NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
09-1209
STANFORD H. MCNABB
VERSUS
THERESE HERRIG MCNABB
********** APPEAL FROM THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, NO. 2006-5227, DIV. H2 HONORABLE PHYLLIS M. KEATY, DISTRICT JUDGE
**********
J. DAVID PAINTER JUDGE
Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, Jimmie C. Peters, and J. David Painter, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, concurs with written reasons.
Andre Douget 1223 St. John Street Lafayette, LA 70506 Counsel for Defendant-Appellee: Therese Herrig McNabb
Christine M. Mire Cole J. Griffin 202 W. Main Street Lafayette, LA 70501 Counsel for Plaintiff-Appellant: Stanford. H. McNabb PAINTER, Judge.
Plaintiff, Stanford H. McNabb, appeals the trial court’s dismissal of his motion
to annul a consent judgment rendered in his divorce proceedings. For the following
reasons, we affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed a petition for divorce on October 4, 2006. Thereafter, the parties
unsuccessfully attempted a reconciliation, and Plaintiff filed a second petition for
divorce on August 17, 2007. The parties entered into two separate consent
judgments, one on October 29, 2007, and one on November 14, 2007. Both consent
judgments were signed on November 16, 2007. The November 14 consent judgment
dealt with child support and interim spousal support. Specifically, the parties agreed
that Plaintiff would pay $4,750.00 per month to Defendant beginning November 3,
2007. On June 14, 2008, Plaintiff filed a rule to annul the consent judgment entered
into on November 14, 2007, on the grounds of fraud and ill practices. Plaintiff
alleged that Defendant falsely represented that she had a $2,000.00 per month
housing expense. That matter was heard on December 17, 2008, and, upon oral
motion by defense counsel, the trial judge dismissed the nullity action filed by
Plaintiff. A judgment of involuntary dismissal was not signed until April 2, 2009.
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff first requests a de novo review based on the fact that the trial court
judge recused herself by order dated September 14, 2009, upon Plaintiff’s motion.
We do not agree.
Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 154 provides:
A party desiring to recuse a judge of a district court shall file a written motion therefor assigning the ground for recusation. This motion shall be filed prior to trial or hearing unless the party discovers the facts constituting the ground for recusation thereafter, in which event it shall be filed immediately after these facts are discovered, but prior to judgment. If a valid ground for recusation is set forth in the motion, the judge shall either recuse himself, or refer the motion to another judge or a judge ad hoc, as provided in Articles 155 and 156, for a hearing.
1 The motion for recusal was not filed until August 18, 2009, some eight months
after the involuntary dismissal was granted in open court and some four months after
the judgment to that effect was signed. Even if Plaintiff’s allegations are true, and
even though the trial judge ultimately recused herself, the motion to recuse was not
timely made, and we find that it has no bearing on this appeal. Thus, the standard of
review is manifest error.
Plaintiff next argues that he was denied his right to a fair trial. He bases this
argument on the fact that the trial court judge ultimately recused herself. No reasons
for the recusal were given in the trial court’s order of recusal. We do not find that
Plaintiff’s allegations of bias or prejudice have been substantiated. Plaintiff points
to no specific place in the record and presents nothing other than his own conclusory
statements to show bias on the part of the trial court judge. Thus, we find that this
assignment of error is without merit.
Plaintiff also argues that he was deprived his right to present rebuttal evidence
and that the trial court did not consider all of the evidence presented at trial. Plaintiff
and Defendant were the only witnesses to testify. Plaintiff makes no assertion that
he attempted to call any witness or submit any evidence that was refused by the trial
court. Plaintiff did not proffer any evidence or testimony. He points to no place in
the record that would support his argument. He alleges only that the trial court did
not weigh all of the evidence in making her determination.
