Drake Interiors, L.L.C. v. Andrea Marie Thomas & Robert Warren Thomas

Reversed and Remanded and Opinion filed April 3, 2014.
In The
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
NO. 14-13-00349-CV
DRAKE INTERIORS, L.L.C., Appellant
V.
ANDREA MARIE THOMAS AND ROBERT WARREN THOMAS,
Appellees
On Appeal from the 334th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 2009-22182
OPINION
This case involves two questions. Can an abstract of judgment create a valid
lien on a home jointly managed as community property if the judgment is based on
the premarital debt of only one spouse? If so, what is the effect of a homestead
designation after a divorce when the property ceases to be held in community? The
trial court ruled in favor of the current homeowner, declaring that the judgment
creditor could have no lien on the property. We conclude that the judgment
creditor may have a valid lien if the lien attached during marriage, but there is
insufficient proof of whether the lien did attach or whether the property was
protected as a homestead when the abstract was first recorded. Accordingly, we
reverse the declaratory judgment in favor of the homeowner and remand for
additional proceedings.
BACKGROUND
The judgment creditor in this case is Drake Interiors, L.L.C. In February
2000, Drake sold building materials to a Texas limited partnership known as
Eastern Bloc Entertainment. The materials were to be used in the construction of a
nightclub that Rob Thomas was planning to open. Rob is the sole manager of a
Texas limited liability company named Altar Boys Management, and Altar Boys is
the general partner of Eastern Bloc.
In 2001, Drake filed a suit on a sworn account against Eastern Bloc, alleging
that it had not been paid in full for the goods sold in the nightclub project. No other
defendants were joined in the lawsuit. Eastern Bloc never answered or appeared,
and a default judgment was taken against it.
Drake filed a second action against Eastern Bloc in June 2002 complaining
about the same nonpayment of goods. Joined in the lawsuit were Rob, Altar Boys,
and another limited partnership managed by Altar Boys. Drake alleged in this
action that Rob and Eastern Bloc had executed a promissory note in October 2000,
which was meant to cover the goods furnished in the nightclub project. According
to Drake, Rob breached the note by delivering only the first payment.
Drake acknowledged in its petition that it had obtained an earlier judgment
against just Eastern Bloc. Drake alleged that the judgment remained unsatisfied,
and it sought to hold Rob and Altar Boys liable because they had acted before as
2
general partners of Eastern Bloc. Drake also alleged that Altar Boys was Rob’s
alter ego, and that Rob was liable because he had accepted a fraudulent transfer of
assets from Eastern Bloc, which was then insolvent.
In October 2002, during the pendency of the lawsuit, Rob married his wife
Andrea. In 2003, Rob and Andrea acquired a townhome known as the Asbury
Property, which they held as their joint management community property.
The record does not reveal what defenses, if any, that Rob and his
companies had raised in Drake’s second lawsuit against Eastern Bloc. All that is
known is that Drake obtained a final judgment in 2004 in the amount of
$44,856.95. The judgment was made subject to a Rule 11 settlement agreement,
which provided that all liabilities would be discharged if Rob and his companies
timely paid the lower sum of $24,856.95, plus interest. The settlement agreement
specified that payments were to be made in monthly installments. In the event of a
default, the settlement agreement entitled Drake to collect on the full amount of the
final judgment.
Rob defaulted under the settlement agreement on an undisclosed date. The
parties appear to be in agreement that the default occurred during Rob’s marriage
to Andrea.
In 2006, while still married to Rob, Andrea purchased a lot known as the
Queenswood Property, on which she and Rob planned to build a luxury custom
home. The Queenswood Property was acquired in Andrea’s name only and she
held it as her sole management community property.
In January 2008, Drake abstracted the judgment from its second suit and
recorded the abstract in Harris County, where both the Asbury Property and the
Queenswood Property are located. The abstract named Rob but not Andrea
3
because Andrea did not participate in the underlying proceeding. Drake also filed
notices of lis pendens on the two properties.
Rob and Andrea separated shortly after Drake abstracted its judgment. Rob
vacated the Asbury Property in February 2008 and began living with a friend. In
August 2008, Andrea vacated the Asbury Property and moved into the
Queenswood Property, where construction had recently been completed. The
Asbury Property was immediately leased to a third party.
Rob and Andrea divorced on December 31, 2008. Under the final decree of
divorce, Andrea was awarded the Queenswood Property, which she designated as
her homestead effective January 1, 2009. The divorce decree also awarded Andrea
full ownership of the Asbury Property. The trial court ordered Rob to convey his
interest in the Asbury Property within fifteen days of the decree. Rob signed his
general warranty deed on January 8, 2009.
