in the Estate of Mildred Ozella Favor Pursley A.K.A. Mildred F. Pursley ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
13-14-00667-CV
THIRTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
4/17/2015 6:54:47 PM
DORIAN RAMIREZ
CLERK
Case No. 13-14-00667-CV
FILED IN
In the 13th COURT OF APPEALS
CORPUS CHRISTI/EDINBURG, TEXAS
Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth District
4/17/2015 6:54:47 PM
of Texas at Corpus Christi – Edinburg
DORIAN E. RAMIREZ
Clerk
IN THE ESTATE OF
MILDRED OZELLA FAVOR PURSLEY,
A.K.A. MILDRED F. PURSLEY, DECEASED
On Appeal from the Probate Court,
Hidalgo County, Texas
Cause No. P-34,801-A
BRIEF OF APPELLEES HAROLD WAYNE PURSLEY, JR.,
AND ROLLAND HUGH PURSLEY
Edmundo O. Ramirez
Texas Bar No. 16501420
eor@ekrattorneys.com
Minerva I. Zamora
Texas Bar No. 24037765
miz@ekrattorneys.com
Daniel Koeneke
Texas Bar No. 24083320
daniel@ekrattorneys.com
ELLIS, KOENEKE & RAMIREZ, L.L.P.
1101 Chicago Avenue
McAllen, Texas 78501
Telephone: (956) 682-2400
Facsimile: (956) 682-0820
Attorneys for Appellees, Harold
Wayne Pursley, Jr., and Rolland
Hugh Pursley
April 17, 2015 Oral Argument Requested
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................... 2
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES.................................................................................... 5
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ................................................................................ 9
1. Nature of the Case ..................................................................................... 9
2. Disposition in Trial Court ......................................................................... 9
STATEMENT ON ORAL ARGUMENT ............................................................. 11
ISSUES PRESENTED........................................................................................... 12
STATEMENT OF FACTS .................................................................................... 14
1. The 1975 Will ........................................................................................... 14
2. Brief History ............................................................................................ 15
3. Competing Summary Judgment Motions ................................................. 17
4. Trial Court’s Decision ............................................................................. 18
5. Rocky’s Argument of Ambiguity .............................................................. 19
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT .................................................................... 21
ARGUMENT ......................................................................................................... 25
I. ROCKY WAIVED ANY APPEAL OF THE ISSUE OF
AMBIGUITY ............................................................................... 25
A. Rocky Failed to Specifically Plead Ambiguity ...................... 25
B. Rocky Conceded that there Are No Fact Issues to Be Decided
by the Jury ............................................................................... 28
C. Rocky Failed to Present Evidence and Request a Ruling from
the Trial Court on the Issue of Ambiguity .............................. 29
2
D. Rocky Failed to Incorporate a Complaint as to Ambiguity in
his Motion for New Trial ........................................................ 30
II. THE TRIAL COURT DID NOT ERR IN HOLDING THAT THE
1975 WILL WAS A CONTRACTUAL WILL DUE TO THE FACT
THAT THE 1975 WILL WAS JOINTLY EXECUTED AND SETS
FORTH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO DISPOSE OF ALL THE
PROPERTY OWNED BY HAROLD W. PURSLEY AND
MILDRED F. PURSLEY .................................................................. 31
A. Introduction ............................................................................. 31
B. Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley Jointly Executed the
1975 Will................................................................................. 32
C. The 1975 Will Contained a Comprehensive Plan to Dispose of
all the Property Owned by the Parties .................................... 33
C.1. The 1975 Will Provided for a Gift to the Survivor which
Was Not Absolute or Unconditional ............................ 33
C.1.a. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument Regarding
Absolute and Unconditional Gifts ...................... 38
C.2. The Balance Remaining at the Survivor’s Death Is
Jointly Disposed of in the Secondary Dispositive
Provisions of the 1975 Will .......................................... 39
C.2.a. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument Regarding the
Remaining Balance Being Jointly Disposed of in
the Secondary Dispositive Provisions of the 1975
Will ..................................................................... 43
III. THE TRIAL COURT DID NOT ERR IN HOLDING THAT THE
2007 WILL AND 2010 CODICIL BREACHED THE TERMS OF
THE 1975 WILL ............................................................................... 46
A. The 1975 Will Provided a Class Gift to Rocky, Harold Jr., and
Rolland in Equal Shares .......................................................... 46
3
B. The 1975 Will Became Effective Upon the Probate of the Will
and Members of the Class Were Vested at the Time of Harold
W. Pursley’s Death ................................................................. 46
C. The Class Membership Under the 1975 Will Was Ascertained
at the Time Fixed for Distribution .......................................... 48
D. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument that the Plain Language of the
1975 Will Demonstrates there Was No Breach ...................... 49
E. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument that the Rules of Construction
Demonstrate There Was No Breach ....................................... 52
F. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument that the 1975 Will Does Not
Create a Class Gift .................................................................. 55
IV. MILDRED F. PURSLEY CAUSED THE 1975 WILL TO BE
PROBATED AND ACCEPTED THE BENEFITS UNDER IT,
THUS IT WOULD BE MANIFESTLY UNJUST TO ALLOW HER
TO DISAVOW IT AND ITS OBLIGATIONS ................................ 59
V. IN THE ALTERNATIVE, IF THIS COURT FINDS THAT ROCKY
SUFFICIENTLY PLEAD AMBIGUITYAND THAT THIS CLAIM
WAS NOT WAIVED, AS A MATTER OF LAW THE TERMS OF
THE1975 WILL ARE NOT AMBIGUOUS..................................... 60
VI. CONCLUSION ................................................................................. 62
PRAYER ................................................................................................................ 64
CERTIFICATE OF RULE 9.4(i) COMPLIANCE ............................................... 65
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE .............................................................................. 66
APPENDICES ....................................................................................................... 67
4
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
Cases
Alviar v. Gonzalez,
725 S.W.2d 297 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1986, writ ref'd n.r.e.) ................ 36-38
Barnhill v. Moore,
630 S.W.2d 817 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1982, no writ)................................... 26
Bernard v. L. S. S. Corp.,
532 S.W.2d 409 (Tex.Civ.App.—Austin 1976, writ ref’d n.r.e.) ............................ 27
Boone v. Stone,
142 S.W.2d 936 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1940, writ dismissed, judgment
correct) ............................................................................................................... 40-42
Caples v. Ward,
179 S.W. 856 (Tex. 1915) ........................................................................................ 36
Dougherty v. Humphrey,
424 S.W.2d 617 (Tex. 1968) .................................................................. 21, 34, 38-39
Edds v. Mitchell,
184 S.W.2d 823 (Tex. 1945)........................................................................ 36, 38-39
Ellis v. Bruce,
286 S.W.2d 645 (Tex.Civ.App.—Eastland 1956, writ ref'd n.r.e.) ......................... 36
Guilliams v. Koonsman,
279 S.W.2d 579 (Tex. 1955).............................................................................. 41-42
Hagood v. Hagood,
186 S.W. 220 (Tex.Civ.App. –Fort Worth 1916, writ ref’d) ................................... 40
Hamm v. Millennium Income Fund, L.L.C.,
178 S.W.3d 256 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied) ..................... 31
Houston v. Schuhmann,
92 S.W.2d 1086, (Tex.Civ.App.—Amarillo 1936, writ ref’d) .............. 22, 43, 47-48
5
In re Estate of Ayala,
702 S.W.2d 708 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1985, no writ) ...................................... 54
In re Estate of Johnson,
781 S.W.2d 390 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1989, writ denied) ........21, 35, 38
Lewis v. E. Texas Fin. Co.,
146 S.W.2d 977 (Tex. 1941)..............................................................................23, 61
Lorenz v. Janssen,
116 S.W.3d 421 (Tex.Civ.App.—Corpus Christi 2003, no pet.) ......................46, 47
Manes v. Dallas Baptist Coll.,
638 S.W.2d 143 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1982, writ ref’d n.r.e.) ................................... 62
Methodist Hospitals of Dallas v. Amerigroup Texas, Inc.,
231 S.W.3d 483 (Tex.App.—Dallas 2007, pet. denied) .......................................... 53
Mitchell v. Mitchell,
244 S.W.2d 803 (Tex. 1951).................................................................................... 52
Morris v. Williams,
92 S.W.2d 541 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1936, writ ref’d) ....................................... 39
Newman v. Tropical Visions, Inc.,
891 S.W.2d 713 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1994, writ denied) .................. 99
Novak v. Stevens,
596 S.W.2d 848 (Tex. 1980) .............................................................................. 26-27
Odeneal v. Van Horn,
678 S.W.2d 941 (Tex. 1984) ........................................................................ 31, 37-38
O'Grady v. Gerald D. Hines, Inc.,
683 S.W.2d 763 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ) ......................... 61
Ohrt v. Union Gas Corp.,
398 S.W.3d 315 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi—Edinburg 2012, pet. denied) ......... 28
Perry Homes v. Cull,
6
258 S.W.3d 580 (Tex. 2008).................................................................................... 28
Reynolds v. Estate of Benefield,
995 S.W.2d 885 (Tex.App.—El Paso 1999, pet. denied) ...................... 22, 32-33, 38
San Antonio Machine & Supply Co. v. Allen,
268 S.W. 532 (Tex.Civ.App.—San Antonio 1925, no writ) .............................26, 60
Sanderson v. First National Bank in Dallas,
446 S.W.2d 720 (Tex.App. — Dallas 1969, writ ref’d n.r.e.) ...........................45, 57
Sinnott v. Gidney,
322 S.W.2d 507 (Tex. 1959)................................................................... 45-46, 56-57
Skyline Furniture, Inc. v. Gifford,
433 S.W.2d 950 (Tex.Civ.App.—El Paso 1968, no writ) .................................30, 60
Sullivan v. Skinner,
66 S.W. 680, (Tex.Civ.App. 1902, writ refused)..................................................... 42
Gonzales v. Norris of Houston, Inc.,
575 S.W.2d 110 (Tex.Civ.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1978, writ ref’d n.r.e.) ..... 26
Vickers v. Vickers,
553 S.W.2d 768 (Tex.Civ.App.—Beaumont 1977, no writ) ...................................26
Vickrey v. Gilmore,
554 S.W.2d 36 (Tex.Civ.App.—Waco 1977, no writ) ...................................... 59-60
Weidner v. Crowther,
301 S.W.2d 621 (Tex. 1957)........................................................................ 23, 58-59
Weir v. Smith,
62 Tex. 1 (Tex. 1884)............................................................................................... 36
Wiemers v. Wiemers,
683 S.W.2d 355 (Tex. 1984)............................................................ 22, 23, 32, 58-59
Wilkes v. Wilkes,
488 S.W.2d 398 (Tex. 1972) .............................................................................. 39-40
7
Statutes and Rules
Tex. Estates Code § 254.004.................................................................................... 32
Tex. Estates Code § 201.002..............................................................................22, 42
Tex. R. App. P. 33.1........................................................................................... 29-30
Tex. R. Civ. P. 94 ...............................................................................................25, 28
Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a ........................................................................................... 26-27
Other Authorities
Corpus Juris, vol. 69, p. 80, Wills, s 1136 ............................................................... 52
9 Tex. Prac., Texas Law Of Wills § 30.4 (3d ed.) ................................................... 39
Restatement (Third) of Property (Wills & Don. Trans.)
§ 14.2 TD No. 4 (2004) ............................................................................................ 45
Restatement (Third) of Property (Wills & Don. Trans.) (2011) .............................. 57
Lewis M. Simes & Allan F. Smith, Law of Future Interests
§ 740 (2d ed. 1967 &Current Supp .......................................................................... 45
8
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
1. Nature of the Case.
This case concerns the Estate of Mildred F. Pursley. At issue is whether the
Last Will and Testament of Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley, executed
on April 29, 1975, is a contractual will, providing for a class gift to Rocky Pursley,
Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr., and Rolland Hugh Pursley in equal shares, which is
binding on the Estate of Mildred F. Pursley. (See 1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A).
2. Disposition in Trial Court.
After Mildred F. Pursley’s death, Rocky Pursley filed an Application to
Probate the will which Mildred F. Pursley executed on April 13, 2007 (hereinafter
the “2007 Will”), and the First Codicil to the 2007 Will which was executed on
January 13, 2010 (hereinafter the “2010 Codicil”). (1CR5-21). Rocky’s
Application to Probate was filed in the Probate Court of Hidalgo County, Texas,
Judge Homero Garza presiding. Id. In response to Rocky’s Application, Harold Jr.
and Rolland filed their Application for Temporary Administration Pending Will
Contest, and their Opposition To Probate of Will and for Issuance of Letters
Testamentary, Petition for Imposition of a Constructive Trust and Petition for
Probate of Will and for Issuance of Letters Testamentary. (1CR22, 31).
On December 30, 2013, Harold Jr. and Rolland filed a Motion for Summary
Judgment wherein they requested that the trial court impose a constructive trust on
9
the estate in order to enforce the terms of the 1975 contractual Will disposing of
the estate to the children of the marriage in equal shares. (1CR27). Subsequently,
Rocky filed a No Evidence Motion for Summary Judgment on the same issues.
(1CR87).
The trial court granted Harold Jr. and Rolland’s Summary Judgment and
imposed a constructive trust on the estate in favor of the dispositive terms of the
1975 Will providing for a class gift to Rocky, Harold Jr., and Rolland in equal
shares. (2CR208, 270). Subsequently, the trial court severed the Summary
Judgment and executed a Final Judgment in the severed cause. (1CR267, 270).
10
STATEMENT ON ORAL ARGUMENT
Appellees believe that oral argument would assist the Court in deciding the
issues involved, and therefore respectfully request an oral argument pursuant to
Rule 39 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
11
ISSUES PRESENTED
I. Rocky waived any appeal of the issue of ambiguity.
A. In the alternative, as a matter of law the terms of the 1975 Will are not
ambiguous.
II. The Trial Court did not err in granting summary judgment that the 1975 Will
was a contractual will.
A. The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment finding that
the language contained in paragraph IV., “any child or children of this
marriage,” provided for the remainder of the estate to be conveyed as
a class gift to Rocky Pursley, Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr., and Rolland
Hugh Pursley.
B. The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment finding that
Harold W. Pursley’s intent was that at his passing (if he died first),
and at the subsequent passing of his wife, any estate left over was to
go to and vest in his beloved children Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr.,
Rolland Hugh Pursley, and Rocky Joe Pursley, share and share alike.
C. The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment finding that
the proferred Will executed by Mildred F. Pursley dated April 13,
2007 and Codicil dated January 13, 2010 breached the 1975
contractual will.
III. The trial court did not err in imposing a constructive trust in favor of the
devisees of the 1975 Will to the extent necessary to enforce the terms of the
1975 contractual Will disposing of the remainder of the estate to Rocky
Pursley, Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr., and Rolland Hugh Pursley in equal
shares.
12
Case No. 13-14-00667-CV
In the
Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth District
of Texas at Corpus Christi – Edinburg
IN THE ESTATE OF
MILDRED OZELLA FAVOR PURSLEY,
A.K.A. MILDRED F. PURSLEY, DECEASED
On Appeal from the Probate Court,
Hidalgo County, Texas
Cause No. P-34,801-A
BRIEF OF APPELLEES
TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS:
COME NOW Appellees Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr. and Rolland Hugh
Pursley and file this their Appellees’ Brief, requesting that the Court affirm the
trial court’s Final Judgment. Parties will be referred to as in the trial court or by
name. References to the Clerk’s Record will be to {volume}CR{page}, and
references to the Appendices will be to App{tab}. References to the Statement of
Facts will be to SOF § {section}.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
1. The 1975 Will.
On or about April 29, 1975, Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley, as
husband and wife, jointly executed the “Last Will and Testament of Harold W.
Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley” (hereinafter the “1975 Will”). (1CR57 (exhibit
A)1 / App. A). The 1975 Will was jointly executed by Harold W. Pursley and
Mildred F. Pursley, husband and wife, and set forth a comprehensive plan to
dispose of all their property. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A).
Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley executed the same will, “being of
sound mind, memory and understanding in view of the certainty of death and the
uncertainty of life, and being desirous of making the best disposition of our
worldly affairs, do hereby make and publish this our Last Will and Testament,” at
the same time and place, and before the same witnesses. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App.
A). (Emphasis added).
As stated above, the 1975 Will set forth a comprehensive plan to dispose of
all of Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley’s property. (See id.). Specifically,
the 1975 Will provides that all of Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley’s
property shall go to the survivor for the survivor’s lifetime. (See id.). Upon the
1
Exhibits are from Harold Pursley Jr. and Rolland Pursley’s Traditional Motion for Summary Judgment.1CR44.
14
death of the survivor, the property is to be distributed to the children of Harold W.
Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley as a class gift in equal shares. (See id.).
In part, the 1975 Will provides as follows:
Harold W. Pursley and We, Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley, husband and
Mildred F. Pursley’s 1975 wife, of the County of Hidalgo, State of Texas, being of sound
Will mind, memory and understanding in view of the certainty of
death and the uncertainty of life, and being desirous of making
the best disposition of our worldly affairs, do hereby make and
publish this our Last Will and Testament.
It is our will and desire that the survivor of us, Harold W.
