Corey L. Roberts v. Celia Clanton Roberts

ACCEPTED
01-15-00024-CV
FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
2/23/2015 8:34:24 PM
CHRISTOPHER PRINE
CLERK

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON
FILED IN
1st COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
2/23/2015 8:34:24 PM
NO. 01—15—00024-CV
CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
Clerk

COREY L. ROBERTS,
Appellant,

CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS,
Appellee.

On Appeal from the County Court at Law
Orange County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. C—l40,473-D

APPELLANT’S BRIEF

CORDELL & CORDELL, P.C.
1330 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1800
Houston, Texas 77056

~
Tel: (832) 730-2987, Fax: (832) 730-2966

By
ionBar No. 24013329
‘

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“

Picker
,

B.
State
E-mail: apickelner@cordelllaw.corn
Lauren E. Melhart
State Bar No. 24060275
E-mail: 1melhart@cordelllaw;corn
Attorneys for Appellant

ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
I])ENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

Pursuant to the Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.l(a), Appellant, Corey

L. Roberts, provides the following complete list of all parties and counsel to the

trial court’s judgment being appealed:

Appellant:
Corey L. Roberts
7705 Barton Rd.
Adrian, Michigan 49221

Trial/Appellate Counsel for Corey L. Roberts
Aaron B. Pickelner
CORDELL & CORDELL, P.C.
1300 Post Oak BlVd., Suite 1800
Houston, Texas 77056
State Bar No. 24013329
apickelner@cordel1law.com

Appellee:
Celia Clanton Roberts
7126 W. Windy Lane
Orange, Texas 77630

Trial/Appellate Counsel for Celia Clanton Roberts
Joe D. Alford, Attorney at Law
105 S. Market Street
Orange, Texas 77630
State Bar No. 01012500
jd.alford@hotmail.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Identity of Parties and Counsel ............................................... ..1

II. Table of Contents .......... .L ......................... ........................ ..2

III. Index of Authorities ............................................................. ..4

Statement of the Case .......................................................... ..6

Issues Presented ................................................................. ..7

VI. Statement of Facts .............................................................. ..8

VII. Summary of Argument ......................................................... ..9

VIII. Argument ........................................................................ ..9

. Issue Number One — Under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, does a
trial court commit reversible error by granting a default judgment when
the record clearly shows failure to strictly comply with the rules
regarding service?

1. Standard of Review ........ . ._ ........................................... ..9

2. The return of service was not on ﬁle for ten days as required under
Rule l07(h) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure ................ ..l1

3. The return of service contained defects which prevent a ﬁnding of
strict compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure ........ ..11

. Issue Number Two — Under Texas law, does a trial court abuse its
discretion by ﬁnding and ruling that one party shall be sole managing
conservator when no pleadings included such a request, and the other
party never received notice that sole conservatorship was
al6issue? ........................................................................ ..13

IX. Prayer ............................................................................ ..l4

Veriﬁcation ..................................................................... .. 16
XI. Certiﬁcate of Service .................. ..................................... .. 17

XII. Certiﬁcate of Compliance .................................................... ..17

XIII. Appendix ................................................................. . .... ..A-1
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
Cases Page

Barker CATV Constr., Inc. v. Ampro, Inc.,
989 S.W.2d 789 (Tex. App.—-Houston [1stDist.] 1999, no pet.) ....... ..10

Cain v. Cain,
No. 14-07-00114-CV, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 9276,
2007 WL 4200638 at *4 (Tex.App.—Houston 14th, 2007, no pet.) ...... ..13

Capitol Brick, Inc. Fleming Mfg. Co.,
v.

