Brian Keith MacGillivray v. Georgia Lee MacGillivray ( 2011 )

MEMORANDUM OPINION
No. 04-10-00109-CV
Brian Keith MACGILLIVRAY,
Appellant
v.
Georgia Lee MACGILLIVRAY,
Appellee
From the 57th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2008-CI-15198
Honorable John D. Gabriel, Jr., Judge Presiding
Opinion by: Karen Angelini, Justice
Sitting: Karen Angelini, Justice
Phylis J. Speedlin, Justice
Rebecca Simmons, Justice
Delivered and Filed: June 1, 2011
AFFIRMED
Appellant Brian Keith MacGillivray (“Brian”) and Appellee Georgia Lee MacGillivray
(“Georgia”) were high school sweethearts who reunited at a high school reunion. They married
in 2003 and have two children. Brian, a doctor, opened a concierge practice and supplemented
his income by working in an emergency room. Georgia worked as a contract physical therapist.
After a jury trial, Georgia was awarded the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of
04-10-00109-CV
the children. The trial court then determined the remaining issues. Brian now brings multiple
issues on appeal. We overrule all issues and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
A. Attorney’s Fees
Brian argues the trial court erred in awarding attorney fees because the jury failed to
answer the question on attorney’s fees in the charge and because Georgia did not object to the
jury’s failure to answer the question. Georgia responds that the trial court did not err because the
parties agreed to allow the trial court to decide the attorney’s fees issue. In support, Georgia
points to the final decree, which recites that “[b]y agreement of the parties as stated in open
Court, the judge . . . made rulings and findings on all remaining matters, including attorney’s
fees . . . .” (emphasis added). Brian counters that if the parties made such an agreement, the trial
court erred in enforcing it because there is no record of any such agreement that complies with
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 11.
At a post-trial hearing, Brian objected to the trial court considering the issue of attorney’s
fees, arguing that because the jury had failed to answer the question and because Georgia had
failed to object to that omission, Georgia had waived any award of fees. Georgia’s counsel then
stated to the court that the parties had agreed during the trial to submit the issue of attorney’s fees
to the trial court and that this agreement was recited in open court at the bench. The trial court
also remembered the parties making that agreement in open court during the trial.
Rule 11 provides that “[n]o agreement between attorneys or parties touching any suit
pending will be enforced unless it be in writing, signed and filed with the papers as part of the
record, or unless it be made in open court and entered of record.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 11. Brian
argues that because the agreement is not reflected in the reporter’s record, it does not comply
with Rule 11. However, under similar facts, the Texas Supreme Court held in City of Houston v.
-2-
04-10-00109-CV
Clear Creek Basin Authority, 589 S.W.2d 671, 677 (Tex. 1979), that Rule 11 “is satisfied if the
oral waiver or agreement made in open court is described in the judgment or an order of the
court.” Here, the final decree recites that the parties agreed in open court to submit the attorney’s
fees issue to the trial court. Therefore, Rule 11 was satisfied. See id.
B. Child Support
Brian argues the trial court abused its discretion in awarding child support in excess of
the statutory guidelines without making sufficient findings in support of such excess. In
awarding child support, a trial court has discretion to deviate from the statutory guidelines.
Tenery v. Tenery, 932 S.W.2d 29, 30 (Tex. 1996); see also TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 154.123(a)
(“The court may order periodic child support payments in an amount other than that established
by the guidelines if the evidence rebuts the presumption that application of the guidelines is in
the best interest of the child and justifies a variance from the guidelines.”). Section 154.126(a) of
the Texas Family Code provides that if the obligor’s net resources exceed $7,500, the trial court
shall presumptively apply the percentage guidelines to the portion of the obligor’s net resources
that does not exceed $7,500.00. TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 154.126(a). “Without further reference
to the percentage recommended by these guidelines, the court may order additional amounts of
child support as appropriate, depending on the income of the parties and the proven needs of the
child.” Id. In making such an award, the trial court should subtract the presumptive award from
the proven needs of the child. Id. § 154.126(b). “After the presumptive award is subtracted, the
court shall allocate between the parties the responsibility to meet the additional needs of the child
according to the circumstances of the parties.” Id. “However, in no event may the obligor be
required to pay more child support than the greater of the presumptive amount or the amount
equal to 100 percent of the proven needs of the child.” Id.