Pursley or Mildred F. Pursley, as the case may be, shall, with the
rights and authority below given, have all the estate of every
description, real, personal or mixed, which either of us may own,
to be used, occupied, enjoyed, conveyed and expended by and
during the life of such survivor shall desire and that upon the
death of such survivor, any of such estate then remaining shall
go to and vest in any child or children of this marriage.
2. Brief History.
On May 10, 1980, Harold W. Pursley died, leaving all his estate to pass
through the 1975 Will. (1CR61 (exhibit B) / App. B). At the time of his death,
Harold W. Pursley had three children, Rocky Joe Pursley, Harold Wayne Pursley,
Jr., and Rolland Hugh Pursley, all three being the children of Mildred F. Pursley.
On May 20, 1980, Mildred F. Pursley filed an Application to Probate the
1975 Will and have Letters Testamentary issued in her name. (1CR61 (exhibit B) /
App. B). The Court then entered an Order Admitting Will to Probate and
Authorizing Letters Testamentary. (1CR63 (exhibit C) / App. C.) Pursuant to the
15
court’s order, Mildred F. Pursley was appointed as Independent Executrix of her
husband’s estate. (1CR63 (exhibit C) / App. C). She then filed her written Oath as
Independent Executrix and was issued Letters Testamentary. (1CR65 (exhibit D) /
App. D, 66 (exhibit E) / App. E).
As seen by Mildred’s Application for Probate of Will and Issuance of
Letters Testamentary referenced above, Harold “left a valid written Will (‘Will’)
dated April 29, 1975 which was never revoked.” (1CR61 (exhibit B) / App. B).
Thus, it is clear that neither Harold W. Pursley nor Mildred F. Pursley revoked the
1975 Will before Harold W. Pursley’s death. (1CR61 (exhibit B) / App. B)
On February 10, 1981, as the Independent Executrix of her husband’s estate,
Mildred F. Pursley filed the Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims. 2
(1CR67, 76 (exhibit F) / App. F). As seen by this Inventory, Appraisement, and
List of Claims, Mildred F. Pursley received a substantial benefit from probating the
1975 Will. (1CR67, 76 (exhibit F) / App. F). Under the express terms of the joint
and contractual 1975 Will, Mildred F. Pursley was to enjoy the benefit of this
property for her lifetime. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A).
After Harold W. Pursley died and his ability to amend the 1975 Will was
terminated, Mildred F. Pursley executed a Last Will and Testament, the 2007 Will,
on April 13, 2007, approximately 27 years after the 1975 Will was probated.
2
At the time the Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims was filed, Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley
owned certain assets, the majority of which was real property, worth approximately $531,775.50. Today, that real
property is worth approximately three million dollars.
16
(1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A., 61 (exhibit B) / App. B., 77 (exhibit G) / App. G).
Subsequently, Mildred F. Pursley executed a First Codicil, the 2010 Codicil, to the
2007 Will on January 13, 2010. (1CR83 (exhibit H) / App. H). The 2007 Will and
2010 Codicil provide for a distribution of the majority of the estate to Rocky, with
a minor percentage to Rolland. (77 (exhibit G) / App. G, 83 (exhibit H) / App. H).
The 2007 Will and 2010 Codicil failed to provide a disposition of any part of the
estate to Harold Jr. (See id.).
After Mildred F. Pursley’s death, Rocky filed an Application to Probate the
2007 Will and 2010 Codicil in the Probate Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, Judge
Homero Garza presiding. (1CR5-21). In response to Rocky’s Application, Harold
Jr. and Rolland filed their Application For Temporary Administration Pending Will
Contest and Opposition to the probating of the 2007 Will and 2010 Codicil.
(1CR22, 31).
3. Competing Summary Judgment Motions.
Motions for Summary Judgment were filed by both Rocky and Appellee. In
Harold Jr. and Rolland’s Motion For Summary Judgment, Response to Summary
Judgment Motion, Reply to Summary Judgment Motion and brief thereto, Harold
Jr. and Rolland contend that: (1) the 1975 Will was a contractual will which was
not revoked and became binding on the death of Harold W. Pursley; (2) the 1975
will provided for a class gift to Rocky, Harold Jr., and Rolland in equal shares; (3)
17
the rights of Rocky, Harold Jr., and Rolland, as members of the class, under the
1975 Will were vested at Harold Pursley’s death; (4) the 2007 Will and 2010
Codicil breached the terms of the 1975 Will; (5) Mildred F. Pursley caused the
1975 Will to be probated and accepted substantial benefits under it, thus it would
be manifestly unjust to permit Mildred F. Pursley to disavow the 1975 Will and its
obligations after Harold W. Pursley had fully performed by abiding by its terms;
and (6) a constructive trust must be imposed on the estate in favor of Rocky,
Harold, Jr., and Rolland as equal beneficiaries of the estate. (1CR44, 113, 161,
165, 182, 197). In response to Harold Jr. and Rolland’s Motion for Summary
Judgment, Rocky “responded and filed a no-evidence summary judgment motion
claiming his brothers had no evidence (1) that the 1975 Will is contractual, (2) that
the alleged contract was breached, and (3) of undue influence.” Appellant Brief at
17; (1CR87).
4. Trial Court’s Decision.
The trial court denied Rocky’s No Evidence Motion for Summary Judgment
and granted Harold Jr. and Rolland’s Motion for Summary Judgment. (2CR209 /
App. J). After severing its summary judgment ruling into a separate action, on
November 20, 2014, the trial court executed a “Final Judgment” in which the trial
court held that:
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the will executed by
Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley on April 29, 1975 is a contractual will.
18
The language in paragraph IV. “any child or children of this marriage” provided
for the remainder of the estate to be conveyed as a class gift and therefore,
mandates the distribution to all persons identified in that class, those being all the
children.
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the court concludes
(reading the 1975 will as a whole instrument) that it was the intent of Harold W.
Pursley when he executed the 1975 will with his wife, that at his passing (if he
died first) and at the subsequent passing of his wife, any estate left over was to go
and vest in his beloved children Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr., Rolland Hugh Pursley
and Rocky Joe Pursley, share and share alike.
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the proferred will
executed by Mildred F. Pursley dated April 13, 2007 is a breach of the 1975
contractual will. Further, the proferred First Codicil executed by Mildred F.
Pursley dated January 13, 2010 is a breach of the 1975 contractual will.
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that a constructive trust
be imposed on the Estate in favor of the devisees of the 1975 Will to the extent
necessary to enforce the terms of the 1975 contractual Will.
(2CR267-69; 2CR270-71 / App. K).
5. Rocky’s Argument of Ambiguity.
In addition to Rocky’s allegations that (1) the 1975 Will is not contractual,
and (2) even if the 1975 Will was contractual, the 2007 Will and 2010 Codicil did
not breach the terms of the 1975 Will, Rocky is also now alleging that the 1975
Will is ambiguous. See Appellant Brief at 38. Specifically, despite the fact that
Rocky made no mention of any alleged ambiguity in his Motion for Summary
Judgment, nor did he address the issue of ambiguity in his subsequent Response,
Brief or Reply, Rocky now seeks to reverse the trial court’s Final Judgment based
on the argument that the 1975 Will is ambiguous. (See id.); (1CR87, 100, 192,
205).
19
Rocky’s only previous pleading mentioning the ambiguity issue is Rocky’s
Supplemental Application for Probate Will. (1CR95-96). The relevant section of
Rocky’s Supplemental Application for Probate Will provides as follows:
In the alternative, and only in the event that the 1975 will is determined not to be
an unambiguously noncontractual will and that the 2007 will and the 2010 codicil
are determined to breach such will, then such 1975 will is ambiguous and parol
testimony should be admitted to demonstrate that it was not intended to be
contractual.
(1CR95-96).
Significantly, as illustrated above, nowhere in this pleading does Rocky set
forth what specifically he claims is ambiguous in the 1975 Will. (See id.). Thus,
the record fails to contain any pleadings by which Rocky’s request could be
sustained as he failed to set out the specific words and phrases claimed to be
ambiguous. (See id.).
Further, as seen by the transcript of the August 20, 2014 Pre-Trial Hearing,
Rocky’s attorney made no objection to the statement by opposing counsel that both
parties agree that the only issue is a matter of law, thus a jury trial is not necessary.
(See 2CR250 (exhibit1) / App. I).
Subsequent to the summary judgment ruling, but prior to the execution of
the Final Judgment, Rocky filed a Motion For New Trial and/or Modification of
Judgment which was overruled. (2CR237). As seen by the Motion For New Trial
and/or Modification of Judgment, Rocky failed to address the issue of ambiguity.
(See id.).
20
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
In accordance with the Texas Supreme Court opinions referenced herein, it
is apparent that the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment and
finding that (1) the 1975 Will was a contractual will as a matter of law, and (2) the
language in paragraph IV. “any child or children of this marriage” provided for the
remainder of the estate to be conveyed as a class gift to Rocky Pursley, Harold
Wayne Pursley, Jr., and Rolland Hugh Pursley. See Argument § 2. Specifically, the
language of the 1975 Will mirrors the wills addressed in Dougherty v. Humphrey,
Novak v. Stevens and In re Estate of Johnson wherein both the Texas Supreme
Court and Appellate Court held that the language contained in the wills was
sufficient to prove that the wills were contractual. See Dougherty v. Humphrey, 424
S.W.2d 617, 619 (Tex. 1968); Novak v. Stevens, 596 S.W.2d 848, 851-52 (Tex.
1980); See In re Estate of Johnson, 781 S.W.2d 390, 392 (Tex.App. –Houston
1989, writ denied).
Further, the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment finding that
Mildred F. Pursley’s 2007 Will and 2010 Codicil breached the terms of the 1975
Will. In the present case, the 1975 Will (which was agreed upon and executed by
both Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley) was a contractual will due to the
fact that: 1) the 1975 Will was jointly executed by both Harold W. Pursley and
Mildred F. Pursley; and 2) the 1975 Will contained a comprehensive plan for
21
disposition of all their “worldly affairs” to Rocky Pursley, Harold Wayne Pursley,
Jr., and Rolland Hugh Pursley as a class gift.1 (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A).
Rocky’s argument is that the term “or” gave Mildred the right to unilaterally
disregard her husband’s wishes and “the option of whether to give the property to
one or all children.” See Appellant’s Brief at 32. However, Rocky’s analysis
ignores the principles relating to class gifts and the well-recognized legal meaning
of the language “any child or children.” See Argument § 2. b. 2.; see Texas
Estates Code § 201.002 (b)(2) & (b)(3) (utilizing the phrase “child or children”)
(emphasis added).
Further, in accordance with Houston v. Schuhmann, the gift vested in the
three children at the time of Harold’s death, subject to any after-born children. See
Houston v. Schuhmann, 92 S.W.2d 1086, 1089 (Tex.Civ.App.—Amarillo 1936,
writ ref’d) (internal citations omitted). The gift therefore had vested in Harold, Jr.,
Rolland, and Rocky on May 10, 1980, the date of their father’s death. As such, the
three children could not later be divested of their vested interest. Any subsequent
will or codicil revoking Harold Jr.’s and/or Rolland’s vested interest in the
property would in fact be in violation of the distribution of property under the 1975
Will.
1
The two prong test used to determine whether a comprehensive plan exists, as relied on in Reynolds v. Estate of
Benefield, is as follows: (1) the gift to the survivor is not absolute and unconditional, even though it may initially
appear to be so; and (2) the balance remaining from the estate of the first to die and the estate of the last to die is
treated as a single estate and jointly disposed of by both testators in the secondary dispositive provisions of the will.
Reynolds v. Estate of Benefield, 995 S.W.2d 885, 887 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1999, pet. denied) (citing Wiemers v.
Wiemers, 683 S.W.2d 355, 356 (Tex. 1984).
22
As stated in the Statement of Facts: 1) Harold W. Pursley fully performed by
abiding by the 1975 Will until his ability to amend it was terminated by death; 2)
Mildred F. Pursley caused the 1975 Will to be probated in the Estate of Harold W.
Pursley; 3) Mildred F. Pursley acted as the Independent Executrix of the Estate of
Harold W. Pursley, in accordance with the 1975 Will; and 4) Mildred F. Pursley
accepted substantial benefits by probating the 1975 Will. See SOF § 1. Thus, under
the reasoning of the Texas Supreme Court in Wiemers v. Wiemers, it would be
manifestly unjust to permit Mildred F. Pursley, the surviving spouse, to disavow
the 1975 Will. See Wiemers v. Wiemers, 683 S.W.2d 355, 356 (Tex. 1984)
(quoting Weidner v. Crowther, 301 S.W.2d 621, 624 (Tex. 1957)).
Lastly, Rocky waived any right to appeal the issue of ambiguity. See
Argument § 1. In the alternative, if this Court finds that Rocky sufficiently plead
ambiguity and that his claim was not waived, the terms of the 1975 Will are not
ambiguous. Specifically, the 1975 Will is so worded that it can be given a “certain”
or “definite legal meaning or interpretation.” Lewis v. E. Texas Fin. Co., 146
S.W.2d 977, 980 (Tex. 1941).
In conclusion, the 1975 Will made a class gift to all the children of the
marriage. The use of the words “any” and “or” certainly did not eliminate the class
gift, nor did it make a disposition to only one or two children proper. The members
of the class living at the time (the three sons) received a vested interest at the death
23
of Harold W. Pursley. Subsequently, at the death of Mildred F. Pursley, the class
was ascertained. Therefore, Mildred F. Pursley’s changing of the dispositive
provision to anyone other than all three children is a violation of the terms of the
1975 Will. Due to the fact that Mildred F. Pursley had no authority or power to
revoke the 1975 Will, the 1975 Will is binding upon the Estate of Mildred F.
Pursley, rendering all other subsequently executed, inconsistent wills
unenforceable.
As such, the trial court did not err in imposing a constructive trust in favor of
the devisees of the 1975 Will to the extent necessary to enforce the terms of the
1975 contractual Will, thus this Court should affirm the trial court’s ruling.
24
ARGUMENT
I. ROCKY WAIVED ANY APPEAL OF THE ISSUE OF
AMBIGUITY.
Rocky waived any right to appeal the issue of ambiguity by: (1) failing to
sufficiently plead ambiguity; (2) conceding that ambiguity was not an issue by
agreeing that there were no fact issues to be decided by the jury; (3) failing to
present evidence and request a ruling from the trial court regarding the issue of
ambiguity; and (4) failing to incorporate a complaint as to ambiguity in his motion
for new trial.
A. Rocky Failed to Specifically Plead Ambiguity.
Rocky failed to make any argument of ambiguity in his Motion for
Summary judgment or in any oral arguments to the court. (1CR87, 100, 192, 205).
Significantly, he only vaguely referenced ambiguity as an alternative argument in
one pleading before the trial court’s Order on Motions for Summary Judgment,
without providing any explanation as to what exactly he claimed was ambiguous.
As set forth in detail below, Rocky has failed to properly plead ambiguity.
(1CR95-96).
Rule 94 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure mandates that a party plead
any matter constituting an affirmative defense. See Tex. R.Civ.P. 94. As such, the
Texas Supreme Court has found that failure of a party to properly plead an
affirmative defense constitutes a waiver of that defense. “Ambiguity is an
25
affirmative defense which must be raised at the trial court level.” Gonzales v.
Norris of Houston, Inc., 575 S.W.2d 110, 113 (Tex. Civ. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 1978, writ refused n.r.e.).
The claim of ambiguity in a contract must be raised by the pleadings, and in
the absence of such a pleading the court will not hear evidence as to the intention
of the parties which is different from that expressed in the contract. See Vickers v.
Vickers, 553 S.W.2d 768, 770 (Tex.Civ.App.—Beaumont 1977, no writ) (“Thus, in
the case at bar, the husband not only failed to plead ambiguity in the judgment, he
failed to offer any evidence in support of such contention. Point one is overruled”).
“[I]f a party contends that a written agreement is ambiguous, it too must be
specifically pled.” Barnhill v. Moore, 630 S.W.2d 817, 820 (Tex.App.—Corpus
Christi 1982, no writ).
The party must set out the specific words and phrases claimed to be
ambiguous, or to be modified or explained by parol evidence, and also set forth the
proposed modifications and explanations. See San Antonio Machine & Supply Co.
v. Allen, 268 S.W. 532, 533 (Tex.Civ.App.—San Antonio 1925, no writ).
“Issues not expressly presented to the trial court by written motion, answer
or other response shall not be considered on appeal as grounds for reversal.” Tex.
R. Civ. P. 166a. As the Court of Appels in Newmann v. Tropical Visions, Inc.,
expressly stated:
26
Appellants' fifth point of error claims the release or “express consent” is
ambiguous. Appellants, however, failed to plead ambiguity in their petition and
failed to raise it in their response to the defendants' motion for summary
judgment. They accordingly waived the issue, see Tex.R.Civ.P. 166a(c), and the
point is overruled.
Newman v. Tropical Visions, Inc., 891 S.W.2d 713, 720 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
1994, writ denied) (emphasis added).
In Bernard v. L. S. S. Corp., the court of appeals held that where the
appellant failed to plead ambiguity and the questions presented to the trial court
were solely questions of law relating to the interpretation of the contract, the issue
of ambiguity was considered waived. See Bernard v. L. S. S. Corp., 532 S.W.2d
409 (Tex.Civ.App. –Austin 1976, writ ref’d n.r.e.).
