SUCCESSION OF EDNA B. COTAYA NO. 24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 C/W FIFTH CIRCUIT SUCCESSION OF MILTON E. COTAYA, JR COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF LOUISIANA
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 838-243 C/W 838-251, DIVISION "J" HONORABLE STEPHEN C. GREFER, JUDGE PRESIDING
December 26, 2024
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Marc E. Johnson, Stephen J. Windhorst, and Timothy S. Marcel
AFFIRMED SJW MEJ TSM COUNSEL FOR INTERVENOR/APPELLANT, VICKI TOSH James A. Harry William R. Penton, III Cesar R. Burgos Robert J. Daigre George M. McGregor
COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE, LEE COTAYA, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS SUCCESSION REPRESENTATIVE OF EDNA B. COTAYA J. Douglas Sunseri WINDHORST, J.
Appellant, the succession representative, Vicki Tosh, appeals the trial court’s
November 12, 2023 judgment (1) denying her motion to traverse; and (2) adopting
the Amended Sworn Descriptive List and Amended Final Tableau of Distribution
filed by the Special Master. For the following reasons, we affirm.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY and FACTS
Because of the contentious and litigious nature of these succession
proceedings, the following facts and procedural history are relevant. Six children
were born of the marriage of Milton and Edna Cotaya: Milton E. Cotaya, III
(“Skip”), Terrence M. Cotaya, Sr., Cathy Cotaya Huber, Lee Cotaya, Vicki Cotaya
Tosh, and Trudi Cotaya Blackwood. Milton and Edna each executed a Last Will
and Testament on August 30, 2000. On October 11, 2010, they each executed a
codicil to their respective wills. In the codicils, subject to a usufruct in favor of each
other, Milton and Edna, respectively, (1) left any and all interest in Fasteners, Inc.,
(“Fasteners”) including voting and non-voting shares owned by each, to all of their
children, except Skip,1 in equal shares; and (2) left the remainder of all property to
their children, except Skip, “in equal shares.” However, on May 26, 2012, Milton
and Edna donated their 70% interest in Fasteners (“Fasteners’ stock”) to Lee.2 The
parties have been embroiled in several contentious litigation proceedings, including
the present succession proceedings, since this donation.
Interdiction proceeding and nullification proceeding
On October 2, 2012, Vicki instituted interdiction proceedings in the 24th
Judicial District Court (hereafter “JDC”), No. 719-653, Interdiction of Milton E.
Cotaya, Jr. and Edna B. Cotaya, seeking the full interdiction of her parents, Milton
and Edna Cotaya. Albert “Joey” Richard was appointed the financial curator for
1 Skip is not a part of any of the proceedings as he was intentionally omitted from Milton and Edna’s wills. 2 Prior to this donation, Milton and Edna owned a 70% shareholder interest in Fasteners.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 1 Milton and Edna.3 By judgment dated December 23, 2013, Milton and Edna (also
referred to as “the interdicts”) were placed under full interdiction. The trial court
appointed William C. Credo, III as their curator, and because Vicki was the primary
caregiver of the interdicts, she was appointed as the undercurator. Vicki was
subsequently removed for cause on September 14, 2014 as undercurator. On May
16, 2013, Vicki filed a petition for nullification in the interdiction proceeding, 24th
JDC, docket no. 719-653.
On May 16, 2014, Vicki, Terrence, and Trudi filed a Petition for Nullification
of Donation (“the nullification proceeding”), against Lee, Fasteners, and Credo,
seeking to nullify the donation of the Fasteners’ stock to Lee, in the 24th JDC, docket
no. 738-534, Petition for Nullification of Donation (Milton E. Cotaya, Jr. and Edna
B. Cotaya).4 Credo, in his capacity as curator for Milton and Edna filed a motion to
transfer the nullification proceeding to docket no. 719-653, the interdiction
proceeding. The interdiction and nullification proceedings were subsequently
consolidated. In December 2014, Credo resigned 5 as curator for the interdicts, and
thereafter, the trial court appointed John Sudderth and Robert Grant as co-curators.