-3-
04-10-00109-CV
The “needs of the child” is not limited to the “bare necessities of life.” Rodriguez v.
Rodriguez, 860 S.W.2d 414, 417 n.3 (Tex. 1993). The trial court must determine what the needs
are on a case-by-case basis by following the “paramount guiding principle: the best interest of
the child.” Id. (emphasis in original). Further, in determining whether to deviate from the
guidelines, the trial court considers evidence of “all relevant factors,” including the following:
1) the age and needs of the child;
2) the ability of the parents to contribute to the support of the child;
3) any financial resources available for the support of the child;
4) the amount of time of possession of and access to a child;
5) the amount of the obligee’s net resources, including the earning potential of the obligee if
the actual income of the obligee is significantly less than what the obligee could earn
because the obligee is intentionally unemployed or underemployed and including an
increase or decrease in the income of the obligee or income that may be attributed to the
property and assets of the obligee;
6) child care expenses incurred by either party in order to maintain gainful employment;
7) whether either party has the managing conservatorship or actual physical custody of
another child;
8) the amount of alimony or spousal maintenance actually and currently being paid or
received by a party;
9) the expenses for a son or daughter for education beyond secondary school;
10) whether the obligor or obligee has an automobile, housing, or other benefits furnished by
his or her employer, another person, or a business entity;
11) the amount of other deductions from the wage or salary income and from other
compensation for personal services of the parties;
12) provision for health care insurance and payment of uninsured medical expenses;
13) special or extraordinary educational, health care, or other expenses of the parties or of the
child;
14) the cost of travel in order to exercise possession of and access to a child;
-4-
04-10-00109-CV
15) positive or negative cash flow from any real and personal property and assets, including a
business and investments;
16) debts or debt service assumed by either party; and
17) any other reason consistent with the best interest of the child, taking into consideration
the circumstances of the parties.
Id. § 154.123(b).
Brian was ordered to pay $2,600.00 per month in child support, an amount that deviates
from the statutory guidelines. In deviating from the guidelines, the trial court made the following
findings: 1
1. The net resources of Brian MacGillivray per month is at least $20,400.00
2. The net resources of Georgia MacGillivray per month is $1698.77.
3. The percentage applied to the first $7,500.00 of Brian MacGillivray’s net resources for
child support is 25%, which results in a child support figure of $1,875.00 per month.
4. The percentage applied to Brian MacGillivray’s remaining net resources of $12,900.00
for child support is 5.62%, which results in an additional $725.00 per month in child
support.
5. The total percentage applied to Brian MacGillivray’s net resources of $20,400.00 per
month for child support is 12.75%, which results in a total child support award of
$2,600.00.
6. The specific reasons that the amount of child support per month ordered by the court
varies from the amount computed by applying the percentage guidelines under section
154.125 of the Texas Family Code are as follows:
a. Brian MacGillivray’s net resources exceed the maximum monthly amount
referenced in section 154.125 of the Texas Family Code by $12,900.00;
b. The cost of the proven needs of the children exceeds $5,000.00 per month;
c. The amount of child support calculated under the guidelines for the first
$7,500.00 of Brian MacGillivray’s net resources would result in a child support
1
On February 8, 2011, noting that Brian had complained in his brief that the trial court had failed to make findings
pursuant to section 154.130(b) of the Texas Family Code, we abated this appeal to the trial court so that it could
make such findings. We then allowed the parties to file supplemental briefing.