Drake filed this action for declaratory relief in April 2009. Drake originally
sought declarations stating that its abstract of judgment created a valid lien against
both the Asbury Property and the Queenswood Property. Drake subsequently
nonsuited its claims regarding the Queenswood Property, and limited its requests
for relief to just the Asbury Property. Drake specifically sought a declaration
stating that it was entitled to execute against the Asbury Property.
Rob and Andrea made separate appearances in the suit. Rob filed a general
denial pro se, and that was his only responsive pleading throughout the entire
course of the proceedings. Andrea asserted several affirmative defenses, a
counterclaim for declaratory relief, and a separate counterclaim for tortious
interference with property. By May 2011, the time of her live pleading, Andrea had
returned to the Asbury Property and had claimed it as her homestead. Andrea
asserted that the Asbury Property was exempt from forced sale, and she sought a
4
declaration stating that Drake’s judgment lien was invalid. For her tortious
interference claim, Andrea sought cancellation of the notice of lis pendens.
Andrea filed a motion for partial summary judgment on traditional and no-
evidence grounds. She argued that the Asbury Property was not liable for Rob’s
premarital debt. She moved to invalidate the lien because the debt was not hers,
there was no evidence of a community debt, and she was never called to appear in
the suit from which the lien arose. On alternative grounds, Andrea also argued that
the lien was invalid because of the statute of frauds and res judicata. Drake filed a
response and cross-motion for partial summary judgment. Drake asserted that it
had observed all proper formalities with recording its lien. Drake further contended
that the Asbury Property was subject to the liabilities incurred by Rob before
marriage and that the lien attached to the Asbury Property no later than August
2008, when Rob and Andrea ceased living there.
The trial court granted Andrea’s motion for partial summary judgment and
denied Drake’s motion for partial summary judgment. The court declared in its
order that “Drake Interiors, LLC has no lien on or claim to an interest in [the
Asbury Property], and that Drake Interior[s], LLC’s judgment lien . . . is . . . null
and void and of no force and effect as to [the Asbury Property].” Andrea’s
remaining counterclaim for tortious interference was tried to a jury, which returned
a take-nothing verdict. The trial court awarded attorney’s fees solely to Andrea.
Drake now appeals from the final judgment.
For ease of reference, we recite the material events in this case in
chronological order. Specific dates are noted where available:
 Feb. 2000—Drake sells building materials to Eastern Bloc.
 Oct. 6, 2000—Rob signs a promissory note to Drake.
 Jan. 10, 2001—Drake files its first suit against Eastern Bloc.
5
 Apr. 10, 2001—Drake obtains a default judgment.
 June 5, 2002—Drake files its second suit against Eastern Bloc. Rob is also
named as a defendant, but not Andrea.
 Oct. 25, 2002—Rob and Andrea marry.
 Sept. 8, 2003—Rob and Andrea acquire the Asbury Property.
 Oct. 25, 2004—Drake obtains an agreed judgment against Rob and his
companies, but not Andrea.
 July 7, 2006—Andrea acquires the Queenswood Property in her name only.
 Jan. 18, 2008—Drake records its abstract of judgment.
 Feb. 2008—Rob vacates the Asbury Property and moves in with a friend.
 May 14, 2008—Andrea files for divorce.
 Aug. 1, 2008—Andrea vacates the Asbury Property and moves into the
Queenswood Property. The Asbury Property is leased to a third party.
 Dec. 31, 2008—Rob and Andrea divorce.
 Jan. 1, 2009—Andrea designates the Queenswood Property as her
homestead.
 Jan. 8, 2009—Rob conveys his interest in the Asbury Property to Andrea.
 Apr. 9, 2009—Drake files this suit against Rob and Andrea.
 Dec. 27, 2010—Andrea moves back into the Asbury Property.
 Jan. 1, 2011—Andrea designates the Asbury Property as her homestead.
ISSUES PRESENTED
Drake asserts two issues in this appeal. In its first issue, Drake argues that
the trial court erred by declaring that the abstract of judgment did not create a valid
lien that attached to the Asbury Property. Drake requests that we reverse this
declaration and render judgment declaring that the lien did attach to the Asbury
Property. If we reverse the declaratory judgment, Drake argues in its second issue
that we should also reverse the award of attorney’s fees because that award was
based entirely on the relative success of the parties. Andrea requests that we affirm
6
both the declaratory judgment and the award of attorney’s fees. She argues further
that the attorney’s fees can be affirmed even if the declaratory judgment is
reversed. Rob has not filed a brief.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Declaratory judgments rendered by summary judgment are reviewed under
the same standards that govern summary judgments generally. See Gen. Agents
Ins. Co. of Am., Inc. v. El Naggar, 340 S.W.3d 552, 557 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] 2011, pet. denied). We review the trial court’s summary judgment de
novo. See Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co. v. Knott, 128 S.W.3d 211, 215 (Tex.
