character of property does not change because both parties sign a
note, or because the names of both parties are on the deed of trust.” Leighton, 921 S.W.2d at
367. And in Girard, husband and wife borrowed $135,000 from a lending institution to build a
home on the husband’s separate property. Girard v. Girard, 521 S.W.2d 714, 716
(Tex.Civ.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1975, no writ). Both spouses signed the note for which the
realty served as collateral. Id. While the community estate may well have had a claim for
reimbursement, it had no right, title or interest to the land. Id. at 717. See also In the Matter of
the Marriage of Jordan, 264 S.W.3d 850, 856 (Tex.App.--Waco 2008, no pet.)(fact that home
was refinanced during marriage does not alter character of separate property). Even the
execution by both parties of a home equity loan does not convert separate property to
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community property. Langston v. Langston, 82 S.W.3d 686, 687-88 (Tex.App.--Eastland
2002, no pet.)(reversing where trial court ruled that a community property interest in real estate
was created by the execution of the note evidencing the loan).
Effect of Mistake in Husband’s Inventory
Wife maintains that Husband’s sworn inventory constitutes a judicial admission that the
property in question is community property. A judicial admission establishes the issue in dispute
as a matter of law in behalf of the adversary of the one making such admission. Valdes v. Moore,
476 S.W.2d 936 (Tex.Civ.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1972, writ ref’d n.r.e.). First, that
argument was not raised in the trial although it was lodged in response to the motion for
reconsideration. Second, the trial court did not find that the inventory constituted a judicial
admission that was binding on Husband or the court. She merely found that the inventory
characterized the property as community. Third, the court took judicial notice of the pleadings
but not judicial notice of the inventory which was not filed or admitted into evidence. Fourth, the
court on the record allowed Husband to amend his inventory. Having said this, we recognize that
the case law is far from consistent in how this issue should be resolved. Because it is a matter of
critical importance to family law practitioners, we must explore a laundry list of cases.
Development of the Case Law
We will consider the cases in chronological order beginning with an opinion that issued
from this court in 1985. In Roosevelt v. Roosevelt, 699 S.W.2d 372 (Tex.App.--El Paso 1985,
writ dism’d), the trial court awarded the wife all of her jewelry as separate property. Prior to
trial, she filed a sworn inventory in which she itemized 29 pieces of jewelry as separate
property and 18 items as community property. On appeal the court found that by listing some
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pieces as community property, Mrs. Roosevelt had judicially admitted characterization. Id. at
374. No evidence was offered to establish that all of the items characterized as community
property were in fact separate property. In sustaining the Husband’s point of error, the court
added that such evidence would not have been admissible, with a proper objection, in view of
the judicial admission. Roosevelt is distinguishable because in this case, Husband introduced
into evidence the deed, promissory note, and release of lien without objection.
The next case of interest is Myers v. Myers, No. 05-93-00906-CV, 1994 WL 137244 *6,
(Tex.App.--Dallas, April 15, 1994, no writ). There, the wife challenged the admissibility of
Mr. Myers first amended inventory which characterized community and separate property. Her
objection was that one of his other exhibits was a judicial admission that his severance pay was
community property. Citing Roosevelt, Mrs. Myers complained that any evidence contrary to
the judicial admission was inadmissible. The appellate court disagreed because Mr. Myers had
amended his inventory while Mrs. Roosevelt had not. Id. Husband amended his inventory
here with leave of court.
Four days later, the Austin Court of Appeals issued its opinion in Tschirhart v.
Tschirhart, 876 S.W.2d 507, 508 (Tex.App.--Austin 1994, no writ). Initially, the court addressed
whether it could consider an inventory that, although filed with the district clerk, was never
introduced into evidence. It compared the Tyler cases of Poulter v. Poulter, 565 S.W.2d 107,
110 (Tex.Civ.App.--Tyler 1978, no writ) and Bokhoven v. Bokhoven, 559 S.W.2d 142, 143-44
(Tex.Civ.App.--Tyler 1977, no writ) with Vannerson v. Vannerson, 857 S.W.2d 659, 670-71
(Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1993, writ denied). The Tyler cases analogized inventories to
written interrogatories and decided that an inventory could not be considered on appeal if it had
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not been introduced into evidence at trial. On the other hand, Vannerson allowed an inventory to
be considered as evidence because the trial court could have taken judicial notice of it. The
Tschirhart court specifically declined to follow Vannerson, holding that while a court may take
judicial notice of its own records, judicial notice is limited to matters that are generally known or
are easily proven and cannot reasonably be disputed. Thus, a court could take judicial notice that
a pleading had been filed but could not take judicial notice of the truth of the allegations.