Trial on the merits of the petition for nullification of the donation to Lee was
set on January 14 and 15, 2015. Prior to the conclusion of the trial, the parties6
entered into a consent judgment wherein (1) defendants Lee and Fasteners agreed to
pay $4,000.00 every month to Milton and Edna “as their deferred compensation,”
payable “no later than” the seventh day of each month until the death of both Milton
and Edna; (2) defendant Fasteners agreed to pay $3,750.00 to Milton and Edna
3 By judgment dated November 12, 2013, the trial court granted Richard further authority over the finances of Milton and Edna. 4 The proceeding is also captioned Milton E. Cotaya, Jr., Edna B. Cotaya, Vicki Cotaya Tosh, Vicki Cotaya, Terrence Cotaya, Trudi Cotaya Blackwood, Trudi Cotaya v. Lee M. Cotaya, Fasteners Inc., William C. Credo. 5 The record does not show when or why Credo resigned or was replaced with Sudderth and Grant as co- curators of the interdicts. In his brief to this court, Lee asserts that Credo resigned due to the litigation proceedings filed against him by Vicki and her failure to cooperate. 6 The parties in the nullification proceeding were Vicki, Terrence, Trudi, Lee, Fasteners, and Sudderth and Grant, the co-curators for the interdicts, Milton and Edna.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 2 pursuant to the lease agreement entered into by the parties on January 22, 1999,
payable to Milton and Edna “no later than” the seventh day of each month, and the
payments shall not cease prior to the death of both Milton and Edna; (3) “failure to
pay monthly payments of $7,750.00 as ordered herein will result in the transfer of
all stock in Fasteners” to Edna and Milton; (4) defendants Fasteners and Lee agreed
to pay a lump sum of $5,000.00 to Milton and Edna, or to the survivor, within 90
days of the signing of the consent judgment; (5) Vicki and Trudi agreed to
immediately withdraw their complaints against Lee’s wife Jan Cotaya filed with the
Accounting Board; (6) “all exceptions, motions, and claims presently pending in the
above-entitled matters [docket nos. 738-534 c/w 719-653 interdiction and
nullification proceedings] are hereby dismissed with prejudice, each party to bear
their own costs”; (7) “any and all collateral and ancillary litigation, lawsuits, actions
or pleadings presently pending in this or any other Court in the State of Louisiana
by and against the parties, including but not limited to the following:” docket nos.
717-393, Lee M. Cotaya and Fasteners, Inc. v. Vicki Cotaya Tosh; 727-085, Edna
B. Cotaya and Milton E. Cotaya, Jr. v. Lee Cotaya; and 727-885, Lee Cotaya and
Fasteners, Inc. v. Vicki Cotaya Tosh, are dismissed with prejudice; (8) the court
appointed curators, John Sudderth, Robert Grant and Albert “Joey” Richard, have
full and independent authority to enter into any and all business transactions on
behalf of Edna and now deceased, Milton, which they “agree are reasonable and in
the best interest” of Edna and now deceased, Milton.
Fasteners and Lee filed a motion to enforce judgment, contempt of court and
attorney’s fees and costs against Vicki. On June 2, 2016, the trial court found Vicki
in contempt and sentenced her to serve seven days in the Jefferson Parish
Correctional Center but gave her five working days to purge herself of the contempt
order by submitting specific documents listed in the judgment to the financial
curator, Richard. The trial court also ordered Vicki to provide counsel for Lee
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 3 written proof that she withdrew her complaint against Lee’s wife Jan filed with the
CPA/Accounting Board. The trial court further awarded attorney’s fees to Lee’s
counsel and the interdicts’ counsels against Vicki.
Succession proceedings in the 22nd JDC in St. Tammany Parish
On August 10, 2015, Milton Cotaya died. On December 2, 2015, Vicki
instituted the first succession proceeding, the Succession of Milton E. Cotaya, Jr., in
the 22nd JDC in St. Tammany Parish. In her verified “Petition for Probate of
Notarial Testament and Confirmation of Independent Executrix,” Vicki asserted that
Milton “resided in” and was “domiciled in” St. Tammany Parish at the time of his
death. Conversely, the attached affidavit of death, domicile and heirship asserted
that Milton “resided in” St. Tammany Parish. Vicki was appointed executrix.
