in Re Julie Hannah ( 2014 )

Petition for Writ of Mandamus Conditionally Granted and Opinion filed
May 13, 2014.
In The
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
NO. 14-14-00126-CV
IN RE JULIE HANNAH, Relator
ORIGINAL PROCEEDING
WRIT OF MANDAMUS
125th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 2013-48071
OPINION
On February 11, 2014, relator Julie Hannah filed a petition for writ of
mandamus in this Court. See Tex. Gov’t Code § 22.221; see also Tex. R. App.
P. 52. In the petition, relator asks this Court to compel the Honorable Kyle Carter,
presiding judge of the 125th District Court of Harris County, to vacate two
companion orders transferring venue of the underlying litigation to the County
Court at Law of Aransas County. We granted a stay of the litigation on February
20, 2014 to allow for further consideration. Having considered relator’s petition
and the real parties’ response, we conditionally grant relator’s petition for writ of
mandamus.
I. BACKGROUND
Relator formed a personal relationship with an individual named David
Burnell Hatcher (hereinafter, the “decedent”). The decedent owned a home in
Aransas County, and relator claims she moved into that home to care for him.
Relator and decedent apparently lived together at the decedent’s home for 12 years.
Relator claims that the decedent had executed wills in 2009 and 2010
bequeathing to relator upon the decedent’s death property including $200,000 in
cash and a choice of vehicles. In 2012, the decedent’s health apparently began to
deteriorate. Also in 2012, the decedent executed a new will that did not include any
bequests to relator. Instead, the vehicle identified in the decedent’s earlier wills
was bequeathed to Marjorie Cordes, a family friend who performed occasional
work for the decedent, and the $200,000 in cash was divided between the
decedent’s sons, David Hatcher and Robert Hatcher.
Following the decedent’s death in January 2013, David filed an application
with the County Court at Law of Aransas County to probate the decedent’s 2012
will. On February 5, 2013, the Aransas County court signed an order admitting the
decedent’s will to probate as a muniment of title. Relator did not contest the
probate of the decedent’s will.
2
On August 15, 2013, relator filed suit against David, Robert, and Marjorie in
Harris County district court for tortious interference with inheritance, slander, and
conspiracy. Relator claims that during the time the decedent was in failing health
in 2012, the defendants engaged in a concerted campaign to interfere with the
bequest to relator, including making false statements to the decedent about relator.
Specifically, relator alleges that “[t]hrough duress, false statements, manipulation,
and outright deception, Defendants turned Decedent against Plaintiff and caused
Decedent to withdraw the bequest to Plaintiff which would have otherwise passed
to Plaintiff by inheritance, thus preventing Plaintiff from receiving what she was to
have received from Decedent’s estate.” Relator likewise alleges that “Plaintiff’s
bequest had been excluded only because Decedent had been mislead and
manipulated into signing a new and changed Will.” Relator is seeking monetary
damages between $200,000 and $1 million.
David is the only party to the underlying litigation that is a resident of Harris
County. Relator is a resident of Travis County, Marjorie is a resident of Aransas
County, and Robert is a resident of Caldwell County. In her original petition,
relator claimed venue was proper in Harris County pursuant to the mandatory
venue provision applicable to slander claims in Section 15.017 of the Texas Civil
Practice and Remedies Code, citing the fact that David is a resident of Harris
County. Relator also relied on the general venue provision in Section 15.002 and
the provision concerning multiple defendants in Section 15.005.
In October 2013, Marjorie filed a plea in abatement, motion to stay, and
motion to transfer venue to Aransas County, arguing that relator’s lawsuit is a
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probate proceeding over which the County Court at Law of Aransas County has
continuing jurisdiction and proper venue. David then filed a plea to the jurisdiction
and motion to transfer venue to Aransas County, raising similar arguments as
Marjorie.1 On January 14, 2014, the trial court signed two companion orders, one
granting Marjorie’s plea in abatement and motion to transfer venue, and the other
granting David’s motion to transfer. The trial court accordingly transferred venue
of the underlying litigation to the County Court at Law of Aransas County.