2003). In a traditional motion for summary judgment, the movant carries the
burden of showing that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the
movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c);
M.D. Anderson Hosp. & Tumor Inst. v. Willrich, 28 S.W.3d 22, 23 (Tex. 2000)
(per curiam). Once the movant produces sufficient evidence conclusively
establishing its right to summary judgment, the burden of proof shifts to the
nonmovant to present evidence sufficient to raise a fact issue. See Centeq Realty,
Inc. v. Siegler, 899 S.W.2d 195, 197 (Tex. 1995). We consider all of the evidence
in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, indulging every reasonable inference
and resolving any doubts in the nonmovant’s favor. See Valence Operating Co. v.
Dorsett, 164 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. 2005).
In a no-evidence motion for summary judgment, the movant asserts that
there is no evidence of one or more essential elements of the claims for which the
nonmovant bears the burden of proof at trial. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i); Timpte
Indus., Inc. v. Gish, 286 S.W.3d 306, 310 (Tex. 2009). The burden then shifts to
the nonmovant to present evidence raising a genuine issue of material fact as to the
elements specified in the motion. See Mack Trucks, Inc. v. Tamez, 206 S.W.3d 572,
7
582 (Tex. 2006). We will sustain a no-evidence motion for summary judgment
when (1) there is a complete absence of evidence of a vital fact, (2) the court is
barred by rules of law or of evidence from giving weight to the only evidence
offered to prove a vital fact, (3) the evidence offered to prove a vital fact is no
more than a mere scintilla, or (4) the evidence conclusively establishes the opposite
of the vital fact. See City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 816 (Tex. 2005).
The evidence is insufficient if it is so weak as to do no more than create a mere
surmise or suspicion that the challenged fact exists. See Akin, Gump, Strauss,
Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. v. Nat’l Dev. & Research Corp., 299 S.W.3d 106, 115 (Tex.
2009).
When, as here, both parties move for summary judgment and the trial court
grants one motion and denies the other, we review the summary judgment
evidence, determine all questions presented, and render such judgment as the trial
court should have rendered. See Commr’s Court of Titus Cnty. v. Agan, 940
S.W.2d 77, 81 (Tex. 1997). We may affirm the judgment, reverse and render a
judgment for the other side if appropriate, or reverse and remand if neither party
has met its summary judgment burden. See Grynberg v. Grey Wolf Drilling Co.,
296 S.W.3d 132, 136 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.). Each party
bears the burden of establishing that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law,
and neither side can prevail based on the other’s failure to discharge its burden. Id.
JUDGMENT LIENS AND HOMESTEAD RIGHTS
A judgment lien is created by filing and indexing an abstract of judgment.
See Gordon v. W. Houston Trees, Ltd., 352 S.W.3d 32, 38 (Tex. App.—Houston
[1st Dist.] 2011, no pet.); Jong Ik Won v. Fernandez, 324 S.W.3d 833, 834–35
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.). Once the abstract is properly
recorded, it constitutes a lien on and attaches to all nonexempt real property of the
8
judgment debtor. See Tex. Prop. Code § 52.001. Generally, a lien may not attach to
property that is held as the debtor’s homestead, which is protected from all debts
except those delineated by the Texas Constitution. See Tex. Const. art. XVI, § 50;
Inwood N. Homeowners’ Ass’n, Inc. v. Harris, 736 S.W.2d 632, 634 (Tex. 1987).
If the property is exempt because it is the debtor’s homestead, the lien will attach
only when the property has lost its homestead character. See Fairfield Fin. Group,
Inc. v. Synnott, 300 S.W.3d 316, 321 (Tex. App.—Austin 2009, no pet.); Posey v.
Commercial Nat’l Bank, 55 S.W.2d 515, 517 (Tex. Comm’n App. 1932, judgm’t
adopted). At that point, the lienholder acquires an interest in the property no
greater than that held by the judgment debtor. See Laster v. First Huntsville Props.
Co., 826 S.W.2d 125, 131 (Tex. 1991); Johnson v. Darr, 114 Tex. 516, 520–21,
272 S.W. 1098, 1099 (1925); Gaona v. Gonzalez, 997 S.W.2d 784, 786 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio 1999, no pet.).
