In The
Court of Appeals
Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont
__________________
NO. 09-22-00312-CV __________________
LAWRENCE BATTON, Appellant
V.
LINDA BATTON, Appellee
__________________________________________________________________
On Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 3 Montgomery County, Texas Trial Cause No. 19-02-01828-CV __________________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Pro se Appellant Lawrence Batton (“Lawrence” or “Batton”) appeals the trial
court’s post-divorce enforcement order requiring him to vacate his marital residence
and ordering a receiver to sell the residence and split the proceeds according to the
trial court’s prior orders. Batton complains about the trial court’s failure to: (1)
consider his motion to enforce and follow the original settlement agreement in the
Agreed Final Decree of Divorce; (2) consider the substance of his pro se motions;
and (3) consider the cumulative nature of remedies provided by the Texas Family
1 Code and allow his reimbursement claim to reach an equitable resolution. Batton
also complains the trial court erred by appointing a receiver, entering an enforcement
order that modified, altered, or changed the original settlement agreement
incorporated into the Agreed Final Decree of Divorce, and entering an order
disposing of real property without a correct street address and complete legal
description. For the reasons explained below, we affirm the trial court’s order in part
and reverse and remand in part.
BACKGROUND
In 2019, after Appellee Linda Batton (“Linda”) filed an Original Petition of
Divorce, Linda and Lawrence reached an Agreed Final Decree of Divorce (“the
Decree”), which included a mediated settlement agreement that awarded Lawrence
the parties’ marital residence located at 122 W. Elm Crescent (“the Property”).
Under the mediated settlement agreement, the parties agreed the Property would be
sold “no earlier than August 1, 2020, for the best agreed price” and they agreed that
the “parties [would] split the net proceeds after all expenses and or off-setting values
have been deducted.” The Decree authorized Lawrence to sell the Property and to
recover his fair and reasonable expenses for maintaining the residence until the date
the Property was sold or the existing mortgage to the Property was assumed, and
made Linda “responsible for one-half of expenses to maintain the marital residence.”
Under the Decree, each party was entitled to “one-half (50%) of net value after the
2 deduction of all reasonable and or necessary expenses” that Lawrence incurred in
maintaining the Property. To the extent there were differences between the terms in
the mediated settlement agreement and the Decree, the trial court’s Decree provides
that “this Final Decree of Divorce shall control in all instances.”
The Decree also addressed who was required to pay the mortgage and taxes
on the Property in 2017 and 2018, as it required Lawrence to pay those. The terms
of the Decree also required Lawrence to pay “all recurring utilities and or expenses
associated” with the Property. The Decree imposed a duty on Linda to participate in
paying the debt due on the mortgage and the cost and expenses on the Property “from
May 1, 2019.” An indemnity clause in the Decree required the party that assumed a
new debt, obligation, or liability to hold the other party harmless from any damages
that might arise from the liability created by the party that created the new obligation
or debt. The parties had one minor child that under the Decree they were mutually
obligated to support, but the Decree includes a provision that allowed Linda an
"adjustments for the sale proceeds of the real property to recover all associated costs
or expenses" of supporting their minor child. The Decree allows the court “to make
orders necessary to clarify and enforce this decree.”
In August 2020, Linda filed a Petition for Enforcement and Relief Under
Chapter 9 of the Texas Family Code, alleging Lawrence violated the Decree by
failing to pay the Property’s mortgage payments and property taxes. Linda sought a
3 money judgment under section 9.010 of the Texas Family Code due to Lawrence’s
alleged breach of the Decree, which she claimed diminished her credit score and
caused late fees and expenses to be applied to the Property’s mortgage balance. In
the alternative, Linda asked the trial court to clarify the Decree by specifying the
time and place for Lawrence to pay the mortgage payment and taxes and to establish
the terms and manner for selling the marital home on a date after August 1, 2020.
Linda alleged that Lawrence refused to list the Property for sale or refinance, and
due to Wells Fargo Mortgage issuing a Notice of Default, she asked the trial court
to appoint a receiver to sell the Property, as required by the Decree and to avoid
foreclosure. Linda attached correspondence from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage,
including the February 11, 2020, Notice of Default, which required $4,466.90 to be
paid by March 19, 2020, and a July 16, 2020, Statement, which noting a total amount
due to bring the payment on the mortgage current of $12,253.90.
On October 5, 2020, Lawrence, acting pro se, filed Defendant’s Answer,
entering a general denial and claiming he paid the principal, interest, and property
taxes in full. He claimed the dispute over the escrow was with Wells Fargo and that
the process for the sale of the Property was supposed to start in August after their
daughter moved out and both parties obtained appraisals. Lawrence filed a Motion
for Continuance and Notice of Hearing, asking for time to obtain legal advice and
mediate the matter, but the record does not show that he set a hearing for his Motion.
4 On November 9, 2020, Linda filed a Motion for Appointment of Receiver,
stating it was necessary to appoint a receiver because the parties could not agree on
the terms of sale for the Property, and the Decree did not include a procedure for
selling the Property in the event the parties disagreed. The case was set for
Pretrial/Docket Call on March 23, 2021, and Lawrence filed a second Motion for
Continuance on March 19, 2021, claiming he resolved his issues with Wells Fargo,
but the parties could not mediate due to conflicting schedules. Lawerence did not set
his Motion for hearing. On March 24, 2021, Lawrence filed a Designation of
Attorney in Charge, stating all communication should be sent to his attorney.