-5-
04-10-00109-CV
obligation of $1,875.00 per month, which, when combined with the net resources
of Georgia MacGillivray, would result in total net resources that is at least
$1,426.23 per month less than the proven needs of the children. Such an award
would not be in the best interest of the children, and would be unjust and
inappropriate; and
d. A total child support award of $2,600.00 per month is justified and proper in this
case because
i. such an award is in the best interest of the children;
ii. such an award is necessary given the age and proven needs of the children;
iii. such an award is appropriate and justified given the ability of the parents
to contribute to the support of the children; and
iv. such an award is appropriate and justified considering the financial
resources available to each parent to support the children.
On appeal, Brian argues that the proven needs supported by the record equal no more
than $2,083.00. Thus, Brian argues that by ordering him to pay $2,600.00 per month in child
support, the trial court has required he pay an amount in excess of 100 percent of the proven
needs of the children in violation of section 124.126(b). In concluding that the proven needs of
the children equal no more than $2,083.00, Brian refers to Trial Exhibit 100, an exhibit
introduced by Georgia and admitted in evidence without objection. In referring to Exhibit 100,
Brian argues that the proven needs of the children should equal $2,083.00 per month. In making
this conclusion, Brian removes certain items that were included in Exhibit 100’s list of expenses
for the children. For example, Brian deducts $425 from his daughter’s monthly proven needs,
arguing that because his daughter now attends school, she no longer needs child care. However,
Georgia’s exhibit was not objected to at trial and is evidence that her daughter has the need for
child care. We cannot assume that because Georgia and Brian’s daughter is now attending school
means that Georgia, a working mother, does not incur child care expenses, such as after-school
care, for her daughter. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 154.123(b)(6) (explaining that in deviating
-6-
04-10-00109-CV
from guidelines, court can consider child care expenses incurred by either party in order to
maintain gainful employment); In re Gonzalez, 993 S.W.2d 147, 160 (Tex. App.—San Antonio
1999, no pet.) (holding that expenses for nanny were included within proven needs of the child).
Brian also removes recurring annual expenses for the children in the form of Christmas presents,
birthday presents, birthday parties, and vacations, arguing that he can provide those needs to the
children himself. However, Brian points to no authority that prohibits the trial court from
considering such expenses as a “need” of the children. Indeed, while the “needs of the child” are
not so expansive as to encompass the most extravagant demands, the trial court is given broad
discretion to determine the needs of the child. See Scott v. Younts, 926 S.W.2d 415, 422 (Tex.
App.—Corpus Christi 1996, writ denied). And, when the monthly cost of these expenses is
combined with Georgia’s child care cost for her daughter, the proven needs of the children
exceed Brian’s court-ordered child support of $2,600. Therefore, the trial court did not require
Brian to pay an amount in excess of 100 percent of the proven needs of the children in violation
of section 124.126(b).
Brian also complains that the trial court abused its discretion in deviating from the
guidelines because of his “steep monthly debt level.” However, given the trial court’s finding
that Brian has monthly net resources of more than $20,000, we find no abuse of discretion in the
trial court ordering Brian to pay $2600 per month in child support.
C. Temporary Spousal Support
Brian argues that the trial court erred in awarding temporary spousal support to Georgia
through January 31, 2010, and in ordering him to pay temporary car payments and car insurance
payments through January 31, 2010. We disagree.
-7-
04-10-00109-CV
On November 14, 2008, the trial court ordered Brian to pay temporary spousal support to
Georgia in the amount of $1,200 per month. The trial court also ordered Brian to make
temporary car payments and car insurance payments. The temporary orders specifically stated
that they would continue in force until the signing of the final divorce decree or until further
order of the court. On September 29, 2009, during the jury trial regarding conservatorship, the
parties proved up their divorce and the trial court orally granted the divorce: “Proved up the
divorce? Want me to grant it today? Okay. Divorce is granted.” On October 1, 2009, the jury
returned its verdict by finding that Georgia should have the exclusive right to designate the
primary residence of the children. On December 1, 2009, the trial court held a hearing regarding
the remaining issues of property division, spousal support, child support, and visitation. During
that hearing, the trial court orally denied Georgia’s request for spousal support and stated how
the property should be divided among the parties. On February 9, 2010, the trial court signed the
final order, which specifically stated that the temporary orders “shall remain in full force and
effect until January 31, 2010.”