722 S.W.2d 399 (Tex. 1986) .................................................... ..13

Halla V. Halla,
No. 14-06-01126-CV, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 6656,
2007 WL 2367600 at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston 14*, 2007, no pet.) ...... ..13

Ilzﬂv. 11299:
339 S.W.3d 74, 82 (Tex. 2011) .................................................. ..14
I

Ins. Co. of State of Pa. v. Lejeune,
297 S.W.3d 254, 256 (Tex.2009). ............................................ ..11

Laidlaw Waste Sys., Inc. v. Wallace,
944 S.W.2d 72 (Tex.App.—Waco 1997, writ denied) ..................... ..10

Marrot Commc’ns, Inc. v. Town & Country P'ship,
227 S.W.3d 372 (Tex.App.——Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. denied) .... ..9

Illidstate Envtl. Servs., LP v. Peterson,
435 S.W.3d 287 (Tex. App.—Waco, 2014) ....... ... ...................... ..11

Nueces County Housing Assistance, Inc. v. M M
& Resources Corp.,
806 S.W.2d 948 (Tex.App.--Corpus Christi 1991, writ denied) .......... ..9

Patterson v. Brist,
236 S.W.3d 238, 240 (Tex. App., 2006) ..................................... ..14
Peck v. Peck,
172 S.W.3d 26, 25 (Tex. App.—Dallas, 2005, pet. denied) ................ ..13

Primate Corzstr., Inc. v. Silver,
884 S.W.2d 151 (Tex. 1994)(per curiam) ................................... ..10

Turner v. Turner,
47 S.W.3d 761, 763 (Tex.App.—Houst0n [1st Dist.] 2001, no pet.) ..... ..14

Worford v. Stamper,
801 S.W.2d 108 (Tex. 1990) ..................................................... ..14

Statutes and Rules

TEX. R. CIV. P. 107 ................................................................. ..11, A-28

TEX. R. CIV. P. 239 ................................................. ................ ..13, A-30

TEX. R. CIV. P. 301 ................................................................... ..13, A-31
Statement of the Case

This appeal arises ﬁom divorce litigation initiated by Celia Clanton Roberts
(“Appellee”) on May 16, 2014. (Record at 5.) Appellant, Corey L. Roberts,

(“Appellant”) was Respondent below. (R. at 5.)

On July 22, 2014, Appellee ﬁled a Motion for Alternative Service which was
granted on that same date (R. at 10, 14.) The return of service, filed on August 19,

2014, states that Linda Roberts was served on July 31, 2014. (R. at 15.)

On August 26, 2014, Appellee obtained a default judgment against

Appellant. (R. at 17.).

On September 24, 2014, a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Motion

for New Trial was timely ﬁled by Appellant. (R. at 44.) The trial court heard

Appellant’s requests on October 29, 2014, and thereafter denied the relief

requested. (R. at 53.)

On November 21, 2014, Appellant ﬁled notice of this appeal pursuant to

Section 25.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. (R. at 56.)
Issues Presented

Under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, does a trial court commit
reversible error by granting a default judgment when the record clearly
shows failure to strictly comply with the rules regarding service?

Under Texas law, does a trial court abuse its discretion by ﬁnding and ruling
that one party shall be sole managing conservator when no pleadings
included such a request, and the other party never received notice that sole
conservatorship was at issue?
Statement of Facts

This appeal arises from divorce litigation initiated by Celia Clanton Roberts

(“Appellee”) on May 16, 2014. (R. at 5) Among other things, in her petition,

Appellee pled for the parties to be named joint managing conservators of their two

children. (R. at 6.) Appellant, Corey L. Roberts, (“Appellant”) was Respondent

below and was a resident of Michigan at all relevant times. R. at 5.)

On July 22, 2014, Appellee ﬁled a Motion for Alternative Service. (R. at 10)

Her motion was granted on that same date and permission was given for Appellant

to be served by leaving a copy of the citation, pleadings, and orders with a person

over the age of 16 at his residence or by attaching the documents to the main entry

door of his residence. (R. at 14) According to the return of service, filed on

August 19, 2014, Linda Roberts was served on July 31, 2014. (R. at 15.)

