in the Int of DMB, Jr and ILB ( 2015 )

Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
OPINION
No. 04-14-00767-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF D.M.B. Jr. and I.L.B., Children
From the 166th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2013-PA-02050
Honorable Peter A. Sakai, Judge Presiding
Opinion by: Marialyn Barnard, Justice
Dissenting Opinion by: Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice
Sitting: Marialyn Barnard, Justice
Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice
Jason Pulliam, Justice
Delivered and Filed: April 29, 2015
DISMISSED FOR WANT OF JURISDICTION
This is a restricted appeal from a trial court’s order terminating appellant father’s (“Father”)
parental rights. On appeal, Father contends the trial court erred in terminating his parental rights
because the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over him. We dismiss the appeal for want of
jurisdiction.
BACKGROUND
In 2013, the Texas Department of Family Services (“the Department”) filed an original
petition, seeking to terminate Father’s parental rights to his children, D.M.B. and I.L.B., on
numerous grounds. 1 In the petition, the Department provided an address for Father. Along with
1
The Department also sought to terminate the parental rights of the children’s mother. Her rights were terminated,
and she has not filed an appeal challenging the order of termination.
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the petition, the Department filed a motion for substituted service, requesting authorization to serve
Father by publication or other means of substituted service. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 106 (authorizing
substituted service in certain instances). The affidavit attached to the motion stated Father could
“probably be found” at the address listed in the petition because Father had previously lived there.
The trial court signed an order authorizing service on Father by any person authorized by Rule 103
of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure — sheriff or constable, any person over eighteen authorized
by law or written court order, any person certified by supreme court order — in accordance with
Rule 106. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 103 (stating who may serve legal process, including citation); TEX.
R. CIV. P. 106. The trial court also appointed an attorney ad litem for Father. See TEX. FAM. CODE
ANN. § 107.013(a)(3) (West 2014) (requiring appointment of attorney ad litem for alleged father
who has not registered with paternity registry and whose identity or location is unknown). Shortly
thereafter, a return of citation was filed, showing citation was posted on the door of the house at
the address listed in the Department’s petition and affidavit supporting the motion for substituted
service. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 106(b)(1) (authorizing service of process — upon motion with
supporting affidavit stating usual place where defendant can probably be found — by leaving copy
of citation and petition in manner reasonably effective to give defendant notice of suit).
The trial court subsequently held an adversary hearing regarding temporary placement of
the children as required by section 262.201 of the Texas Family Code. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§ 262.201 (West 2014). The record reflects Father’s attorney ad litem appeared at the hearing. 2
At the Chapter 262 hearing, Father’s attorney ad litem announced “not ready” and informed the
trial court he and his secretary spoke to Father the day before the hearing. The trial court
proceeded, and during the hearing, Father’s attorney asserted numerous objections on Father’s
2
We note the recitals in the orders rendered after the Chapter 262 hearing conflict as to whether Father personally
appeared; however, the reporter’s record establishes Father was not personally present at the hearing.
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behalf. At the end of the hearing, the trial court granted a temporary order, giving the Department
temporary custody of the children.
One month later, the trial court held a status hearing at which Father’s attorney ad litem
again appeared. Ultimately, the matter was transferred to the Family Drug Court — the
Department had alleged, as grounds for termination, that both parents used controlled substances
in a manner that endangered the children. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 161.001(1)(p) (West 2014).
However, the case was “expelled” from the Family Drug Court for “non-compliance.” The matter
was subsequently set for trial on the merits.
On July 25, 2014, the termination matter was tried to the court. The reporter’s record lists
appearances by the attorneys for the Department, the mother, and the children; however, it does
not list an appearance by Father or Father’s attorney ad litem. At trial, the attorneys representing
the Department, the mother, and the children announced present, but neither Father nor Father’s
attorney ad litem announced present or ready; there is nothing in the reporter’s record to suggest
Father or anyone on Father’s behalf was present for trial. At the conclusion of the one-day trial,
the trial court signed an order terminating Father’s parental rights based on two of the grounds
originally pled by the Department in its petition.
The trial court’s order of termination was signed July 25, 2014. Accordingly, because
parental termination appeals are accelerated, Father’s notice of appeal was due August 14, 2014.
See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.405(a) (stating that appeal from termination order is governed by
procedures for accelerated appeals in civil cases under Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure); TEX.