In the present case, Rocky only made one reference to any issue of
ambiguity prior to the trial court’s ruling on Harold Jr. and Rolland’s Motion for
Summary Judgment. (1CR95-96). Specifically, Rocky’s “Supplemental
Application for Probate Will” provides as follows:
The April 29, 1975 will is unambiguous and is not a contractual will and in any
event the disposition call [sic] for by the April 13, 2007 will and January 13, 2010
codicil are not inconsistent with and do not breach any alleged contract that is part
of the April 29, 1975 will. In the alternative, and only in the event that the
1975 will is determined not to be an unambiguously [sic] noncontractual will
and that the 2007 will and the 2010 codicil are determined to breach such
will, then such 1975 will is ambiguous and parol testimony should be
admitted to demonstrate that it was not intended to be contractual.
(1CR95-96).
27
As seen by Rocky’s Supplemental Application, in addition to it not making
sense, Rocky wholly fails to satisfy the requirements of Rule 94 and Texas case
law. Specifically, Rocky not only fails to specify the alleged ambiguous potion of
the 1975 Will, but also fails to provide the trial court with the correct meaning or
construction thereof.
Further, Rocky failed to mention or plead the issue of ambiguity in his
Motion for Summary Judgment, nor did Rocky’s counsel make any oral statement
or present an argument or evidence supporting a claim of ambiguity at any hearing
before the trial court.
B. Rocky Conceded that there Are No Fact Issues to Be Decided
by the Jury.
Rocky waived his right to claim ambiguity in the 1975 Will by conceding at
a hearing before the trial court that there are no fact issues in this matter. (See
2CR250 (exhibit1) / App. I). “[W]aiver is the intentional relinquishment of a right
actually or constructively known or intentional conduct inconsistent with claiming
that right.” Ohrt v. Union Gas Corp., 398 S.W.3d 315, 329 (Tex.App.—Corpus
Christi—Edinburg 2012, pet. denied) (citing Perry Homes v. Cull, 258 S.W.3d
580, 602–03 (Tex. 2008). “The elements of waiver include (1) an existing right,
benefit, or advantage held by a party; (2) the party's actual or constructive
knowledge of its existence; and (3) the party's actual intent to relinquish the right
or intentional conduct inconsistent with the right.” Id.
28
On August 20, 2014, Parties attended a pre-trial hearing in the Probate Court
of Hidalgo County. During the hearing, counsel for Harold Jr. and Rolland,
Edmundo O. Ramirez, stated as follows:
MR: RAMIREZ: Edmundo Ramirez for the movants, Your Honor, We’ve got a
pretrial, Your Honor, and we have dueling summary judgments, for lack of a
better term. We’ve argued them, and we’ve briefed them, and both parties agree
that the only issue is a matter of law, and so we urge the Court to Rule.
THE COURT: I guess we got these jury trial settings before we realized there was
going to be a pending motion for summary judgment.
MR. RAMIREZ: Right, right, we’ve refined it down to summary judgments.
THE COURT: I have that case on my desk, and I’m going on vacation next week,
so by Friday I’ll have a ruling for the parties.
MR RAMIREZ: Thank you.
MR. MURRAY: Thank, Your Honor.
(2CR250 (exhibit1) / App. I). (Emphasis added).
As seen by the transcript of the August 20, 2014 hearing, Rocky’s counsel
made no objection to Mr. Ramirez’s statement and did not dispute the fact that the
parties agreed that the only issue was a matter of law. In doing so, Rocky
intentionally relinquished his right to allege a claim of ambiguity and present parol
evidence. (See 2CR250 (exhibit1) / App. I).
C. Rocky Failed to Present Evidence and Request a Ruling from
the Trial Court on the Issue of Ambiguity.
Rocky failed to properly plead ambiguity and failed to properly present his
claim to the trial court for a ruling. In accordance with Rule 33.1 of the Texas
29
Rules of Appellate Procedure, as a prerequisite to presenting a complaint for
appellate review, the record must reflect that:
(1) the complaint was made to the trial court by a timely request,
objection, or motion that:
(A) stated the grounds for the ruling that the complaining party
sought from the trial court with sufficient specificity to make the
trial court aware of the complaint, unless the specific grounds were
apparent from the context; and
(B) complied with the requirements of the Texas Rules of Civil or
Criminal Evidence or the Texas Rules of Civil or Appellate
Procedure; and
(2) the trial court:
(A) ruled on the request, objection, or motion, either expressly or
implicitly; or
(B) refused to rule on the request, objection, or motion, and the
complaining party objected to the refusal.
“[A] person seeking to establish ambiguity in a written contract has the
burden of pleading the ambiguity by setting out that portion of the contract that it is
claimed is ambiguous, and definitely pleading the meaning or construction thereof
as relied on by him.” Skyline Furniture, Inc. v. Gifford, 433 S.W.2d 950, 954
(Tex.Civ.App.—El Paso 1968, no writ).
In the present case, Rocky not only failed to state the grounds with
“sufficient specificity,” but also wholly failed to present the claim of ambiguity to
the trial court for a ruling.
D. Rocky Failed to Incorporate a Complaint as to Ambiguity in
his Motion for New Trial.
30
An affirmative defense that is not pleaded or proved and on which findings
are not obtained is waived and cannot be preserved by raising the affirmative
defense for the first time in a motion for new trial. See Hamm v. Millennium
Income Fund, L.L.C., 178 S.W.3d 256, 268 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005,
pet. denied).
Despite the fact that Rocky failed to bring the ambiguity complaint to the
trial court’s attention during the hearing on the motions for summary judgment,
Rocky could have preserved the ambiguity complaint by incorporating it in his
motion for new trial. However, the complaint was not preserved, as Rocky failed to
discuss or even mention the ambiguity complaint in his “Motion For New Trial
and/or to Modify Judgment.” (2CR237).
II. THE TRIAL COURT DID NOT ERR IN HOLDING THAT THE 1975
WILL WAS A CONTRACTUAL WILL DUE TO THE FACT THAT
THE 1975 WILL WAS JOINTLY EXECUTED AND SETS FORTH A
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO DISPOSE OF ALL THE PROPERTY
OWNED BY HAROLD W. PURSLEY AND MILDRED F. PURSLEY.
A. Introduction.
In Texas, a pre-1979 will is a contractual will if it is jointly executed and
sets forth a comprehensive plan to dispose of all the property owned by the parties.
See Odeneal v. Van Horn, 678 S.W.2d 941, 942 (Tex. 1984). A comprehensive
plan provides for the disposition of property on the death of one of the parties and
31
upon the death of both parties. The two prong test used to determine whether a
comprehensive plan exists is as follows:
(1) the gift to the survivor is not absolute and unconditional, even though it may
initially appear to be so; and (2) the balance remaining from the estate of the first
to die and the estate of the last to die is treated as a single estate and jointly
disposed of by both testators in the secondary dispositive provisions of the will.
Reynolds v. Estate of Benefield, 995 S.W.2d 885, 888 (Tex.App.—El Paso 1999, pet.
denied).
There is no law mandating that a contractual will executed prior to 1979
must expressly recite that a contract exists. Under Section 252.004 of the Texas
Estates Code, contractual wills executed after September 1, 1979 must state that a
contract exists. There is no such corollary provision for contractual wills executed
prior to 1979, such as the 1975 Will at issue here. Wiemers, 683 S.W.2d at 356
(stating that only contractual wills executed on or after September 1, 1979 must
expressly recite that a contract exists) (citing Tex. Estates Code Ann. § 254.004).
However, despite this fact, Rocky still argues that “no law prohibits the court from
considering the fact that the 1975 Will makes no reference to any sort of contract.”
See Appellant Brief at 35. Rocky’s argument is without merit. Id.
B. Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley Jointly Executed the
1975 Will.
Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley executed the same will, “being of
sound mind, memory and understanding in view of the certainty of death and
the uncertainty of life, and being desirous of making the best disposition of our
32
worldly affairs, do hereby make and publish this our Last Will and
Testament,” at the same time and place, and before the same witnesses. (1CR57
(exhibit A) / App. A). (Emphasis added). It is unmistakably apparent from the four
corners of the document that Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley jointly
executed the 1975 Will.
C. The 1975 Will Contained a Comprehensive Plan to Dispose of All
the Property Owned by the Parties.
As stated above, the two prong test used to determine whether a
comprehensive plan exists, as relied on in the Reynolds case, mandates that the gift
to the survivor not be absolute and unconditional, and the balance remaining from
the two estates be treated as a single estate and jointly disposed of in the will. See
Reynolds, 995 S.W.2d at 887.
C. 1. The 1975 Will Provided for a Gift to the Survivor which
Was Not Absolute or Unconditional.
For the convenience of this Court, Harold Jr. and Rolland provide the
following charts comparing the terms of the 1975 Will with the terms of similar
wills which the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Appellate Courts have held to
provide gifts to survivors which were not absolute and unconditional and
incorporate sufficient language, on their face, to evidence contractual wills.
33
The Pursley 1975 Will* / The Will in Dougherty v. Humphrey
*It is our will and desire that the survivor of us, Harold W. Pursley or Mildred F. Pursley,
It is our will and desire that the survivor of us, J. W. Dougherty or Callie Dougherty,
*as the case may be, shall, with the rights and authority below given, have all the
as the case may be, shall, with the rights and authority below given, have all the
*estate of every description, real, personal or mixed, which either of us may own
estate of every description, real, personal, or mixed, which either or both of us, may own,
*to be used, occupied, enjoyed, conveyed and expended by and during the life of
to be used, occupied, enjoyed, conveyed and expended by and during the life of
*such survivor, as such survivor shall desire and that upon the death of such survivor
such survivor, as such survivor shall desire, and that upon the death of such survivor
*any of such estate then remaining shall go to and vest in any child or children
any of such estate then remaining shall be divided equally among the persons following
*of this marriage.
Mrs. Nellie May Woods, Mrs. Vera Bidwell, Mrs. Leola Williams, Miss Callie Lee Daugherty,
Sam Dougherty and Basil Daugherty.
Dougherty, 424 S.W.2d at 619.
In Dougherty, the Texas Supreme Court found that the survivor “held the property
as a life tenant with the right to dispose of the property in any way he say fit during
his lifetime,” with the restriction that any property remaining at his death would
pass to the named-children. Id. Thus, the Texas Supreme Court held that the
survivor was bound by the provisions of the will as to any property covered by the
will which was remaining at his death. Id.
34
Novak v. Stevens, 596 It is our will and desire that the survivor of us P. Y. Tate or
S.W.2d 848, 851-52 (Tex. Jessie Marie Moore Tate, as the case may be, shall with the
1980). rights and authority below given, have all the estate of every
description, real, personal or mixed which either or both of us
may own, to be used, occupied, enjoyed and conveyed and
expended and give deeds, bill of sale or dispose of in any manner
that the survivor may see fit to do during the life of such
survivor, and that upon the death of such survivor, any of the
said estate then remaining shall be given to the following
person: RHONDA RAY MYRICK, the daughter of Eddie Ray
Myrick, subject to the following conditions, WITHOUT BOND
In Novak, the Texas Supreme Court provided the following explanation:
We reverse the judgments of the courts below and construe the 1968 will as a
contract which should be enforced by impressing a constructive trust upon
the property in the Tate estate.
Novak, 596 S.W.2d at 851-52 (emphasis added).
In re Estate of It is our will and desire that the survivor of us, JAMES
Johnson,781 S.W.2d 390, LOURINE JOHNSON, SR., or EMMA JEAN OLDHAM
392 (Tex.App.—Houston JOHNSON, as the case may be, shall, with and subject to the
[1st Dist.] 1989, writ exceptions hereinafter made, have all of the property, real,
denied). personal and mixed and of every kind and description which
either or both of us may own, jointly or separately, or to which
we may be entitled, at the time of the death of the first of us, to be
owned in fee simple and full ownership by such survivor,
however, any of such property remaining at the time of the death
of the survivor of us to pass and be owned in accordance with the
provisions hereinafter set forth in this Will.
In In re Estate of Johnson, the Houston Court of Appeals found that the language
of the will did not grant the survivor an absolute and unconditional gift and was
sufficient on its face to establish a contractual will. In re Estate of Johnson, 781
S.W.2d at 392.
35
As referenced above, Section IV of the 1975 Will starts out by outlining the
life estate: “It is our will and desire that the survivor of us, Harold W. Pursley or
Mildred F. Pursley, as the case may be, shall, with the rights and authority below
given, have all the estate of every description….to be used, occupied, enjoyed,
conveyed and expended by and during the life of such survivor, as such survivor
shall desire.” (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A). (Emphasis added).
It is well recognized in Texas that “[w]here the language of the will
manifests the intention of the testator to pass the right to possess, use or enjoy
property during his life, a life estate is created.” Alviar v. Gonzalez, 725 S.W.2d
297, 299 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1986, writ ref'd n.r.e.) (citing Ellis v. Bruce,
286 S.W.2d 645, 649 (Tex.Civ.App.—Eastland 1956, writ ref'd n.r.e.)). In the 1975
Will at issue, it is apparent that the survivor of Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F.
Pursley was to receive and enjoy all property, “during the life of such survivor.”
(1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A).
Further, a life estate is not converted into a fee simple merely because the
life tenant is given the power of full disposition. In Edds v. Mitchell, the Texas
Supreme Court explained as follows:
Important also is the rule established by the decisions in this state and in the
great majority of the other states that the added full power of disposition
given to the life tenant…does not raise the life estate to a fee.
Edds v. Mitchell, 184 S.W.2d 823, 825 (Tex. 1945) (emphasis added) (citing Weir v.
Smith, 62 Tex. 1, 9 (Tex. 1884) and Caples v. Ward, 345 S.W. 856, 858 (Tex. 1915)).
36
In Alviar v. Gonzalez, the Corpus Christi Court of Appeals discussed the
creation of a life estate for the purposes of finding whether a contractual will
exists. In Alviar, the property was given to the survivor “to be used, occupied,
enjoyed, conveyed and expended by and during the lifetime of such survivor, as
such survivor shall desire.” Alviar v. Gonzalez, 725 S.W.2d 297, 298 (Tex.App.—
Corpus Christi 1986, writ ref'd n.r.e.) (emphasis added). The court in Alviar held
that the will left a life estate in the survivor even though the survivor had the full
power of disposition. See id. at 299 (holding “the will conveyed a life estate to the
surviving spouse, with the additional right to expend or dispose of the property.”).
As seen by the terms of the 1975 Will, the language in Alviar is wholly consistent
with the language used in the will at issue. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A).
In the Odeneal v. Van Horn case, Parkes Van Horn and Virginia Van Horn
executed a will, with similar provisions as the 1975 Will at issue, where the
survivor of the two was to receive:
[A]ll property, real, personal and mixed, both community and separate, that we
may own at the time of the death of the first of us to die so that the survivor of us
shall have, own and hold all such property for and during his or her natural life
with remainder in fee simple upon the death of the survivor to W. CLYDE
ODENEAL.
Odeneal, 678 S.W.2d at 942.
37
In holding that the will in Odeneal was contractual and binding, the court
found this was “language on its face which has been found to evidence an intent to
contract.” Id.
Therefore, in accordance with the opinions in Novak, Dougherty, Edds, In re
Estate of Johnson, Odeneal, Alviar and Reynolds, the terms contained in the 1975
Will expressly show that the parties created a gift to the survivor which was not
absolute or unconditional, and which was created with the intent to be bound by
such disposition. Accordingly, the 1975 Will satisfies the first prong of the
Reynolds test.
C. 1. a. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument Regarding
Absolute and Unconditional Gifts.
In complete disregard for the Texas Supreme Court opinions cited above,
Rocky alleges that “it is nonsensical to construe the 1975 Will as contractual.” See
Appellant Brief at 38. (Emphasis added). Specifically, Rocky alleges that because
the language in the 1975 Will gives the survivor the right of full disposition,
Harold, Jr., and Rolland’s “reading would be absurd and arbitrary,” as the 1975
Will must be construed as giving fee simple to the survivor. See Appellant Brief at
38. (Emphasis added).
Rocky not only fails to provide any supporting authority for this position,
but he also makes an argument that is in direct conflict with the Texas Supreme
38
Court’s opinion that giving the life tenant full disposition does not raise the life
estate to a fee simple. See Edds,184 S.W.2d at 825; Dougherty, 424 S.W.2d at 619.
C. 2. The Balance Remaining at the Survivor’s Death Is Jointly
Disposed of in the Secondary Dispositive Provisions of the
1975 Will.
The remainder of the estate is expressly disposed of under the terms of the
1975 Will. Specifically, the 1975 Will states “that upon the death of such survivor,
any of such estate then remaining shall go to and vest in any child or children of
this marriage.” (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A). The above-stated terms
unconditionally show that the 1975 Will provided for a disposition, by class gift, of
the remaining estate of both Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley after the
survivor of the two had passed away. (Id.).
“The most common class designation is ‘children.’” 9 Tex. Prac., Texas Law
Of Wills § 30.4 (3d ed.). The term “child or children” implies the widest sense, an
offspring of either sex and of any age, designating those persons who are entitled
to receive the one-half of the estate under the law of descent and distribution. See
Morris v. Williams, 92 S.W.2d 541, 543 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1936, writ ref’d).
A devise constitutes a “class gift” when it grants property to a group of
persons “bearing a certain relationship to the testator or to each other.” Wilkes v.