Property that has been designated as a homestead will only lose its
homestead character through abandonment, death, or alienation. See Florey v.
Estate of McConnell, 212 S.W.3d 439, 443–44 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006, pet.
denied); Wilcox v. Marriott, 103 S.W.3d 469, 472 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2003,
pet. denied). Abandonment of a homestead occurs when the homestead claimant
ceases to use the property and intends not to use it as a homestead again. See
Churchill v. Mayo, 224 S.W.3d 340, 345 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006,
pet. denied). Merely changing residences is not an abandonment of the homestead.
See Rancho Oil Co. v. Powell, 142 Tex. 63, 69, 175 S.W.2d 960, 964 (1943);
Kendall Builders, Inc. v. Chesson, 149 S.W.3d 796, 808 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004,
pet. denied). Nor does temporary renting of the homestead constitute an
abandonment. See Tex. Const. art. XVI, § 51; Hollifield v. Hilton, 515 S.W.2d 717,
721 (Tex. Civ. App.—Fort Worth 1974, writ ref’d n.r.e.). Homestead rights have
9
historically enjoyed great protection in our jurisprudence, and once a homestead
has been shown to exist, we presume that the homestead continues in the absence
of evidence to the contrary. See Patterson v. First Nat’l Bank of Lake Jackson, 921
S.W.2d 240, 246 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996, no writ). Proof of
abandonment “must be undeniably clear and beyond almost the shadow, at least all
reasonable ground of dispute, that there has been a total abandonment with an
intention not to return and claim the exemption.” See Gouhenant v. Cockrell, 20
Tex. 96, 98 (1857); accord Burkhardt v. Lieberman, 138 Tex. 409, 416, 159
S.W.2d 847, 852 (1942).
If a homestead claimant is married, the homestead cannot be abandoned
without the consent of the claimant’s spouse. See Tex. Prop. Code § 41.004. A
claimant is entitled to only a single homestead at once. See Silvers v. Welch, 127
Tex. 58, 62, 91 S.W.2d 686, 687 (1936). The plea of homestead is an affirmative
defense, and the claimant bears the initial burden of proving the existence of the
homestead. See Burk Royalty Co. v. Riley, 475 S.W.2d 566, 568 (Tex. 1972);
Watson v. Tipton, 274 S.W.3d 791, 800 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008, pet.
denied).
ANDREA’S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT
A. Rob’s Premarital Debt
Andrea moved for declaratory relief on four separate theories. We consider
the first and second theories together because they are so closely related. In her
first theory, Andrea argues that the lien is invalid because Andrea was not named
in either the lawsuit or the judgment from which the lien originated. In her second
theory, Andrea argues that the lien is invalid because there is no evidence of a
“community debt” for which the Asbury Property might be liable. With both
theories considered together, Andrea essentially contends that Drake can never
10
reach the Asbury Property because the lien represents a judgment for only Rob’s
premarital debt.
1. Section 3.202(c) of the Texas Family Code and Former Section
5.61(c)
The questions presented in this case turn on the statutory rules of marital
property liability. We apply the traditional rules of construction when interpreting
a statute. See Presidio Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Scott, 309 S.W.3d 927, 930 (Tex. 2010).
These rules instruct that our primary objective is to ascertain and give effect to the
legislature’s intent, as expressed by the statute’s language. Id. We construe the
statutory text according to its plain and common meaning unless a contrary
intention is apparent from the context or unless such a construction leads to absurd
results. Id.
Section 3.202(c) of the Texas Family Code provides: “The community
property subject to a spouse’s sole or joint management, control, and disposition is
subject to the liabilities incurred by the spouse before or during marriage.” This
language is clear and unambiguous. If a husband incurs a debt before he marries,
the creditor may reach his marital property in satisfaction of the debt, even if that
property is jointly managed by his non-debtor wife. There is no dispute that the
Asbury Property was Rob and Andrea’s joint management community property.
Accordingly, if the lien attached during marriage, then Drake can reach any
nonexempt community interest in the Asbury Property. Andrea cannot invalidate
the lien simply because the debt was not hers.