Pointing to the oral pronouncement of divorce on September 29, 2009, Brian argues that
because the trial court rendered an oral judgment that day, Georgia was not entitled to temporary
spousal support after September 29, 2009. Brian further argues that he was not required to make
the temporary car payments and car insurance payments after September 29, 2009. In making
this argument, Brian emphasizes that under the law, judgment is rendered when the court makes
an official announcement, either in writing or orally in open court, of its decision on the matter
submitted for adjudication and that once a judgment is rendered by oral pronouncement, the
entry of a written judgment is purely a ministerial act. James v. Hubbard, 21 S.W.3d 558, 561
(Tex. App.—San Antonio 2000, no pet.). However, in order to be an official judgment, the trial
-8-
04-10-00109-CV
court’s oral pronouncement must indicate intent to render a full, final, and complete judgment at
that point in time. In re Marriage of Joyner, 196 S.W.3d 883, 886 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2006,
pet. denied). That is, the trial court’s words, whether spoken or written, must evince a present, as
opposed to future, act that effectively decides the issues before the court. Id. at 887. Here, there
was no such intent by the trial court. On September 29, 2009, during the jury trial, the trial court
stated that the parties were divorced before the jury had rendered its decision and before the trial
court had decided the remaining issues. Thus, the trial court’s oral pronouncement on September
29, 2009, was not a full, final, and complete judgment.
Brian alternatively argues that the trial court’s oral rulings at the December 1, 2009,
hearing should be considered the final judgment and thus Georgia is not entitled to temporary
spousal support after December 1, 2009. In making this argument, he also argues that he was not
required to make the temporary car payments and car insurance payments after December 1,
2009. However, the temporary orders specifically stated that they would remain in effect until
the final judgment was signed or until further order of the court. The trial court made no ruling
on December 1, 2009, relating to temporary spousal support or relating to other temporary
orders.
Brian next argues that the trial court had no authority to award temporary spousal support
after the December 1, 2009, oral pronouncement because the oral pronouncement made the
judgment final that day and because the trial court may award temporary spousal support only
while a case is “pending.” Thus, Brian argues because the judgment was final on December 1,
2009, the case was no longer pending after that date. However, the case was indeed still pending.
Even if the trial court’s oral ruling on December 1, 2009, is considered the trial court’s full, final,
and complete judgment, the trial court retains plenary power and has discretion to issue a written
-9-
04-10-00109-CV
decree that is modified from its oral ruling. Cash v. Cash, No. 03-04-00560-CV, 2005 WL
1787552, at *3 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005, no pet.); Cook v. Cook, 888 S.W.2d 130, 132 (Tex.
App.—Corpus Christi 1994, no writ); Louwien v. Dowell, 534 S.W.2d 421, 422 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 1976, no writ). Thus, the trial court had authority to state in its final written judgment that
Georgia would receive temporary support until January 31, 2010. 2
D. Rights and Duties of the Parents
The jury answered Question No. 1 of the charge by stating Georgia should be the joint
managing conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children.
Brian argues that the jury’s answer is not supported by the evidence. We review the jury’s
answer under traditional legal and factual sufficiency standards. In re Doe, 19 S.W.3d 249, 253
(Tex. 2000); Catalina v. Blasdel, 881 S.W.2d 295, 297 (Tex. 1994). In so reviewing, we keep in
mind that the jury is the sole judge of the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given their
testimony. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 819 (Tex. 2005). Further, we may not
substitute our judgment for that of the jury, even if we would reach a different finding based on
the evidence. Id.