Relator filed a petition for writ of mandamus pursuant to Section 15.0642 of
the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, presenting as her sole issue whether
the trial court violated the mandatory venue provision in Section 15.017 of the
Civil Practice and Remedies Code by transferring relator’s suit to the County Court
at Law of Aransas County. In support of her petition, relator presents several
arguments. For example, relator argues that the real parties did not follow the
proper procedures under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 86 and 87 for challenging
venue, because they did not provide a basis for a claim of improper venue or
explicitly deny relator’s venue facts pled in her petition. Relator also challenges the
real parties’ assertion that relator’s lawsuit is a probate proceeding under
applicable statute. Relator further argues that her suit is not “related to” a probate
proceeding, and thus not subject to the statutory provisions applicable to such
related matters.
1
Robert filed a special appearance and plea to the jurisdiction, but did not move to
transfer venue. Robert is not a party to this original proceeding.
4
In their response, the real parties argue almost exclusively that relator’s suit
qualifies as a probate proceeding, and therefore is subject to the jurisdictional and
venue requirements applicable to such matters. The real parties downplay any
assertion that relator’s suit is merely “related to” a probate proceeding, although
they state that the suit easily would qualify as such. The real parties further argue
that the district court correctly transferred venue to Aransas County because
relator’s suit is a probate proceeding, and regardless, their venue motions complied
with Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 86 and 87.
II. THE MANDAMUS STANDARD
Generally, mandamus relief is appropriate only when the trial court clearly
abused its discretion and the relator has no adequate remedy by appeal. In re
Reece, 341 S.W.3d 360, 364 (Tex. 2011) (orig. proceeding). A trial court abuses its
discretion if it: (1) reaches a decision so arbitrary and unreasonable as to constitute
a clear and prejudicial error of law; (2) clearly fails to analyze or apply the law
correctly; or (3) acts without reference to any guiding rules or principles. In re
Park Mem’l Condo. Ass’n, Inc., 322 S.W.3d 447, 449–50 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] 2010, orig. proceeding). An appellate remedy is adequate when any
benefits to mandamus review are outweighed by the detriments. In re Prudential
Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124, 136 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding). As the party
seeking relief, the relator bears the burden of demonstrating entitlement to
mandamus relief. See In re Ford Motor Co., 165 S.W.3d 315, 317 (Tex. 2005) (per
curiam) (orig. proceeding); Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 837 (Tex. 1992)
(orig. proceeding).
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“[V]enue determinations generally are incidental trial rulings that are
correctable on appeal.” Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. v. Thirteenth Court of Appeals,
929 S.W.2d 440, 441 (Tex. 1996) (per curiam) (orig. proceeding). However,
“Section 15.0642 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code . . . provides that
a party may apply for a writ of mandamus with an appellate court to enforce
mandatory venue provisions.” In re San Jacinto Cnty., 416 S.W.3d 639, 641 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, orig. proceeding) (per curiam). “The focus of a
mandamus proceeding under section 15.0642 is whether the trial court abused its
discretion.” Id. “A party seeking to enforce a mandatory venue provision is not
required to prove the lack of an adequate appellate remedy, but is required only to
show that the trial court abused its discretion.” Id.
III. ANALYSIS
A. General Rules Concerning Venue
“Venue concerns the geographic location within the forum where the case
may be tried.” Cantu v. Howard S. Grossman, P.A., 251 S.W.3d 731, 734 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet. denied). “Generally, chapter 15 of the
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code governs venue of actions.” In re Tex.
Dep’t of Transp., 218 S.W.3d 74, 76 (Tex. 2007) (per curiam) (orig. proceeding).
“If a mandatory venue provision in Chapter 15 applies, suit must be brought in the
county required by the mandatory venue provision.” In re Sosa, 370 S.W.3d 79, 81
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, orig. proceeding); see also Tex. Civ. Prac.