On August 26, 2014, approximately one week after the proof service was

ﬁled, Appellee obtained a default judgment against Appellant. (R. at 17.) In

addition to granting the divorce, the court’s ruling included orders naming

Appellee sole managing conservator of the parties’ two children. (R. at 19.)

On September 24, 2014, a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Motion

for New Trial was timely ﬁled by Appellant. (R. at 44.) The trial court heard

Appel1ant’s requests on October 29, 2014. OK. at 53.) At this hearing, Appellant

testiﬁed that he never received actual notice of the suit. No contradicting
testimony was offered by Appellee O{eporter’s Record, vol. 3, p. 7:8-15, 8:4-8).

The court denied Appellant’s relief requested on the same date. (R. at 53.)

On November 21, 2014, Appellant ﬁled notice of this appeal. (R. at 56.)

Summary of the Argument
The trial court abused its discretion by granting a default judgment against

Appellant when the return of service had not been on file the requisite ten day

period.

The trial court abused its discretion by denying Appellant’s request to set

aside the default judgment when the return of service is defective and does not
A

show strict compliance with the law.

The trial court abused is discretion by naming Appellee the sole managing

conservator of the parties’ children when the pleadings did not request sole

managing conservatorship and thus the issue was not before the court.

Argument

A. Issue Number One.
Under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, does a trial court commit
reversible error by granting a default judgment when the record clearly
shows failure to strictly comply with the rules regarding service?

1. Standard of Review

When a no-answer default judgment is challenged, the record must show

strict compliance with the manner and mode of service; otherwise, the service is

-9--
invalid and the default judgment is void. Primate Constr., Inc. v. Silver, 884

S.W.2d 151, 152 (Tex. l994)(per curiam). It is the responsibility of the one

requesting service to see that service is properly accomplished. Laidlaw Waste

Sys., Inc. v. Wallace, 944 S.W.2d 72, 75 (Tex.App.—Waco 1997, writ denied).

This responsibility extends to assuring that service is properly reﬂected in the

record. Id. “In contrast to thelusual rule that all presumptions will be made in

support of a judgment, there are no presumptions of Valid issuance, service, and

return of citation when examining a default judgment.” Barker CATV Constr., Inc.

v. Ampro, Inc., 989 S.W.2d 789, 792 (Tex. App.--Houston [lst Dist.] 1999, no

pet.); see also Primate Constr., Inc., 884 S.W.2d at 152. If the record before the

trial court does not affirmatively show, at the time that default judgment is

rendered, that the defendant has appeared, was properly served, or waived service

in writing, the trial court lacks personal jurisdiction over the defendant. Marrot

C0mmc’ns, Inc. V. Town & Country P’ship, 227 S.W.3d 372, 376 (Tex.App.—

Houston [lst Dist.] 2007, pet. denied). Virtually any deviation from the requisites

of statutes and Rules of Civil Procedure for service of process will destroy a

default judgment. Nueces County Housing Assistance, Inc. V.
‘M
& M Resources
Corp., 806 S.W.2d 948, 949 (Tex.App.--Corpus Christi 1991, writ denied).

Rendition of a default judgment when there is a failure to strictly comply with the

procedural rules regarding service constitutes reversible error and the judgment

-10-
must be overturned. See Ins. Co. of State of Pa. v. Lejeune, 297 S.W.3d 254, 256

(Tex.2009).

2. The return of service was not on ﬁle for ten days as required under
Rule l07(h) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

A default judgment may only be obtained if the return of service has been on
ﬁle with the court’s clerk for ten days. TEX. R. CIV. P. 107. Rule l07(h) of the

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, speciﬁcally states “no default judgment shall be

granted in any cause until proof of service...sha1l have been on ﬁle with the clerk

of the court ten days.” Any default judgment granted when the return has not been
on ﬁle for the required amount of time is void. See Azﬁdstate Envtl. Servs., LP v.
Peterson, 435 S.W.3d 287, 291 (Tex. App.—Waco, 2014).