In Salvant v. State, 05-2126, p. 5 (La. 7/6/06), 935 So.2d 646, 650 (footnote
omitted), the supreme court stated:
Under the manifest error standard of review, a factual finding cannot be set aside unless the appellate court finds that it is manifestly erroneous or clearly wrong. Smith v. Louisiana Dept. of Corrections, 93-1305 (La.2/28/94), 633 So.2d 129, 132; Stobart v. State through Dept. of Transp. and Development, 617 So.2d 880, 882 (La.1993); Rosell v. ESCO, 549 So.2d 840, 844 (La.1989). In order to reverse a fact finder’s determination of fact, an appellate court must review the record in its entirely [sic] and (1) find that a reasonable factual basis does not exist for the finding, and (2) further determine that the record establishes that the fact finder is clearly wrong or manifestly erroneous. Id. The appellate court must not re-weigh the evidence or substitute its own factual findings because it would have decided the case differently. Id.; Pinsonneault v. Merchants & Farmers Bank & Trust Co., 01-2217
2 (La.4/3/02), 816 So.2d 270, 278-79. Where there are two permissible views of the evidence, the fact finder’s choice between them cannot be manifestly erroneous or clearly wrong. Id. However, where documents or objective evidence so contradict the witness’s story, the court of appeal may find manifest error or clear wrongness even in a finding purportedly based on a credibility determination. Rosell, supra at 844-45. But where such factors are not present, and a fact finder’s finding is based on its decision to credit the testimony of one or two or more witnesses, that finding can virtually never be manifestly erroneous or clearly wrong. Id.
Again, Plaintiff points to no record citation to support these arguments. Thus,
we find that these assignments of error lack merit.
Plaintiff next argues that the trial court erred in failing to find that he proved
fraud or ill practices and that the trial court applied the wrong legal standard to
evaluate his action for nullity.
Fraud is a misrepresentation or a suppression of the truth made with the intent to obtain an unjust advantage for one party or to cause loss or inconvenience for the other party. Fraud may result from silence or inaction. LSA-C.C. art.1953. “Fraud does not vitiate consent when the party against whom the fraud was directed could have ascertained the truth without difficulty, inconvenience, or special skill.” LSA-C.C. art.1954.
Millet v. Millet, 04-406, pp. 4-5 (La.App. 5 Cir. 10/26/04), 888 So.2d 291, 294.
Defendant contends that the $2,000.00 per month housing expense was an
anticipated expense that she would have incurred if she were not awarded exclusive
use and occupancy of the family home. Her brother did purchase a home at her
request, and she moved into that home in late 2007 when she decided that she could
not afford to stay in the family home. Plaintiff was afforded the opportunity to
conduct discovery, and testimony concerning the purchase of the home by
Defendant’s brother was presented at the hearing now at issue.
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NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
09-1209
STANFORD H. MCNABB
VERSUS
THERESE HERRIG MCNABB
********** APPEAL FROM THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, NO. 2006-5227, DIV. H2 HONORABLE PHYLLIS M. KEATY, DISTRICT JUDGE
**********
J. DAVID PAINTER JUDGE
Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, Jimmie C. Peters, and J. David Painter, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, concurs with written reasons.
Andre Douget 1223 St. John Street Lafayette, LA 70506 Counsel for Defendant-Appellee: Therese Herrig McNabb
Christine M. Mire Cole J. Griffin 202 W. Main Street Lafayette, LA 70501 Counsel for Plaintiff-Appellant: Stanford. H. McNabb PAINTER, Judge.
Plaintiff, Stanford H. McNabb, appeals the trial court’s dismissal of his motion
to annul a consent judgment rendered in his divorce proceedings. For the following
reasons, we affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed a petition for divorce on October 4, 2006. Thereafter, the parties
unsuccessfully attempted a reconciliation, and Plaintiff filed a second petition for
divorce on August 17, 2007. The parties entered into two separate consent
judgments, one on October 29, 2007, and one on November 14, 2007. Both consent
judgments were signed on November 16, 2007. The November 14 consent judgment
dealt with child support and interim spousal support. Specifically, the parties agreed
that Plaintiff would pay $4,750.00 per month to Defendant beginning November 3,
2007. On June 14, 2008, Plaintiff filed a rule to annul the consent judgment entered
into on November 14, 2007, on the grounds of fraud and ill practices. Plaintiff
alleged that Defendant falsely represented that she had a $2,000.00 per month
housing expense. That matter was heard on December 17, 2008, and, upon oral
motion by defense counsel, the trial judge dismissed the nullity action filed by
Plaintiff. A judgment of involuntary dismissal was not signed until April 2, 2009.