R. APP. P. 26.1(b) (stating that in accelerated appeal, notice of appeal must be filed within twenty
days after judgment or order is signed). However, Father did not file his notice of appeal until
November 4, 2014. The notice of appeal stated it was a restricted appeal, and it was filed within
the six month time period for filing a restricted appeal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 26.1(c) (stating that in
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restricted appeal, notice of appeal must be filed within six months after judgment or order is
signed).
ANALYSIS
On appeal, Father raises two issues, arguing the termination order must be reversed because
the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over him. More specifically, Father argues he was not
properly served with citation because the substituted service used by the Department did not
strictly comply with Rule 106, resulting in a violation of his state and federal due process rights.
The Department counters, arguing Father made a general appearance by and through his attorney
ad litem at the Chapter 262 hearing, and therefore, waived his complaint about the alleged
defective service.
As noted above, this is a restricted appeal. Accordingly, we must determine whether Father
has met the required elements for a restricted appeal as those elements are jurisdictional.
To bring a restricted appeal, Father must show: (1) he filed a notice of restricted appeal
within six months of the date the termination order was signed; (2) he was a party to the underlying
suit; (3) he did not participate in the hearing that resulted in the termination order, i.e., the order
complained of, and did not file any post judgment motions or a request for findings of facts and
conclusions of law; and (4) error is apparent on the face of the record. TEX. R. APP. P. 26.1(c), 30;
Ins. Co. of State of Penn. v. Lejeune, 297 S.W.3d 254, 255 (Tex. 2009) (citing Alexander v. Lynda’s
Boutique, 134 S.W.3d 845, 848 (Tex. 2004)); In re B.H.B., 336 S.W.3d 303, 305 (Tex. App.—San
Antonio 2010, pet. denied). Each element of a restricted appeal is mandatory and jurisdictional.
Ibarra v. City of Laredo, No. 04-11-00035-CV, 2012 WL 3025709, *4 (Tex. App.—San Antonio
July 25, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (citing Serna v. Webster, 908 S.W.2d 487, 491 (Tex. App.—
San Antonio 1995, no writ)).
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The parties do not dispute that Father satisfied the first three jurisdictional elements of a
restricted appeal. Thus, only the fourth element — error apparent on the face of the record — is
at issue. For the purposes of a restricted appeal, the face of the record comprises the clerk’s record,
the reporter’s record, as well as any other evidence otherwise presented to the trial court before
final judgment. See Norman Commc’n v. Tex. Eastman Co., 955 S.W.2d 269, 270 (Tex. 1997);
Schoendienst v. Haug, 399 S.W.3d 313, 316 (Tex. App.—Austin 2013, no pet.). Error must be
apparent from the face of the record and not inferred from the record. See Norman, 955 S.W.2d
at 270; Schoendienst, 399 S.W.3d at 316.
We begin by addressing the Department’s contention that Father made a general
appearance at the Chapter 262 hearing and thereby waived any complaint regarding lack of service
or improper service. A party waives complaints regarding service of process if he makes a general
appearance. TEX. R. CIV. P. 120 (providing that entrance of general appearance has same force
and effect as if citation has been issued and served as provided by law). Thus, if Father generally
appeared, error is not apparent on the face of the record and this court lacks jurisdiction over
Father’s restricted appeal.
“A party enters a general appearance when it (1) invokes the judgment of the court on any
question other than the court’s jurisdiction, (2) recognizes by its acts that an action is properly
pending, or (3) seeks affirmative action from the court.” Exito Electronics Co. v. Trejo, 142
S.W.3d 302, 304–05 (Tex. 2004) (per curiam). In general, a party’s personal appearance before a
trial court indicates a submission to the court’s jurisdiction, constituting a general appearance and
therefore, waiving any complaint as to service. Mays v. Perkins, 927 S.W.2d 222, 225 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, no writ) (citing TEX. R. CIV. P. 120). Similarly, a defendant
waives a complaint regarding service if retained counsel appears in court on his behalf, seeking a
judgment or adjudication on some question. In re C.T., No. 13-12-00006-CV, 2012 WL 6738266,
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at *11 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Dec. 27, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.). Moreover, this court
previously held that an appellant father waived any complaint about service when his attorney ad
litem attended the termination hearing, announced not ready, but sought the court’s consideration
of the child’s best interest. In re P.Y.M., No. 04-13-00024-CV, 2013 WL 4009748, at *2 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio Aug. 7, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.). Accordingly, a party’s request for
affirmative action constitutes a general appearance because such a request recognizes a court’s
jurisdiction over the parties, whereas the mere presence by a party or his attorney does not
constitute a general appearance. Seals v. Upper Trinity Regional Water Dist., 145 S.W.3d 291,
296 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004, pet. dism’d) (“[A] party who is a silent figurehead in the
courtroom, observing the proceedings without participating, has not [generally appeared].”).