In the case at bar, Appellee obtained a default judgment on August 26,

2014. (R. at 17.) The return of service upon which she relied to show compliance

with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure was only filed 6 days prior, on August 19,

2014. (R. at 15.) Accordingly, it is clear from the record that Appellant failed to

strictly comply with the Rules of Civil Procedure, and the lower court committed

reversible error by granting the default judgment. The lower court never obtained

personal jurisdiction over Appellant and thus the order is void.

3. The return of service contained defects which prevent a ﬁnding of
strict compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

Rule 107 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure dictates the requirements

-11-
that must be complied with in order to properly effectuate and document service on

a respondent. This rule speciﬁcally lays out the contents of the return of service

(i.e. the person served, a description of what was served), the information that must

be provided by a process server (i.e. his address), and imposes the procedure to be

followed whether serving by personal service or an alternative method. Id.

In this case, there are several defects in the return and associated afﬁdavit

which prevent a ﬁnding of strict compliance with the Rules of Civil Procedure.

First, the documents contain conﬂicting statements as to who was served. (R. 15-

16.) The ﬁrst page of the return of service that the individual served was “Linda

Roberts” and the respondent was not served. (R. 15.) The second page, containing

the process server’s affidavit, then goes on to state that the respondent was served.

(R. 16.) The afﬁdavit provides a line for disclosure of the name of any person on

whom the documents were served as a permitted proxy of the respondent. (R. 16.)

This line is completely blank. (R. 16.)

Second, the documents never state what precisely was served on the

respondent. The return states that the citation and petition were served by

“delivering” them to Linda Roberts without stating that she was a person over the

age of 16 at the respondent’s resident or by attaching them to the main entry door

of his home (the only two permitted methods for substitute service in this case).

(R. 15.) The affidavit merely states that the process server left copies of

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undescribed documents at the dwelling with someone over the age of 60. (R. 16.)

Finally, no where in the return or related affidavit is the address for the

process server provided. (R. 15-16.)

It was Appellee’s responsibility and burden to supply the court with proof

that service was properly accomplished. There are multiple deviations from the

requisites of the procedural rules for service of process contained in her proof and

thus the default judgment cannot stand.

B. Issue Number Two.
Under Texas law, does a trial court abuse its by ﬁnding and ruling
discretion
that one party shall be sole managing conservator when no pleadings included
such a request, and the other party never received notice that sole
conservatorship was at issue?

A trial court may only render a default judgment on the pleadings against a
respondent that has neither appeared nor answered. TEX. R. CIV. P. 239. A default
judgment, though, must be based on the pleadings of the non-defaulting party.

TEX. R. CIV. P. 301; see also Capitol Brick, Inc. v. Fleming Mfg. Co., 722 S.W.2d

399, 401 (Tex. 1986). While technical pleading rules are of reduced signiﬁcance

where the best interests of the child are the paramount concern, e. g. Cain v. Cain,

No. 14-07-00114-CV, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 9276, 2007 WL 4200638 at *4

(Tex.App.—Houston 14”‘, 2007, no pet.), Halla v. Halla, No. 14-06-01126-CV,

2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 6656, 2007 WL 2367600 at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston 14”‘,

2007, no pet.), Peck v. Peck, 172 S.W.3d 26, 25 (Tex. App.—Dallas, 2005, pet.

-13-
denied), the pleadings still must place the other side on notice of the claim

involved. Halla, at *2.

A trial court’s rulings on conservatorship and possession are reviewed for

abuse of discretion. Turner v. Turner, 47 S.W.3d 761, 763 (Tex.App.—Houston

[1stDist.] 2001, no pet.). A court abuses its discretion if it fails to follow the law.