Our statutory construction is guided by Carlton v. Estate of Estes, a case
applying the predecessor to Section 3.202(c). See 664 S.W.2d 322 (Tex. 1983) (per
curiam). In Carlton, the question was whether a wife’s interest in joint
management community property could be reached to satisfy the debts of her
11
husband if the wife was not joined in the lawsuit from which the debts arose. The
court examined former section 5.61(c) of the Texas Family Code, which differed
only slightly from the statute now in effect. The textual difference is noted as
follows: “The community property subject to a spouse’s sole or joint management,
control, and disposition is subject to the liabilities incurred by him or her before or
during marriage.” See Act effective Jan. 1, 1970, 61st Leg., R.S., ch. 888, § 1, 1969
Tex. Gen. Laws 2707, 2730 (emphasis added). The court stated that there was no
language in this provision expressly requiring the joinder of both spouses in the
lawsuit. See Carlton, 664 S.W.2d at 322–23. The court accordingly held that the
wife’s interest in her joint management community property could be reached to
satisfy the liabilities of her husband. Id. at 323.
As with the wife in Carlton, Andrea did not need to be named in the earlier
lawsuit or judgment for Drake to reach community assets jointly managed by her
and Rob. Section 3.202(c) makes the entirety of the joint management community
property subject to the liabilities of a debtor spouse. See, e.g., United States v.
Loftis, 607 F.3d 173, 178 (5th Cir. 2010) (government could garnish wife’s one-
half interest in joint management community property to satisfy liabilities of her
husband); Nelson v. Citizens Bank & Trust Co. of Baytown, Tex., 881 S.W.2d 128,
131 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, no writ) (wife’s interest in joint
management community property is subject to debt incurred individually by
husband); Gensheimer v. Kneisley, 778 S.W.2d 138, 140 (Tex. App.—Texarkana
1989, no writ) (abstract of judgment against husband constituted a valid lien
against the entirety of the property held jointly in community by husband and
wife); Hanif v. Clarksville Oil & Gas Co., No. 06-09-00110-CV, 2010 WL
2105936, at *4 (Tex. App.—Texarkana May 27, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op.)
(judgment creditor could reach stock certificates owned in the name of judgment
12
debtor’s wife where stock certificates were found to be joint management
community property). Thus, to the extent it is not impressed with homestead rights,
the Asbury Property may be reached in satisfaction of Rob’s premarital debt.
Andrea contends that Carlton is inapplicable for two reasons. First, she
argues that Carlton may be distinguished because the debt in that case was
incurred during marriage, whereas Rob’s debt was premarital. This is not a
meaningful distinction. Under the plain language of the statute, joint management
community property may be subject to liabilities that were incurred either “before
or during marriage.” See Tex. Fam. Code § 3.202(c).
Andrea argues next that Carlton may be distinguished because it relied on
the former Section 5.61(c), which Andrea claims is substantively different from the
current Section 3.202(c). The only difference between these two provisions is the
use of gender-neutral pronouns, as illustrated in this side-by-side comparison:
Former Section 5.61(c)
The community property subject to a spouse’s sole or joint
management, control, and disposition is subject to the liabilities
incurred by him or her before or during marriage.
Current Section 3.202(c)
The community property subject to a spouse’s sole or joint
management, control, and disposition is subject to the liabilities
incurred by the spouse before or during marriage.
The change in the modern statute is stylistic, not substantive. We conclude that
Carlton is still authoritative in cases involving Section 3.202(c).
Andrea challenges our statutory construction on a grammatical level. She
focuses on the indefinite article “a” and the definite article “the” that precede the
two instances of the word “spouse” used in Section 3.202(c). Because the articles
have different meanings, Andrea argues that the statute may not be construed in a
13
manner that makes the community property of one specific spouse subject to the
nontortious liabilities of “any spouse.”
Andrea overstates the reach of the statute, and her error is in not recognizing
the nature of joint management community property. By definition, community
property that is jointly managed cannot belong to one spouse and not the other. If
one spouse incurs a nontortious liability before or during marriage, the entire joint
management community property may be reached to satisfy the liability. See
Gensheimer, 778 S.W.2d at 140 (“[T]he abstract of judgment against [husband]
constituted a valid lien against the entirety of the property held in community by
[husband] and [wife].”). This result is apparent simply by substituting Rob’s name
in the statute: “The community property subject to [Rob’s] sole or joint
management, control, and disposition is subject to the liabilities incurred by [Rob]
before or during marriage.” There is no dispute that the Asbury Property was
subject to the joint management of both Rob and Andrea. Therefore, the Asbury
Property may be reached to satisfy Rob’s debt.
2. Section 3.202(d) does not compel a different result.
Andrea’s next argument is somewhat similar to her grammatical complaint.