When Edna died on November 17, 2016, Lee filed the Succession of Edna B.
Cotaya in the 22nd JDC in St. Tammany Parish. The Petition to Appoint a Notary to
Search for Testament and for Appointment of Provisional Administrator and the
attached affidavit of death, domicile and heirship asserted that Edna was “domiciled
in” St. Tammany Parish. Thereafter, Vicki sought several times to be appointed the
executrix of Edna’s succession; however, Lee was subsequently appointed
provisional administrator.
By consent judgment dated April 11, 2017, the Succession of Milton E.
Cotaya and the Succession of Edna B. Cotaya were consolidated. On June 21, 2017,
Lee’s counsel filed a Proof of Claim in the succession proceedings alleging that Lee
incurred attorney’s fees in the amount of $66,188.38 in the interdiction proceeding
(docket no. 719-653), due to the “improper fraudulent conduct and action of
Executrix, Vicki Cotaya and was necessary to preserve the estates of Milton E.
Cotaya, Jr. and Edna B. Cotaya.” The record does not show that any opposition was
filed as to Lee’s proof of claim for attorney’s fees.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 4 On August 2, 2017, the parties entered into a consent judgment agreeing to
the appointment of a Special Master “to provide findings of fact and
recommendations for any and all claims by the legatees and/or heirs, as well as the
administration, liquidation and closing” of the succession proceedings.7 By consent
judgment dated November 14, 2017, the parties appointed William Magee as the
Special Master for the successions.
During the succession proceedings, the legatees Vicki, Terrence, and Trudi
demanded collation of the Fasteners’ stock donated to Lee, asserting that the
Fasteners’ stock was an asset of the estates. In August 2018, Lee filed a motion for
partial summary judgment contending that the donation of the Fasteners’ stock to
Lee was not subject to collation because the legatees are not forced heirs and the
donation occurred more than three years prior to the deaths of Milton and Edna. In
response, the Special Master issued a report recommending that the trial court grant
Lee’s motion for partial summary judgment finding that (1) Louisiana law limits the
right to demand collation to forced heirs and it is undisputed that there are no forced
heirs in this case; and (2) the donation was made more than three years prior to the
deaths of Milton and Edna. Consequently, the Special Master further found that the
donation of the Fasteners’ stock to Lee was not a part of the estates of Milton and
Edna. Vicki, Terrence, and Trudi filed an objection to the Special Master’s report.
By judgment dated April 23, 2019, the trial court (1) adopted the Special Master’s
finding that the 70% shareholder interest in Fasteners (i.e., the Fasteners’ stock)
donated to Lee is not part of the estates of Milton and Edna and not subject to
collation; (2) denied and dismissed the objection to the Special Master’s report filed
by Vick, Terrence, and Trudi; (3) adopted the Special Master’s recommendation to
grant Lee’s motion for partial summary judgment, finding that the 70% shareholder
7 A written judgment was signed August 28, 2017.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 5 interest in Fasteners (i.e., the Fasteners’ stock) donated to Lee is not subject to
collation and is excluded as an asset of the estates of Milton and Edna.
Subsequently, Vicki, Terrence and Trudi filed a motion to dismiss Magee as
the Special Master, which was granted by the trial court.8 Lee filed a motion to
appoint a successor Special Master pursuant to the August 2, 2017 consent judgment.
The motion was opposed by Vicki, Terrence, and Trudi. After a contradictory
hearing, the trial court granted Lee’s motion and named Ronald “Chip” Morrison as
Special Master.
On June 23, 2021, almost six years after she initially filed the first succession
proceeding in St. Tammany Parish (i.e., the Succession of Milton E. Cotaya) and
after numerous unfavorable rulings, Vicki filed a Rule to Show Cause to Determine
Jurisdiction against Lee and Fasteners, alleging that decedents Milton and Edna were
domiciled in Jefferson before they were interdicted and they lacked capacity to
change domicile after they were interdicted. As such, Vicki asserted that Milton and
Edna were domiciled in Jefferson Parish at the time of their deaths and thus, the
succession proceedings filed in St. Tammany Parish are absolutely null. Lee filed a
Motion to Dismiss Challenge of Jurisdiction, Exception of No Cause of Action and
Motion for Sanctions (“motion to dismiss”). Vicki filed an opposition and
supplemental opposition to Lee’s motion to dismiss, additionally arguing that the
decedents were interdicted at time of death and therefore, the domicile of the
interdicts was that of their curators, (i.e., all curators domiciled in Jefferson Parish,
not St. Tammany Parish). On November 10, 2021, after a status conference, the
parties withdrew their respective motions.