On April 1, 2021, the parties reached a Mediated Final Orders Settlement
Agreement (“2021 MSA”). The 2021 MSA specifically provided: (1) Lawrence
shall immediately refinance the house “as is[;]” (2) Linda’s portion of the refinanced
value shall be $126,500; (3) Lawrence shall pay Linda $35,000 as a portion of her
$126,500 payment on or before April 8, 2021; (4) Lawrence shall close on the
refinance by July 1, 2021, or the house shall be listed for sale no later than 5:00 p.m.
July 2, 2021; (5) Larry Rice shall be appointed to manage the sale of the property;
and (6) Linda shall receive $91,500 at closing. Linda filed a Motion to Sign and
Enter Agreed Order on Enforcement and Relief Under Chapter 9 of the Texas Family
Code Based on Mediated Settlement Agreement “so that the terms of the order can
be enforced.” Lawrence did not sign the Agreed Order and complained it did not
5 reflect the 2021 MSA, and the trial court agreed, finding there were ambiguities in
the proposed Agreed Order.
On May 7, 2021, the trial court granted Lawrence’s Motion for Withdrawal
of Counsel, in which he stated he wanted to represent himself. On May 19, 2021,
Lawrence filed a third Motion for Continuance, stating he needed to hire a lawyer to
address the trial court’s recommendations and concerns over issues raised by the
2021 MSA, and the Motion was set for a hearing. On June 3, 2021, the trial court
signed an Order Referring Parties to Return to Mediation to resolve drafting disputes
between the Proposed Order on Enforcement and Relief Under Chapter 9 of the
Texas Family Code Based on Mediated Settlement Agreement and the signed 2021
MSA. Lawrence filed a Motion of Opposition to the Order Referring Parties to
Return to Mediation, complaining Linda failed to follow the protocols for resolving
disputes with the mediator who facilitated the settlement. Lawrence also filed a
Motion for Reconsideration, but neither Motion was set for a hearing.
On June 10, 2021, the parties returned to mediation, and the mediator drafted
an Arbitration Decision and Award addressing the issue of the amount of net
proceeds each party should receive from the sale of the marital residence if the net
proceeds exceed or are less than $91,500. After considering the parties’ testimony,
the mediator determined that if the net proceeds from the sale exceeded $91,500,
Lawrence would be awarded the funds exceeding $91,500. In the event the net
6 proceeds from the sale were less than $91,500, the mediator awarded Linda 100%
of the net proceeds from the sale.
Linda filed a Motion to Sign and Enter Order on Enforcement and Relief
Under Chapter 9 of the Texas Family Code Based on Mediated Settlement
Agreement and Arbitrator’s Award. Lawrence filed a Motion to Vacate the
Arbitrator’s Award, explaining that disputes arose over financial expenses that the
Decree obligated Linda to pay, but Linda’s attempt to avoid her financial obligations
during mediation resulted in an impasse. Lawrence complained the mediator started
a mediation but attempted to conclude it as an arbitration hearing and presented a
non-binding Arbitration and Decision Award, which was rejected as outside the
mediator’s scope. Lawrence explained he wanted an equitable resolution that met
the contracted issues and divisions in the Decree and welcomed the trial court’s
intervention to resolve the remaining issues on the agreed expenses addressed in the
Decree.
On June 22, 2021, the trial court signed an Order on Enforcement and Relief
Under Chapter 9 of the Texas Family Code (“2021 Enforcement Order”). In the June
2021 Order, the trial court found: (1) the parties entered into a Mediated Settlement
Agreement on April 1, 2021; (2) the terms of the Order on Enforcement and Relief
Under Chapter 9 of the Texas Family Code were reached in mediation and were
merged into the Mediated Settlement Agreement; and (3) the Order of Enforcement
7 controlled to the extent there were any differences in the documents. Based on those
findings, the trial court: (1) ordered Lawrence to refinance the residence “as is” no
later than July 1, 2021; (2) awarded Linda $126,500 as her “portion of the refinanced
value” of the Property, and required Lawrence to pay her $35,0000 of that amount
by April 8, 2021, and the rest, $91,500, at closing; (3) declared that should Lawrence
fail to refinance and close on the Property by July 1, 2021, required the parties to list
the house for sale by July 2, 2021 with an agreed realtor at an agreed upon price; (4)
appointed Larry Rice as receiver effective July 2, 2021 to manage the Property’s
sale; (5) awarded Lawrence all net proceeds from the sale to the extent they exceeded
$91,500; and (6) declared that if the net proceeds of the Property’s sale were less
than $91,500, awarded Linda 100% of the sale’s net proceeds.
On July 6, 2021, Lawrence filed Respondent’s Motion to Vacate and or Set
Aside Previous Post Decree Orders, Grant an Evidentiary Hearing and or
Reconsideration of Proceedings, arguing the 2021 MSA “never properly resolved all
disputes, interpretations, or performances contained in the Decree,” including
Linda’s obligations to pay her portion of the payments, taxes, and insurance.
Lawrence complained that Linda refused to accept the final payment of her portion
of the net proceeds and transfer and close on the Property, and he requested an
evidentiary hearing to determine the equitable property rights under the Decree so
he could pay Linda the agreed current value of her fifty percent share subject to their
8 agreement to share in payment of expenses for the mortgage, insurance, and taxes.
Lawrence argued that Linda’s claims of continued liability for the Wells Fargo
Mortgage was a material misrepresentation of fact since after closing, her mortgage
obligations would terminate. Lawrence attached an email from Linda’s attorney,
stating Linda was not agreeable to his offer or payment and transfer of the Property
because she would “still be liable on the Wells Fargo mortgage,” and Linda wanted
to sell the Property as required by the 2021 Enforcement Order, which ordered the
Property to be listed for sale before 5:00 pm that day.