Brian argues that the evidence is factually insufficient to support the jury’s finding. He
emphasizes that the court-appointed social worker, Colette Duciaume Wright, recommended that
he be given the right to designate the children’s primary residence. However, while the jury
heard the social worker’s recommendation, it also heard her testify that this was the first
contested custody case in which she had testified; that she had failed to perform an adequate
investigation; that she was unfamiliar with the Family Code’s standard possession order; and that
2
Brian also argues that because Georgia was not entitled to temporary spousal support payments after the oral
pronouncement, she should not be awarded any attorney’s fees related to her motion to enforce. However, because
we have held that the trial court did not err in awarding Georgia temporary spousal support, it also did not err in
awarding her attorney’s fees relating to her motion to enforce.
- 10 -
04-10-00109-CV
she relied on psychological testing performed on Georgia eight years ago without talking to the
psychologist who administered the testing, Dr. Dina Trevino. Indeed, during her testimony, Dr.
Trevino was highly critical of Wright relying on this testing from eight years earlier and of the
manner in which Wright used the testing to arrive at a recommendation in this case.
Further, there was evidence that Georgia had been the primary care giver of the children
and that Brian worked as much as seventy hours a week and was thus absent much of the time.
There was also evidence from which the jury could conclude that if Brian was given the
exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children, it would be his mother who
would take over the role as the children’s primary care giver. And, finally, there was evidence
from Georgia’s family and friends that she was a caring and loving mother dedicated to her
children. Thus, we hold that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support the jury’s
verdict.
While the jury determined which parent should have the exclusive right to designate the
primary residence of the children, the trial court awarded the other powers, rights, and duties to
the parents. Brian argues that the trial court abused its discretion in appointing both him and
Georgia as joint managing conservators while giving Georgia the exclusive right to make
decisions regarding the children’s education and health care.
The Family Code presumes the appointment of the parents as joint managing
conservators to be in the best interest of the children. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.131(b).
The trial court must also allocate power between the parents either independently, jointly, or
exclusively. See id. § 153.134(b)(2)-(4). The powers of the parent include the right to make
decisions concerning the children’s education, medical and dental care, as well as psychological
and psychiatric treatment. See id. § 151.001(a)(6), (10). To effectuate the best interest of the
- 11 -
04-10-00109-CV
children, the trial court retains broad discretion in crafting the rights and duties of each
conservator. Swaab v. Swaab, 282 S.W.3d 519, 532 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet.
dism’d w.o.j.).
Brian argues that he should have been allowed equal, if not exclusive, rights regarding
where the children should attend school because he was very involved with the children’s
education and was the parent who ensured the children were involved in extra-curricular
activities. However, there was evidence to support the trial court’s decision to award Georgia the
exclusive right to make educational decisions. There was evidence that Brian worked much of
the time and that Georgia had been the primary care giver, making most of the children’s
educational decisions before the filing of the divorce action. Further, the trial court knew that the
parties vehemently disagreed about where the children should attend school. Georgia wanted the
children enrolled near where she was residing in Helotes. Brian wanted the children to remain in
the school they attended in Stone Oak. Georgia argued to the trial court that if she was not
granted the exclusive right to make educational decisions, she and Brian would be in court
constantly, as they obviously could not agree on the issue. From the record, the trial court could
have concluded that it was in the children’s best interest for Georgia, the person whom the jury
awarded the right to designate the primary residence of the children, to have the exclusive right
to determine which school the children should attend. The trial court could have also concluded
that if the children attended a school near their primary residence, their schoolmates would be
their neighbors and thus they would have more social interaction. We note that Brian also argues
the children were “established” in their school and should not be disrupted by enrolling in a new
school. However, the trial court could have concluded it was in the children’s best interest not to
commute forty-five minutes during rush hour each way to school and that because the children
- 12 -
04-10-00109-CV
were enrolled in kindergarten and second grade, any disruption in their education would be
minimal. We find no abuse of discretion by the trial court.
Brian also argues that because he is a practicing physician, he should be allowed equal
rights regarding the children’s medical, psychological, and psychiatric care. However, from the
evidence, the trial court was entitled to conclude that all, or at least most, of the medical
decisions related to the children had been competently made by Georgia for most of their lives.