Wilkes, 488 S.W.2d 398, 403 (Tex. 1972). Those included in the group satisfy the
39
requirement “when they can be designated by the same general name as
…‘brothers’ or ‘sisters.’” Id.
“A ‘class,’ as used in the law of wills, is where several persons answering
the same description sustain the same relation to the legacy so that one word
describes them all; each takes an equal share in the property, and each takes
originally, and not by way of substitution or derivatively, and each takes
absolutely.” Hagood v. Hagood, 186 S.W. 220, 225 (Tex.Civ.App.–Fort Worth
1916, writ ref’d).
Further, as evidenced in Boone v. Stone, the language “any child or
children” has a definite legal meaning which mandates the distribution to all
persons identified in that class, those being all the children. See Boone v. Stone,
142 S.W.2d 936, 938 (Tex.Civ.App.–Fort Worth 1940, writ dismissed, judgment
correct). In Boone v. Stone, the will provided:
Item 3. That said Jerome S. Stone shall hold said property and estate, however, in
trust for my daughter, Helen Stone Anderson, beneficiary, and for the education,
maintenance and support of any child or children she may have, for and during
her natural life.
Id. (emphasis added).
The court in Boone stated that “[b]riefly analyzing the will, we find that
uppermost in testator's mind was the intention to bestow the objects of his bounty
upon his widowed daughter, her child, the minor, and any child or children that
should thereafter be born to her, as well also any child or children that should be
40
born to the son.” Id. at 940 (emphasis added). “So intent was the testator that his
daughter and her children then born or to be born should be amply provided
for, he gave power to the trustee to dispose of the corpus of the estate, if necessary,
for such purposes.” Id. (Emphasis added).
In Guilliams v. Koonsman, the Texas Supreme Court analyzed the following
devise in the will of J.J. Koonsman, which states as follows:
I give and devise to my son, Alvin Koonsman, all of my undivided interest in all
of the remainder of my real property situated in Scurry County, Texas, which I
may own at the time of my death, and to his child or children if any survive him,
and in the event of Alvin’s death without issue surviving him, then to my son and
daughter, Jesse J. Koonsman and Mrs. Cora Guilliams, share and share alike, and
to their heirs and assigns forever.
Guilliams v. Koonsman, 279 S.W.2d 579, 581 (Tex. 1955).
[O]n the other hand, if the devise had been to Alvin Koonsman “and to his child
or children,” without other qualifying or limiting language, and at the effective
date of the will there was a child or children of Alvin Koonsman in esse, the great
majority of the courts of this country, following the Second Resolution of Wild's
case (6 Coke 16b, 77 Eng.Rep. 277), would treat it as vesting the fee title in Alvin
Koonsman and his child or children in being at the effective date of the will as
joint tenants or tenants in common.
Id. (emphasis added).
What is the meaning of the words “and to his child or children if any survive him”
following the devise to Alvin? We have been cited to and have found no case
squarely in point. If the words “if any survive him” had been omitted and we were
to follow the weight of authority, heretofore noted, we would be compelled to
hold that Alvin and his son, John Billy, took the first estate created as cotenants.
But those words were not omitted, and we ascribe to them a two-fold effect: first
they limited the interest of Alvin Koonsman to a life estate, and secondly, they
operated to make the remainder to be taken by the child or children of Alvin
contingent rather than vested.1
Id. at 405-6 (emphasis added).
1
Unlike the 1975 Will, this will contained specific language, “if any survive him,” which cause the gift to be
contingent rather than vested.
41
As in Guilliams v. Koonsman and Boone v. Stone, the Appellate Court in
Sullivan v. Skinner held that the legal meaning of the language “any child or
children” mandates the distribution to all children in fee simple. See Sullivan, 66
S.W. 680, 681 (Tex.Civ.App. 1902, writ refused) (emphasis added). The Will in
Sullivan v. Skinner provided as follows:
For the term of her natural life, with full power to receive, for her sole and
separate use and no other, the rents and profits of the same, and on her death the
same to belong to any child or children of the said Harriet Ida Vance
(Skinner). Should no child or children survive her, then the store and lot to pass to
the next of kin, as provided by law.
Id. (emphasis added).
In analyzing the will in Sullivan, the Appellate Court stated “[f]rom this it is
apparent that Harriet Ida Vance, now Skinner, took only a life estate in the
property, and the remainder went to her children in fee simple.” Id.
Further, Section 202.002 of the Texas Estates Code provides a good example
of the use and definite legal meaning of the language “child or children.” See Tex.
Estates Code § 201.002. Specifically, Section 202.002 (b)(2) and (b)(3) state as
follows:
(2) two-thirds of the personal estate descends to the person’s child or children,
and the descendants of a child or children; and
(3) the surviving spouse is entitled to a life estate in one-third of the person’s land,
with the remainder descending to the person’s child or children and the
descendants of a child or children.
Tex. Estates Code § 201.002 (emphasis added).
42
As set forth in the case law and statute cited above, the terms “any child or
children” and “child or children” have a definite legal meaning which create a
class gift that cannot be limited to any certain children of the class. Accordingly,
any contention that Mildred F. Pursley had the right to distribute the property to all
or just one of her children and that the 1975 Will did not jointly dispose of the
remaining balance in the secondary dispositive provisions is without merit.
In Houston, the Amarillo Court of Appeals stated:
The general rule is that a devise or bequest to a class, if no time for vesting is
fixed will take effect at the death of the testator. But where the will either by
express words or necessary implication fixes a different time, and the whole
class is not then completed, the devise or remainder will vest in those then
existing who will hold it subject to be opened so as to let in after-born persons
who shall belong to the class at the time fixed by the will for its final completion.
Houston, 92 S.W.2d at 1089 (emphasis added).
In the present case, the 1975 Will states “any child or children of the
marriage.” (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A). At the time of Harold’s death, Harold Jr.,
Rolland, and Rocky, the children of the marriage, were alive. In accordance with
Houston v. Schuhmann, the gift vested in the three children at the time of Harold’s
death, subject to any after-born children. Due to the fact that the gift had vested in
Harold, Rolland and Rocky on May 10, 1980, the date of their father’s death, the
three children could not later be divested of their vested interest.
C. 2. a. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument Regarding the
Remaining Balance Being Jointly Disposed of in
the Secondary Dispositive Provisions of the
1975 Will.
43
 Rocky attempts to convince this Court that due to the use of the words “any”
and “or,” the 1975 Will did not jointly dispose of the remaining interest, after the
death of the survivor, in a comprehensive plan because it “left the future interest, if
any, to be determined at the survivor’s discretion.” See Appellant Brief at 36.
Specifically, Rocky argues that because the language does not give the remaining
estate to any particular child, the 1975 Will “did not jointly dispose of that
remaining interest in a comprehensive plan.” See Appellant Brief at 36.
Next, Rocky attempts to muddy the waters by arguing that the 1975 Will
fails to “give the alleged remainder interest to any person or persons in specifically
defined shares” because it does not incorporate language such as share and share
alike, equally or divided equally. See Appellant Brief at 37.
Not only do Rocky’s arguments lack supporting authority, they are in
conflict with the authority cited above. Thus, these arguments are without merit.
As evidenced by the numerous cases cited above, the language “any child or
children” and “child or children” has a definite legal meaning which mandates the
distribution to all persons identified in that class, e.g., all the children. See
Argument § C. 2.
Further, contrary to Rocky’s contention, a class gift is not required to “give
the alleged remainder interest to any person or persons in specifically defined
shares.” See Appellant Brief at 37. Instead, the Texas Supreme Court has held that
44
it is presumed that a class gift is divided equally amongst the members of the class.
See Sinnott v. Gidney, 322 S.W.2d 507, 512 (Tex. 1959). (“[I]n case of real doubt
as to the meaning of a will, the law favors a construction that gives equal
treatment to all heirs of the same class”) (emphasis added).
“There is abundant authority to the effect that words in a will stating that the
persons are to take ‘equally’ or ‘share and share alike’ or ‘divided equally’ are
without significance on the question of a class gift.” Sanderson v. First National
Bank in Dallas, 446 S.W.2d 720, 725 (Tex.App. — Dallas 1969, writ ref’d n.r.e.)
(emphasis added).
“It is well accepted that the transferor is presumed to have intended each
member of the class to share equally in the subject matter of the gift.” Restatement
(Third) of Property (Wills & Don. Trans.) § 14.2 TD No. 4 (2004) at Comment a.
(citing Lewis M. Simes & Allan F. Smith, Law of Future Interests § 740 (2d ed.
1967 & Current Supp.)). As stated in the Restatement (Third) of Property (Wills &
Don. Trans.) (2011), which Rocky attached to his brief as Tab I of the Appendix,
“[i]n the case of a single-generation class gift, the transferor’s presumptive intent is
that each member of the class is to share equally in the subject matter of the gift.”
See Appellant Brief Tab I of the Appendix at comment a.
Accordingly, the fact that the 1975 Will does not use language such as
“share and share alike,” “equally,” or “divided equally” is insignificant. Further,
45
even if the 1975 Will did contain language to rebut this presumption, which it does
not, the Texas Supreme Court has specifically held that “[i]n case of real doubt as
to the meaning of a will, law favors a construction that gives equal treatment
to all heirs of the same class.” Sinnott, 322 S.W.2d at 512.
Therefore, Rocky’s allegation that the 1975 Will did not jointly dispose of
that remaining interest in a comprehensive plan is without merit.
III. THE TRIAL COURT DID NOT ERR IN HOLDING THAT THE 2007
WILL AND 2010 CODICIL BREACHED THE TERMS OF THE 1975
WILL.
A. The 1975 Will Provided a Class Gift to Rocky, Harold Jr., and
Rolland in Equal Shares.
As evidenced by the authority cited in Argument Section II, it is apparent
that the 1975 Will provided for a class gift, in equal shares, to all the children of
the marriage which were alive at Harold W. Pursley’s death. Therefore, Mildred F.
Pursley’s 2007 Will and 2010 Codicil, which distributes the majority of the estate
to Rocky with a minor percentage to Rolland and fails to provide any disposition
of the estate to Harold Jr., wholly breached Paragraph IV of the 1975 Will. (1CR57
(exhibit A) / App. A, 77 (exhibit G) / App. G, 83 (exhibit H) / App. H).
B. The 1975 Will Became Effective Upon the Probate of the Will and
Members of the Class Were Vested at the Time of Harold W.
Pursley’s Death.
A contractual will becomes effective immediately upon probating the will
when the first spouse dies. See Lorenz v. Janssen, 116 S.W.3d 421, 425
46
(Tex.Civ.App.—Corpus Christi 2003, no pet.). Therefore, the rights of the
beneficiaries under a contractual will can be declared by a court in spite of the
continued life of the surviving spouse. See id. In Lorenz v. Janssen, the Corpus
Christi Court of Appeals held that the rights of all beneficiaries and remaindermen
who took under the contractual will vested at the time the surviving spouse
probated the will following the death of the first spouse. See id. at 426. This
created a “present interest” in the grandchildren while the surviving spouse kept
possession of her life estate. See id. at 425-26.
Further, the court in Houston v. Schuhmann stated the following:
The general rule is that a devise or bequest to a class, if no time for
vesting is fixed will take effect at the death of the testator. But
where the will either by express words or necessary implication
fixes a different time, and the whole class is not then
completed, the devise or remainder will vest in those then
existing who will hold it subject to be opened so as to let in after-
born persons who shall belong to the class at the time fixed by the
will for its final completion.
Houston, 92 S.W.2d at 1089 (emphasis added).
In the present case, the 1975 Will states that all the estate remaining at the
death of the survivor “shall go to and vest in any child or children of this
marriage.” (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A). Under the general rule, all three sons had
a vested interested at the death of Harold W. Pursley. According to the court in
Houston v. Schuhmann, the gift will vest in those existing at the time of the testator
(here, Harold W. Pursley)’s death, subject to any after-born children. See Houston,
47
92 S.W.2d at 1089. Further, nothing in the 1975 Will indicates that surviving
Mildred F. Pursley was a condition precedent to vesting. (1CR57 (exhibit A) /
App. A). Therefore, the three sons acquired a vested interest on May 10, 1980, the
date of their father’s death.
Thus, although the class membership may not yet be ascertained, all three
children of Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley acquired a vested interest at
Harold W. Pursley death. In accordance with Houston v. Schuhmann, due to the
fact that the gift had vested in Harold Jr., Rolland and Rocky on May 10, 1980, the
date of their father’s death, the three children could not later be divested of their
vested interest. See Houston, 92 S.W.2d at 1089. Therefore, any subsequent will or
codicil revoking Harold Jr.’s and/or Rolland’s vested interest in the property would
in fact be in direct breach with the distribution of property under the 1975 Will.
C. The Class Membership Under the 1975 Will Was Ascertained at
the Time Fixed for Distribution.
Texas law presumes class membership is ascertained at the death of the
testator if the will established no other time for ascertainment. See id. In cases such
as the one at bar, where the will provides that distribution to the class will not
occur until the expiration of a life estate, the class membership will not be
ascertained until the time fixed for distribution. See id. This is in harmony with the
analysis under Houston v. Schuhmann, in that here the existing class members
48
(Harold Jr., Rolland, and Rocky) are vested, subject to any after-born class
members that may be ascertained later.
In the present case, at the death of Mildred, the class members were
ascertained. Specifically, the class members ascertained were Harold Jr., Rolland,
and Rocky. Therefore, any subsequent will or codicil revoking Harold Jr.’s and/or
Rolland’s interest in the property would in fact be in direct breach of the
distribution of property set forth in the 1975 Will.
D. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument that the Plain Language of the
1975 Will Demonstrates there Was No Breach.
Rocky argues that “[t]he 1975 Will provides in Paragraph IV that upon death
of the survivor, the “estate then remaining shall go to and vest in any child or
children of this marriage. That is exactly what happened.” Appellant Brief at 24.
(Emphasis added). In making this argument, Rocky’s primary contention is that
“[t]he word ‘or’ is disjunctive. Thus, the 1975 Will gave the survivor of Mildred
and Harold, Sr., the option of devising the property to one or more of the children
of the marriage.” Id. at 29. Rocky cites the rules of construction which he contends
support his allegations.
Harold Jr. and Rolland do not dispute the rules of construction cited by
Rocky. However, it is apparent that Rocky’s analysis is in direct conflict with the
same rules on which his argument is based. For example, the rules of construction
mandate that “the court must give the words used their plain and ordinary
49
meaning,” and that “[c]ourts are not permitted to construe the plain language of a
contact to make it embrace something it was not intended to include.” Id. Here, the
authority cited in Argument Section II. clearly supports the trial court’s ruling that
the plain and ordinary meaning of “any child or children” implies a class gift to all
the living children of the marriage. Argument § II. Thus, since “[c]ourts are not
permitted to construe the plain language of a contact to make it embrace something
it was not intended to include,” and “may not rewrite the agreement of the parties
to insert something that the parties could have included but did not,” Rocky’s
contentions that “any child or children” means that Mildred F. Pursley had the
right to unilaterally pick who she wanted to disperse the remainder of the estate to
are without merit. Appellant Brief at 26.
Also, Rocky states that “[i]n construing a contract, the court’s primary goal
is to ascertain the intent of the parties.” Id. at 25. While the word “or” is in fact
disjunctive, here the language which Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley
specifically chose to incorporate into the 1975 Will, as seen by the wills referenced
in Argument Section II, has a very specific and definite legal meaning. See
Argument § II.
Rocky next contends that if Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley had
intended to give the property to all three children equally, they could have easily
have said so. Appellant Brief at 29. “This is especially true since the will was
50
prepared by an attorney.” Id. While Rocky attempts to show that the use of an
attorney evidences the fact that Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley could
have utilized different language, Harold Jr. and Rolland believe that the use of an
attorney reinforces their interpretation of the terms utilized in the 1975 Will. This
is because an attorney would have knowledge of the fact that the language “any
child or children” would convey a class gift in equal shares to Rocky, Harold Jr.,
Rolland, and any after-born child or children. Further, an attorney would know that
even though the word “or” is disjunctive, in the contractual will and trust context,
the legal definition of the particular phrase “any child or children” has a more
specific legal meaning than what Rocky offers to this Court.
In a last-ditch effort to muddy the waters, Rocky also provides an
inapplicable analogy which is as follows:
If a contract created a fund for scholarships for any graduate or graduates of
McAllen High School, the administrators of the fund would have the discretion to
give a scholarship to one or more graduates.
Id. at 30.
As this Court can see, this argument is entirely nonsensical and wholly
inapplicable. Rocky’s argument again ignores the case law providing that “any
child or children” has a specific legal meaning in the context of a testamentary
distribution which supersedes Rocky’s interpretation.
The Texas Supreme Court has held that “where the meaning of the language
used in the will has been settled by usage and sanctioned by judicial decisions, it is
51
presumed to be used in the sense that the law has given to it, and should be so
construed, unless the context of the will shows a clear intention to the contrary.”
Mitchell v. Mitchell, 244 S.W.2d 803, 806 (Tex. 1951) (quoting Corpus Juris, vol.
69, p. 80, Wills, s 1136) (internal citations omitted).
“[T]his will clearly shows that it was drawn for the testatrix by an attorney,
who was familiar with the decisions of the courts, and he used the technical terms
to carry out the intentions of the testatrix; and it may be assumed that such terms
used in the will were used correctly and intentionally.” Id. (internal citations
omitted).