See Worford v. Stamper, 801 S.W.2d 108, 109 (Tex. 1990); see also Ilzﬂv. Ilzﬁf

339 S.W.3d 74, 82 (Tex. 2011). Only if it is determined from reviewing the record

as a whole, that the trial court abused its discretion will the lower court’s ruling be

reversed. Patterson v. Brist, 236 S.W.3d 238, 240 (Tex. App., 2006)..

In her original petition for divorce, Appellee requested that the parties be

named joint managing conservators of the parties’ two children. (R. 6.) There is

nothing in her petition requesting sole managing conservatorship of the children or

that could serve as notice to Appellant that such a claim was at issue. (R. at 5-8.)

The default judgment rendered by the lower court, though, named Appellee sole

managing conservator. (R. at 19.) This appointment did not conform to the

pleadings of Appellee and cannot stand.

Prayer

Appellant respectfully requests, based on the argument and authorities

contained herein, that the Court reverse the applicable rulings of the Orange

County, Texas County Court at Law and hold as follows -

-14-
0 The default judgment is invalid and thus the trial court abused its

discretion by denying Appellant’s request to set aside the order; and

0 The trial court abused its discretion by naming Appellee sole
7

managing conservator.

Appellant further requests that the Court remand this case to the lower court for a

properly noticed trial on the merits.

Respectfully Submitted,
CORDELL & CORDELL, P.C.
1330 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1800
Houston, Texas 77056
Tel: (832) 730-2987, Fax: (832) 730-2966

By: /s/ Aaron B. Pickelner
Aaron B. Pickelner
State Bar No. 24013329 p

E-mail: apicke1ner@cordelllaw.com
Lauren E. Melhart
State Bar No.,24060275
E-mail: l.tnelhart@cordelllaw.com
Attorneys for Appellant
STATE OF TEXAS §

COUNTY OF HARRIS §

Before me, the undersigned authority appeared, Aaron B. Pickelner, known

to me to be the person whose name is subscribed below, who stated, under oath,

that he is above the age of twenty-one years, he is the attorney for Appellant,

Corey L. Roberts, in his capacity as such, has personally reviewed ‘all. exhibits

contained in the appendix to this Appellant’s Brieﬂ he has personal knowledge that

all such exhibits are true, correct and complete as contained in the ﬁles of Orange

County District Clerk or LexisNexis, as applicable, except as redacted in

compliance with the applicable Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Aaron B. Pickeiner

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME this Q 3rd)‘ day of

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June 18.
Certiﬁcate of Service

I certify that a true copy of the foregoing with attached appendix was served

in accordance with Rule 9.5 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure on each

party or that party's lead counsel Via e-service on February 23, 2015:

Counsel for Appellee:
Mr. Joe D. Alford
105 S. Market Street
Orange, Texas 77630

Aaron B. Pickelner
/s/
Aaron B. Pickelner
Lauren E. Melhart
Attorneys for Appellant

Certiﬁcate of Compliance

Pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4(i)(3), I certify that this document contains

1,791 words and is thus within the limits imposed by TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4(i)(2)(B).

Aaron B. Pickelner
/s/
Aaron B. Pickelner
Lauren E. Melhart
Attorneys for Appellant

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APPENDEX
Final Decree of Divorce.

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 107.

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 239

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 301.
08/28/14 10:03:36 orange County District Clerk scanned by: Elaine Cook

NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT
CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA
NO. C-l4l_),473-D
IN THE MATTER or IN THE COUNTY CQURT AT gxw
THE MARRIAGE OF
§
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CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS
§
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AND § §; st, g asiiiw
COREY L. ROBERTS, j; m§Q\
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§ :5‘ ,2
AND rN THE INTEREST or §
*7
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COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS AND § ORANGE COUNTY, TEXAS
LILY MARIE ROBERTS, CHILDREN §

FIZNAL DECREE or DIVORCE
On August 26, 2014 the Court heard this case.

Appearances

Petitioner, CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS, appeared in person and through attomey of

record, JOE D. ALFORD, and announced ready lbr trial.