& Rem. Code § 15.004. However, “[i]f a suit is governed by a mandatory venue
provision outside of Chapter 15, that suit must be brought in the county required by
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that mandatory venue provision.” Sosa, 370 S.W.3d at 81; see also Tex. Civ. Prac.
& Rem. Code § 15.016.
“Venue may be proper in more than one county under the venue rules.”
Hiles v. Arnie & Co., 402 S.W.3d 820, 825 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
2013, pet. denied). “In general, plaintiffs are allowed to choose venue first, and
when the county in which the plaintiff files suit is at least a permissive venue and
no mandatory venue provision applies, the plaintiff’s venue choice should not be
disturbed.” Id. Also, if a mandatory venue provision permits suit in one of several
counties, the plaintiff may choose from among the permissible counties. Sosa, 370
S.W.3d at 81 n.1.
Although the plaintiff is entitled to the first choice of venue, a defendant
may challenge the plaintiff’s venue selection, “and a court must ‘transfer an action
to another county of proper venue if . . . the county in which the action is pending
is not a proper county.’” In re Team Rocket, L.P., 256 S.W.3d 257, 259 (Tex.
2008) (orig. proceeding) (quoting Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 15.063(1)).
Where a defendant objects to the plaintiff’s venue choice through a motion to
change venue, “the plaintiff must present prima facie proof that venue is proper” in
the county of suit. Moveforfree.com, Inc. v. David Hetrick, Inc., 288 S.W.3d 539,
541 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.). “The trial court is to evaluate
venue based on the pleadings and affidavits.” Id.; see also Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.
Code § 15.064(a). Properly pleaded venue facts “shall be taken as true unless
specifically denied by the adverse party.” Tex. R. Civ. P. 87(3)(a). “If the plaintiff
fails to establish proper venue, the trial court must transfer venue to the county
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specified in the defendant’s motion to transfer, provided that the defendant has
requested transfer to another county of proper venue,” an issue for which “the
defendant has the burden to provide prima facie proof.” Cantu, 251 S.W.3d at 735.
However, if the plaintiff does provide prima facie proof that the chosen venue is
proper, the plaintiff’s choice controls, unless a mandatory venue provision applies
or the defendant brings forth conclusive evidence that destroys the plaintiff’s prima
facie proof. Moveforfree.com, 288 S.W.3d at 541.
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B. Application of the Texas Estates Code to Relator’s Suit
The central basis for the real parties’ respective motions to transfer the
underlying litigation is their assertion that relator’s suit is a “probate proceeding”
and, consequently, must be heard in the County Court at Law of Aransas County
by application of the jurisdiction and venue provisions of the Texas Estates Code.2
As relator relies on a mandatory venue provision within Chapter 15 of the Texas
Civil Practice and Remedies Code in support of venue in Harris County, we begin
our analysis with the Texas Estates Code because, in the event any mandatory
jurisdiction or venue provision in the Estates Code applies to the underlying suit,
such provision would control. See Sosa, 370 S.W.3d at 81; Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.
Code § 15.016.
For relator’s suit to be subject to the jurisdiction and venue provisions of the
Texas Estates Code, it must qualify either as a “probate proceeding” or a “matter
related to a probate proceeding” as defined by the Estates Code. See, e.g., Tex. Est.
Code §§ 32.001(a), 33.002, 33.052, 33.101; see also Tex. Est. Code § 21.006
(stating procedure in Title 2 of the Estates Code “governs all probate
proceedings”). Thus, we turn to the definitional provisions of the Estates Code.
Section 31.001 of the Texas Estates Code provides:
The term “probate proceeding,” as used in this code, includes:
2
As of January 1, 2014, the former Texas Probate Code has been repealed and replaced
with the Texas Estates Code. See In re Estate of Aguilar, No. 04-13-00038-CV, 2014 WL
667516, *1 n.1 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 19, 2014, pet. filed) (mem. op.); In re Estate of
Dixon, No. 14-12-01052-CV, 2014 WL 261020, *1 n.1 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan.
23. 2014, pet. filed). All citations herein will be to the Texas Estates Code.