Further, Rocky’s argument assumes that an imaginary contract for a
scholarship fund can create a testamentary class gift, which it cannot. Rocky also
fails to take into account that here we are dealing with a contractual will, jointly
executed by a husband and wife who had only three children, not an imaginary
scholarship fund for thousands of students, none of whom have a familial
relationship with the signatories of the contract.
E. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument that the Rules of Construction
Demonstrate there Was No Breach.
As in his previous arguments, Rocky contends that the plain language of the
contract demonstrates there was no breach. Appellant Brief at 30. Further, Rocky
states:
52
[V]iewing the contract as a whole and harmonizing the various provisions also
supports the result that the survivor has the option to give the property to one or
more of the children. This is because Mildred and Harold, Sr., could have
mandated that the property go equally to all three children, as they did in
Paragraph V, but they did not do so.
Id. at 30-31.
However, Rocky fails to recognize that the harmonizing canon may be
utilized by the court “[w]hen provisions of a contract appear to conflict.”
Methodist Hospitals of Dallas v. Amerigroup Texas, Inc., 231 S.W.3d 483, 491
(Tex.App.—Dallas 2007, pet. denied).
In the present case, the harmonizing canon is inapplicable as the terms of
Paragraphs V and VI do not conflict with each other. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App.
A). Specifically, the provisions in Paragraph V would not cause the provisions in
Paragraph VI to be of no effect, and vice versa. (See id.). Therefore, they are not
conflicting.
Instead, in the 1975 Will, Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley
decided to incorporate two different provisions for two wholly separate and distinct
situations in relation to their death. Assuming that Harold W. Pursley and Mildred
F. Pursley did in fact “die in the same accident or disaster, or within the same
week,” the terms in Paragraph IV would not preclude the remaining estate to vest
in Harold Jr., Rocky, and Rolland. (See id.).
While Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley could have mandated that
the property go equally to all three children, with legal counsel, it is likely that the
53
language “any child or children” was used to protect against the pretermission
statute. Specifically, if a child of Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley had
been born after the 1975 Will was executed and was not otherwise provided for,
the pretermission statute would have required that the after-born child be entitled
to the same portion of the testator’s estate as if the testator had died intestate. In re
Estate of Ayala, 702 S.W.2d 708, 710-11 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1985, no writ).
Thus, by utilizing this language, Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley
ensured that any after-born child, otherwise not provided for, would not take one-
third of the two-thirds life estate in the separate real and personal property of the
first to die, which Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley intended to devise to
the survivor. In using the same analysis, if Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F.
Pursley were to in fact die together as contemplated in Paragraph V., the
pretermission statute would not affect the distribution of the life estate to the
survivor, as they would both be deceased and no other child could be born of the
marriage.
Rocky next argues that “[i]nserting into the contract the restriction that the
property go to all three children equally would also violate the presumption that
because the parties used dramatically different language in Paragraph V and the
provision in question, that difference was intentional.” Appellant Brief at 31.
Harold, Jr. and Rolland do not agree with Rocky’s conclusion. Here, Harold, Jr.
54
and Rolland contend that it is more likely that this language was incorporated into
the 1975 Will in order to provide for any future children of the marriage. Thus, due
to the fact that Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley did not have any other
children, the remaining estate is to be devised to the three children in equal shares.
Finally, Rocky contends that “the tortured construction proffered by Harold
Jr., and Rolland runs afoul of the rule that a contractual will should be construed
narrowly.” Id. at 31. Again, Rocky’s argument is in direct conflict with the rule
being relied upon. Specifically, under the interpretation of both the trial court and
Harold Jr. and Rolland, the terms of the 1975 Will are being construed narrowly in
accordance with the supporting authority cited above. Therefore, construing the
1975 Will to mean that Mildred F. Pursley could pick and choose any or all
children to devise the remaining estate would not only rewrite the agreement, but
would also provide greater rights and authority to Mildred F. Pursley than what
was provided for in the 1975 Will.
F. Rebuttal of Rocky’s Argument that the 1975 Will Does Not
Create a Class Gift.
Rocky states, “arguing that the bequest is a class gift begs the question by
assuming that all class members are to receive a gift. Instead, as pointed out above,
the use of the disjunctive word ‘or’ clearly gives the survivor the option of whether
to give the property to one or all children.” Id.at 32.
55
As evidenced by the authority cited in Argument Section II., the language
“any child or children” mandates the distribution to all persons identified in that
class, e.g. all the children. See Arguments § II.
Rocky argues that “even in the case of a class gift, the presumption that the
bequest is to be divided equally among all class members applies only if the will
does not indicate a different intention.” Appellant Brief at 32. According to
Rocky, a different intention is unmistakably evidenced by the distinction between
Paragraphs IV’s use of ‘any child or children’ and Paragraph V which named the
children ‘share and share alike.’” Id. at 32-33. In making this allegation, Rocky
purports to rely on Sinnott v. Gidney. Id. at 33; See Sinnott, 322 S.W.2d at 512.
However, Rocky fails to disclose that the Texas Supreme Court in Sinnott v.
Gidney expressly stated “[i]n case of real doubt as to the meaning of a will, the
law favors a construction that gives equal treatment to all heirs of the same
class.” Id. (emphasis added).
Further, the issues presented in Sinnott v. Gidney are drastically different
from those in the present case. Specifically, the Texas Supreme Court in Sinnott v.
Gidney stated “[t]he question presented by this appeal is whether debts, funeral
expenses, estate taxes and expenses of administration of the estate of Katie
Keliehor, deceased, are payable out of the personal property bequeathed by Item
Second of her will or the real property devised by Item Third.” Id at 509. Further,
56
in analyzing the will, the Supreme Court found that “[t]he present instrument
makes it quite clear, however, that the testatrix did not intend for her heirs to have
equal treatment. She declared that nothing was being left to one brother and then
gave petitioner all of the personal property plus one-fifth of whatever might pass
under the residuary clause.” Id at 512 (basing its finding on language in the Will
stating “I make no bequest to my brother, Joseph E. Keliehor, whom I love very
much”) (emphasis added). Unlike the will in Sinnott v. Gidney, Paragraphs V and
VI in the 1975 Will at issue simply provide for distinct distributions in the event of
different situations. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App. A).
Lastly, in making this argument, Rocky again fails to acknowledge the well-
recognized legal principle that “the effect that words in a will stating that the
persons are to take ‘equally’ or ‘share and share alike’ or ‘divided equally’ are
without significance on the question of a class gift.” Sanderson, 446 S.W.2d at 725
(emphasis added). Also, “it is well accepted that the transferor is presumed to have
intended each member of the class to share equally in the subject matter of the gift
(a per capita distribution).” Restatement (Third) of Property (Wills and Donative
Transfers) §14.2 (2011).
IV. MILDRED F. PURSLEY CAUSED THE 1975 WILL TO BE
PROBATED AND ACCEPTED THE BENEFITS UNDER IT, THUS
IT WOULD BE MANIFESTLY UNJUST TO ALLOW HER TO
DISAVOW IT AND ITS OBLIGATIONS.
57
Mildred F. Pursley caused the 1975 Will to be probated and accepted a
substantial amount of assets from her husband’s estate. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App.
A., 61 (exhibit B) / App. B., 67 (exhibit F) / App. F). The Texas Supreme Court
has specifically held that in such situations it would not be equitable to allow only
one party to a contractual will to benefit from it, explaining as follows:
It would be manifestly unjust to permit the surviving party to the contract to
disavow it and its obligations, as those obligations are incorporated in their will,
after the other party has fully performed by abiding by it until his ability to revise
it has been terminated by death.
Wiemers, 683 S.W.2d at 357 (quoting Weidner, 301 S.W.2d at 624).
As the Texas Supreme Court has expressly held, “[o]ne party to a mutual
will may not render it unenforceable after the death of the other party by declaring
a revocation” Weidner, 301 S.W.2d at 624.
In Wiemers, George Wiemers and Ida J. Wiemers executed a joint will in
1951. Wiemers, 683 S.W.2d at 355. When George Wiemers died in 1960, the joint
will was admitted into probate. See id. at 356. The surviving spouse, Ida J.
Wiemers, executed a new will in 1972 which attempted to revoke the 1951 joint
will. See id. Upon her death, the 1972 will was admitted to probate. See id. Suit
was brought to enforce the 1951 will. See id. The Texas Supreme Court held the
1951 joint will was contractual and thus binding on Ida J. Wiemers, explaining as
follows:
The Wiemers will… disposes of all the real property and distributes that property
according to a common plan. The Wiemers will does contain reciprocal
58
provisions, each disposing of “my part and portion” of the 125 acres; however,
the preceding paragraph expresses George and Ida's joint will and desire to
distribute “the whole of our real estate.” As we held in Weidner v. Crowther, 157
Tex. 240, 301 S.W.2d 621 (1957), “[i]t would be manifestly unjust to permit the
surviving party to the contract to disavow it and its obligations, as those
obligations are incorporated in their will, after the other party has fully performed
by abiding by it until his ability to revise it has been terminated by death.”
Id. at 357.
Here, as seen by the Application For Probate, Harold died without revising
or terminating the 1975 Will. (1CR61 (exhibit B) / App. B). After Harold had fully
performed his obligations under the 1975 Will and his ability to amend it was
terminated by his death, on April 13, 2007, approximately 27 years after the 1975
Will had been probated, in an attempt to disavow the 1975 Will, Mildred F.
Pursley executed the 2007 Will and the 2010 Codicil. (1CR57 (exhibit A) / App.
A, 61 (exhibit B) / App. B, 77 (exhibit G) / App. G, 83 (exhibit H) / App. H). Thus,
under the reasoning of the Supreme Court in Wiemers, it would be manifestly
unjust to permit Mildred, the surviving party, to disavow the 1975 Will.
Further, in Vickrey v. Gilmore, the Waco Court of Appeals held that the
survivor was without power to execute a subsequent codicil to the joint will when
she caused the joint will to be probated upon her husband’s death and accepted the
benefits from it, explaining:
After John F. Vickrey died, Belle F. Vickrey caused the joint will to be probated
and accepted the benefits under it […] it was beyond the power of Belle F.
Vickrey to make and execute the codicil in question changing said 1954 joint will.
Vickrey v. Gilmore, 554 S.W.2d 36, 38-39 (Tex.Civ.App.—Waco 1977, no writ) (internal
citations omitted).
59
In Vickrey, the trial court held, and the Court of Civil Appeals affirmed, that
the 1954 joint will was contractual as a matter of law and thus Belle F. Vickrey
was without power to execute the codicil in question.
Similar to the facts presented in Vickrey, here 1) Harold W. Pursley and
Mildred F. Pursley executed a joint will in 1975; 2) when Harold W. Pursley died,
Mildred caused the 1975 Will to be admitted to probate; and 3) Mildred F. Pursley
accepted substantial benefits from said will. SOF § 1.
Therefore, Mildred F. Pursley was without the power to execute any new
will or codicil, due to the fact that the 1975 Will was binding on her and her estate.
V. IN THE ALTERNATIVE, IF THIS COURT FINDS THAT ROCKY
SUFFICIENTLY PLEAD AMBIGUITY AND THAT THIS CLAIM
WAS NOT WAIVED, AS A MATTER OF LAW THE TERMS OF
THE 1975 WILL ARE NOT AMBIGUOUS.
As evidenced in the Arguments Section I. A., “a person seeking to establish
ambiguity in a written contract has the burden of pleading the ambiguity by setting
out that portion of the contract that is claimed is ambiguous, and definitely
pleading the meaning or construction thereof as relied on by him.” Skyline
Furniture, Inc., 433 S.W.2d at 954. Specifically, the party must set out in specific
allegations the words and phrases claimed to be ambiguous, or to be modified or
explained by parol evidence, and also set forth those modifications and
explanations. See San Antonio Machine & Supply Co., 268 S.W. at 533.
60
In the present case, Rocky merely makes a vague reference to ambiguity in
one of his pleadings, his “Supplemental Application for Probate Will.” (1CR95-
96). Rocky wholly failed to set out “in specific allegations the words and phrases
claimed to be ambiguous.” Id. However, even if this Court finds that Rocky’s
pleadings satisfied the requirements in the authority cited above, the terms of the
1975 Will are not ambiguous.
In discussing the issue of ambiguity the Supreme Court of Texas has
affirmed the following rules:
If a written contract is so worded that it can be given a certain or definite legal
meaning or interpretation, it is not ambiguous.
It follows that parol evidence is not admissible to render a contract
ambiguous, which, on its face, is capable of being given a definite certain
legal meaning.
This rule obtains even to the extent of prohibiting proof of circumstances
surrounding the transaction when the instrument involved, by its terms, plainly
and clearly discloses the intention of the parties, or is so worded that it is not
fairly susceptible of more than one legal meaning or construction.
Lewis, 136 Tex. at 154.
“A contract is ambiguous only when, after the application of established
rules of construction, the proper meaning of the contract remains genuinely
uncertain.” O'Grady v. Gerald D. Hines, Inc., 683 S.W.2d 763, 765 (Tex.App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). “If a contract is so worded that it can be given
a definite and certain legal meaning, it is not ambiguous. When a contract is
susceptible to a legal meaning, construction of the written instrument is one of law
61
for the court.” Manes v. Dallas Baptist Coll., 638 S.W.2d 143, 145 (Tex.App.—
Dallas 1982, writ ref’d n.r.e.).
As seen by the wills referenced in Argument Section II, the language “any
child or children” has a very specific and definite legal meaning to which the trial
court adhered. See Argument § II; (2CR208-09/App. J., 270-71/App. K).
VI. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the 1975 Will made a class gift to all the children of the
marriage. The use of the words “any” and “or” certainly did not eliminate the class
gift, nor did it make a disposition to only one or two children proper. The
members of the class living at the time, Rocky, Harold Jr., and Rolland received a
vested interest at the death of Harold W. Pursley. Subsequently, at the death of
Mildred, the class was ascertained. Therefore, Mildred’s changing of the
dispositive provision to anyone other than all three brothers in equal shares is a
violation of the terms of the 1975 Will. Due to the fact that Mildred F. Pursley had
no authority or power to revoke the 1975 Will, the 1975 Will is binding upon the
Estate of Mildred F. Pursley, rendering all other subsequently executed,
inconsistent wills unenforceable.
Further, Rocky failed to properly plead the issue of ambiguity, and waived
his right to a jury trial. In doing so, Rocky effectively waived his right to an appeal
on the issue of ambiguity. In the alternative, if this Court finds that Rocky’s
62
pleadings satisfied the requirements cited above, the terms of the 1975 Will are not
ambiguous as a matter of law. As the language “any child or children” has a
definite and certain legal meaning.
As such, the trial court did not err in imposing a constructive trust in favor of
the devisees of the 1975 Will, Rocky, Harold Jr., and Rolland, in equal shares, to
the extent necessary to enforce the terms of the 1975 contractual Will. Therefore,
this Court should affirm the trial court’s ruling.
63
PRAYER
For the foregoing reasons, Harold Jr. and Rolland respectfully request that
this Court uphold the trial court's November 20, 2014 Final Judgment granting
Harold Jr. and Rolland’s Motion for Summary Judgment. Harold Jr. and Rolland
also request such further relief to which they may be entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLIS, KOENEKE & RAMIREZ L.L.P.
1101 Chicago Avenue
McAllen, Texas 78501
Telephone (956) 682-2440
Facsimile (956) 682-0820
By: /s/ Edmundo O. Ramirez
EDMUNDO O. RAMIREZ
State Bar No. 1650142
eor@ekrattorneys.com
THOMAS D. KOENEKE
State Bar No. 11652500
tdk@ekrattorneys.com
MINERVA I. ZAMORA
State Bar No. 24037765
miz@ekrattorneys.com
DANIEL KOENEKE
State Bar No. 24083320
daniel@ekrattorneys.com
Attorneys for Appellees Harold Pursley,
Jr., and Rolland Pursley
64
CERTIFICATE OF RULE 9.4(i) COMPLIANCE
In compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), I certify
that the number of words in this Brief of Appellees, excluding those matters listed
in Rule 9.4(i)(1) is 13,210 words per the word processing program used for its
preparation (Microsoft Word).
/s/ Daniel Koeneke
Daniel Koeneke
65
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that the foregoing document was electronically filed with the Clerk
of the Court using the electronic case filing system of the Court. I also certify that a
true and correct copy of the foregoing was served on the following counsel of
record on April 17, 2015 as follows:
Recipient: Attorney for: Served by:
J. Joseph Vale Appellant, Rocky Electronically if available,
jvale@atlashall.com Pursley or by facsimile and e-mail
Charles C. Murray
ccmurray@atlashall.com
Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLP
818 Pecan/P.O. Box 3725
McAllen, Texas 78501
Marlane A. Meyer Temporary Electronically if available,
Mmeyer308@aol.com Administrator, or by facsimile and e-mail
Meyer & Guerrero, L.L.P. PlainsCapital Bank
308 N. 15th Street
McAllen, Texas 78501
/s/ Daniel Koeneke
Daniel Koeneke
66
APPENDICES
Tab Date Document
A 04/29/1975 1975 Will (Exhibit A)
B 05/20/1980 Application For Probate of Will and Issuance of
Letters Testamentary (Exhibit B)
C 06/03/1980 Order Admitting Will to Probate and
Authorizing Letters Testamentary (Exhibit C)
D 06/04/1980 Oath (Exhibit D)
E 06/04/1980 Letters Testamentary (Exhibit E)
F 02/10/1981 Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims
(Exhibit F)
G 04/13/2007 2007 Will (Exhibit G)
H 01/13/2010 2010 Codicil (Exhibit H)
I 08/20/2014 Pre-Trial Hearing Transcript (Exhibit 1)
J 08/22/2014 Order on Motions for Summary Judgment
K 11/20/2014 Final Judgment
67
TAB A
OF THE APPENDIX
...!