She claims that our statutory construction improperly subjects joint management
community property to the nontortious liabilities of “either spouse.” Andrea
contends that this interpretation is unreasonable because the legislature used the
phrase “either spouse” in Section 3.202(d), but not in Section 3.202(c). This
argument invokes the rule that a court must not interpret a statute in a manner that
renders any part of the statute meaningless or superfluous. See Tex. Gov’t Code
§ 311.021(2); Columbia Med. Ctr. of Las Colinas, Inc. v. Hogue, 271 S.W.3d 238,
256 (Tex. 2008).
14
Section 3.202(d) provides as follows: “All community property is subject to
tortious liability of either spouse incurred during marriage.” The operative
language in this statute is “all community property” and “tortious liability.” Thus,
if a husband is adjudged negligent during marriage, the entire marital estate is
placed at risk—the husband’s sole management community property, the wife’s
sole management community property, and both spouses’ joint management
community property. This contrasts with Section 3.202(c), which restricts the types
of marital property subject to nontortious liabilities. Under Section 3.202(c), if a
husband incurs a debt before or during marriage, the creditor may reach the
husband’s sole management community property and both spouses’ joint
management community property—but not the wife’s sole management
community property. See James W. Paulsen, The Unsecured Texas Creditor’s
Post-Divorce Claim to Former Community Property, 63 Baylor L. Rev. 781, 787–
88 (2011). Section 3.202(d) does not undermine our reading of Section 3.202(c).
Both provisions can easily be given effect.
3. Andrea did not have to be a party in the underlying lawsuit.
Andrea relies on two other authorities in her effort to invalidate Drake’s lien.
She cites first to Cooper v. Texas Gulf Industries, Inc., a case which recognized the
abolishment of the doctrine of virtual representation. See 513 S.W.2d 200 (Tex.
1974). Under that former doctrine, a husband was said to have the sole power to
manage the marital community, meaning that a suit naming only the husband was
nonetheless binding on his wife. Id. at 202. The legislature formally abolished this
doctrine in the first Texas Family Code. See Act effective Jan. 1, 1970, 61st Leg.,
R.S., ch. 888, § 1, 1969 Tex. Gen. Laws 2707, 2727 (current version at Tex. Fam.
Code § 3.102). Under the new law, the supreme court held that “[t]he rights of the
wife, like the rights of the husband and the rights of any other joint owner, may be
15
affected only by a suit in which the wife is called to answer.” See Cooper, 513
S.W.2d at 202. Andrea quotes this same language and asserts that any lien on
community property is invalid unless she was made a party to the underlying
lawsuit. We disagree.
As the supreme court stated in Carlton, “Virtual representation is applied
only where one spouse has attempted to represent the interest of both spouses in a
suit directly concerning the community property.” See Carlton, 664 S.W.2d at 323.
When Drake first sued Rob, the suit directly concerned Rob’s premarital debt, not
his community property. Rob was still unmarried and had yet to acquire any
interest in the Asbury Property. Even if Rob and Andrea had been married at the
time of the suit, Andrea did not need to be joined as a party. If the suit concerns
only a debt, the creditor does not have to join both spouses in order to later reach
assets jointly held in community. See id. at 322–23.
Andrea cites next to Stewart Title Co. v. Huddleston, 598 S.W.2d 321 (Tex.
Civ. App.—San Antonio), writ ref’d n.r.e. per curiam, 608 S.W.2d 611 (Tex.
1980). In that case, an ex-husband was sued after his divorce and adjudged liable
on a debt that had arisen during marriage. Id. at 322. The creditors abstracted the
judgment against the ex-husband, who was then holding a property interest as a
tenant in common with his ex-wife. Id. The ex-wife sued for a declaration that the
lien was invalid against the land, or at least against her interest in the land post-
divorce. Id. at 323. The creditors filed an answer and requested to foreclose on the
interests of both the ex-husband and the ex-wife. Id. The trial court rendered a
summary judgment declaring that the ex-wife’s interest was not subject to the
creditors’ abstracted judgment. Id. That decision was affirmed by the court of
appeals, which cited the rule that no judgment against one party could be binding
against another who was never called to appear. Id.
16
As with Cooper, Andrea argues that Stewart Title precludes Drake from
attaching a lien to her property because her joinder was necessary in the underlying
suit. Andrea specifically relies on the following language from the court of
appeals:
An abstracted judgment creates a lien only on the property of the
judgment debtor and does not extend to land owned by those who are
not parties to the judgment. . . . [The ex-wife’s] interest in the land
could be subjected to the payment of debts only on the basis of a
judgment against her in a suit to which she was a party. This would
have been true even if the judgment against [the ex-husband] had been
rendered before he and [the ex-wife] were divorced.