The trial court could have also concluded that it was reasonable for the parent who is the primary
care giver to be the person charged with the responsibility of obtaining medical help, following
doctor’s orders, and selecting medical providers. There was also evidence that Brian and Georgia
could not agree on medical decisions. When one of the children needed psychological
counseling, Georgia suggested Clifton Fuller, a therapist whom she and Brian had used
previously for couples counseling. Brian objected and recommended a therapist who was having
professional difficulties with the governing body of his profession, something that Georgia
discovered using a simple Internet search. The matter was taken to the trial court, which then
authorized Fuller, Georgia’s choice, to counsel the child. From this record, the trial court could
reasonably have concluded that awarding one parent the exclusive right to make such decisions
was the only way to avoid further conflicts and that Georgia was the best person to designate as
having that exclusive right. See Swaab, 282 S.W.3d at 533 (finding no abuse of discretion by
trial court in granting mother exclusive right to make medical decisions when there was evidence
that the parents continually struggled over these matters and were not able to resolve their
differences). We find no abuse of discretion by the trial court.
Finally, in its findings of fact and conclusions of law, the trial court found that “the rights
and duties of the parties as set forth in the Final Decree of Divorce signed on February 9, 2010,
- 13 -
04-10-00109-CV
[are] in the best interest of the children.” Brian appears to be arguing in his brief that this finding
was too “generic” and that the trial court should have issued additional findings that were more
specific. Specifically, in his request for additional findings, Brian proposed the following
findings of fact to the trial court:
1. The court finds it to be in the best interest of the children to appoint the parents as
joint managing conservators, yet divide rights and duties in a manner that
essentially establishes [Georgia] as sole managing conservator and [Brian] as
possessory conservator.
2. The court finds it is in the best interest of the children to grant [Georgia] the
exclusive right to consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment involving
invasive procedures and the exclusive right to consent to psychiatric and
psychological treatment of the children because, although [Brian] is a medical
doctor, with the attendant education, experience, knowledge, and training,
[Georgia] has the exclusive right to determine the residence of the children within
Bexar County.
A trial court’s duty to enter additional findings of fact and conclusions of law is finite;
that is, it need only enter additional findings and conclusions on ultimate or controlling issues. In
re M.M.M., 229 S.W.3d 821, 823 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.); In re Marriage of
Jameson, No. 07-02-00476-CV, 2004 WL 237829, at *1 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2004, pet.
denied). Findings that are evidentiary in nature do not fall within that scope. In re M.M.M., 229
S.W.3d at 823; In re Marriage of Jameson, 2004 WL 237829, at *1. Thus, ultimate or
controlling issues or facts are those essential to the cause of action or defense. In re M.M.M., 229
S.W.3d at 823; In re Marriage of Jameson, 2004 WL 237829, at *1. If the fact is necessary to
form the basis of the judgment, then it is an ultimate or controlling one. In re M.M.M., 229
S.W.3d at 823; In re Marriage of Jameson, 2004 WL 237829, at *1. In contrast, an evidentiary
fact is one that may be considered by the factfinder in deciding the controlling issue and is
necessarily embraced in the determination of the ultimate issue. In re M.M.M., 229 S.W.3d at
823; In re Marriage of Jameson, 2004 WL 237829, at *1. For example, requests that, in essence,
- 14 -
04-10-00109-CV
ask the court to explain what it relied on or how it arrived at a particular finding are evidentiary
and need not be addressed by the trial court. In re M.M.M., 229 S.W.3d at 823; In re Marriage of
Jameson, 2004 WL 237829, at *1. The ultimate or controlling issue or fact here is best interest of
the children. See In re M.M.M., 229 S.W.3d at 823; In re Marriage of Jameson, 2004 WL
237829, at *1. Thus, the trial court in its findings did address the ultimate or controlling issue or
fact. See In re M.M.M., 229 S.W.3d at 823; In re Marriage of Jameson, 2004 WL 237829, at *1.