VtJl
/?/tl .,j?
11last Dill anh Qfest~nt
OF
HAROLD W. PURSLEY and MILDRED F.
We, HAROLD W. PURSLEY and MILDRED F. PURSLEY, husband and
wife{~ of .the CC?_unty of Hidalgo, State of Texas, being of sound mind, memory and
understanding in view of the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life, and
J:e ing desirous of making the best disposition of our worldly affairs, do hereby
make arl.ptblish this our Last Will and Testament, to-wit:
I.
We do hereby revoke all wills and codicils and testamentary instrument
heretofore made by us.
II.
We direct that all our just debts, including all expenses of last
illness and funeral and burial, shall be paid by our Executor as soon as reasonably
convenient after our death.
Ill.
We hereby direct that no other action shall be had in the County Court
or ln any other Court in relation to the setUement of or administration upon our
estate other than the probating and recording of this Will and the return of an
inventory, appraisement and list of claims.
IV.
It is our will and deslre that the survivor of us, Harold W. Pursley or
Mildred F. Pursley, as the case may be, shall, with the rights and authority below
given, have all the estate of every description, real, personal or mixed, which
either of us may own, to be used, occupied, enjoyed, conveyed and expended by
and during the life of such survivor, as such survivor shall desire and that upon the
death of such survivor, any of such estate then remaining shall go to and vest in
...2~~~. VJ-<~~ ~la'.di/..6 d. /-2~,.
Harold W. Pursley r• Mildred F. Pursley (/'
,__EIIIII!IX~H~IB1111T-~
Page I·.of 4 pages
A 57
VOi. 3fn,,,.F
u •..., 81
any child or children of this marriage.
v.
In the event that we shall both die In the same accident or disaster, or
within the same week, then all of such estate of every description, real, personal
or mixed, 'Which either or both of us may own at the time of the first of such deaths,
or 1f the order of such deaths is not ascertained, at the time of either of such deaths
shall without respect to which of us may survive the other, go to and vest !n our
beloved children, HAROLD WAYNE PURSLEY, JR., ROLlAND HUGH PURSLEY and
ROCKY JOE PURSLEY, share and share alike-
VI.
It is our wllla'ld desire that the survivor of us, Harold w. Pursley or
Mildred F. Pursley, whichever the case may be, shall be the Independent Executor
or Executrix of this our Will a:rl of our estate and direct that no bond shall be re-
quired of any Executor or Executr.bc herein appointed. In the event of both of our
deaths .1n a mutual accident or disaster, or after the death of the survivor of us,
then 1n such event, we hereby appoint an OfflCBrof the First State Bank and Trust of
Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas, in whom we repose trust and confidence, as
Independent Executor of this our Will and estate and direct that no bond be required
of him.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have hereunto subscribed and signed thes
presence at Edinburg, Texas, m· the presence of the witnesses whose names are
affixed hereto and whom we lave requested to sign their nmaes hereto as witness,
and ln the presence of said witnesses we have declared and published the foregoing
.,,_ AP/f!I'L.-
as our Last Will on the .e?- day of~. A. D. 1975.
Mildred F • Pursley
Page 2 of 4. pages
58
VOl
The foregoing was on this date signed by Harold W. Pursley and
Mlldred F. Pursley, 1n our presence, and in the presence of each of us, and at the
time of their subscribing said instrument, they declared that 1t was their Will' and
at their request and 1n their presence, and in the presence of each other, we have
y.,t APR/.L-
subscrlbed our names as witnesses thereto on the .:ff - d~y of ~, A. D.
1975.
Witness
THE STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF HIDALGO §
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared
HAROLD W. PURSLEY and MILDRED F. PURSLEY,
and _ _ __.E..,r..,n...,e=s,.tin=a.._V.._a.....,s:::a...u,.,e~z..__ _ _ _ _ , known to me to be the testators and the
witnesses, respectively, whose names are subscribed tot he annexed or foregoing
instrument in their respective capacitites, and all of said persons being by me duly
sworn, the sald HAROLD W. PURSLEY and MILDRED F. PURSLEY, Testators,
declared to me and to said witnesses in my presence that said instrument ls their
Last Will and Testament, and that they had willingly na de and executed i t as their
free act and deed for the purposes therein expressed: and the witnesses, each on
his oath stated to me, in the presence and hearing of the said testators, that said
testators had declared to them that said instrument is their Last Will and Testament,
and that they executed same as such and wanted each of them to sign i t as a witnes
and upon their oath each witness stated further that they did sign the same as
witnesses in the presence of said Testators and at their request, that they were at
that time each nineteen years of age or over, were lawfully married and were of
sound mind, and that each of said witnesses was then at least fourteen years of ag •
~ .~
Page 3 of 4 pages
59
SUBSCRmED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE ME by the said HAROLD W.
PURSLEY and MILDRED F. PURSLEY, Testators, and SUBSCRmED AND SWORN TO
BEFORE ME by the said Jennie H. Gonzalez AND Ernest!na Vasquez
v.t. ,4P£/L
- - - - - - - - - - - ' witnesses, on this the &"9 -· day of ~, A. D. !975 •
• -----~~ :.r.'
Notacy Publ!c in and for Hid
Texas.
Page 4 of 4 pages
60
TAB B
OF THE APPENDIX
11\'".•·
ESTATE CF s IN 'lHE OCXJNIY a::xJRI' Kr lAW
HAK>ID W. PURSLE'l s OF
DICEASID s HIDAI.ro a:::xJN1Y, TEXAS
APPLICATICN .R:R PR::IW\'IE CF WIIL AID
ISSU.AriCE CF I.E:ITERS '!EST~
Mildred F. Pursley, (Applicant") furnishes the followinq information
to the Court for the probate of the written Will of Harold W. Pursley
("Decedent") and for issuance of Letters Testamentary:
1. Applicant is an individual interested 1n this Estate, domiciled
in and residing· at Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas.
2. Decedent died on May 10, 1980, in Edinburg. Hidalgo County,
Texas. at the age of sixty one (61) years.
3. This Court has jurisdiction and venue because Decedent was
domiciled and had a fixed place of r.esidence 1n this county on the date
of his death.
4. Decedent owned real and personal property described generally as
home, cash, securities, automobiles, livestock, household goods. and
personal effects of a probable value in excess of $200,000.00.
'
5. Decedent left a valld written Will ("Will") dated April 29,
1975 which was never revoked and is filed herewith.
6. The subscribing witnesses to the Will and their present addresses
are Jennie H. Gonzalez, Edinburg, Texas, and Ernestina Vasquez. address
unknown.
7. No child or children were born to or adopted by Decedent after
the date of the wm.
EXHIBIT
JB 61
.......... ~
•
8. Decedent was never divorded.
9. A necessity exists for- the administration of this estate.
10. Decedent's Will named Applicant to serve without bond or other
security as Independent Executrix, in which capacity, Applicant would not
be disqualified by law from serving as such or from accepting Letters
Testamentary, and Applicant would be entitled to such Letters.
WHEREFORE, Applicant prays that citation issue as required by law to
all persons interested in this Estate; that the will be admitted to
probate; that Letters Testamentary be issured to Applicant; and that all
other orders be entered as the Court may deem proper.
Respectfully submitted,
~~~JL~
Dennis E. Hendrix
P.O. Box 1016
Edinburg, Texas 78539
512-381-8496
ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT
-2-
62
TAB C
OF THE APPENDIX
.· ··., fiLED
JU~f 3 1980
S/u~IUO> ~1!'. lil.fRK
~~lfkfQa~, Toaa
-~·-4'¢4 a&~
ESTATECF s IN 'IHE CXlJNlY a:uRT Kr J.A.V
HAR:JID W PURSLEY s OF
DECEASID s HID.AI.G:l
ORDER ADMITI'lliG WIIL 'IO P.R:SA'IE ANJ
AIJIH)RI ZlliG LE'ITERS 'IEST.AMEl\ITAR{
On this day came on to be heard the Application For Probate of Will
and Issuance of Letters Testamentary filed by Nlildred F. Pursley
("Applicant") in the Estate of Harold W. Pursley, .I:eceased("Decedent").
The Court, having heard the evidence and having reviewed the Will
and the other documents filed herein, finds that the allegations
contained in the Application are true; that notice and citation have been
given in the rranner and for the length of time required by law; that
Decedent is dead and that four years have not elapsed since the date of
Decedent's death; that this Court has jurisdiction and venue of the
Decedent's estate; that Decedent left a Will dated April 29, 1975,
executed ~th the formalities and solemnities and under the circumstances
required by law to rrake it a valid Will; that on such date Decedent had
attained the age of 18 years and v.as of sound mind; that such Will was
not revoked byDecedent; that no objection to or contest of the probate
of such Will has been filed; that all of the. necessary proof required for
the probate of such will has been rrade; that such Will is entitled to
probate ; that 1n said Will , Decedent named W ldred F. Purs 1 ey as
Independent Executrix, to serve without bond, v.ho is duly qualified and
not disqualified by law to act as such and to receive Letters
Testamentary; that a necessity exists for the administration of this
estate; and that no interested person has applied for the appointment of
appraisers and none are deemed necessary by the Cburt.
It is therefore CEDERID, .AD]UCGED JlND DECREED that such Will is
admitted to probate, and the Clerk of this Cburt is ORDERED to
EXHIBIT
~~
. b
63
•
record the Will, together with the Application in the Minutes of this
Court.
It is further ORDERED, A~JUDGED and DECREED that no bond or other
security 1s required and that upon the taking and filing of the Oath
required by law, Letters Testamentary shall issue to Mlldred F. Pursley
who is appointed as Independent Executrix of Decedent's Will and Estate,
and no other action shall be had in this Court other than the return of
an Inventory. Appraisement and List of Claims as required by law.
SIGNED AND ENTERED this 3,e.o day of ~ , 1980.
~~J~Jk~
Dennis E. Hendrix
P.O. Box 1016
Edinburg, Texas 78539
381-8496
ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT
-2-
64
TAB D
OF THE APPENDIX
.. ·-·- ---------
FILED
J:J~I 41980
SAhlu, ~., "a.dtK
NO. 14,054
ESTA'IE OF s IN
~·-~·'-·
-~4rw •._.
mE a:::iJmy CXXJR.I' AT IAW
HAIOID W. PlJRSI.m{' s OF
Da:::::EAS.fD s Hl.DAIG) c:x:x.JNIY, TEXAS
OA.TH
I do solemnly swear that the writing wh'ich has been offered for
probate is the last Will of Harold w. Pursley, so far as I know or
believe, and that I will well and truly perform all the duties of
Independent Executrix of said Will and of the Estate of Harold W.
Pursley, Deceased.
%1~~~A
~,..
Mildred F. Pursley
Independent Executrix
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME by MILDRED F. PURSLEY'
:this.. . ..3t""s(.. day of June, 1980, to certify which, witness my hand and
. ·.·' se·ai<'of.loffice.
_;..··.J~~~~~~i~i~t~ :.
. . . . . . "· . . ~jJ"'-'
· .; (
't;}~~i{(:~J.:~~:}
•. ~·;. :. ...
•
~& ~MIN.ERVA 0. DJJJ11
OtarY PUbUC1il
County, Texas
andfO~lgo
EXHIBIT
ID 65
TAB E
OF THE APPENDIX
-
LETI'ERS TESTAMENJ:ARY
\
c::::::::::::=:=::=-<<:>>--C::::=::::::>
No. 14,054
THE STATE OF TEXAS
County of Hlilolgo } IN COUNTY COURT.
of Hidalgo County,
AT LAW
Tesa~~
I, Santo• StJldal'l4, Clerk of the County Coure__A:~T_LAW
_ _ _ __
of Hidalgo County, Te%tu, do hereby certify tlud on t1ae ___3_r_d_ _ __
day of JUNE , A.. D. ~9~ MIL@RED F. PURSLEY
HAROLD 'W. PURSLEY -.J___ _,~
----------------------------------------------------· ~al~
and th.m...:Lhe__quollfied aa.__IND
_ _EP_.END
__ENT
__ EXE_c_u_TRIX
_____________
of •aid ~tate on the 4t:h day of.___....n.,.m~E.,.·_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___;..· A.. D. 1~ so
as the law requires mul that so:ld appointment U. still in full force and ef/ed.
Git:~en under my hand mul seal of office at Edinburg, Te:cas the
_4_t_h__.....d...ay of.___J_UN_E_ _ _ _ _ _ A. D. 19~
Santos Saldalfo, Clerk,
AT LAW
(Seal) County Court -------~Hidalgo County, T~
By._____________________________________ Dep~.
ROSIE MEDELLIN
EXHIBIT
I £ 66
TAB F
OF THE APPENDIX
,···· --·-· ·-:-· -· ·-··---~
....__: ...---:~ ·~
!)[). 14,054
ESTATE OF s IN 'IHE o::IJNlY a:uRl' Nr I.J1&Y
HAR:XD W. FtJRSI.m:', SR. s OF
Da::;EASID s HIDAI.CD COJNIY. TEXASFILED
FEB 10 1981
IN\IEN'IORY, APPRAISB.ENI', AN:> Lisr OF CLAIMS &a•• u.:. ~..!it liLfRK
Date of Death:
The following is a full,
May 10, 1980
true and complete Inventory and Appraise-
~~~=
ment of all personal property and of all real property situated in the
State of Texas, together ~th a List of ClaUn5 due and owing to this
Estate as of the date of death, which have cane to the posesston or
knowledge of the undersigned.
INV.ENTORY A!ID APPRAISEMENI'
Real Property (See Schedule A) 203,280.00
Stocks and Bonds (See Schedule B) 10,302.50
Accounts Receivable & Cash (See Schedule C) 60,210.50
Insurance Payable to Estate ( Schedule D) 11,215.50
.. Jointly OWned Property (Nb Schedule E) l\OifE
N.tlscellaneous Property (See Schedule F) .246, 767 .oo
/
'Ibtal 531,775.50
Lisr OF CLAIMS
'!here are no claims due or owing to the Estate other than those
shown on the foregoing Inventory and Appraisement.
'Ihe foregoing Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims should be
approved and ordered entered of record.
Respectfully submitted,
~s2'9JL~
DENNIS E. HEl'DRIX
Attorney for the Estate
P.O. Box 1016
Edinburg, Texas 78539
EXHIBIT
1[:
67
··--· --- --· ,! - -·· ..•• - ...... - ..
V!J,t,. 31 P P1 /.3, 7
--·----- ------ -- --··
SCHEDULE A
ESTATE OF HAROLD W • .PURSLEY
Real Estate
SEPARATE .P.RJPERIY:
c::o.MJNI'IY P.OOPERIY: Fair Market Value
House and 1 acre, Block 246, Lot 5,
Texas Mexican Railway Ccmpany
Survey, Hidalgo County, Texas 91,015.00
House and 1 acre, Block 246, Lot 5,
Texas Mexican Railway Ccmpany
Survey, Hidalgo Cbunty, Texas 11,814.00
Equipnent Yard
BloCk 246, Lot 5, (5 acres)
Texas Mexican Railway Survey, 32,500.00
Soil Pit
Block 246, Lot 5, (16.1 Acres),
Texas Mexican Railway Survey,
Hidalgo Cbunty, Texas 1,611.00
Farm Land
Block 246, Lot 5, (8.72 Acres)
Texas Mexican Railway Survey
Hidalgo County, Texas 23,545.00
Farm Land
Block 246, Lot 3, (23.45 acres)
Texas Mexican Railway Survey
Hidalgo County, Texas 104,300.00
Farm Land
Block 246, Lot 13, (8.65 Acres)
Texas Mexican Railway Survey
Hidalgo County, Texas 25,950.00
Farm Land
Block 248, Lot 11, (38.80 Acres)
Block 248, Lot 14, (19.19 Acres)
Texas Mexican Railway Survey
Hidalgo County, Texas 115,825.00
'!OrAL .REAL ESTA'IE 406,560.00
DECEDENT'S 1/2 INI'EREST 203,280.00
68
----- -·- ... _ --· .. --
' .. . . ...
·-- ------- -- -· --·--
SCHEDULE B
ESTATE OF HAROLD W. PURSLEY
STOCKS AND BONDS
SEPARATE .FR:>PERIY:
a::MVNI'IY PKlP.ERIY: Fair Market Value
Harold W. Pursley, Sr., Inc.
1000 shares No-Par Value COmmon Stock
Edinburg, Texas 15.60 per share 15,600.00
Federal Land Bank of Houston
Houston, Texas 4,905.00
Edinburg, co-op Gin
8% Perferred Stock at Par Value 100.00
'Ibtal Stocks and Bonds 20,605.00
DEC.fDENI''S 1/2 INIEREST 10,302.50
69
'··
·.·· . . ..