The Receiver, Larry Rice, filed Receiver’s Motion for Enforcement and For
Clarification, stating Lawrence had not bought the Property by refinancing and was
unwilling to sell the Property. Rice explained he could not fulfill his duties because
Lawrence refused to sign the listing agreement with the realtor, who could not access
or show the Property because Lawrence still occupied it. Rice requested that the trial
court clarify his authority by ordering Lawrence to vacate the Property. Lawrence
filed Respondent’s Objection and Response to Receiver’s Motion for Enforcement
and for Clarification, arguing the trial court’s 2021 Enforcement Order could not be
enforced without violating the Decree and that the Receiver needed clarification on
Lawrence’s homestead and equity interests. Lawrence argued the Decree required
Linda to reimburse him for half the taxes, mortgage, and insurance he paid, and he
explained he was never afforded any reasonable opportunity to provide the closing
9 despite obtaining an alternate payment remedy which mooted the necessity to sale
and only required Linda to relinquish her interests in the Property. Lawrence also
filed a Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree, specifically Linda’s
agreement to pay half of the marital residence’s expenses, and he asked the trial
court to grant him credit for Linda’s half of the expenses. Lawrence filed a Motion
to Terminate the Receiver and Vacate Orders Due to Inherent Conflict and Stay
These Proceedings Pending Resolution of Motion to Enforce Decree, arguing the
receiver lacked neutrality and should be discharged because the trial court’s orders
regarding the receiver were mooted by his ability to pay Linda.
During the December 14, 2021 hearing, the parties testified that with the
Receiver’s assistance, they reached an agreement concerning the Property. Linda
testified that she and Lawrence agreed he would pay her $91,500 by February 15,
2022, or vacate the house in fourteen days and allow Rice to sell it. Linda testified
that if Lawrence paid her, she would sign the deed to him, and he could then sign a
deed of trust and assume the mortgage, which would allow her to make mortgage
payments and seek reimbursement should Lawrence fail to meet his obligations
under the mortgage. Linda explained that if Lawrence failed to timely reimburse her,
she could then by exercising her rights to foreclose on the Property. Linda also
explained that were Lawrence to timely pay her and sign the deed of trust, he would
be required to refinance the house in his name by October 1, 2022, and remove her
10 from any obligation on the Property, or the trial court would order the house sold
and allow him to keep all proceeds from the sale. Lawrence testified that he agreed
to those terms.
The trial court discussed whether the agreement should be a clarification or
enforcement order, and when Linda asked whether the agreement could be modified
later, the trial court informed the parties she was unsure that
any of this could have been modified from your final decree but it has been. So this is a clarification. So what it is doing is it’s just – it’s clarifying the controlling order. It’s clarifying it but it sounds like you’re changing it a little bit and – but y’all keep changing it. So I don’t know. The legal procedure on this is murky at best.
The trial court’s Agreed Order of Enforcement and Clarification of Receiver’s
Obligations incorporated the terms of the parties’ agreement reached in open court
and read into the record, but neither Lawrence nor the trial judge signed the Order.
In May 2022, the trial court issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss because the
case had been on file more than ninety days without service of citation being
perfected on any respondent and due to the case not being disposed of within the
time standards set by the Texas Supreme Court. Lawrence filed Respondent’s
Objection to the Court’s Notice of Intent to Dismiss and Verified Motion to Retain
this Matter and Request for Hearing Date and or Order Returning Matter to
Mediation. He explained that while acting pro se, he hand-delivered copies of his
filings on the date of filing, personally appeared and filed the current Motion,
11 attempted to comply with all court directives about filing and serving motions, and
believed his hand-delivery was sufficient for service upon Linda’s counsel, who did
not object. Lawrence stated he believed in good faith that the matter would be set
once a response was filed or when the clerk was notified of an available court date.
Linda filed a Motion to Retain Case on Docket, Motion to Enter Agreed Order of
Enforcement and Clarification of Receiver’s Obligation, and Notice of Hearing On
Petitioner’s Motion. The trial court set the case for trial and set the Motion to
Remove Receiver for a hearing.
In June 2022, and prior to the hearing, Lawrence filed Respondent’s Objection
to Petitioner’s Motions and Notice of Hearing and to Deem Respondent’s Previous
Motions Confessed and Enter of Enforcement Order for Petitioner’s Obligations to
Pay Expenses and Vacate Any Order Appointing a Receiver. Lawrence alleged
among other things, that Linda refused to pay her half of the expenses for the
Property as she promised in the Decree. Lawrence filed an Order of Enforcement of
Petitioner’s Obligations to Pay Expenses and Calculation of Respondent’s
Obligations to Pay Balance of Equity and Vacation of Order Appointing Receiver,
and he attached a Resolution of Expenses and Payments, claiming an offset based
on Linda’s responsibility under the Decree to pay fifty percent of the expenses he
incurred on the Property to “preserve, maintain, and retain” their right of ownership
to the Property between October 2018 and July 2021. Lawrence claimed the
12 reimbursement amount totaled $26,984.53, an amount that included principal and
interest payments, property taxes, insurance, and origination refinance fee.
Lawrence also filed a Motion for Continuance.
In July 2022, Linda filed Objections to Lawrence’s Motion to Vacate and Set
Aside Previous Post Decree Orders, which he filed on July 6, 2021, and she argued
the trial court lacked plenary power to act on his Motion, which was denied by
operation of law, because the trial judge signed the 2021 Enforcement Order on June
22, 2021. Lawrence filed Objections to Petitioner’s Motions, which included a
transcript showing the trial court vacated the arbitration award because it did not
order the parties to arbitration.