Stewart Title, 598 S.W.2d at 323–24. We respectfully disagree with this final
statement. If a judgment is obtained during marriage against the husband alone, his
joint management community proper becomes subject to execution, even though
his wife owns a community interest. See Tex. Fam. Code § 3.202(c). Under
Carlton, the wife does not have to be joined in the lawsuit for the community
property to be subject to her husband’s liabilities. See Carlton, 664 S.W.2d at 323.
We decline to follow Stewart Title to the extent it conflicts with Carlton and the
plain language of Section 3.202(c). See Paulsen, supra, at 808–09 (criticizing this
portion of Stewart Title as “plainly wrong”).
In sum, we hold that Andrea cannot invalidate Drake’s lien on the first two
bases asserted in her motion for partial summary judgment. Section 3.202(c)
allows creditors to reach joint management community property in satisfaction of
both premarital and marital debts that were incurred by a single spouse. If Drake’s
lien attached during marriage, then the Asbury Property is liable. It is no defense
that the debt in question was not Andrea’s or that she was not joined as a party in
the underlying lawsuit.
17
B. Statute of Frauds
Andrea’s third theory attacks the enforceability of the debt that underlies the
judgment lien. Citing the statute of frauds, Andrea argues that the lien is invalid
because there is no evidence of a written agreement signed by her in which she
promised to pay for either Rob’s judgment debt or the goods that were sold to Rob
and his companies. See Tex. Bus. & Comm. Code §§ 2.201, 26.01. Without such
evidence, Andrea contends that Drake cannot hold her or her property liable.
Andrea correctly asserts that there is no writing bearing her signature, but
this issue is not dispositive. Drake filed this lawsuit seeking a declaration regarding
the liability of her former community property. Drake did not seek to enforce an
agreement by holding Andrea personally liable for a past debt. Under Section
3.202(c), a wife’s joint management community property may be reached in
satisfaction of her husband’s debt, even if the wife had no role in incurring the
debt. See, e.g., Nelson, 881 S.W.2d at 131 (holding that wife was not personally
liable for husband’s debt, but wife’s interest in joint management community
property was subject to the debt). The statute of frauds does not operate to
invalidate Drake’s lien.
C. Res Judicata
Andrea’s final theory raises the doctrine of claim preclusion, or res judicata.
See Barr v. Resolution Trust Corp. ex rel. Sunbelt Fed. Sav., 837 S.W.2d 627, 628
(Tex. 1992). This doctrine prevents the relitigation of a finally adjudicated claim
and related matters that should have been litigated in a prior lawsuit. See State &
Cnty. Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Miller, 52 S.W.3d 693, 696 (Tex. 2001) (per curiam).
Andrea focuses on Rob’s promissory note, which was executed before the
commencement of Drake’s first lawsuit against Eastern Bloc. Because Drake was
necessarily aware of the note, Andrea argues that there was no reason for Drake to
18
not litigate Rob’s liability in that first action. She then contends that the second
lawsuit should have been barred by res judicata because it involved the same
subject matter as the first.
Despite her asserted bar of res judicata, Andrea does not contend that the
second lawsuit resulted in a void judgment. She contends that the judgment is
actually valid, but she argues that any lien arising from that judgment is effective
only against Rob. Andrea cites no authority for this proposition, and it is not clear
to this court how the doctrine of res judicata would require that unusually
restrictive result. Res judicata is intended to bar subsequent collateral attacks on a
final judgment. See Segrest v. Segrest, 649 S.W.2d 610, 613 (Tex. 1983). Its very
purpose is “to preserve the sanctity of judgments.” See Abbott Labs. v. Gravis, 470
S.W.2d 639, 642 (Tex. 1971). A court should not apply res judicata to deprive a
prior judgment of its full legal effect. See Matthews Constr. Co. v. Rosen, 796
S.W.2d 692, 694 (Tex. 1990) (judgment debtor’s alter ego could not use res
judicata to prevent creditor from fully enforcing the judgment).
If the underlying judgment is valid, as Andrea admits in her brief, then the
resulting lien affects more than just Rob’s separate property. Under the plain
language of the Family Code, Rob’s joint management community property is also
subject to the liability. See Tex. Fam. Code § 3.202(c). That includes the Asbury
Property if the lien attached during marriage. We reject Andrea’s theory that res
judicata precludes Drake from reaching her joint management community
property.