.···
....
··-· ...: -
.:•:- -··. . ;__,._ : ....' .. .·
·.. ·- -~
•.•• .•Ji- 'n :•·•.._ (:: I!''
:· .. ····· '' ... : ~ !•7 ••• .,,:.:"'i
'• •} o I '• .. .. , •.
'!.!··--=· .•••
j, •I ..."':- •; ''If.:..
.·•: .. ·' .
.·.
. ... . ·.... -...". .·· :. .
70
. .r
.~.t. 31 g ,o,. /.:3
{ - • • --a• • ••- - o•. "" - - - •-•
I • j
~ . I
--- ·------··-----.)
SCHEDULE C
ESTATE OF HA.ROLD W. PURSLEY"
MORTGAGES, NOTES AND CASH
SEPARA'lE P.RCPERIY:
CXMLINI'IY PROPERlY: Fair M!rket Value
First State Bank & Trust Co •• Edinburg, Texas
Harold Pursley
Checking Account Nb. 09-1489-4 338.00
First State Bank & Trust Co •• Edinburg, Texas
Mildred 0. Pursley
Checking Account Nb. 00-6705-9 1,337.00
First National Bank of Edinburg. Edinburg. TExas
Harold PUrsley
Checking Account Nb. 010-450-7 6.00
Federal Land Bank Association. Edinburg, Texas 6,459.00
First State Bank & Trust Q)., Edinburg. Texas
Savings Account Nb. 01-1219-4 72.00
Payroll Checks, Harold W. Pursley, Sr., Inc. 880.00
Nbte Receivable
].D. Reavis, Dated March 22. 1979, in the
original amount of $120,000.00, payable
annually $10,000.00 plus 9% interest. 111,329.00
Total M:>rtgages, Notes and Cash 120,421.00
DEDEDENI' 1 S 1/2 Il'll'EREST 60,210.50
71
-·"···-·
·. . ..!
__ ·-· -- .
·....... ...... _ ....i
SCHEDULED
EST ATE OF HAROLD W. PURSLEY
INSURANCE PAYABLE TO ESTATE
SEPARA'IE ProPERlY:
Great Southern Life Insurance COmpany
Policy No. 531552
Death Claim Benefit 1,423.70
Dividend Accumulations 423.70
Total Paid 1,423.70
cn.M.JNI'IY ProPERlY:
American National Insurance COmpany
Policy No. 05280083
Death Claim Benefit 5,000.00
Dividend Accumulations 18.00
Total Paid 5,018.00
GUlf Life Insurance COmpany
Credit Life Policy No. 11810-734066 14,565.00
Total Carm.mi ty Insurance 19,583.00
Decedent 1 s 1/2 Ccrmnm1 ty 9,791.50
11,215.50
72
VOL 318PAoe141
SCHEDULE F
EST ATE OF HAROLD W. PURSLEY
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY
SEPARATE ProPERlY: N:111E
cx::M.UNI'IY P.R:P.ERIY: Fair Market Value
Household fUrniture 3,500.00
Cattle, 7 Cows and 3 Calves 3,766.00
Federal Income~ Withheld for 1980 2,341.00
Edinburg Coop Gin, Book Credits 357.00
Southwestern Life Insurance Cbmpany
Life Insurance Policy Nb. 6778823
Mildred 0. Pursley 820.00
DRILLIN:; MACHINERY AN:> EQUIFMENI'
MOdel 1500 Failing Drilling Rig, Serial
Nb. ~738Vl24200 on 1978 Olevrolet Truck 75,000.00
Mbdel 1500 Failing Drilling Rig, Serial
No. 903703, on GC Diesel Truck 30,000.00
MOdel 1500 Failing Drilling Rig,
Serial No. 903224 8,000.00
MOdel 1500 Failing Drilling ~g. Serial
No. 902072, o~ 1955 Mack Diesel Truck 2,000.00
Mbdel 120 G Caterpillar Mbtor Grader with Ripper
and Power Shaft, Serial Nb. 87V2699 55,000.00
MOdel 1150BCase Crawler Tractor with Winch,
~Vide Tracks, Serial Nb. 7302728 15,000.00
MOdel llSOBCase Crawler Tractor with Winch,
Serial N0.7304731 26,000.00
MOdel M-100 Allis Olalmers Mbtorgrader wl th Ripper,
Serial No. 1510 8,000.00
Mbdel 12G Allis Chalmers Loader with 35 yard Bucket,
Serial No. 221 25,000.00
Mbdel D6C Caterpillar Tractor with Tilt Blade,
Winch and Power Shaft, Serial NO. 10Kl3634 60,000.00
Mbdel 5800 Case Backhoe, Serial No. 8953660 16,000.00
HUeber Steel Wheel Roller 1.000.00
Fiat-Allis liB Crawler Tractor with Power Shaft,
Serial No. 25Ll8772 35,000.00
Fiat-Allis llBCrawler Tractor with Winch and
Tilt Blade, Serial No.25Ll91.56 50,000.00
73
VOL "318PAGE 142
SCHEDULE F .1
ESTATE OF HAROLD W. PURSLEY
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY
David Brown Tractor 3,500.00
1 Diesel Engine 4,500.00
Mbdel 471 Diesel Engine 3,000.00
Mbdel 671 Diesel Engine 4,000.00
Air O:::npressor 1,200.00
Lincoln Gas welder 450.00
TRANSR:RrATIQ\1 B;UIFMENI'
1971 Olevrolet Truck and 38" Float,
Serial No.SCI631P24963 4,000.00
1977 Olevrolet 1-Ton 4-Wheel Drive 4-Door
Crew-Cab Truck, Serial No. CKL3472189520 4,000.00
1978 Olevrolet !-Ton 4-Wheel ·Drive Guston-cab
Pickup Truck, Serial No. CKL348Bll2644 4,200.00
1974 Dodge Pickup Truck 225.00
1976 Dodge Pickup Truck 225.00
1976 Dodge Pickup Truck - 4 \~eel Drive 3,000.00
1976 Dodge D-200 Pickup Truck 1,000.00
1977 Dodge 3/4 Ton Pickup Truck 3,000.00
1977 Dodge Club-cab Pickup Truck 800.00
1973 Fork Pickup Truck 500.00
1978 Fork F-250 3/4 Ton 4~eel Drive Supercab
Pickup Truck, Serial No. X265KBCK598 4,200.00
1977 Fork F-250 3/4 Ton $-Wheel Drive GUston Cab,
Pickup Truck, Serial No. F26HNY47069 2,000.00
1969 GMC Diesel 5-Ton Truck Tractor 3,500.00
1971 GMC Diesel Truck 2,000.00
1965 International Truck and Lowboy Trailer, Serial
No. T53742 6,500.00
1974 International Truck Tractor, Serial
No. 10682 OiA53132 and Aluminum 18 Yard Dump Trailer,
Serial No. ALF223030 6,500.00
74
VOL 318.PAGE 1'43
SCHEDULE F.2
ESTATE OF HAROLD W. PURSLEY
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY
1975 Pl~uth Fury 4~or, Serial 1,300.00
No. PH43KSK182806
1976 Oldsmobile 98 Regency 4-Door, Serial
No. 3X39'lt;Ml 07 321 1,800.00
1 Fiberglass Gamper 1,000.00
1 Amerigo Carrper on DfM:O Trailer 1,000.00
1974 General Flatbed Trailer, Serial No. 3SGLB74285 1,250.00
1 GOoseneck 30 1 Metal Cattle Trailer 2,500.00
1 D.EM:X> 20 I Trailer, Serial 110. 244 1,000.00
1 DEMX> 28' Trailer, 3-Axle, Serial No. 3255 1,000.00
1 DFM:O 20 1 Trailer, 2-Axle, Serial No. 5038 1,000.00
1 D.EM:O 16' Trailer, 1-Axle, Serial No. 4152 1,000.00
1 DEM:O 20 1 Trailer, 2-Ax1e, Serial No. 4158 1,000.00
OFFICE EQ.JIPMENI' 600.00
Total Nascellaneous Property 493,534.00
D.EX.:;fDENr 1 S 1/2 INIEREST 246,767.00
75
VOl
'1HE BrATE OF "'EXAS s
s KN:JN ALL MEN ~ THESE .PRESfNIS 'lHAT:
a:JJNI.Y OF HIDIWD s
I, MILORED F. PURS~, having been duly sworn, hereby state on oath
that the foregoing Inventory and List of Claims is a true and catplete
statement of all the property and clairm of the Estate that have cane to
my knowledge.
MILDRID F. PtiRSLE¥, IND~.ooit5unux
&v..tlRN '10 .Al-D SUBSCRIBED BER:RE ME by the said MilDRED F. PURSLEY, on
this the lOth day of February, 1981, to certify v.hich witness my hand
and seal of office.
taPUbiiCill anf o r
County, Texas
Hidalgo J
'Ihe foregoing Inventory, Appraisement and List of Clairm of the
above Estate having been filed and presented and the O>urt having
considered and examined the same and being satisfied that 1t should be
approved and there havings been no objections made thereto, it is in all
respects APPROVED and ORDERED entered of record.
SIGNED AN) .ENI'ERED on the J..£!f. day of ~ 1981.
/L E./·~
~p~.,~
FILED
FEB 1 t. 1981
76
TAB G
OF THE APPENDIX
mast Will UlJ~ Westurp.ent q- 3'-10,8C?\ - ~ - \ ll -
! .'·::'J..~~--D· · :. t ···: ~
Mildred F. Pursley
<
:
;,
~
rcn
L,., 'v
i) Q 7fl',')
c:: .... v.""
I, Mildred F. Pursley, of the County ofHidalgo and the State ofTJ~~~&@.~~~:-~~~;K
of sound and disposing mind and memo.ry, do make and declare this i~trfiW~n~~~-~~~ ~t Wi~.DEPU1Y
and Testament, hereby expressly revokmg all former Wills and CodJcilsil:iiiCfebyme arany-tmie\)'·-----
heretofore, and intending hereby to dispose of all the property of whatever kind and wherever
situated which I own, or in which I have any kind of interest at the time of my death.
I.
IDENTITY OF THE FAMILY ·'
At the time of the execution of this Will, I am not married and I have three children, namely,
Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr., Rocky Joe Pursley and Rolland Hugh Pursley.
II.
PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
I direct that all the expenses of my last illness, my funeral expenses, and my just personal
debts, including any inheritance taxes, transfer taxes, and estate taxes which may be levied by the
United States Government or by any state by reason of my death, shall be paid by my Independent
Executor out of the residue of my estate as soon as conveniently may be done; provided that my
Independent Executor, in such Executor's sole discretion, may distribute from time to time any real
or personal property in my estate which at my death is subject to a lien securing an indebtedness
upon it without discharging said indebtedness, if in my Independent Executor's judgment, the
condition of my estate so requires. The distributee shall then be considered as having received my
estate's equity in the property.
III.
DISPOSITION OF ESTATE
A. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Rocky Joe Pursley t.'le following property ifhe
shall survive me; however if he does not survive me, the whole thereof to Rolland Hugh Pursley:
I. 27.0 acres gross (23.45net acres) out of Lot 3, Section 246, Tex-Mex Subdivision,
Hidalgo County, Texas.
2. 8.65 acres net out of Lot 13-E 10/W 13.55, Section 243, Tex-Mex Subdivision,
Hidalgo County, Texas.
3. One-half(l/2)ofmy oil, gas and mineral rights to all ofLot 11, Block 248, Tex-Mex
Subdivision, Hidalgo County, Texas. 40 gross acres (38.80 net acres) ptJt'l-'
?A. I?
e/ ;ct
EXHIBIT ;.h/,,.
J__,{;,...__ 11· 3-d
77
4. One-half(l/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights toE 112 of Lot 14, Block 248, Tex-
Mex Subdivision, Hidalgo County, Texas. 20 gross acres (19.19 net acres)
5. One half(l/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights in Frio County, Texas describedasJ.
Poitevent Survey No. 1, Abstract No. 552.
6. One half(l/2) of my stock in Ebony Hills Golf Course, Hidalgo County, Texas.
7. Two (2) cemetery lots in Charlotte, Atascosa County, Texas.
B. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Rolland Hugh Pursley the following property
if he shall survive me; however if he does not survive me, the whole thereof to Rocky Joe Pursley:
I. 31.82 gross acres (30.82 net acres) out of Lot 5, Block 246, Texas-Mex Survey, Hidalgo
County, Texas, (Save and except one (I) acre which is the homestead property).
2. One (I) acre out of Lot 5, Block 246, Tex-Mex Survey, Hidalgo County, Texas. (Homestead
property).
3. One half (l/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights to all of Lot 11, Block 248, Tex-Mex Survey,
Hidalgo County, Texas consisting of 40 gross acres (38.80 net acres).
4. One half(l/2)ofmyoil,gas and mineral rights to all ofE ~of Lot 14, Block248, Tex-Mex
Survey, Hidalgo County, Texas consisting of20 gross acres (19.19 net acres).
5. One half (1/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights in Frio County, Texas described as J.
Poitevent Survey No. I, Abstract No. 552.
6. One half(l/2) of my stock in Ebony Hills Golf Course, Hidalgo County, Texas.
7. Two (2) cemetery lots in Charlotte, Atascosa County, Texas.
C. I give, devise and bequeath all of the rest of my estate to my children, Rocky Joe
Pursley and Rolland Hugh Pursley, in equal shares.
D. I have deliberately made no provision for my son, Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr. because I
feel that he has ample property of his own.
IV.
DEFINITION OF SURVIVAL
Any legatee, devisee, donee, person or beneficiary with respect to all or any part of my estate
who shall not survive until ninety (90) days after the date of my death, or until this Will is probated,
whichever occurs earlier, shall be deemed to have predeceased me, and shall be treated for all
purposes herein as though such person had predeceased me.
v.
APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR
A. I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son, Rocky Joe Pursley, as Independent
Executor of my estate. In the event that my son, Rocky Joe Pursley, shall predecease me or fail or
refuse to qualifY, or die, resign, or become unable to serve during the administration of my estate, I
hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son, Rolland Hugh Pursley, as Independent Executor,
2
?Jt./!
78
_; ;-
and all the powers, duties and responsibilities granted and imposed upon Rocky Joe Pursley shall
devolve upon and be exercised by Rolland Hugh Pursley.
B. If any individual Independent Executor or Executrix becomes unable to discharge his
or her duties under this Will because of accident, physical or mental illness or deterioration, or other
cause and does not resign, then upon certification in a fonn sufficient for the recording of a deed in
the State of Texas by two medical doctors (neither of whom is a beneficiary under this Will)
affirming that each has examined the Independent Executor or Executrix and that each has
concluded, based on such examination, that the Independent Executor or Executrix is unable to
discharge his or her duties under this Will, the Independent Executor or Executrix shall cease to
serve, as if he or she had resigned, effective the date of the certification.
C. It is my will and desire and I hereby direct that in the administration of my estate, my
Independent Executor or any successor shall not be required to furnish any bond ofany kind and that
no action shall be had in any court in the administration of my estate other than the probating of this,
my Last Will and Testament, and the filing of any Inventory, Appraisement and List ofClaims of my
estate that may be required.
VI.
POWERS OF EXECUTOR
The estate created or arising by virtue of my death and this instrument, my Last Will and
Testament, shall be governed by and administered in accordance with the following provisions:
A. I hereby grant unto my Independent Executor or any successor named above, full
power and authority over any and all of my estate and they are hereby authorized to sell, manage, and
dispose of the same or any part thereof, and in connection with any such sale or transaction, make,
execute and deliver proper deeds, assignments and other written instruments and to do any and all
things proper or necessary in the orderly handling and management of my estate.
B. My Independent Executor or any successor named above, shall have full power and
authority to compromise, settle and adjust any and all debts, claims and taxes which may be due from
or owing by my estate.
C. My Independent Executor or any successor named above, shall have full power and
authority to deal with any person, firm, or corporation.
D. My Independent Executor or any successor named above, shall have full power to
borrow money at any time and in any amount from time to time for the benefit ofmy estate, from any
person, firm, or corporation or from any bank or trust company and to secure the loan or loans by
pledge, deed of trust, mortgage or other encumbrances on the assets of the estate and from time to
time to renew such loans and give additional security.
3
79
·/·--. ..
{ .
... ..
E. As compensation for his services hereunder, my Independent Executor or any
successor named above shall be entitled to charge the same fees customarily charged for similar
services in other estates at the time the services are rendered.
VII.
SPENDTHRIFI' PROVISION
No interest of any beneficiary in the corpus or income of my estate shall be subject to
assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, or claims of creditors of such beneficiary and may not
otherwise be alienated or encumbered by such beneficiary, except as may be otherwise expressly
provided herein.
VIII.
IN TERROREM CLAUSE
If any beneficiary under this Will shall in any manner contest or attack this Will or any of its
provisions, any share or interest in my estate given to such contesting beneficiary under this Will is
hereby revoked and shall be disposed of as part ofthe residue of my estate.
IX.
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
For purposes of interpretation of this, my Last Will and Testament, and the administration of
the estate established herein, the following provisions shall apply:
A. The words "child, children, descendants, issue," and similar terms shall be deemed
only to include children born to, or adopted (on or before eighteen years of age) by me or my
descendants.