Tschirhart, 876 S.W.2d at 508. It then concluded that a court could not take judicial notice of
the truth of statements in an inventory filed in a suit for divorce. Id. at 509. The court explained
that because an inventory is not a petition or an answer and does not state a cause of action or
defense, it is technically not a “pleading.” Id. Then, citing Roosevelt, the court concluded that
while the inventory could not be judicially noticed, it may constitute a judicial admission.
The Eastland court weighed in next in Dutton v. Dutton, 18 S.W.3d 849 (Tex.App.--
Eastland 2000, pet denied), finding that Mr. Dutton’s community characterization in his
inventory constituted a judicial admission. During the marriage, Mrs. Dutton’s parents conveyed
150 acres to “VICKY L. DUTTON and husband, JESS D. DUTTON.” The Duttons built a
house on the property and made other improvements. During the divorce proceedings, Mrs.
Dutton introduced into evidence her inventory in which she characterized the land as her separate
property. At trial she testified that her parents gave the property solely to her. Her parents did
not testify. Mr. Dutton filed an inventory in which he listed the property as community property
but he did not introduce the inventory into evidence. He testified that his in-laws had intended to
make a gift to both of them, but took the position that the land was community property. The
trial court characterized the property as community and awarded it to Mrs. Dutton. Mr. Dutton
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appealed, claiming that since the conveyance was a gift to the couple jointly, he had a separate
property interest. The appellate court determined that the warranty deed and release of lien did
not indicate that the conveyance was a gift. On appeal, Mrs. Dutton argued that the inventory
was a judicial admission. The appellate court expressly held that it could take judicial notice of
the admission, “even if no one requested the trial court to do so and even if the trial court did not
announce that it would do so.” Id. at 856.
Dutton was evaluated in Russell v. Russell, No. 01-04-00984-CV, 2006 WL 241476
(Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.], Feb.2, 2006, no pet.) and applied inversely. In her inventory,
Mrs. Russell characterized property as belonging to her husband’s separate estate but this
inventory was not introduced into evidence. The trial court characterized the property as
community and Mr. Russell appealed. Citing Dutton, the court noted that not only had
Mrs. Russell designated the property as her husband’s separate property, she admitted it during
her testimony and implicitly acquiesced to the characterization in her request for a just and right
division of the estate. Id. *3.
We come now to Taylor v. Taylor, No. 2-05-435-CV, 2007 WL 2460359 (Tex.App.--Fort
Worth, August 31, 2007, pet. denied). Here, the husband admitted that certain realty was his
wife’s separate property not only in his inventory but in a pre-trial hearing and in his response to
interrogatories. “Most of his pretrial discovery requests were aimed at matters essential to his
claim for reimbursement and economic contribution to the community estate for expenditures
made on the Chimney Rock property.” Id. *2. The trial court excluded from evidence a deed
and other conflicting evidence because of the judicial admission and the court of appeals
affirmed. Id.
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In Magness v. Magness, 241 S.W.3d 910, 913 (Tex.App.--Dallas 2007, pet. denied), the
wife challenged the trial court’s characterization of certain real property as one-half her separate
property and one-half her husband’s separate property. While the wife owned the home prior to
marriage, the issue was whether a 1993 deed evidenced a gift to her husband. Mrs. Magness
appealed. The appellate court noted that the deed showed the wife as the grantor and her
husband as the grantee and transferred a one-half interest in the home to him, creating the
presumption of a gift. The wife testified she signed the deed as a condition of refinancing the
home and she had no intent to make a gift. She also alleged that the husband judicially admitted
that he had no separate interest in the home because he characterized it as community property in
his inventory. Because she had not lodged this objection in the trial court, the court of appeals
found she had waived the argument. The trial court’s judgment was affirmed.
Finally, we turn to Graves v. Tomlinson, 329 S.W.3d 128 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th
Dist.] 2010, pet. denied), where the parties disputed ownership of farm and ranch equipment. In
her inventory, Graves characterized the property as belonging to the community estate. During
trial, Tomlinson was questioned about the equipment he claimed as separate property. His
inventory was admitted into evidence and it listed all of the equipment as community property.