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(1) the probate of a will, with or without administration of the estate;
(2) the issuance of letters testamentary and of administration;
(3) an heirship determination or small estate affidavit, community
property administration, and homestead and family allowances;
(4) an application, petition, motion, or action regarding the probate of
a will or an estate administration, including a claim for money
owed by the decedent;
(5) a claim arising from an estate administration and any action
brought on the claim;
(6) the settling of a personal representative’s account of an estate and
other matter related to the settlement, partition, or distribution of
an estate; and
(7) a will construction suit.
See also Tex. Est. Code § 22.029 (“The terms ‘probate matter,’ ‘probate
proceedings,’ ‘proceedings in probate,’ and ‘proceedings for probate’ are
synonymous and include a matter or proceeding relating to a decedent’s estate.”).
The real parties argue that relator’s suit qualifies as a probate proceeding
because it is related to the decedent’s estate, see Tex. Est. Code § 22.029, it is a
“petition . . . or action regarding the probate of a will,” Tex. Est. Code § 31.001(4),
it “a claim for money owed by the decedent,” id., and it is a “matter related to the .
. . distribution of an estate,” Tex. Est. Code § 31.001(6). We disagree. Relator’s
suit is a claim for money damages against Marjorie, David, and Robert based on
the defendants’ alleged conduct in slandering relator and tortiously interfering with
the bequests to relator in the decedent’s prior wills. Relator does not contest the
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validity or interpretation of the decedent’s 2012 will, claim herself as a rightful
heir of the decedent, assert a claim for money owed by the decedent or the
decedent’s estate, or challenge the distribution of the decedent’s property pursuant
to the terms of his will. In sum, none of the specific actions listed in Section 31.001
of the Estates Code matches the claims made by relator in her suit.
Although the gravamen of relator’s suit is that relator was disinherited as a
result of the defendants’ alleged actions, that fact alone is insufficient to make her
suit a probate proceeding. The decedent’s will was admitted to probate as a
muniment of title in proceedings in the County Court at Law of Aransas County.
Absent a bill of review, those proceedings are concluded. The prosecution of
relator’s suit would not attack, impact, or otherwise alter the probate judgment of
the Aransas County court. In other words, the decedent’s testamentary wishes have
been determined and fulfilled through the probate proceedings in Aransas County.
Whatever potential liability the defendants may face subsequently based on their
alleged individual actions vis-à-vis relator is a distinct matter. Resolution of that
matter will be determined, not by application of probate law, but rather by the law
pertaining to the specific tort claims. Furthermore, any judgment against the
defendants would be satisfied not from the decedent’s estate, but from the
individual assets of the defendants. The only connection between relator’s suit and
the decedent’s estate is the measure of damages—i.e., what, if anything, relator
would have received through probate proceedings were it not for the defendants’
alleged actions.
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The only case the real parties cite in support of their assertion that relator’s
suit is a probate proceeding is McMennamy v. McMennamy, No. 05-06-01566-CV,
2007 WL 2938264 (Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 10, 2007, pet. denied) (mem. op.). In
that case, the decedent bequeathed real property to her nephew and the will was
admitted to probate as a muniment of title. McMennamy, 2007 WL 2938264 at *1.
After the probate judgment was final, another individual filed suit in district court
claiming ownership of the same real property. In affirming the dismissal of the suit
for lack of jurisdiction, the court of appeals concluded the claims were probate
matters, reasoning: “[I]n her petition, appellant challenged the construction and
validity of [the decedent’s] will and the contents and administration of her estate.
She did not, as she suggests in her brief, merely attempt to settle a title dispute.” Id.
at *2.
McMennamy, however, provides no support to the real parties’ position here.
As an initial matter, the court did not even cite, let alone provide any analysis of,
the statutory provision defining a probate proceeding. See id. at *1–3. Next, the
plaintiff in that case was directly claiming ownership of real property bequeathed
in the will, in contrast to relator’s claim here for damages against a devisee for
having been disinherited as a result of the devisee’s allegedly tortious conduct. See
id. at *1. And finally, the nature of the plaintiff’s claims in McMennamy placed
them within the scope of the probate statutes. Id. at *2 (noting plaintiff’s suit
sought “construction of the will”); see also Tex. Est. Code § 31.001(7) (including
within the scope of probate proceedings “a will construction suit”). For these
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reasons, McMennamy does not alter our conclusion that relator’s suit is not a
“probate proceeding” under the plain language of the Estates Code.
