Starr Francis v. Shah Hiren

• Court: Texas Court of Appeals, 2nd District (Fort Worth)
• Decided: February 12, 2026
• Docket: 02-25-00610-CV
• Status: Published

Opinion

In the Court of Appeals Second Appellate District of Texas at Fort Worth ___________________________ No. 02-25-00610-CV ___________________________

STARR FRANCIS, Appellant

V.

SHAH HIREN, Appellee

On Appeal from County Court at Law No. 2 Denton County, Texas Trial Court No. CV-2025-04071-JP

Before Birdwell, Bassel, and Womack, JJ. Per Curiam Memorandum Opinion MEMORANDUM OPINION

Appellant Starr Francis, appearing pro se, attempts to challenge the trial

court’s order determining that she is not unable to pay court costs. On

November 12, 2025, Appellant filed an “Appeal of Denial of Pauper’s Affidavit

Pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145(g),” which we construe as a

“motion” under Rule 145(g). See Tex. R. Civ. P. 145(g)(1) (permitting declarant to

challenge trial court’s order by motion filed in court of appeals). The trial court’s

order was signed on October 13, 2025, making Appellant’s motion due on or before

October 23, 2025. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 145(g)(2) (“The motion must be filed within 10

days after the trial court’s order is signed.”). Appellant’s November 12, 2025 motion

was therefore untimely. See id.

Because Appellant’s motion was untimely, we notified her of our concern that

we lack jurisdiction over this appeal. See id. We informed Appellant that this appeal

could be dismissed for want of jurisdiction unless she filed a response showing

grounds for continuing it. See Tex. R. App. P. 42.3(a), 44.3. Appellant has filed a

response, but it does not show grounds for continuing the appeal.

2 Because Appellant did not timely seek review of the trial court’s order, we

dismiss this appeal for want of jurisdiction. 1 See Tex. R. App. P. 42.3(a).

Per Curiam

Delivered: February 12, 2026

1 In reaching this disposition, we do not assume or opine whether the trial court followed the correct indigency contest procedures applicable to small claims cases originating in justice court. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.1(a), (e), 506.1; In re Strickland, 703 S.W.3d 841, 845–46 (Tex. App.—Austin 2024, orig. proceeding) (discussing former Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.3, current version at Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.1); Brown v. Hawkins, No. 05-16-01427-CV, 2018 WL 1312467, at *4 (Tex. App.—Dallas Mar. 14, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op.) (same). We also note that this disposition does not affect Appellant’s ability to appeal any subsequent dismissal by the county court for failure to pay court costs and appeal bond. Cf. Brown, 2018 WL 1312467, at *4–5.