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff first requests a de novo review based on the fact that the trial court
judge recused herself by order dated September 14, 2009, upon Plaintiff’s motion.
We do not agree.
Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 154 provides:
A party desiring to recuse a judge of a district court shall file a written motion therefor assigning the ground for recusation. This motion shall be filed prior to trial or hearing unless the party discovers the facts constituting the ground for recusation thereafter, in which event it shall be filed immediately after these facts are discovered, but prior to judgment. If a valid ground for recusation is set forth in the motion, the judge shall either recuse himself, or refer the motion to another judge or a judge ad hoc, as provided in Articles 155 and 156, for a hearing.
1 The motion for recusal was not filed until August 18, 2009, some eight months
after the involuntary dismissal was granted in open court and some four months after
the judgment to that effect was signed. Even if Plaintiff’s allegations are true, and
even though the trial judge ultimately recused herself, the motion to recuse was not
timely made, and we find that it has no bearing on this appeal. Thus, the standard of
review is manifest error.
Plaintiff next argues that he was denied his right to a fair trial. He bases this
argument on the fact that the trial court judge ultimately recused herself. No reasons
for the recusal were given in the trial court’s order of recusal. We do not find that
Plaintiff’s allegations of bias or prejudice have been substantiated. Plaintiff points
to no specific place in the record and presents nothing other than his own conclusory
statements to show bias on the part of the trial court judge. Thus, we find that this
assignment of error is without merit.
Plaintiff also argues that he was deprived his right to present rebuttal evidence
and that the trial court did not consider all of the evidence presented at trial. Plaintiff
and Defendant were the only witnesses to testify. Plaintiff makes no assertion that
he attempted to call any witness or submit any evidence that was refused by the trial
court. Plaintiff did not proffer any evidence or testimony. He points to no place in
the record that would support his argument. He alleges only that the trial court did
not weigh all of the evidence in making her determination.
In Salvant v. State, 05-2126, p. 5 (La. 7/6/06), 935 So.2d 646, 650 (footnote
omitted), the supreme court stated:
Under the manifest error standard of review, a factual finding cannot be set aside unless the appellate court finds that it is manifestly erroneous or clearly wrong. Smith v. Louisiana Dept. of Corrections, 93-1305 (La.2/28/94), 633 So.2d 129, 132; Stobart v. State through Dept. of Transp. and Development, 617 So.2d 880, 882 (La.1993); Rosell v. ESCO, 549 So.2d 840, 844 (La.1989). In order to reverse a fact finder’s determination of fact, an appellate court must review the record in its entirely [sic] and (1) find that a reasonable factual basis does not exist for the finding, and (2) further determine that the record establishes that the fact finder is clearly wrong or manifestly erroneous. Id. The appellate court must not re-weigh the evidence or substitute its own factual findings because it would have decided the case differently. Id.; Pinsonneault v. Merchants & Farmers Bank & Trust Co., 01-2217
2 (La.4/3/02), 816 So.2d 270, 278-79. Where there are two permissible views of the evidence, the fact finder’s choice between them cannot be manifestly erroneous or clearly wrong. Id. However, where documents or objective evidence so contradict the witness’s story, the court of appeal may find manifest error or clear wrongness even in a finding purportedly based on a credibility determination. Rosell, supra at 844-45. But where such factors are not present, and a fact finder’s finding is based on its decision to credit the testimony of one or two or more witnesses, that finding can virtually never be manifestly erroneous or clearly wrong. Id.
Again, Plaintiff points to no record citation to support these arguments. Thus,
we find that these assignments of error lack merit.
Plaintiff next argues that the trial court erred in failing to find that he proved
fraud or ill practices and that the trial court applied the wrong legal standard to
evaluate his action for nullity.