The Estates Code includes a distinct definition of “a matter related to a
probate proceeding,” see Tex. Est. Code § 31.002, and has jurisdiction and venue
provisions specific to such matters, see, e.g., Tex. Est. Code § 32.001(a), 33.002.
Thus, the Estates Code still may be relevant to the question raised in this original
proceeding if relator’s suit, although not a probate proceeding, qualifies as a matter
related to a probate proceeding.3 The real parties downplay any reliance on this
aspect of the Estates Code, but do make a passing assertion that relator’s suit
“easily” qualifies as a matter related to a probate proceeding. We again disagree
with the real parties’ position.
“A matter related to a probate proceeding” is defined based on whether a
county has a statutory probate court or county court at law exercising probate
jurisdiction. Considering the definition applicable to Aransas County, the
following actions qualify as a matter related to a probate proceeding:
3
It is not clear that the jurisdiction and venue provisions of the Estates Code would
mandate that a matter relating to a probate proceeding be heard in the County Court at Law of
Aransas County. See Tex. Est. Code §§ 32.001(a) (“All probate proceedings must be filed and
heard in a court exercising original probate jurisdiction. The court exercising original probate
jurisdiction also has jurisdiction of all matters related to the probate proceeding as specified in
Section 31.002 for that type of court.” (emphasis added)), 33.002 (providing that with one
exception not relevant here, “venue for any cause of action related to a probate proceeding
pending in a statutory probate court is proper in the statutory probate court in which the
decedent’s estate is pending” (emphasis added)). Because we conclude relator’s suit is not a
matter related to a probate proceeding, however, we need not address whether those provisions
are mandatory or permissive.
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 an action against a personal representative or former personal
representative arising out of the representative’s performance of
the duties of a personal representative;
 an action against a surety of a personal representative or former
personal representative;
 a claim brought by a personal representative on behalf of an
estate;
 an action brought against a personal representative in the
representative’s capacity as personal representative;
 an action for trial of title to real property that is estate property,
including the enforcement of a lien against the property;
 an action for trial of the right of property that is estate property;
 the interpretation and administration of a testamentary trust if the
will creating the trust has been admitted to probate in the court;
and
 the interpretation and administration of an inter vivos trust created
by a decedent whose will has be admitted to probate in the court.
Tex. Est. Code § 31.002(a), (b).
Of the actions listed in Section 31.002, the only one identified by the real
parties as being applicable to relator’s lawsuit is the provision concerning “an
action for trial of the right of property that is estate property.” Tex. Est. Code
§ 31.002(a)(6). The real parties’ assert that relator’s suit seeks $200,000 and a
vehicle that relator claims should have been received from the decedent’s estate,
and thus is an action about relator’s right to decedent’s estate property. This
characterization of relator’s suit is incorrect. First, relator’s original petition does
14
not indicate she is seeking title to any vehicle. Her suit is for monetary damages
exclusively. Second, relator is not seeking title to “property that is estate property.”
As noted above, she is seeking damages that, if awarded, would be satisfied from
the defendants’ individual assets—not from the decedent’s estate. See Tex. Est.
Code §§ 22.012 (defining “estate” as being “a decedent’s property”); 101.001(a)(1)
(providing generally that estate property vests immediately in devisees if there is a
valid will); 256.001 (providing wills generally not effective until admitted to
probate); 257.102(b) (providing person entitled to property under will admitted to
probate as muniment of title may treat the property as if title was vested in that
person’s name). Moreover, none of the other provisions in Section 31.002 apply to
relator’s suit.