The jury characterized 40% of the equipment as Tomlinson’s separate property and Graves
appealed. The court of appeals held that the clear and convincing standard is not satisfied by
testimony that items possessed at divorce are separate property when that testimony is
contradicted or unsupported by documentary evidence tracing the asserted separate nature of the
items. Id. at 140. Tomlinson’s testimony was contradicted by his inventory and he offered no
documents to support his characterization. The court concluded that no reasonable fact finder
16
could find that his unsupported testimony constituted clear and convincing evidence necessary to
overcome the community property presumption and establish that 40 percent of the farm and
ranch equipment was Tomlinson’s separate property.
Reality in the Trenches
Family law practitioners know all too well that a divorce proceeding may remain pending
for a considerable period of time. Assets may be bought or sold, stock values may go up or
down, bank balances may expand and constrict. During discovery, a spouse may come to find
that the monthly statements for a brokerage account statements are missing for periods of the
marriage. That is not an insignificant issue. One may plead that the account is separate property,
but income earned and dividends paid -- if not clearly traced -- will result in characterization of
the account as community property due to commingling.2 Such a discovery requires that an
inventory be amended. Similarly, the value of a defined contribution retirement plan may be
worth more on the day the divorce petition is filed than on the date of trial. In light of recent
economic disruptions, homes are underwater, meaning that the fair market value is less than the
mortgage balance. Pre-trial and trial amendments to inventories may -- and usually are --
required.
2 We reject the argument that real estate, like cash, can be commingled. Proceeds from home equity loans thus
need not be segregated between improvements for realty and improvements to a later-built home. As we have noted,
the home itself is an improvement to the real property. Realty may be owned jointly by a spouse’s separate estate
and the community estate; it may even be owned by the husband’s separate estate, the wife’s separate estate and the
community estate. Case law has clearly defined the formulas for apportioning ownership. Where one estate benefits
another without a recognized quid pro quo, equitable claims for reimbursement may exist. Penick v. Penick, 783
S.W.2d 194, 198 (Tex. 1988). Indeed, the Texas Family Code authorizes claims for reimbursement in these exact
circumstances. T EX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 3.402. But a claim for reimbursement does not affect the rule of inception
of title under which the character of property is determined at the time the right to own or claim the property rises,
nor does it create an ownership interest in the property. TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 3.404. We do recognize,
however, that the proceeds from the sale of separate property may be so commingled as to defy tracing. See Nelson
v. Nelson, 193 S.W.3d 624, 631 (Tex.App.--Eastland 2006, no pet.).
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Factored into the conundrum is the reality that characterization is a complicated legal
tenet. This case demonstrates how complicated it can be, particularly since the divorce was filed
during the mayhem years of legislatively imposed economic contribution, a statute that has since
been repealed. Litigants have knowledge of the facts. Lawyers have knowledge of the law. As
attorneys conduct discovery, they learn whether evidence supports claims pled. “Fair notice” has
always been the underpinning of Texas rules and procedures. Judicial admissions are utilized to
prevent trial by ambush.
Analysis
So what conclusion do we draw from the case law? Roosevelt holds that an objection is
required to exclude the introduction of contradictory evidence. Myers tells us that the Roosevelt
issue is avoided when the inventory is amended. Tschirhart advises that an inventory may not be
judicially noticed.
Dutton informs that not only may an inventory be judicially noticed, an appellate court
may take judicial knowledge even if the trial court was not asked to do so. Russell is simple in
the sense that the inventory and trial testimony were consistent; the trial court just got it wrong.
Taylor is the poster child for lack of fair notice. Mr. Taylor admitted that realty was his wife’s
separate property not only in his inventory but in a pre-trial hearing and in his response to
interrogatories. Discovery was aimed at reimbursement and economic contribution. This
consistency led to exclusion of a deed when Mrs. Taylor’s wife objected to its introduction. In
Magness, the appellate court determined that the wife had waived the argument of a judicial
admission when she failed to object in the trial court. Finally, Graves is less about the
discrepancy between an inventory and trial testimony and more about the lack of clear and
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convincing evidence when there is no documentation or corroboration of a witness’s self-serving
testimony of when or how property was acquired.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, we hold that there is no cognizable judicial
admission when (1) a litigant pleads separate property; (2) a litigant tenders requests for
admission related to a claim for separate property; (3) a litigant discloses during discovery the
documentary evidence to support the claim of separate property; (4) the party opposite files
responsive pleadings concerning economic contribution and equitable reimbursement
demonstrating a recognition of a separate property claim; (5) the litigant seeks leave of court to
amend an inventory to correct an error; (6) the trial court grants leave to amend an inventory; and
(7) there is no objection to the admission of contradictory evidence.
