Thomas Christopher and
Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
November 5, 2014
No. 04-14-00735-CV
Brian C. SIMCOE,
Appellant
v.
Thomas CHRISTOPHER and Catrina Christopher,
Appellees
From the 45th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2012-CI-15519
Honorable Barbara Hanson Nellermoe, Judge Presiding
ORDER
The trial court signed a final judgment on July 9, 2014. Appellant filed a timely motion
for new trial on August 7, 2014. Therefore, the notice of appeal was due to be filed on October 7,
2014. See TEX. R. APP. P. 26.1(a). A motion for extension of time to file the notice of appeal was
due on October 22, 2014. See TEX. R. APP. P. 26.3. Although appellant filed a notice of appeal
within the fifteen-day grace period allowed by Rule 26.3, he did not file a motion for extension
of time.
A motion for extension of time is necessarily implied when an appellant, acting in good
faith, files a notice of appeal beyond the time allowed by Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure
26.1 but within the fifteen-day grace period provided by Rule 26.3 for filing a motion for
extension of time. See Verburgt v. Dorner, 959 S.W.2d 615, 617 (Tex. 1997) (construing the
predecessor to Rule 26). However, the appellant must offer a reasonable explanation for failing
to file the notice of appeal in a timely manner. See id.; TEX. R. APP. P. 26.3, 10.5(b)(1)(C).
We, therefore, ORDER appellant to file, within fifteen days from the date of this order, a
response presenting a reasonable explanation for failing to file the notice of appeal in a timely
manner. If appellant fails to respond within the time provided, the appeal will be dismissed. See
TEX. R. APP. P. 42.3(c).
_________________________________
Karen Angelini, Justice
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 5th day of November, 2014.
___________________________________
Keith E. Hottle
Clerk of Court
Brian C. Simcoe v. Thomas Christopher and Catrina Christopher
Combined Opinion