In August 2022, the trial court conducted a hearing on the Motion for
Enforcement and Clarification of Larry Rice as appointed Receiver and on Linda’s
and Lawrence’s reply briefs and motions. The trial court noted a final order of
enforcement of the Decree was signed and entered in June 2019, and that in July
2021, Lawrence filed a Motion to Vacate Post Decree Orders, but the Motion to
Vacate was never heard or ruled on. According to the trial court, it no longer had
plenary power over Lawrence’s motion seeking the reimbursement amount from
Linda based on the 50 percent share of the expenses that she was to pay under the
Decree to maintain the Property, so the court did not have jurisdiction to rule on
Lawrence’s July 2021 Motion in which Lawrence had asked the trial court to pay
13 her 50 percent share toward the Property’s mortgage, taxes, and insurance. The trial
court denied Lawrence’s Motion to Vacate and/or Set Aside Previous Post Decree
Orders.
Also, in August 2022, the trial court denied Lawrence’s February 2022
Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree, where he asked the trial court to
enforce the Decree’s 50-percent-contribution provision against Linda for the
expenses he incurred in maintaining the Property. During the hearing, the trial court
stated that because the June 2021 Enforcement Order “specifically addresse[d]” and
“governed” the sale of the Property, the trial court did not “have plenary power” to
address whether Linda had failed to comply with the obligations imposed on her by
that Order. Based on that, the trial court denied Lawrence’s Motion to Enforce the
Provisions of the Decree.
Next, during the August 2022 hearing, the trial court considered Lawrence’s
Motion to Terminate the Receiver and Vacate Orders Due to Inherent Conflict and
Stay These Proceedings Pending Resolution of Motion to Enforce Decree. Lawrence
argued that Linda and her attorney violated the 2021 MSA and that Linda rejected
his tender of payment. Linda’s counsel argued that Lawrence failed to meet terms of
the 2021 MSA as stated in the 2021 Enforcement Order because he failed to
refinance the Property, and the tendering of funds was not the complete requirement
to avoid the appointment of a receiver. Lawrence argued that he had paperwork to
14 transfer the Property, but Linda refused to sign the origination loan and title. The
trial court denied Lawrence’s Motion to Terminate the Receiver and Vacate Orders.
As for the Motion for Enforcement and Clarification of Larry Rice as
appointed Receiver, during the August 2022 hearing, Rice explained that due to the
filings and contention, he needed the trial court’s intervention to sell the Property.
Rice requested an order requiring Lawrence to vacate the Property so the realtor
could show it. Lawrence claimed Linda rejected his tendered payment under the
2021 MSA and that the trial court would be enforcing a punitive order. The trial
court granted Rice’s Motion, and in its Order of Enforcement to Vacate Premises
and Order of Clarification of Receiver’s Obligations (“2022 Enforcement Order”),
the trial court ordered Lawrence to vacate the Property on or before October 31,
2022, or upon appeal, within thirty days of receiving notice of this Court’s opinion.
The trial court ordered the Receiver to sell the Property and split the proceeds
according to its prior orders. The trial court explained that if Lawrence appealed, its
2022 Enforcement Order would be abated until the appeal was resolved, and if the
appeal was not resolved in Lawrence’s favor, he would have thirty days to vacate.
Lawrence filed an Amended Motion to Reconsider and Motion to Objections
to Petitioner’s Orders, in which he complained the Petitioner’s draft orders failed to
note the trial court’s expiration of plenary power related to the denial of his motions.
On August 30, 2022, the trial court conducted a hearing on Lawrence’s Amended
15 Motion to Reconsider, during which Lawrence requested the trial court conduct a
hearing on the Decree to settle the dispute over the offset of expenses. The trial court
denied Lawrence’s Motion to Reconsider. Lawrence appealed the trial court’s 2022
Enforcement Order.
ANALYSIS
In issue one, Lawrence contends the trial court erred by signing the Order On
Enforcement and Relief when the Order modified, altered, or changed the terms of
the parties’ mediated settlement agreement as they were incorporated into the
Decree. Specifically, Lawrence complains that the Order on Enforcement eliminated
Linda’s obligation under the terms of the Decree requiring Linda to reimburse him
for the expenses and costs that he incurred for maintaining the Property “from May
1, 2019.” Lawrence argues that Texas Family Code section 9.007 provides that an
enforcement order may not alter or change the substantive division of property, and
the trial court’s refusal to consider the Decree’s provisions in the enforcement action
that Linda filed materially altered the division of the marital property under the terms
of the Decree. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 9.007. According to Lawrence, the post-
divorce 2021 MSA is not relevant to the provision that requires Linda to share in the
expenses and costs incurred on the Property.
A mediated settlement agreement dissolving a marriage is binding when the
agreement:
16 (1) provides, in a prominently displayed statement that is in boldfaced type or capital letter or underlined, that the agreement is subject to revocation; (2) is signed by each party to the agreement, and
(3) is signed by the party’s attorney, if any, who is present at the time the agreement is signed.
Id. § 6.602(b). A property settlement agreement approved by a divorce court and
incorporated into a final decree of divorce is treated as a contract and its legal force
and meaning are governed by the law of contracts. Allen v. Allen, 717 S.W.2d 311,
313 (Tex. 1986). When construing the parties’ agreement, the court’s primary
concern is to ascertain the parties’ true intent as expressed in the written instrument,
and in doing so the court may consider evidence of circumstances surrounding the
agreement’s execution. Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d 391, 393–94 (Tex. 1983); Karp
v. Karp, No. 14-01-00902-CV, 2002 WL 31487899, at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] Nov. 7, 2002, no pet.) (mem. op.).