Respondent, COREY L. ROBERTS, although duly and properly cited, did not appear

and wholly made default.

Record

The record of testimony was duly reported by the court reporter for the County Court at

Law.

Jurisdiction and Domicile

The Court ﬁnds that the pleadings of Petitioner are in due form and contain all the

allegations, information, and prerequisites required by law, The Court, after receiving evidence,

ﬁnds that it has jurisdiction of this case and of all the parties and that at least sixty days have

elapsed since the date the suit was filed.

Page 1 of 27

.p,.'\
08/28/14 10:03:38 Orange County District Clerk scanned by: Elaine Cook

The Court ﬁmher ﬁnds that, at the time this suit was ﬁled, Petitioner had been a

domiciliary of Texas for the preceding six—month period and a resident of the county in which

this suit was ﬁled for the preceding ninety-day period. All persons entitled to citation were

properly cited.

Jury

A jury was waived, and questions of fact and of law were submitted to the Court.
\

Divorce

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that CELIA CLANT ON ROBERTS, Petitioner, and

COREY L. ROBERTS, Respondent, are divorced and that the marriage between them is

dissolved on the ground of insupportability.

Children ofthe Marriage

The Court ﬁnds that Petitioner and Respondent are the parents of the following children:

Name: COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS
Sex: Male

Birth date: June 24, 2005

Home state: Texas

Social Security number: ‘"9’-5012

Name: LILY MARIE ROBERTS
Sex: Female

Birth date: March 3, 201 1

Home state: Texas

Social Security number: ***-*’-4949

The Court ﬁnds no other children of the marriage are expected.

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Parenting Plan

The Court ﬁnds that the provisions in this decree relating to the rights and duties of the

parties with relation to the children, possession of and access to the children, child support, and

optimizing the development of a close and continuing relationship between each party and the

children constitute the parenting plan established by the Court.

Conservatorsltip

The Court, having considered the circumstances of the parents and of the children, ‘ﬁnds

that the following orders are in the best interest of the children.

IT IS ORDERED that CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS is appointed Sole Managing

Conservator and COREY L. ROBERTS is appointed Possessory Conservator of the

following children: COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS and LILY MARJJE ROBERTS
IT 15 ORDERED that, at all times, CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS, as a parent sole

managing conservator, shall have the following rights:

1. the tight to receive information from any other conservator of the children
V

concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children;
D

2. the right to confer with the/other parent to the extent possible before making a
decision concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children;

3. the right of access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of
the children; ,

4. the right to consult with a physician, dentist, or psychologist of the children;

5. the right to consult with school officials concerning the children's welfare and
educational status, including school activities;

6. the right to attend school amivities;

7. the right to be designated on the children's records as a person to be notiﬁed in
case of an emergency;

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Pié
08/28/14 10:03:40 Orange County District Clerk Scanned by: Elaine Cook

8. the right to consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment during an
.

emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the children; and

9. the tight to manage the estates
r

of the children to the extent the estates have been
created by the parent or the parent's family.

lT IS ORDERED that, at all times, COREY L. ROBERTS, as a parent possessory

conservator, shall have the following rights:

I. the right to receive infonnation from any other conservator of the children
concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children;

2. the right to confer with the other parent to the extent possible before making a
decision oonceming the health, education, and welfare of the children;

3, the right of access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of
the children;

4. the right to consult with a physician, dentist, or psychologist of the children;

5. the right to consult with school officials concerning the children's welfare and
educational status, including school activities;

6, the light to attend school activities;

7. the right to consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment during an
emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the children; and

8. the right to manage the estates of the children to the extent the estates have been
created by the parent or the parent's family.