Lee then filed a Motion to Compel Final Participation in the Completion of the
Special Master Proceeding (“motion to compel participation”). On August 25, 2022,
8 The trial court granted the motion to dismiss Magee as Special Master due to Magee’s temporary suspension from the practice of law.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 6 after a contradictory hearing, the trial court (1) granted Lee’s motion to compel
participation; (2) ordered that all claims, demands, motions and memorandums in
support of claims for reimbursement made against any party in the successions shall
be filed within 45 days of August 25, 2022; (3) ordered that the Special Master shall
file a proposed Final Tableau of Distribution within 90 days of August 25, 2022; and
(4) set Vicki’s exception of lack of subject matter jurisdiction for hearing.
On August 22, 2022, nine months after the withdrawal of her prior rule to
determine jurisdiction, Vicki filed an exception of lack of subject matter jurisdiction
only as to the Succession of Edna B. Cotaya, which was filed by Lee. Lee filed an
opposition.
On December 9, 2022, the trial court (1) granted Vicki’s exception of lack of
subject matter jurisdiction; (2) denied Vicki’s request to cast Lee with all costs and
reasonable attorney’s fees; (3) denied Vicki’s “demand to dismiss the Successions
of Milton E. Cotaya and Edna B. Cotaya and their underlying Judgments;” and (4)
“in the interest of justice,” ordered “the Succession of Milton E. Cotaya and the
Succession of Edna B. Cotaya along with all underlying pleadings, deadlines, and
orders” to be transferred to the 24th JDC pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 932 B. Vicki did
not contest, appeal, or collaterally attack any part of the trial court’s December 9,
2022 judgment granting her exception of lack of subject matter jurisdiction and
transferring Milton and Edna’s succession proceedings to the 24 th JDC pursuant to
La. C.C.P. art. 932 B. Instead, two months later and while the transfer was pending,
Vicki filed a new “Petition to Open Succession, Probate Will and Confirm
Administrator,” captioned Successions of Milton Cotaya and Edna Cotaya, docket
no. 837-862 in the 24th JDC, seeking to confirm herself as administrator of both of
her parents’ successions.
When the proceedings were transferred from the 22nd JDC to the 24th JDC,
they were unconsolidated and assigned to separate divisions in the 24 th JDC. The
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 7 Succession of Edna B. Cotaya was assigned to Division “J,” docket no. 838-243, and
Succession of Milton E. Cotaya, Jr. was assigned to Division “F,” docket no. 838-
251. Lee filed a motion to consolidate 838-243 and 838-251 and a motion to adopt
all underlying pleadings, orders, and judgments and to order the special master to
set deadlines.
In response, Vicki filed a Petition to Dismiss, To Intervene, and to Strike
Transferred Successions for Nullity (“motion to dismiss”), alleging for the first time
that the transferred successions from the 22nd JDC were absolutely null. On April
11, 2023, the trial court rendered judgment (1) granting Lee’s motion to consolidate
838-243 and 838-2519; (2) granting Lee’s motion to adopt all underlying pleadings,
orders and judgments from the proceedings in St. Tammany Parish; (3) ordering
Ronald “Chip” Morrison to continue to serve as the Special Master for the
consolidated successions and to set deadlines; and (4) denying Vicki’s petition to
dismiss.
Thereafter, on June 23, 2023, the Special Master filed a Proposed Sworn
Descriptive List. The original descriptive list included payment of the proof of claim
filed by Lee on June 16, 2017, for attorney’s fees incurred in the interdiction
proceeding, docket no. 738-534 c/w 719-653, payable to Lee and it did not include
the Fasteners’ stock as an asset of the estates of Milton and Edna. 10 The Special
Master also filed a Recommendation for First and Final Tableau of Distribution,
which recommended that the legatees (Vicki, Lee, Trudi, Terrence, and Cathy) split
the remaining assets equally. The Special Master filed a notice of filing of the above.