Fraud is a misrepresentation or a suppression of the truth made with the intent to obtain an unjust advantage for one party or to cause loss or inconvenience for the other party. Fraud may result from silence or inaction. LSA-C.C. art.1953. “Fraud does not vitiate consent when the party against whom the fraud was directed could have ascertained the truth without difficulty, inconvenience, or special skill.” LSA-C.C. art.1954.
Millet v. Millet, 04-406, pp. 4-5 (La.App. 5 Cir. 10/26/04), 888 So.2d 291, 294.
Defendant contends that the $2,000.00 per month housing expense was an
anticipated expense that she would have incurred if she were not awarded exclusive
use and occupancy of the family home. Her brother did purchase a home at her
request, and she moved into that home in late 2007 when she decided that she could
not afford to stay in the family home. Plaintiff was afforded the opportunity to
conduct discovery, and testimony concerning the purchase of the home by
Defendant’s brother was presented at the hearing now at issue. It is clear from the
trial court’s oral reasons for judgment, stated after the hearing, that she considered the
testimony concerning the purchase of the home by Defendant’s brother. The trial
court stated that Plaintiff’s own testimony convinced it that discovery was handled
as fully as possible. We find no manifest error in the trial court’s credibility
determinations or findings of fact.
3 Finally, Plaintiff argues that the trial court erred when it assigned costs to him
without notice and an opportunity to be heard. On April 2, 2009, when the trial court
signed the judgment of involuntary dismissal of the nullity action, it added “court
costs to be assessed against Stanford McNabb” in handwritten form to the typed
judgment. Plaintiff argues that this is an improper alteration or amendment of the
judgment.
Once a judgment has been signed, it cannot be altered, amended, or revised by
the trial court, except in the manner provided by law. Oreman v. Oreman, 05-955
(La.App. 5 Cir. 3/31/06), 926 So.2d 709, writ denied, 06-1130 (La. 9/1/06), 936
So.2d 206 (quoting Bourgeois v. Kost, 02-2785, p. 7 (La. 5/20/03), 846 So.2d 692,
696). Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 1951 provides that the amendment
of judgments by the trial court is limited to the correction of errors in calculation and
alteration of phraseology and cannot alter the substance thereof. The reallocation of
costs in a second amended judgment has been held to be an amendment of substance
not one intended to correct an error of calculation. Therefore, such judgments are not
authorized by La.Code Civ.P. art. 2088(10) and are void. See State v. Star Enter.,
95-2124 (La.App. 4 Cir. 8/7/96), 691 So.2d 1221, aff’d by State v. BP Exploration
& Oil, Inc., 96-0716 (La. 1/14/97), 686 So.2d 823.
However, we do not find that such is the case here. While the trial court’s oral
ruling is silent regarding costs, La.Code Civ.P. art. 1920 provides that “[u]nless the
judgment provides otherwise, costs shall be paid by the party cast, and may be taxed
by a rule to show cause.” In this case, there are no expert fees. The only costs
assessed are court costs. Had the judgment been silent as to costs, it is clear that they
must be paid by the party cast in judgment. Lewis v. Macke Bldg. Serv., Inc., 524
So.2d 16 (La.App. 5 Cir.), writ denied 532 So.2d 131 (La.1988). This is not a case
where the trial court signed a second judgment determining costs or reallocating
costs. Thus, we find that this assignment of error is also without merit.
4 DECREE
For all of the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court dismissing
Plaintiff’s rule to annul the consent judgment entered into on November 14, 2007 is
affirmed. Costs of this appeal are assessed against Plaintiff-Appellant, Stanford H.
McNabb.
This opinion is NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION. Uniform Rules—Courts of Appeal, Rule 2-16.3.
5 STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
THIBODEAUX, Chief Judge, concurs.
While the recusal issue is mentioned in this appeal, the record is bereft
of any evidence of its relationship to the specific issues in this dispute. We are not
aware of the contents of the motion to recuse nor does the record contain the Order
of Recusal. I have my concerns, but the issue simply is not properly before us. See
Mitchell v. Limoges, 05-832 (La.App. 3 Cir.), 923 So.2d 906, writ denied, 06-723,
(La. 6/16/06); Boone v. Reese, 04-979 (La.App. 3 Cir. 12/8/04), 889 So.2d 435.