A trial court that rendered a final decree of divorce retains power to enforce
the decree’s property division and to render a clarifying order setting forth specific
terms to enforce compliance. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 9.002, 9.006, 9.008;
Hagen v. Hagen, 282 S.W.3d 899, 902 (Tex. 2009); Gomez v. Gomez, 632 S.W.3d
4, 8 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2020, no pet.). We review a trial court’s ruling on a post-
divorce motion for enforcement of a divorce decree for abuse of discretion. See
Welch v. Welch, No. 09-16-00249-CV, 2018 WL 1747351, at *3 (Tex. App.— 17 Beaumont Apr. 12, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op.); Gomez, 632 S.W.3d at 8. A trial court
abuses its discretion when it acts unreasonably, arbitrarily, or without reference to
any guiding rules or principles. Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d
238, 241–42 (Tex. 1985); Welch, 2018 WL 1747351, at *3 (citation omitted). When
no findings of fact or conclusions of law are requested or filed, we presume the trial
court made the findings necessary to support its judgment so long as the implied
findings are supported by the record. See Coleman v. Coleman, No. 09-06-171CV,
2007 WL 1793756, at *1 (Tex. App.—Beaumont June 21, 2007, pet. denied) (mem.
op.); Gomez, 632 S.W.3d at 8.
When enforcing a divorce decree, a trial court “may not amend, modify, alter,
or change” the property division in the divorce decree. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §
9.007(a). That said, parties may enter into an agreement after a divorce decree is
entered, and a trial court may enforce that agreement “so long as it ‘touches upon’
the underlying suit.” Dailey v. McAfee, No. 01-21-00106-CV, 2022 WL 3363195, at
*3–4 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 16, 2022, no pet.) (citation omitted)
(enforcing parties’ post-divorce Rule 11 agreement and stating the attempt to enforce
the judgment was a continuation of an aspect of the underlying suit). The parties’
agreement satisfies the Rule 11 requirements if it is (1) in writing, (2) signed, and
(3) filed with the papers as part of the record. Tex. R. Civ. P. 11; Padilla v. LaFrance,
907 S.W.2d 454, 459–60 (Tex. 1995) (explaining a trial court can enforce a
18 settlement agreement complying with Rule 11 even though one side no longer
consents to the settlement); Matter of Marriage of Raffaelli, 975 S.W.2d 660, 661–
62 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998, pet. denied) (enforcing settlement agreement as a
Rule 11 agreement). We review a trial court’s decision on enforcement of a post-
divorce agreement that satisfies Rule 11 for abuse of discretion. See Dailey, 2022
WL 3363195, at *3. The trial court’s jurisdiction to enforce such an agreement does
not hinge on its jurisdiction to modify a divorce decree. See id. (citing Karp, 2002
WL 31487899, at *1 (concluding trial court had jurisdiction to enforce post-divorce
Rule 11 Agreement regarding the sale of the parties’ home)) (other citation omitted).
Once a trial court approves and adopts the parties’ agreement into its
enforcement order, the agreement becomes the judgment of the court and subject to
enforcement. See Karp, 2002 WL 31487899, at *2; Spradley v. Hutchinson, 787
S.W.2d 214, 219 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1990, writ denied) (citations omitted).
Such an agreed judgment has the same binding effect as a judgment resulting from
a judge or jury trial and is only subject to collateral attack if the trial court lacked
jurisdiction to render the judgment. Spradley, 787 S.W.2d at 219–20 (explaining
contractual defenses are impermissible collateral attacks upon the prior agreed
judgment but may be considered in determining measure of damages due to the party
enforcing the agreement) (citation omitted); see also Karp, 2002 WL 31487899, at
*1–2 (affirming enforcement order’s award inclusion of the specific offset amount
19 included in the parties’ written agreement to be deducted in determining the value
of the property to be divided but reversing offset award not specifically included in
the agreement and enforcing the agreement as written).
We hold the parties’ 2021 MSA regarding the Property is a valid Rule 11
Agreement because it is in writing, signed by the parties and their attorneys, and
filed in the court’s record. Once adopted into the trial court’s 2021 Enforcement
Order, it became the judgment of the court subject to being enforced and to an
appeal. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 11; Dailey, 2022 WL 3363195, at *4; Karp, 2002 WL
31487899, at *2; Spradley, 787 S.W.2d at 219; see also Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(a)
(requiring notice of appeal to be filed within 30 days after the judgment is signed or
within 90 days if a timely post-judgment motion is filed). Nothing in our appellate
record shows that either of the parties appealed from the trial court’s 2021
Enforcement Order, which incorporated the 2021 MSA and specified the terms of
the Property’s sale and appointed a receiver. Because no one appealed from the trial
court’s Enforcement Order, we cannot consider Lawrence’s complaints to which
they concern the trial court’s Enforcement Order. See Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(a).
Consequently, Lawrence’s first issue complaining that the trial court’s 2021
Enforcement Order modified, altered, or changed the terms of Mediated Settlement
Agreement as it was incorporated into the Decree is overruled.