Vicki did not file an opposition to the first descriptive list and final tableau of
distribution.
9 The record contains a transfer order signed by the Division F judge transferring docket no. 838-251 to docket no. 838-243, Division J. 10 This initial descriptive list was missing several values for assets of Milton and Edna that were in the possession of Vicki, to which the value was unknown.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 8 On September 1, 2023, the Special Master issued an Amended Proposed
Sworn Descriptive List (“Amended Sworn Descriptive List”), Amended First and
Final Tableau of Distribution (“Amended Final Tableau of Distribution”), and notice
of filing of the same. Vicki filed a Motion to Traverse on September 12, 2023. Vicki
argued (1) that the donation of the Fasteners’ stock to Lee was an advance on Lee’s
inheritance; (2) Lee’s attorney’s fees for interdiction proceeding cannot be paid by
the estates; and (3) Lee should be removed as succession representative for Edna.
Lee individually, and on behalf of the Succession of Edna B. Cotaya filed an
opposition to the motion to traverse. After a contradictory hearing, the trial court
denied Vicki’s motion to traverse and adopted the Amended Sworn Descriptive List
and Amended Final Tableau of Distribution.
This appeal followed.
LAW and ANALYSIS
On appeal, Vicki contends the trial court erred in denying her Motion to
Traverse and in adopting the Amended Sworn Descriptive List and the Amended
Final Tableau of Distribution filed by the Special Master because the Special Master
was appointed by a court (i.e., the 22nd JDC) which lacked subject matter jurisdiction
to appoint a special master. Vicki also contends that the trial court erred in adopting
the underlying pleadings, orders and judgments from the succession proceedings
transferred from the 22nd JDC to the 24th JDC, including the order appointing a
Special Master, because the 22nd JDC lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the
succession proceedings. Vicki further argues that under La. C.C.P. art. 932B, only
the lawsuit (i.e., transfer of the action) can be transferred, not the proceedings (i.e.,
underlying rulings and judgments) because the proceedings are absolutely null, and
therefore, do not exist.
Alternatively, in the event the Special Master was properly appointed, Vicki
contends the Amended Final Tableau of Distribution (1) should not have paid Lee a
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 9 portion of the estates of Milton and Edna because he received his inheritance in the
donation of the Fasteners’ stock, which was an advance on his inheritance; (2) should
not have paid Lee’s claim for attorney’s fees for adverse legal work not related to
the successions and a prior consent judgment provided that the parties were to bear
their own costs, including attorney’s fees; and (3) failed to list the Fasteners’ stock
as an asset of the successions of Milton and Edna. Accordingly, Vicki requests the
Amended Final Tableau of Distribution to be stricken and requests Lee be removed
as the succession representative of Edna’s estate.
Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Initially, this court must determine whether the trial court erred in adopting
the underlying pleadings, orders and judgments from the succession proceedings
transferred from the 22nd JDC to the 24th JDC, including the order appointing the
Under the mandates of La. C.C.P. art. 2811, a proceeding to open a succession
shall be brought in the trial court of the parish where the deceased was domiciled at
the time of his death. The domicile of a natural person is the place of his habitual
residence. La. C.C. art. 38. Furthermore, the domicile of a full interdict is that of
the curator. La. C.C. art. 42.
Jurisdiction over subject matter is the legal power and authority of a court to
hear and determine a particular class of actions or proceedings, based upon the object
of the demand, the amount in dispute, or the value of the right asserted. La. C.C.P.
art. 2. Subject matter jurisdiction addresses a court’s authority to adjudicate the
cause before it. Boudreaux v. State, Dept of Transp. & Dev., 01-11329 (La.