DRAKE’S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Having concluded that Andrea failed to carry her summary judgment
burden, we now examine Drake’s motion and consider whether Drake conclusively
proved its entitlement to judgment as a matter of law. Drake sought two
19
declarations in its live pleading, one declaring that the abstract of judgment created
a valid judgment lien on the Asbury Property, and the other declaring that Drake is
entitled to execute against the Asbury Property. Only the first declaration was
specifically requested in Drake’s motion for partial summary judgment.
As stated above, a properly recorded abstract of judgment creates a valid lien
on and attaches to all nonexempt real property of the judgment debtor. See Tex.
Prop. Code § 52.001. Drake asserted in its motion that it complied with all
requirements in recording and indexing its abstract of judgment. Andrea has not
contested that assertion of procedural compliance. The only issue in the case, as
stated by Drake, is whether its judgment lien attached to the Asbury Property.
A judgment lien may not attach to any real property that is exempt from
seizure or forced sale. See id.; Cadle Co. v. Harvey, 46 S.W.3d 282, 285 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2001, pet. denied); cf. Cornerstone Bank, N.A. v. Randle, 869
S.W.2d 580, 586 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1993, writ dism’d) (concluding in the context
of a related statute that “a lien attaches only to nonexempt property”). Drake
offered two possible occasions on which the Asbury Property could have been
nonexempt. Drake’s first argument was that the Asbury Property was nonexempt
on January 18, 2008—the time of recording—when Rob and Andrea were still
living together. Drake argued that attachment was shown at this time,
notwithstanding the fact of cohabitation, because construction on the Queenswood
Property was underway, and Rob and Andrea intended to move into that property
when construction was completed. Drake’s alternative argument was that the
Asbury Property was nonexempt no later than August 1, 2008. The basis for this
argument was that Andrea had filed for divorce by this time, and neither she nor
Rob were still living at the Asbury Property. Drake did not use the words
20
“abandonment” or “homestead,” but that is essentially what it argued—that Rob
and Andrea had abandoned the Asbury Property as their homestead.
The burden of proving abandonment rests on the party asserting it. See
Caulley v. Caulley, 806 S.W.2d 795, 797 (Tex. 1991); Gill v. Quinn, 613 S.W.2d
324, 326 (Tex. Civ. App.—Eastland 1981, no writ). Drake raised the issue, but did
not carry its burden as a matter of law. When the abstract of judgment was
recorded on January 18, 2008, Rob and Andrea were still occupying the Asbury
Property. Abandonment cannot be shown on this date because the evidence
conclusively showed the opposite of discontinued use.
Drake conclusively proved that Rob and Andrea had vacated the Asbury
Property by August 1, 2008, but there was no clear proof of an intent to never
return. The evidence showed that the Asbury Property was leased to a third party,
but the temporary renting of a homestead does not constitute an abandonment so
long as the claimant has not designated another homestead. See Tex. Prop. Code
§ 41.003. Although Andrea was occupying the Queenswood Property, and would
later claim it as her homestead, the record contains no evidence of Rob’s
intentions. Drake suggests that there is an intent to abandon because Andrea had
previously filed for divorce, but there is no indication that the parties knew how
their property would be divided, or even that they would certainly fail to reconcile.
Proof of abandonment must be “undeniably clear,” and the evidence here does not
rise that level. See Gouhenant, 20 Tex. at 98.
Drake argues that we should not reach the issue of abandonment because
neither Rob nor Andrea established that a homestead existed at a time that predated
the recording of its abstract of judgment. See Bennett v. State Nat’l Bank, Odessa,
Tex., 623 S.W.2d 719, 722 (Tex. Civ. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1981, writ ref’d
n.r.e.) (proof of a homestead must predate the encumbrance, otherwise it is
21
ineffective to destroy preexisting rights). But Drake raised the issue of
abandonment as a means of demonstrating that the Asbury Property was
nonexempt. Drake even admits in a post-submission brief that it submitted
evidence of abandonment. Because Drake did not prove as a matter of law that the
lien attached to the Asbury Property on the basis of abandonment, the burden never
shifted to Rob and Andrea to establish an affirmative defense.
Drake has not argued that its lien attached at any other time during marriage.
On the basis of this record, Drake has not shown that it is entitled to summary
judgment as a matter of law.
CONCLUSION
We reverse the trial court’s judgment because neither party established its
entitlement to declaratory relief as a matter of law. We need not address the
parties’ remaining arguments concerning attorney’s fees, which may be litigated
again in the trial court. The cause is remanded for additional proceedings
consistent with this opinion.
/s/ Tracy Christopher
Justice
Panel consists of Justices Boyce, Christopher, and Brown.
22