20 Even if Lawrence’s complaints concern his July 6, 2021, Motion to Vacate
and or Set Aside Previous Post Decree Orders, Grant an Evidentiary Hearing and or
Reconsideration of Proceedings, in which he argued the 2021 MSA did not properly
resolve all disputes, interpretations, or performances contained in the Decree,
including Linda’s obligations to pay expenses for her portion of the payments, taxes,
and insurance, we note the record shows Lawrence filed the Motion with the court
clerk and hand delivered it to Linda’s attorney. However, the record shows he never
set his Motion to Vacate and or Set Aside Previous Post Decree Orders, Grant an
Evidentiary Hearing and or Reconsideration of Proceedings for hearing or obtained
a ruling.
A pro se litigant is held to the same standards as a licensed attorney when
representing himself, and he must comply with all applicable laws and rules of
procedure in doing so. See Zavala v. Franco, 622 S.W.3d 612, 617–18 (Tex. App.—
El Paso 2021, pet. denied); see also Matter of Marriage of Martz, No. 09-21-00048-
CV, 2022 WL 2251731, at *9 (Tex. App.—Beaumont June 23, 2022, pet. denied)
(mem. op.) (noting pro se divorce litigant held to same standards as licensed
attorneys). To preserve a complaint for appellate review, the record must show the
complaint was made to the trial court by a timely request, objection, or motion and
that the trial court refused to rule on the request, objection, or motion over the
complaining party’s objection. Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a). “Merely filing a motion with
21 the trial clerk is insufficient to show that the party brought the motion to the trial
court’s attention or requested a ruling.” Pedroza v. Tenet Healthcare Corp., 555
S.W.3d 608, 612 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2018, no pet.) (citing In re Davidson, 153
S.W.3d 490, 491 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2004, orig. proceeding)). Since there is
nothing in the record showing Lawrence ever presented his Motion to Vacate and or
Set Aside Previous Post Decree Orders, Grant an Evidentiary Hearing and or
Reconsideration of Proceedings to the trial court or requested a ruling, he has
preserved no error concerning this Motion for our review. Pedroza, 555 S.W.3d at
612.
As for Lawrence’s complaint that Linda is liable for half the costs and
expenses to maintain the Property until April 2021, the record shows Lawrence filed
a Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree, specifically Linda’s agreement to
pay half of the expenses of the marital residence, and he asked the trial court to grant
him credit for Linda’s half of the expenses. The trial court denied Lawrence’s
Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree concerning the expenses he paid on
the Property on the grounds that it did not have plenary power to address his issue
because the June 2021 Enforcement Order governs the provisions for the Property’s
sale and the distribution of the proceeds. However, we disagree the trial court lacked
jurisdiction to consider Lawrence’s reimbursement claim.
22 The June 2021 Enforcement Order incorporated the parties’ 2021 MSA, and the
MSA provided for the terms and way the Property would be sold, for the distribution
of the proceeds following the sale, and for the appointment of the receiver. While
the trial court correctly found that it did not have plenary power over its 2021
Enforcement Order, which no party appealed, that Order addressed only Linda’s
Petition for Enforcement, in which she requested a clarifying order to determine the
terms and manner of the sale. But those issues had been decided by agreement in the
2021 MSA. Neither the 2021 MSA nor the 2021 Enforcement Order address
Lawrence’s Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree, in which Lawrence
asked the trial court to enforce Linda’s obligation to pay “half of all costs or expenses
relating to [the Property] from May 1, 2019.”
The court that renders a divorce decree retains jurisdiction to enforce the
property division within that decree. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 9.001, 9.002,
9.006; Hagen, 282 S.W.3d at 902; Gomez, 632 S.W.3d at 8. Lawrence filed his
Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree, specifically Linda’s agreement to
pay her half of the Property’s expenses, in the same court that rendered the Decree,
which ordered not only that the Property would be sold but that Lawrence may
recover fair and reasonable expenses for maintaining the Property until the date of
sale and that Linda is responsible for one-half of those expenses. The Decree ordered
the Property to be “sold . . . for the best agreed price and parties will split the net
23 proceeds after all expenses and or off-setting values have been deducted[,]” and that
the parties “shall be entitled to one-half (50%) of net value after the deduction of all
reasonable and or necessary expenses” Lawrence incurred maintaining the Property.
The Decree states the parties “entered into a written agreement as contained in this
decree by virtue of having approved this decree[,]” and that
“[t]o the extent permitted by law, the parties stipulate the agreement is enforceable
as a contract.”
We hold the trial court abused its discretion by denying Lawrence’s Motion
to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree based on its lack of plenary power when the
2021 MSA and 2021 Enforcement Order did not include any agreement regarding
Lawrence’s right to an offset and when it had jurisdiction to enforce the Decree. See
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 9.001, 9.002, 9.006; Hagen, 282 S.W.3d at 902; Gomez,
632 S.W.3d at 8. By considering and denying Lawrence’s “motions” in its 2022
Enforcement Order, the trial court refused to enforce his contractual rights under the
Decree, which states it “is stipulated to represent a mediated settlement agreement.”
See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 6.602(b); Allen, 717 S.W.2d at 313.
We sustain Lawrence’s issue one complaint on the trial court’s failure to
consider his Motion or Enforce the Provisions of the Decree addressing his offset
claim, reverse the portion of the trial court’s 2022 Enforcement Order denying
24 Lawrence’s “motions,” and remand for further proceedings to consider his offset
claim.
In issue two, Lawrence complains the trial court erred by appointing the
receiver in violation of section 64.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, because the appointment failed to provide for an equitable resolution of the
agreed property division in the Decree or meet the conditions of a forced sale. See
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 64.001. Lawrence argues the trial court should
vacate the receiver’s appointment because the facts of the case did not warrant the
appointment to sell the Property, which need not be preserved or protected.