02/26/02), 815 So.2d 7, 13. Even when the issue is not raised by the litigants, the
trial court has a duty to examine subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte. Id. “[T]he
issue may be considered at any time, even by the court on its own motion, at any
stage of the action.” Id. A judgment rendered by a court which has no jurisdiction
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 10 over the subject matter of the action or proceeding is void. La. C.C.P. art. 3. Subject
matter jurisdiction cannot be conferred by consent of the parties, nor can it be
waived. Id.; Comeaux v. Louisiana Tax Commission, 20-1037 (La. 05/20/21), 320
So.3d 1083, 1091. Nevertheless, even though a judgment may be null, there are
circumstances which preclude a court from declaring its nullity, particularly as
provided in La. C.C.P. arts. 2002 and 2003. See also Official Revision Comment (b)
to La. C.C.P. art. 3.
La. C.C.P. art. 2002 provides that a final judgment is an absolute nullity for a
vice of form, if it is rendered under one of the following exclusive11 grounds: (1)
against an incompetent person not represented as required by law; (2) against a
defendant who has not been served with process as required by law and who has not
waived objection to jurisdiction, or against whom a valid default judgment has not
been taken; or (3) by a court which does not have jurisdiction over the subject matter
of the suit. See Anderson v. Anderson, 20-186 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/23/20), 309 So.3d
868, 874. Except as otherwise provided in La. C.C.P. art. 2003, absolutely null
judgments may be asserted at any time, in a direct or collateral proceeding, before
any court, and are not subject to requirements of statutory action for nullity for fraud
or ill practices. La. C.C.P. arts. 2002 B and 2003; State v. Ramos, 18-136 (La. App.
5 Cir. 12/27/18), 264 So.3d 564, 567; Champagne and Rodgers Realty Co., Inc. v.
Guillot, 06-237 (La. App. 5 Cir. 11/14/06), 947 So.2d 39, 45, writ denied, 06-2920
(La. 3/9/07), 949 So.2d 440; Barnett Marine, Inc. v. Van Den Adel, 96-1029 (La.
App. 5 Cir. 04/09/97), 694 So.2d 453, 457, writ denied, 97-1236 (La. 09/26/97), 701
So.2d 983. Thus, an absolutely null judgment may be collaterally attacked by
procedural means short of a petition for nullity, such as a contradictory motion or
rule. Zavala v. Dover Constr. USA, LLC, 17-1 (La. App. 1 Cir. 04/11/18), 249 So.3d
11 See Cosse v. Orihuela, 12-456 (La. App. 5 Cir. 01/30/13), 109 So.3d 950, 955, writ denied, 13-680 (La. 04/26/13), 112 So.3d 850; See also Official Revision Comment (e) to La. C.C.P. art. 2002.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 11 24, 29; Lexington Ins. Co. v. Tasch, Inc., 12-339 (La. App. 5 Cir. 11/27/12), 105
So.3d 950, 956.
However, an action for nullity is not a substitute for an appeal. Home
Distribution, Inc. v. Dollar Amusement, Inc., 98-1692 (La. App. 1 Cir. 09/24/99),
754 So.2d 1057, 1060; La. C.C.P. art. 2002 A(3). Additionally, the grounds for
absolutely null judgments as listed in La. C.C.P. art. 2002 cannot be raised by parties
who voluntarily acquiesced in a judgment or were present in the parish at the time
of the judgment’s execution and did not attempt to enjoin its enforcement. La.
C.C.P. art. 2003; See In re Succession of Wilkinson, 07-1038 (La. App. 5 Cir.
05/27/08), 986 So.2d 141, 145; Home Distribution, Inc., 754 So.2d at 1059.
In the instant case, even though Vicki’s exception of lack of subject matter
jurisdiction was directed only at Edna’s succession proceedings filed by Lee in the
22nd JDC, the trial court had a duty to examine subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte
as to Milton’s succession proceeding as well.12 In its judgment, the trial court
granted Vicki’s exception of lack of subject matter jurisdiction. However, in the
interest of justice, the trial court transferred both succession proceedings to the 24th
JDC. Upon review, we find it is undisputed that at the time, the succession
proceedings for Milton and Edna were filed in the 22nd JDC in St. Tammany Parish,
the decedents were fully interdicted and the court appointed curators were all
domiciled in Jefferson Parish. As such, Milton and Edna’s succession proceedings
should have been filed in the 24th JDC in Jefferson Parish. Accordingly, we find the
succession proceedings were improperly filed in the 22nd JDC and the trial court
properly granted the exception of lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
12 Because we do not have the transcript of the hearing on the exception of lack of jurisdiction, we assume the parties agreed to expand the pleading to include Milton’s succession, and/or that the trial court sua sponte determined the jurisdiction issue as to Milton’s succession as well. Regardless, this issue was not raised by or objected to by the appellant in this appeal.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 12 Nevertheless, La. C.C.P. art. 932 B provides that if an action is brought in a
court of improper jurisdiction, the court may transfer the action to a proper court in
the interest of justice.13 When a suit is filed in a court of improper jurisdiction, courts
have generally permitted a transfer without discussion or ordered a remand for a
determination of whether the interest of justice supports a transfer. See Alvarado v.