Quasi-Admission Through Testimony
In an alternative argument, Wife suggests that Husband is bound by certain testimony
concerning his daughters. When asked on cross examination whether he wanted his wife and
children to walk away with only a van, Husband responded, “I don’t want my children to be
without a house.” When pressed for “a straight answer”, Husband said, “I don’t want to do bad
thing to my daughter’s [sic]. My daughters, they own the house.” At best, this is the testimony
of a father confronted by allegations that his daughters want no relationship with him to tell the
court that he wants them to have a house. It is not a conclusion of legal title or ownership,
particularly where the girls were minors.
Has the Community Presumption Been Rebutted?
The trial court specifically found that Husband’s inventory characterized the property as
community and that “No other form of tracing or clear and convincing evidence to overcome the
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community presumption was presented.” We disagree. The evidence was not limited to
Husband’s testimony of the time and circumstances surrounding the purchase of the land. The
deed of trust and release of lien were introduced into evidence without objection. That
documentation establishes as a matter of law that the property was purchased before marriage
and owned by Husband at the time of marriage. Because the trial court’s findings to the contrary
will not withstand a legal sufficiency challenge, Husband has proven his separate property claim
by clear and convincing evidence and has demonstrated error. But not all error is reversible
error.
HARM ANALYSIS
Once upon a time, this court issued an opinion dealing with characterization of property
and the three circumstances in which error can occur. In Tate v. Tate, we wrote:
Variations on a Mischaracterization Theme
Three fact scenarios establish the appropriate structure of an appellant’s
characterization contention. First, suppose Wife claims Blackacre is her separate
property and Husband claims the asset is community property. Second, suppose
the trial court characterizes it as community property and awards it to Wife. On
appeal, Wife must establish error; she must challenge that the characterization is
against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence [a factual sufficiency
complaint] or that separate property status was established as a matter of law [a
legal sufficiency complaint]. She must also establish that the characterization error
was harmful--because of the mischaracterization, the overall division of property
constitutes an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage of Morris, 12 S.W.3d 877, 884
(Tex.App.--Texarkana 2000, no pet.h.)(mere mischaracterization of separate
property as community property does not require reversal; it is appellant’s burden
to prove that any disparity in the division was caused by the mischaracterization
of property and that it was of such substantial proportions that it constituted an
abuse of the trial court’s discretion); Magill v. Magill, 816 S.W.2d 530, 533
(Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1991, writ denied)(accord).
Now suppose that given the same fact pattern, the trial court characterizes
Blackacre as Wife’s separate property and awards it to her. This time, Husband
appeals. He must first establish error by challenging the legal or factual
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sufficiency of the evidence to support the separate property characterization. He
must also conduct a harm analysis--because of the mischaracterization, the overall
division of property constitutes an abuse of discretion. Vandiver v. Vandiver, 4
S.W.3d 300, 302 (Tex.App.--Corpus Christi 1999, pet. filed)(mischaracterization
of community property as separate property is not reversible unless the
mischaracterization had more than a de minimus effect on the just and right
division).
It is only in the third scenario that reversible error exists as a matter of law.
In this example, Wife claims Blackacre is separate property and Husband claims it
is community property. The trial court characterizes it as community property and
awards it to Husband. If Wife can establish that Blackacre is her separate
property, it is unnecessary to show harm because divestiture of separate property
is reversible error. Eggemeyer v. Eggemeyer, 554 S.W.2d 137, 140 (Tex. 1977);
In re Marriage of Morris, 12 S.W.3d at 881. In this singular instance, there is no
need to demonstrate that the overall property division constitutes an abuse of
discretion.
Tate, 55 S.W.3d 1, 6-7 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2000, pet. denied). This case is the classic third
scenario because Husband has established his separate property as a matter of law and he has
been divested of it contrary to the Texas Family Code and the Texas Constitution. We conclude
that the promissory note, deed, and release of lien establish as a matter of law that the property
belongs to Husband’s separate estate. Because he has been fully divested of his interest therein,
reversible error has been demonstrated. We sustain all four issues for review and reverse and
remand accordingly.
January, 15, 2014
ANN CRAWFORD McCLURE, Chief Justice
Before McClure, C.J., Rivera, and Rodriguez, JJ.
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