Here, the appellate record establishes Father generally appeared through his attorney ad
litem at the Chapter 262 hearing. Although a responsive pleading was never filed on behalf of
Father, Father’s attorney ad litem attended the Chapter 262 hearing and participated in the
proceeding. At the Chapter 262 hearing, the attorney ad litem announced not ready, but proceeded
to make repeated objections to the Department’s request for a temporary restraining order and as
to the admissibility of certain evidence. At no time during the Chapter 262 hearing did the attorney
ad litem object to the lack of service. At the end of the Chapter 262 hearing, when asked whether
he had any additional statements, the ad litem re-emphasized his objection to the entry of a
temporary restraining order. Although the attorney ad litem announced not ready and did not
question any witnesses, a review of the record indicates that by objecting to substantive issues,
such as the admissibility of evidence, the attorney ad litem was more than a mere bystander or
silent figurehead at the Chapter 262 hearing. Cf. Seals, 145 S.W.3d at 296–97 (holding that
attorney generally appeared when it attended status hearing, stated “not asking for any affirmative
relief” on the record, and did not object to any testimony, but sought clarification on pleadings).
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Just as the First Court of Appeals recognized, counsel’s objection to the admission of evidence
“invoked the judgment of the court on a question other than the court’s jurisdiction, recognized
that the action was properly pending in Texas, and sought affirmative action from this court.” See
Beistel v. Allen, No. 01-06-000246-CV, 2007 WL 1559840, at *3 (Tex. App—Houston [1st
Dist.—Houston] May 31, 2007, no pet.) (mem. op.).
The dissent, however, disagrees that the attorney ad litem’s actions constituted a general
appearance and contends a hearsay objection is not a request for judgment or adjudication for a
non-jurisdictional issue. However, in determining whether a general appearance occurred, the
emphasis is on affirmative action — not affirmative relief — and a party who objects to the
admission of hearsay evidence seeks such an action even if the trial court does not rule on the
objection. See Beistel, 2007 WL 1559840, at *3 (noting court did not rule on hearsay but holding
hearsay objection was request for affirmative action from the court). Finally, the dissent compares
the Chapter 262 hearing to an ancillary matter held prior to the main suit for the proposition that
appearing in an ancillary matter prior to the main suit does not constitute a general appearance.
See Carey v. State, No. 04-09-00809-CV, 2010 WL 2838631, at *3 (Tex. App—San Antonio July
21, 2010, pet. denied) (mem. op.). However, this was a Chapter 262 hearing, not an ancillary
matter. Chapter 262 hearings are statutorily required in a parental termination cases. See TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 262.201 (West 2014). Although an ancillary matter — the temporary
restraining order — arose during the Chapter 262 hearing, it was not the sole reason for the hearing.
Accordingly, we hold the attorney ad litem’s actions, particularly his multiple objections
to substantive issues, constituted a general appearance, establishing the court’s personal
jurisdiction over Father. See P.Y.M., 2013 WL 4009748, at *2; Beistel, 2007 WL 1559840, at *3;
Seals, 145 S.W.3d at 296–97. We therefore hold that by entering a general appearance through
his attorney ad litem, Father waived his complaint regarding lack of service. See P.Y.M., 2013
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WL 4009748, at *2; Beistel, 2007 WL 1559840, at *3; Seals, 145 S.W.3d at 296–97. As such,
Father has not shown error on the face of the record, thereby depriving this court of jurisdiction
over his restricted appeal.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, we hold Father has failed to show error on the face of the
record. Because Father failed to meet all the jurisdictional requirements for a restricted appeal,
we dismiss Father’s appeal for want of jurisdiction.
Marialyn Barnard, Justice
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