Poche, 02-2 (La. App. 3 Cir. 06/05/02), 819 So.2d 1150, 1153; Starr v. Ackor, 482
So.2d 4 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1985). Thus, under La. C.C.P. art. 932 B, in the interest of
justice, the 22nd JDC trial court had discretionary authority to transfer the succession
proceedings, along with the underlying rulings, judgments, and orders, including the
order appointing the Special Master, to the 24th JDC. Considering the interest of
justice under La. C.C.P. art. 932 B and the lengthy, acrimonious, and contentious
history of these succession proceedings, we find the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in transferring the succession proceedings, as well as the underlying
pleadings, orders and judgments, including the order appointing the Special Master,
to the 24th JDC.
Moreover, we find Vicki voluntarily consented to or acquiesced in the
appointment of a Special Master in 2017 (and entered into additional consent
judgments) in the 22nd JDC succession proceedings. Further, she was present in the
parish at the time of the judgment’s execution and did not attempt to enjoin its
enforcement (or enjoin enforcement of other numerous adverse judgments) until after
the proceedings were transferred to the 24th JDC pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 932 B
upon the 22nd JDC trial court’s judgment granting Vicki’s exception of lack of
subject matter jurisdiction. La. C.C.P. art. 2003; See also Succession of Wilkinson,
07-1038 (La. App. 5 Cir. 05/27/08), 986 So.2d 141, 145.
13 With the passage of La. Acts 2023, No. 5, §§ 1 & 3 (effective August 1, 2023), the legislature deleted the objection of lack of subject matter jurisdiction from the objections raised through declinatory exception pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 925, and added it to the list of objections raised through a peremptory exception found in La. C.C.P. art. 927. The exception of lack of subject matter jurisdiction was filed August 22, 2022 prior to this amendment, and the 22nd JDC’s judgment sustaining the exception and transferring both Edna’s and Milton’s successions to the 24th JDC was on December 9, 2022. Therefore, we find that application of La. C.C.P. art. 932 B in this case was appropriate.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 13 Accordingly, based on the records of these succession proceedings, we find
that La. C.C.P. art. 2003 precludes Vicki from now alleging (1) that the original
succession proceedings, and their underlying pleadings, orders and judgments
(including the order appointing the Special Master) from the 22nd JDC are absolutely
null and void; (2) that the 22nd JDC erred in transferring the same pursuant to La.
C.C.P. art. 932 B; and (3) that the 24th JDC erred in adopting the same.
We therefore now consider Vicki’s alternative assignments of error.
Motion to Traverse and Special Master’s recommendation for Final Tableau of Distribution
Alternatively, in the event the Special Master was properly appointed, Vicki
contends the Amended Final Tableau of Distribution (1) should not have paid any
amount to Lee from the estates of Milton and Edna to Lee because he received an
advance on his inheritance from the donation of Fasteners’ stock; (2) should not have
paid Lee’s proof of claim for attorney’s fees because the work performed occurred
in adverse legal work not related to the successions and a prior consent judgment
provided that the parties were to bear their own costs, which included attorney’s
fees; and (3) failed to list the Fasteners’ stock as an asset of the estates of Milton and
Edna Cotaya.
