Schmerbeck v. River Oaks Bank
This text of 786 S.W.2d 521 (Schmerbeck v. River Oaks Bank) 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.
Opinions
River Oaks Bank sued Victor Schmer-beck to recover on a promissory note. Schmerbeck failed to answer the suit within the required time, and a default judgment was rendered against him for a total of $39,713.87 principal and interest, together with $11,961.62 attorney’s fees. On June 24, 1988, the court issued a “turnover order” pursuant to Tex.Civ.Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 31.002 (Vernon 1986 & Supp. 1990), which ordered Schmerbeck to deliver his paycheck “upon receipt each payday” to a named receiver who would disburse the proceeds as follows: $500.00 per month for the first two months and $675.00 per month thereafter to the bank; $250.00 per month for the first two months and $75.00 per month thereafter to the receiver, with the remainder going to Schmerbeck for living expenses.
Schmerbeck contends on appeal that the turnover order is improper and invalid because it affects current wages which are exempt from garnishment and execution by virtue of Tex.Const. art. XVI, § 28,1 Tex.[522]*522Civ.Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 63.004 (Vernon 1986),2 and Tex.Prop.Code Ann. § 42.002(8) (Vernon 1984).3
Because the turnover order is directed to Schmerbeck rather than to a third party, it is not a “garnishment” within the meaning of Article XVI, Section 28 of the Constitution or Section 63.004 of the Civil Practices and Remedies Code. Raborn v. Davis, 33 Tex.Sup.Ct.J. 249 (Tex. Feb. 21, 1990).
The order does not violate Tex.Prop.Code Ann. § 42.002(8). A paycheck in the hands of the judgment debtor does not constitute current wages, and an order directing a judgment debtor to turn over his future paychecks, as and when received, is not prohibited by either the Constitution or the statutes. Raborn v. Davis, supra.
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
Related
Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
786 S.W.2d 521, 1990 Tex. App. LEXIS 526, 1990 WL 26919, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/schmerbeck-v-river-oaks-bank-texapp-1990.