In contrast, Brian’s proposed findings, which address how or why the trial court resolved the
ultimate or controlling fact issue in a particular way, are merely evidentiary and need not be
entered by the trial court. See In re M.M.M., 229 S.W.3d at 824 (holding that father’s proposed
additional findings addressing why the trial court found that termination of mother’s rights was
not in the children’s best interest was merely evidentiary and thus, the trial court had no duty to
enter them); In re Marriage of Jameson, 2004 WL 237829, at *2 (holding that mother’s
proposed finding that simply addressed how or why the trial court concluded that it was in the
child’s best interest for the father to designate the primary residence of the child was merely
evidentiary and need not be entered by the trial court). Therefore, we find no error in the trial
court not issuing additional findings.
E. Evidentiary Issues
Brian next argues that the trial court erred in limiting Jessica Robin Thompson’s
testimony. We review a trial court’s decision to admit or exclude testimony under an abuse-of-
discretion standard. Exxon Pipeline Co. v. Zwahr, 88 S.W.3d 623, 629 (Tex. 2002).
At trial, Jessica Robin Thompson testified that her son was best friends with one of
Georgia and Brian’s children. When it became apparent that Thompson was going to be
questioned about Georgia’s parenting abilities, Georgia’s attorney objected:
- 15 -
04-10-00109-CV
I have no idea what’s coming, but my assumption is, it’s not going
to be complimentary. I suggest that the designation of Ms.
Thompson had nothing to do with Georgia. She was not
mentioned. There was no warning that she would have any
comments or commentary concerning Georgia. And I object,
therefore, to him eliciting testimony about her.
The trial court looked at Brian’s designation of Thompson as a witness, noted that it just said
“parenting skills of Dr. MacGillivray,” agreed that the designation did not mention Georgia, and
sustained the objection. Based on this record, we find no abuse of discretion by the trial court in
preventing Thompson to testify outside of Brian’s designation.
Brian also argues that the trial court abused its discretion in overruling his objection to
Michael Holguin testifying about how one could fabricate Facebook entries. At trial, Brian
objected to Holguin testifying, arguing that Holguin had not been designated by Georgia as an
expert witness. Georgia responds that she called Holguin to rebut the testimony of Mark Doggett.
Doggett, one of Brian’s witnesses, testified about Georgia’s Facebook page. At trial,
Georgia objected to Doggett’s testimony, arguing that Doggett had been designated as a friend of
Brian’s and that the designation made no reference to Georgia or her Facebook page. In ruling on
her objection to Doggett’s testimony, the trial court stated that it did not “particularly like it, but
that [it was] going to go ahead and allow it.” Among other things, Doggett testified about two
entries appearing on Georgia’s Facebook page. 3 To rebut this testimony by Doggett, Georgia
called Holguin, a web designer. Before Holguin took the witness stand, Brian objected, stating
that he anticipated Holguin was going to give expert testimony and that Holguin had not been
designated as an expert. Georgia argued that Holguin was being properly called as a rebuttal
witness to impeach Doggett’s testimony. The trial court agreed and overruled Brian’s objection.
Holguin then testified about how one can easily fabricate an entry on Facebook. Holguin testified
3
Georgia testified at trial that her Facebook page had been “compromised” and that she had not created the entries
in question.
- 16 -
04-10-00109-CV
that during a break in the trial, in about fifteen minutes, he created false Facebook entries that
looked similar to the one that had been offered in evidence during Doggett’s testimony. While
Brian objected before Holguin testified, Brian made no further objection to Holguin’s testifying
as an expert during Holguin’s testimony. Nor did Brian obtain a running objection. Thus, Brian
failed to preserve this issue for appeal. Further, even if Brian had preserved this issue, Holguin’s
testimony was cumulative of Doggett’s testimony, as Doggett himself testified that Facebook
entries could be easily fabricated. Thus, any error was harmless. See State v. Cent. Expressway
Sign Assocs., 302 S.W.3d 866, 870 (Tex. 2009) (explaining that the exclusion or admission of
evidence is harmless if the evidence was cumulative of other evidence).
CONCLUSION
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Karen Angelini, Justice
- 17 -