Lawrence contends that equity requires an alternative method for resolution. See id.
§ 64.004.
A person may appeal from an interlocutory order of a district court that
appoints a receiver or overrules a motion to vacate an order that appoints a receiver.
Id. § 51.014(a)(1), (2); Guardianship of Clarkson, No. 09-23-00029-CV, 2023 WL
6156075, at *1 (Tex. App.—Beaumont Sept. 21, 2023, no pet.) (mem. op.). A notice
of appeal must be signed within 20 days of the date on which the trial court signs the
interlocutory order. See Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b). When allowed by statute, appeals
from interlocutory orders are accelerated, and “[f]iling a motion for new trial, any
other post-trial motion, or a request for findings of fact will not extend the time to
perfect an accelerated appeal.” Id. at 28.1(b).
25 Here, the trial court’s June 2021 Enforcement Order appointing Rice as a
receiver effective July 2, 2021, was expressly appealable under section 51.014(a)(1).
See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 51.014(a)(1). Lawrence failed to prefect
an accelerated appeal from the trial court’s June 2021 Enforcement Order by filing
a notice of appeal within the time permitted by the rule. See Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b);
26.3; Guardianship of Clarkson, 2023 WL 6156075, at *1. The trial court’s August
22, 2022 Order Denying Respondent’s Motion to Terminate the Receiver and Vacate
Orders Due to Inherent Conflict and Stay These Proceedings Pending Resolution of
Motion to Enforce Decree was also expressly appealable under section 51.014(a)(2).
See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 51.014(a)(2). Lawrence failed to perfect
an accelerated appeal from the trial court’s August 2022 Order Denying
Respondent’s Motion to Terminate the Receiver and Vacate Orders Due to Inherent
Conflict and Stay These Proceedings Pending Resolution of Motion to Enforce
Decree by filing a notice of appeal within the time permitted by the rule. See Tex.
R. App. P. 26.1(b); 26.3; Guardianship of Clarkson, 2023 WL 6156075, at *1.
Since Lawrence failed to perfect a timely accelerated appeal from the trial
court’s June 2021 Enforcement Order appointing a receiver and the trial court’s
August 2022 Order Denying Respondent’s Motion to Terminate the Receiver and
Vacate Orders Due to Inherent and Stay These Proceedings Pending Resolution of
Motion to Enforce Decree, we lack jurisdiction to consider his issue two complaints.
26 See Guardianship of Clarkson, 2023 WL 6156075, at *1–2 (dismissing for lack of
jurisdiction); Sclafani v. Sclafani, 870 S.W.2d 608, 612–13 (Tex. App.—Houston
[1st Dist.] 1993, writ denied) (dismissing appeal for want of jurisdiction for failing
to timely appeal denial of motion to vacate receivership).
In issue three, Lawrence argues the trial court erred by disregarding the
substance of his pro se motions rather than the motions’ headings to ensure an
equitable and just property division under section 7.001 of the Texas Family Code.
See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 7.001. Lawrence complains the trial court failed to
conduct an evidentiary hearing on his motions and that the issue of plenary powers
does not apply to the Decree. Lawrence also repeats his issue one complaint that the
trial court erred by entering an enforcement order that modified, altered, or changed
the original settlement agreement incorporated into the Decree, which we have
already addressed.
First, we note that section 7.001 does not apply here because it concerns the
general rule of property division in a divorce or annulment, and this involves the
appeal of a post-divorce enforcement order. See id. Second, we have already
determined in issue one that the trial court abused its discretion by denying
Lawrence’s Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree based on its lack of
plenary power and remanded for the trial court to consider Lawrence’s offset claim
in that Motion. Third, the record shows the trial court considered Lawrence’s Motion
27 to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree, Motion to Terminate the Receiver and
Vacate Orders Due to Inherent Conflict and Stay These Proceedings Pending
Resolution of Motion to Enforce Decree, and Motion to Vacate and/or Set Aside
Previous Post Decree Orders, Grant an Evidentiary Hearing and/or Reconsideration
of Proceedings. To the extent Lawrence is complaining about the trial court’s failure
to conduct evidentiary hearings on other motions he filed, he has identified no
specific motions or include record cites to any motions he filed to support his
complaint. Thus, we conclude his complaint is improperly briefed. See Tex. R. App.
P. 38.1(h) (providing that appellant’s brief must contain appropriate citations to the
record). We overrule issue three.
In issue four, Lawrence argues the trial court erred by including the wrong
street address of the Property in the 2022 Enforcement Order and by failing to
include the Property’s complete legal description. Lawrence also argues the trial
court erred by not issuing specific findings of fact and conclusions of law about the
division of the marital estate as required by the Texas Family Code. See Tex. Fam.
Code Ann. §§ 6.711, 153.258, 154.130. Lawrence complains the trial court
disregarded his reimbursement claim and erred by not allowing him to assume
mortgage liabilities without having to incur the expenses of refinancing. See id. §
3.402.
28 In his brief, Lawrence merely states the 2022 Enforcement Order includes the
wrong street address, 12 W. Elm Crescent instead of 122 W. Elm Crescent, and he
argues the Order is defective and unenforceable because there is no proper legal
description as required by law. Lawrence included no citations to authority
supporting his argument that the 2022 Enforcement Order is defective and
unenforceable, nor did he ask this Court to correct the clerical error. See Tex. R. Civ.
P. 329b(f); Perez v. Perez, 658 S.W.3d 864, 872 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2022, no pet.)
(Allowing trial court to enter a judgment nunc pro tunc to correct a clerical error).
