In the Interest of S.T.

263 S.W.3d 394, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 3920
CourtCourt of Appeals of Texas
DecidedMay 28, 2008
DocketNo. 10-07-00306-CV
StatusPublished
Cited by40 cases

This text of 263 S.W.3d 394 (In the Interest of S.T.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In the Interest of S.T., 263 S.W.3d 394, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 3920 (Tex. Ct. App. 2008).

Opinion

OPINION

FELIPE REYNA, Justice.

Donald Taylor appeals from a decree terminating his parental rights with respect to his daughter S.T.1 In a post-judgment hearing under section 263.405(g) of the Family Code, the trial court determined that Donald’s appeal is frivolous, and Donald challenges that determination. See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.405(g) (Vernon Supp.2007); In re S.T., 242 S.W.3d 923, 926 (Tex.App.-Waco 2008, order) (per curiam); In re K.D., 202 S.W.3d 860, 866 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth 2006, no pet.). We will affirm the court’s determination that the appeal is frivolous and the court’s decree terminating Donald’s parental rights.

Procedural Background

Following a bench trial, the court rendered judgment terminating the parent-child relationship between Donald and S.T. The decree recites affirmative findings on four predicate grounds for termination: (1) knowingly placing or allowing the child to remain in dangerous conditions or surroundings; (2) engaging in conduct or knowingly placing the child with persons who engaged in conduct which endangered the child; (3) failing to support the child in accordance with his ability; and (4) failing to comply with the provisions of a court order establishing the actions necessary for the return of the child. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.001(D), (E), (F), (O) (Vernon Supp.2007).

[397]*397The court’s “Amended Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law” largely correspond to the findings in the decree except that there is no express finding on the fourth predicate ground recited in the decree. Because of this conflict, the findings control over the judgment. See Tex.R.Civ. P. 299a; In re R.J.P., 179 S.W.3d 181, 184 n. 3 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, no pet.); In re E.A.C., 162 S.W.3d 438, 442 (Tex.App.-Dallas 2005, no pet.); Capital Senior Mgmt. 1, Inc. v. Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs., 132 S.W.3d 71, 74 n. 3 (Tex.App.-Austin 2004, pet. denied).

And because the amended findings are more specific, they supersede the “Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and Rulings” which the court had signed two weeks before it signed the decree.2 See Barclay v. C.C. Pitts Sand & Gravel Co., 387 S.W.2d 644, 647 (Tex.1965); Isern v. Watson, 942 S.W.2d 186, 191 (Tex.App-Beaumont 1997, pet. denied); Jefferson County Drainage Dist. No. 6 v. Lower Neches Valley Autk, 876 S.W.2d 940, 960 (Tex.App.-Beaumont 1994, writ denied); Lawson v. Lawson, 828 S.W.2d 158, 161 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1992, writ denied); see also 4 Roy W. McDonald & Elaine A. Geafton Carlson, Texas Civil PRACTICE § 20:6, at 22-23 (2d ed.2001).

Donald timely filed a statement of points for appeal and a supplemental statement of points within fifteen days after the court signed the judgment. See Tex. FaM.Code ANN. § 263.405(b)(2) (Vernon Supp.2007). The first four of those points3 read as follows:

1. The Trial Court erred when it terminated Donald Taylor’s parental rights to [S.T.] under Texas Family Code Section 161.001(1)(D) because the evidence is factually insufficient, and the findings in the judgment are legally insufficient, to support the claim that Donald Taylor knowingly placed or knowingly allowed his daughter [S.T.] to remain in conditions or surroundings which endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the child.
2. The Trial Court erred when it terminated Donald Taylor’s parental rights to [S.T.] under Texas Family Code Section 161.001(1)(E) because the evidence is factually insufficient, and the findings in the judgment are legally insufficient, to support the claim that Donald Taylor engaged in conduct or knowingly placed [S.T.] with persons who engaged in conduct which endangers the physical or emotional well-being of the child.
3. The Trial Court erred when it terminated Donald Taylor’s parental rights to [S.T.] under Texas Family Code Section 161.001(1)(F) because the evidence is factually insufficient, and the findings in the judgment are legally insufficient, to support the claim that Donald Taylor failed to support the child in accordance with the parent’s ability during a period [398]*398of one year ending within six months of the date of the filing of the petition.
4. The Trial Court erred when it terminated Donald Taylor’s parental rights to [S.T.] under Texas Family Code Section 161.001(l)(O) because the evidence is factually insufficient, and the findings in the judgment are legally insufficient, to support the claim that Donald Taylor failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that specifically established the actions necessary for the parent to obtain the return of the child who has been in the permanent or temporary managing Conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services for not less than nine months as a result of the child’s removal from the parent under Chapter 262 for the abuse or neglect of the child.

The trial court reviewed Donald’s points and determined that his appeal is frivolous.4 See Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 263.405(d)(3) (Vernon Supp.2007). The court ruled that the four points quoted above “are without merit and are frivolous as a substantial issue for appellate review has not been presented as required by Texas Family Code § 263.405©.”

Donald contends that none of these four points is frivolous. Thus, he prays that this Court “reverse the order of the trial court finding his appeal frivolous and either reverse the order terminating appellant’s parental rights or permit briefing on the merits of the appeal.”

Standard of Review

Section 263.405(d)(3) requires a trial court to determine whether “the appeal is frivolous as provided by Section 13.003(b), Civil Practice and Remedies Code.” Id. § 263.405(d)(3). Section 13.003(b) of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code provides, “In determining whether an appeal is frivolous, a judge may consider whether the appellant has presented a substantial question for appellate review.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 13.003(b) (Vernon 2002).

We review the court’s decision under an abuse-of-discretion standard. In re M.N.V., 216 S.W.3d 833, 834 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 2006, no pet.); K.D., 202 S.W.3d at 866; In re H.D.H., 127 S.W.3d 921, 923 (Tex.App.-Beaumont 2004, no pet.). “An appeal is frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis in law or in fact.” M.N.V., 216 S.W.3d at 834 (citing De La Vega v.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
263 S.W.3d 394, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 3920, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-the-interest-of-st-texapp-2008.