B. When a distribution is directed to be made to any person's descendants "per stirpes,"
the division into stirpes shalJ begin at the generation nearest to such person that has a living member.
C. The use of the masculine, feminine or neuter genders shall be interpreted to include
the other genders, and the use of either the singular or the plural number shall be interpreted to
include the other number, unless such an interpretation in a particular case is inconsistent with the
general tenor of this instrument. Any references herein relating to my Independent Executor shall
include his successors regardless of the gender of the successors.
D. This Will shall be probated in accordance with the laws of Texas, and should any
provisions of the same be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the unenforceability or
invalidity ofsaid provision shall not affect the enforceability or validity ofany other part ofthis Will.
4
80
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Mildred F. Pursley, hereby sign my name to this, my last
Will, on each page of which I have placed my initials, on this E _ day of ~; L
2007, at Edinburg, Texas.
1JwA&.teUST~
Mildred F. Pursley, Testatrix
ATTESTATION
The foregoing instrument was signed in our presence by Mildred F. Pursley and declared by
her to be her last Will. We, at the request and in the presence of Mildred F. Pursley and in the
~~f each other, have subscribed our names below as witnesses on this~ day of
_r--2007.
~~ik=~
City and State
Wim~~a-~
Street Address -r
Pha.r r, , X 7f511
City and State
SELF-PROVING AFFIDAVIT
STATEOFTEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF HIDALGO §
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Mildred F.
Pursley, Phyllis Hendrix and Rebecca Gonzalez ,
known to me to be the Testatrix and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are subscribed to the
annexed or foregoing instrument in their respective capacities, and all of said persons being by me
duly sworn, the said Mildred F. Pursley, Testatrix, declared to me and to the said witnesses in my
presence that said instrument is her Last Will and Testament and that she had willingly made and
5
/Ja./).
81
..r···-. . ....
executed it as her free act and deed; and the said witnesses, each on their oath stated to me, in the
presence and hearing of the said Testatrix, that the said Testatrix had declared to them that said
instrument is her Last Will and Testament, and that she executed same as such and wanted each of
them to sign it as a witness; and upon their oaths each witness stated further that they did sign the
same as witnesses in the presence of the said Testatrix and at her request; that said Testatrix was at
that time eighteen years of age or over (or being under such age, was or had been lawfully married,
or was then a member of the armed forces of the United States or of an auxiliary thereof or of the
Maritime Service) and was of sound mind; and that each of said witnesses was then at least fourteen
years of age.
Mildred F. Pursley, Testatrix
Witnes
~»~
Witness
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME by the said Mildred F. Pursley, Testatrix,
and by the said Phyllis Hendrix and Rebecca Gonzalez , Witnesses,
this 13th day of April , 2007.
PREPARED IN THE OFFICE OF:
Law Office of Dennis E. Hendrix
200 N. 12th Street, Ste. 202
Edinburg, TX 78541
6
82
TAB H
OF THE APPENDIX
FIRST CODICIL
OF THE
JJJa.at Will anil (!Testament
OF
MILDRED F. P"QRSLEY ~
l
~ FEB022012
I i
I, Mildred F. Pursley, being of sound mind and disposing memo~~~~~~~~i;·¥:~~"
t ?-!",.-· • ")!:O"'!"f.
and publish this instrument as and to be the FIRST CODICIL to my.~: ·~i~;·~~d ·~e:fi';~~··' .. '
executed by me on Aprill3, 2007 in the presence ofPhyllis Hendrix and Rebecca Gonzalez.
I revoke and annul the following portion of said Will: Section Ill. A., and hereby substintte in
lieu thereofthe following:
A. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Rocky Joe Pursley the following property ifhe
shall survive me; however if he does not survive me, the whole thereof to Rolland Hugh Pursley:
1. 27.0 acres gross (23.45net acres) out of Lot 3, Section 246, Tex-Mex Subdivision,
Hidalgo County, Texas.
2. 8.65 acres net out of Lot 13-E 10/W 13.55, Section 243, Tex-Mex Subdivision,
Hidalgo County, Texas.
3. One-half{l/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights to all ofLot 11, Block 248, Tex-Mex
Subdivision, Hidalgo County, Texas. 40 gross acres (38.80 net acres)
4. One-half(l/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights toE~ of Lot 14, Block 248, Tex-
Mex Subdivision, Hidalgo County, Texas. 20 gross acres (19.19 net acres)
5. One half ( 1/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights in Frio County, Texas described as J.
Poitevent Survey No. 1, Abstract No. 552.
6. One half (1/2) of my stock in Ebony Hills Golf Course, Hidalgo County, Texas.
7. Two (2) cemetery lots in Charlotte, Atascosa County, Texas.
8. 31.82 gross acres (30.82 net acres) out of Lot 5, Block 246, Texas-Mex Survey,
Hidalgo County, Texas, (Save and except one (1) acre which is the homestead property).
9. One (1) acre out of LotS, Block 246, Tex-Mex Survey, Hidalgo County, Texas.
(Homestead property).
pt.
1/!.4 c / 14~
.,l h/1:2.
El~IT 1/. 3$"'1
I ____n_
83
I revoke and annul the following portion of said Will: Section m.B., and hereby substitute in
lieu thereofthe following:
B. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Rolland Hugh Pursley the following property if
he shall survive me; however if he does not survive me, the whole thereof to Rocky Joe Pursley:
1. One half ( 1/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights to all of Lot 11, Block 248, Tex-Mex Survey,
Hidalgo County, Texas consisting of 40 gross acres (38.80 net acres).
2. One half(l/2) ofmyoil,gasand mineral rights to all ofE YzofLot 14, Block248, Tex-Mex
Survey, Hidalgo County, Texas consisting of20 gross acres (19.19 net acres).
3. One half (1/2) of my oil, gas and mineral rights in Frio County, Texas described as J.
Poitevent Survey No. I, Abstract No. 552.
4. One half (1/2) of my stock in Ebony Hills Golf Course, Hidalgo County, Texas.
5. Two (2) cemetery lots in Charlotte, Atascosa County, Texas.
In all other respects I ratify and confirm all of the provisions of my said will dated April 13,
2007.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Mildred F. Pursley, hereby sign my name to this, my FIRST
CODICIL of my last Will, on each page I have placed my initials, on this ./.l.. day of ~-
(/
2010, at Edinburg, Texas.
Mildred F. Pursley
Testatrix
84
...
ATTESTATION
The foregoing instrument was signed in our presence by Mildred F. Pursley and declared by
her to be her FIRST CODICIL to her last Will. We, at the request and in the presence of Mildred F.
Pursley and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names below as witnesses on this _
_ _l_Jt_h_ _ day of Jan_ua_r_Y_ _ _ _ __, 2010.
CITY AND STATE
85
I
e
••• .... ·-~.
SELF-PROVING AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF IDDALGO §
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Mildred F.
Pursley, Phyllis Hendrix and Mary Catherine Hendrix ,
known to me to be the Testatrix and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are subscribed to the
annexed or foregoing instrument in their respective capacities, and all of said persons being by me
duly sworn, the said Mildred F. Pursley, Testatrix, declared to me and to the said witnesses in my
presence that said instrument is her FIRST CODICIL to her Last Will and Testament and that she
had willingly made and executed it as her free act and deed; and the said witnesses, each on her oath
stated to me, in the presence and hearing of the said Testatrix, that the said Testatrix had declared to
them that said instrument is her FIRST CODICIL to her Last Will and Testament, and that she
executed same as such and wanted each of them to sign it as a witness; and upon their oaths each
witness stated further that they did sign the same as witnesses in the presence of the said Testatrix
and at her request; that said Testatrix was at that time eighteen years of age or over (or being under
such age, was or had been lawfully married, or was then a member of the armed forces ofthe United
States or of an auxiliary thereof or of the Maritime Service) and was of sound mind; and that each of
said witnesses was then at least fourteen years of age.
Mildred F. Pursley, Testatrix
~~'ikzAy
Witness
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME by the said Mildred F. Pursley. Testatrix,
and by the said Phyllis Hendrix and Mary Catherine Hendrix
Witnesses, this 13th day of January 2010.
86
TAB I
OF THE APPENDIX
Electronically Filed
Accepted by: Alejandra Zapata 10/30/2014 2:20:29 PM
Hidalgo County Clerks Office
1
1 REPORTER'S RECORD
2 VOLUME 1 OF 1 VOLUMES
3 TRIAL COURT CAUSE NO. P-34,801
4 - - - - X
5 IN THE ESTATE OF IN THE PROBATE COURT
6 MILDRED OZELLA FAVOR
PURSLEY, AKA OF
7 MILDRED F. PURSLEY,
8 DECEASED HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
9 - - - - - - - - X
10
11
12
13 PRE-TRIAL HEARING
14
15 On the 20th day of August, 2014, the following
16 proceedings came on to be heard in the above-entitled
17 and numbered cause before the Honorable Homero Garza,
18 Judge Presiding, held in Edinburg, Hidalgo County,
19 Texas.
20 Proceedings reported by computerized stenotype
21 machine.
22
23
24
25
ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, CSR
EXHIBIT
t.i. 250
Electronically Filed
Accepted by: Alejandra Zapata 10/30/2014 2:20:29 PM
Hidalgo County Clerks Office
1 VOLUME 1
2 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX
3 AUGUST 20, 2014 PAGE VOL
4 Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1
5 Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1
6 Court's ruling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1
7 End of proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1
8 Reporter's Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, CSR
251
Electronically Filed
Accepted by: Alejandra Zapata 10/30/2014 2:20:29 PM
Hidalgo County Clerks Office
2
1 A P P E A R A N C E S
2 APPEARING FOR THE MOVANTS:
3 HON. EDMUNDO 0. RAMIREZ
State Bar No. 16501420
4 Ellis, Koeneke & Ramirez, LLP
1101 Chicago
5 McAllen, Texas 78501
Phone No. 956-682-2440
6 Fax No. 956-682-0820
eor@ekrattorneys.com
7
APPEARING FOR THE RESPONDENT:
8
HON. CHARLES C. MURRAY
9 State Bar No. 14719700
Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLP
10 818 Pecan Boulevard
McAllen, Texas 78501
11 Phone No. 956-682-5501
Fax No. 956-686-6109
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, CSR
252
Electronically Filed
Accepted by: Alejandra Zapata 10/30/2014 2:20:29 PM
Hidalgo County Clerks Office
3
1 THE COURT: The next case is P-34,801,
2 this is in the estate of Mildred Ozella Favor -- I
3 hope I didn't mispronounce that. Pretrial hearing.
4 Ozella Favor Pursley, also known as Mildred F.
5 Pursley.
6 MR. MURRAY: 34,801, Your Honor?
7 THE COURT: Yeah, Pursley is what
8 clicked.
9 MR. MURRAY: Yes. Charles Murray for
10 Rocky Pursley, Your Honor.
11 THE COURT: All right. It's for
12 pretrial?
13 MR. RAMIREZ: Edmundo Ramirez for the
14 movants, Your Honor. We've got a pretrial, Your
15 Honor, and we have dueling summary judgments, for
16 lack of a better term. We've argued them, and we've
17 briefed them, and both parties agree that the only
18 issue is a matter of law, and so we urge the Court to
19 rule.
20 THE COURT: I guess we got these jury
21 trial settings before we realized there was going to
22 be a pending motion for summary judgment.
23 MR. RAMIREZ: Right, right, we've
24 refined it down to summary judgments.
25 THE COURT: I have that case on my
ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, CSR
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Hidalgo County Clerks Office
4
1 desk, and I'm going on vacation next week, so by
2 Friday I ' l l have a ruling for the parties.
3 MR. RAMIREZ: Thank you.
4 MR. MURRAY: Thank, Your Honor.
5 MR. RAMIREZ: We've submitted
6 electronic orders.
7 MR. MURRAY: And so have we.
8 MR. RAMIREZ: And if you want to, I'll
9 send a paper one.
10 THE COURT: No, that's fine.
11 MR. RAMIREZ: Thank you, Your Honor.
12 MR. MURRAY: Thank you, Your Honor.
13 THE COURT: I ' l l dispose of it before
14 I leave.
15 MR. MURRAY: Thank you.
16 MR. RAMIREZ: Thank you.
17 THE COURT: You all have a good day.
18 (End of proceedings.)
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25
ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, CSR
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1 STATE OF TEXAS:
COUNTY OF HIDALGO:
2 CERTIFICATE OF COURT REPORTER
3 I, ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, Official Court
4 Reporter in and for the Probate Court of Hidalgo
5 County, State of Texas, do hereby certify that the
6 above and foregoing contains a true and correct
7 transcription of all portions of evidence and other
8 proceedings requested by Edmundo 0. Ramirez, counsel
9 for Movants to be included in this volume of the
10 Reporter's Record, in the above-entitled and numbered
11 cause, all of which occurred in open court or in
12 chambers and were reported by me.
13 I further certify that this Reporter's Record of
14 the proceedings truly and correctly reflects the
15 exhibits, if any, admitted by the respective parties.
16 I further certify that the total cost for the
17 preparation of this Reporter's Record is $75.00, and
18 was paid by counsel for Movants, Edmundo 0. Ramirez.
19 WITNESS MY OFFICIAL HAND on this the 22nd day of
20 October, 2014.
21
22
ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, CSR
23 Official Court Reporter
Hidalgo County Probate Court
24 100 N. C1osner, 3rd Floor
Edinburg, TX 78539/956-318-2385
25 CSR No. 900, Expires 12/31/14
ROLAND P. QUINTANILLA, CSR
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TAB J
OF THE APPENDIX
,-----------------------
Cause No. P-34.801
'
J
J
! tJJr.! ,... 2 .. o-~.1
IN THE ESTATE OF IN THE PROBA:TE COURT -:.7 ~ t "
MILDRED OZELLA FAVOR PURSLEY OF
AKA MILDRED F. PURSLEY
DECEASED, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
ORDER ON MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
BE IT REMEMBERED that on the Z~y of OJ.,r,.,r- , 20!1, the
Court considered the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Harold
Wayne Pursley, Jr. and Rolland Hugh Pursley and the Motion for
Summary Judgment filed by Rocky Joe Pursley.
The Court, having examined the pleadings on file and the
summary judgment evidence, finds:
1, The will executed by Harold W. Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley
on April 29, 1975 is a contractual will. The language in
paragraph IV. "any child or children of this marriagen
provided for the remainder of the estate to be conveyed as a
class gift and therefore, mandates the distribution to all
persons identified in that class, those being all the
children.
2. The court concludes (reading the 1975 will as a whole
instrument) that it was the intent of Harold W. Pursley when
he executed the 1975 will with his wife, that at his passing
(if he died first) and at the subsequent passing of his wife,
any estate left over was to go and vest in his beloved
children, Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr., Rolland Hugh Pursley and
Rocky Joe Pursley, share and share alike.
3. The preferred will executed by Mildred F. Pursley dated April
13, 2007 is a breach of the 1975 contractual will. The
208
preferred First Codicil executed by Mildred F. Pursley dated
January 13, 2010 is a breach of the 1975 contractual will.
4. Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr. and Rolland Hugh Pursley are
entitled to summary judgment;
5. Rocky Joe Pursley is not entitled to summary judgment;
It is therefore,
ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the Motion for Summary
Judgment filed by Harold Wayne Pursley, Jr. and Rolland Hugh
Pursley, is hereby granted.
ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the Motion for Summary
Judgment filed by Rocky Joe Pursley, is hereby denied.
ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the 2007 Will and the 2010
Codicil preferred by Rocky Joe Pursley not be admitted to probate.
SIGNED on this the 2-%.-.( day of ~ ,J- , 20 IF-.
cc).r
JUDGE PRESIDING
xc. Edmundo 0. Ramirez
Attorney at Law
1101 Chicago
McAllen, Texas 78501
Charles Murray
Attorney at Law
818 W. Pecan Blvd.
McAllen, Texas 78502
209
TAB K
OF THE APPENDIX
Electronically Filed
Accepted by: Alejandra Zapata 11/19/2014 9:33:37 AM
Hidalgo County Clerks Office
CAUSE NO. P-34,801-A
IN THE ESTATE OF § IN THE PROBATE COURT
§
MILDRED OZELLA FAVOR §
PURSLEY § OF
AKA MILDRED F. PURSLEY §
§
DECEASED § HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
FINAL JUDGMENT
..The .Court hereby_enters .this_Fjnal. Judgment ...in _accordance_with _the_Qtd.er_exe.c.ute_d_Qll_________
August 22, 2014, in which the Court granted the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Harold
Wayne Pursley, Jr. and Rolland Hugh Pursley and denied the Motions for Summary Judgment
filed by Rocky Joe Pursley.
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the will executed by Harold W.
Pursley and Mildred F. Pursley on April 29, 1975 is a contractual will. The language in
paragraph IV. "any child or children of this marriage" provided for the remainder of the estate to
be conveyed as a class gift and therefore, mandates the distribution to all persons identified in
that class, those being all the children.
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the court concludes (reading the
1975 will as a whole instrument) that it was the intent of Harold W. Pursley when he executed
the 1975 will with his wife, that at his passing (if he died first) and at the subsequent passing of
his wife, any estate left over was to go and vest in his beloved children, Harold Wayne Pursley,
Jr., Rolland Hugh Pursley and Rocky Joe Pursley, share and share alike.
270
Electronically Filed
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Hidalgo County Clerks Office
20TH NOVEMBER
271