Thus, we conclude his complaint is improperly briefed. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(h)
(providing that appellant’s brief must contain appropriate citations to authorities).
We also conclude that Lawrence’s complaint that the trial court erred by not
allowing him to assume mortgage liabilities without having to incur the expenses of
refinancing is improperly briefed. See id. As stated earlier, Lawrence agreed to the
2021 MSA, which stated Lawrence “shall refinance” the Property, and the 2021
MSA was incorporated into the 2021 Enforcement Order, which Lawrence failed to
appeal, and which became a final judgment subject to enforcement. See Tex. R. Civ.
P. 11; Dailey, 2022 WL 3363195, at *4; Karp, 2022 WL 31487899, at *2; Spradley,
787 S.W.2d at 219; see also Tex. R. App. P. 26.1.
As for Lawrence’s complaint the trial court erred by not issuing specific
findings of fact and conclusions of law about the division of the marital estate as
29 required by the Texas Family Code, we note that Lawrence’s citations to the Texas
Family Code apply to: (1) a party’s request for findings of fact and conclusions of
law in a suit for dissolution of marriage in which the trial court rendered a judgment
dividing the parties’ estate; (2) a party’s request for findings of fact in all cases in
which possession of a child by a parent is contested and the possession of the child
varies from the standard possession order; (3) a trial court’s findings in a child
support order. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 6.711, 153.258, 154.130. We hold that
none of Lawrence’s citations to the Family Code apply here. The record also shows
Lawrence did not request findings of fact and conclusions of law. In an enforcement
action such as this when no findings of fact or conclusions of law are requested or
filed, we imply all findings supported by the record that support the trial court’s
judgment. See Coleman, 2007 WL 1793756, at *1; Gomez, 632 S.W.3d at 8.
Finally, we note that Lawrence raises his complaint that the trial court
disregarded his reimbursement claim in both issues four and five, and we have
chosen to address his complaint in issue five. We overrule issue four.
In issue five, Lawrence complains the trial court erred by disregarding the
cumulative nature of remedies provided under Texas Family Code section 3.309,
which provides remedies to spouses, and under section 3.402, which concerns
reimbursement claims. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 3.309 (stating the remedies
provided in this subchapter are cumulative of other rights, powers, and remedies
30 afforded spouses by law), 3.402. Lawrence contends the trial court should have
imposed an equitable lien on the Property to secure his reimbursement claim for
paying the utilities, taxes, insurance, and mortgage expenses. See id. § 3.406
(providing for an equitable lien upon dissolution of a marriage).
Chapter 3 of the Texas Family Code, entitled Marital Property Rights and
Liabilities, includes Subchapter D, addresses the Management, Control, and
Disposition of Marital Property Under Unusual Circumstances. See id. §§ 3.001–
.309. Subchapter D includes section 3.309, which states that remedies provided in
subchapter D are cumulative of other rights, powers, and remedies afforded spouses
by law. See id. § 3.309. Chapter 3 also includes Subchapter E, which addresses
claims for reimbursement in a divorce action. See id. §§ 3.401–.411; Vallone v.
Vallone, 644 S.W.2d 455, 458–59 (Tex. 1982) (stating right of reimbursement is an
equitable right which arises upon dissolution of the marriage through divorce).
Section 3.402 addresses the burden of proof for a spouse seeking reimbursement to
a marital estate and for a party seeking an offset to a reimbursement claim. See Tex.
Fam. Code Ann. § 3.402(b), (h). Section 3.406 provides that on dissolution of a
marriage, the trial court may impose an equitable lien on the property of a benefited
estate to secure a reimbursement claim. Id. § 3.406(a); see Heggen v. Pemelton, 836
S.W.2d 145, 146 (Tex. 1992) (explaining trial courts may impose equitable liens on
a spouse’s separate real property when dividing marital property on divorce).
31 The parties were divorced in 2019, and this appeal concerns not the divorce
action but a post-divorce enforcement action under Chapter 9 of the Texas Family
Code, which allows a party affected by a divorce decree providing for the division
of property to request enforcement of that decree by filing a suit to enforce. See Tex.
Fam. Code Ann. § 9.001(a); see also id. § 7.006 (Agreement Incident to Divorce or
Annulment). Since Lawrence’s complaints really address the trial court’s failure to
exercise jurisdiction over his request to enforce Linda’s obligations under the
Decree, we need not consider his other complaints involving the trial court’s 2022
Enforcement Order since he never filed a notice of appeal concerning same. See
Heggen, 836 S.W.2d at 146; Vallone, 644 S.W.2d at 458–59; see also Tex. Fam.
Code Ann. §§ 3.309, 3.402, 3.409.
CONCLUSION
As discussed above, we have addressed Lawrence’s complaints in issues one
through five concerning the trial court’s 2022 Enforcement Order, the only
appealable order here. Accordingly, we affirm the portions of the 2022 Enforcement
Order ordering Lawrence to vacate the Property and remove all personal belongings
therein and ordering the Receiver to sell the Property and split the proceeds
according to its prior orders. Having sustained Lawrence’s issue one complaint on
the trial court’s failure to consider his Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the Decree
and consider his offset claim, we reverse the portion of the trial court’s 2022
32 Enforcement Order denying Lawrence’s Motion to Enforce the Provisions of the
Decree, and remand for further proceedings to consider his offset claim.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART.
W. SCOTT GOLEMON Chief Justice
Submitted on September 8, 2023 Opinion Delivered May 2, 2024
Before Golemon, C.J., Horton and Wright, JJ.