For these reasons, relator’s suit is not a matter related to a probate
proceeding. Having also concluded that the suit is not a probate proceeding, we
hold that jurisdiction and venue are not mandatory in the County Court at Law of
Aransas County under the Estates Code.
C. Venue under the Civil Practice and Remedies Code
Because relator’s lawsuit does not qualify as either a probate proceeding or a
matter related to a probate proceeding under the Estates Code, we turn our
attention back to Chapter 15 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Among the
claims asserted by relator against the defendants is a claim for slander. “A suit for
damages for . . . slander . . . shall be brought and can only be maintained in the
county in which the plaintiff resided at the time of the accrual of the cause of
action, . . . or in the county of the residence of defendants, or any of them, . . . at
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the election of the plaintiff.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 15.017. Under this
provision, relator’s claim for slander could be brought and maintained only in
Aransas, Caldwell, Harris, or Travis Counties. From these limited options, relator
elected Harris County—David’s county of residence—which is relator’s choice to
make. Id.; see also Sosa, 370 S.W.3d at 81 n.1.
Moreover, because relator’s slander claim could be brought only in a select
number of venues and she elected Harris County from that list, relator’s venue
election controls over the remaining claims and other defendants. See Tex. Civ.
Prac. & Rem. Code §15.004 (“In a suit in which a plaintiff properly joins two or
more claims or causes of action arising from the same transaction, occurrence, or
series of transactions or occurrences, and one of the claims or causes of action is
governed by the mandatory venue provisions of Subchapter B, the suit shall be
brought in the county required by the mandatory venue provision.”); see also Tex.
Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 15.005 (“In a suit in which the plaintiff has established
proper venue against a defendant, the court also has venue of all the defendants in
all claims or actions arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of
transactions or occurrences.”).
A trial court “is to evaluate venue based on the pleadings and affidavits,”
Moveforfree.com, 288 S.W.3d at 541, and properly pleaded venue facts “shall be
taken as true unless specifically denied by the adverse party,” Tex. R. Civ. P.
87(3)(a). In her original petition, relator alleged the respective county of residence
of each defendant, and explicitly elected venue in Harris County as David’s county
of residence. In their pleadings, none of the defendants specifically denied that
16
David is a resident of Harris County. The defendants’ general denial of relator’s
allegations is insufficient to serve as a specific denial of her pleaded venue facts.
See Maranatha Temple, Inc. v. Enter. Prods. Co., 833 S.W.2d 736, 740 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, writ denied). Therefore, based on relator’s
pleading of a claim for slander, as well as her allegation that David resides in
Harris County, relator has provided prima facie proof that venue of the underlying
litigation is both proper and mandatory in Harris County.
Under these circumstances, transfer of the litigation would be appropriate
only if the real parties demonstrated that an overriding mandatory venue provision
applies or brought forward conclusive evidence that destroys the plaintiff’s prima
facie proof. See Moveforfree.com, 288 S.W.3d at 541. The real parties, however,
brought forth no such conclusive evidence, and their assertion of an overriding
mandatory venue provision was grounded in the application of the jurisdiction and
venue provisions of the Texas Estates Code, which we have held are not
applicable. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court abused its discretion by
disregarding relator’s election of venue in Harris County pursuant to the mandatory
venue provision in Section 15.017 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
IV. Conclusion
Relator’s lawsuit is not a probate proceeding. Therefore, the mandatory
venue provision in Section 15.017 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
controls. Under that provision, relator elected Harris County among the limited
venue options based on David’s residence in Harris County. The trial court had no
legal basis upon which to order the transfer of the underlying litigation to Aransas
17
County. Thus, the trial court abused its discretion in ordering the transfer of
relator’s suit.
Accordingly, we conditionally grant relator’s petition for writ of mandamus,
and direct the trial court to vacate its orders dated January 14, 2014 transferring
venue of the underlying litigation to the County Court at Law of Aransas County.
We are confident that respondent will act in accordance with this opinion. The writ
will issue only if the trial court fails to do so.
We also lift our stay granted on February 20, 2014.
PER CURIAM
Panel consists of Justices McCally, Busby, and Donovan.
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