The descriptive list in a succession proceeding is accepted as prima facie proof
of all matters shown therein, unless amended or traversed successfully. La. C.C.P.
art. 3137. Prima facie evidence is defined as evidence sufficient to establish a given
fact and which, if not rebutted or contradicted, will remain sufficient. Succession of
Clark, 22-190 (La. App. 3 Cir. 11/23/22), 354 So.3d 116, 126. The burden is on the
party filing a motion to traverse to show that the descriptive list is in error. Id.
After a contradictory hearing, the trial court has discretionary authority to
adopt, modify, reject in whole or in part, receive further evidence, or recommit with
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 14 instructions the Special Master’s Descriptive List and Final Tableau of Distribution
under La. R.S. 13:4165.
In the instant case, after argument of counsel, the motion to traverse was
submitted to the trial court. The following dialogue then occurred:
The Court: So with respect to the motion to traverse itself and the merits thereof, the Court would take note of the arguments and statements of counsel of the mover. However, no evidence of any type has been produced, and no documents have been offered to be introduced in connection with the hearing, no witnesses were called in connection with the hearing. There’s a lot of, “he said this when I had a phone conversation,” and “no, he didn’t, he actually said that,” and “something took place in another courtroom, but not really.” All the Court’s left with is arguments of counsel. I don’t find any of those to be sufficient to carry the burden of proof of the mover in this particular matter, as evidence must be presented in order to convince the Court that the recommendations of the Special Master are incorrect in some fashion. I don’t find any of the arguments themselves to be persuasive. So, for those reasons, the Court’s going to deny the motion to traverse. I’ll note your objection to the Court’s ruling, Mr. Harry. Other than that, I think the succession can move forward at this point. Mr. Harry: Your Honor, one more thing I need clarification on. Has the Court accepted the record as evidence on behalf of the mover? The Court: Nothing was offered into evidence, so I haven’t accepted any evidence in connection with the motion to traverse. The record is what it is. It is part of the record. But nothing was actually moved into evidence, so I have not considered anything in that regard. *** Mr. Penton: Your Honor, just to make sure the record’s clear, we would like to offer, file and introduce the record for purposes of taking up an appeal, Your Honor, and make sure that it’s clear what we have done so. The Court: So, on appeal, you can certainly designate portions of the records of the record that you would like the Court to consider on appeal. For purposes of the record, nothing was offered at the time of the hearing. The Court granted that opportunity to do so; nothing was offered. I will take your, I guess, post judgment request to offer the record into the evidence. If you really want to do that, Mr. Penton, I think that could be a rather costly thing, because it’s $2 per page if you’re really offering the record into evidence. If you want the Court to take judicial notice of the record, it may be a less expensive way of doing so, but you can handle it whatever way you want to do.
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 15 Mr. Penton: Yes, Your Honor, taking judicial notice, you’re correct, would be the better option. The Court: All right. So, certainly, the Court has considered the record that is part of this proceeding in makings its ruling here today.
The trial court thus found that Vicki did not successfully traverse the Amended
Sworn Descriptive List. Upon review of the record, we agree Vicki did not meet her
burden. Additionally, after finding that Vicki did not submit prima facie evidence
that the Amended Sworn Descriptive List by the Special Master was in error, the
trial court had discretionary authority to adopt, modify, reject in whole or in part,
receive further evidence, or recommit with instructions the Special Master’s
Amended Sworn Descriptive List and Amended Final Tableau of Distribution under
La. R.S. 13:4165. Considering the record of these succession proceedings, we
cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in adopting in whole the Special
Master’s recommendations as to the Amended Sworn Descriptive List and Amended
Final Tableau of Distribution.
DECREE
Accordingly, for the reasons stated herein, we affirm the trial court’s
November 12, 2023 judgment (1) denying Vicki’s motion to traverse; and (2)
adopting the Amended Sworn Descriptive List and Amended Final Tableau of
Distribution filed by the Special Master.
AFFIRMED
24-CA-228 C/W 24-CA-227 16 SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL
CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT
SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ FREDERICKA H. WICKER CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK JUDE G. GRAVOIS MARC E. JOHNSON STEPHEN J. WINDHORST LINDA M. WISEMAN JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIRST DEPUTY CLERK SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL TIMOTHY S. MARCEL FIFTH CIRCUIT MELISSA C. LEDET JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053) DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF POST OFFICE BOX 489 GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400
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