IT IS ORDERED that, at all times; CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS, as a parent sole

managing conservator shall have the following duties:

1, the duty to inform the other conservator of the children in a timely manner of
signiﬁcant information concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children; and

Page 4 of 27

M
08/28/14 10:03:42 orange County District clerk scanned by: Elaine Cook

occurs, as appropriate. ['1' ISORDERED that the notice must include a description of the offense
that is the basis of the person's requirement to register as a sex offender or of the offense with

which the person is charged. WARNING: A CONSERVATOR COMMITS AN OFFENSE
PUNISHABLE AS A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR IF THE CONSERVATOR FAILS TO
PROVIDE THIS NOTICE. '

IT IS ORDERED that, at all times, COREY L. ROBERTS, as a parent possessory

conservator, shall have the following duties:

1. the duty to inform the other conservator of the children in a timely manner of
signiﬁcant information concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children; and

2. the duty to inform the other conservator of the children if the conservator resides
with for at least thirty days, marries, or intends to marry a person who the conservator knows is
registered as a sex offender under chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure or is currently
charged with an offense for which on conviction the person would be required to register under
that chapter. IT IS ORDERED that this infomtation shall be tendered in the fonn of a notice
made as soon as practicable, but not later than the fortieth day after the date the conservator of
the children begins to reside with the person or on the tenth day aﬁer the date the marriage
occurs, as appropriate. IT IS ORDERED that the notice must include a description of the oﬁ“ense
that is the basis of the person's requirement to register as a sex offender or of the offense with
which the person is charged. WARNING: A CONSERVATOR COMMITS AN OFFENSE
PUNISHABLE AS A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR II THE CONSERVATOR FAILS TO
PROVIDE THIS NOTICE.
IT IS ORDERED that, during her periods of possession, CELIA CLANTON
ROBERTS, as a parent sole managing conservator, shall have the following rights and duties:

1. the duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of the children;

'7
the duty to support the children, including providing the children with clothing,
food, shelter, and medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure;

3, the right to consent for the children to medical and dental care not involving an
invasive procedure; and

4. the right to direct the moral and religious training of the children.

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08/28/14 10:03:43 orange County District Clerk scanned by: Elaine Cook

IT IS ORDERED that, during his periods of possession, COREY L. ROBERTS, as a

parent possessory conservator, shall have the following rights and duties:

1. theiduty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of the children;

2. the duty to support the children, including providing the children with clothing,
food, shelter, and medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure; '

3. the right to consent for the children to medical and dental care not involving an
invasive procedure; and

4. the right to direct the moral and religious training of the children.

IT IS ORDERED that CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS, as parent sole managing

conservator, shall have the following exclusive rights and duty:

1. the right to designate the primary residence of the children;

2. the right to consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment involving invasive
procedures;

3. the right to consent to psychiatric and psychological treatment of the children;

4. the right to receive and give receipt for periodic payments for the support of the
children and to hold or disburse these funds for the beneﬁt of the children;

5. the right to represent the children in legal action and to make other decisions of
substantial legal signiﬁcance conceming the children;

6. the right to consent to marriage and to enlistment in the armed forces of the
United States;

7, the right to make decisions concerning the children's education;

8. except as provided by section 264.011] of the Texas Family Code, the right-to the
services and earnings of the children;

9, except when a guardian of the children's estates or a guardian or attorney ad [item
has been appointed for the children, the right to am as an agent of the children in relation to the
children's estates if the children's action is required by a state, the United States, or a foreign
government; and

lo. the duty to manage the estatm of the children to the extent the estates have been
created by community property or the joint property of the parents.

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Passport Provisions

IT IS ORDERED that CE-LIA CLANTON ROBERTS has the sole and exclusive right

to apply for a passport for the children, COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS and LILY MARIE
ROBERTS.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that COREY L. ROBERTS is prohibited ﬁ'om applying

for a passport for the children, COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS and LILY MARIE ROBERTS.
IT IS ORDERED that CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS shall have the right to maintain

possession of any passports of the children, COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS and LILY

MARIE ROBERTS.
Possession and Access

1. Possession Order

IT IS ORDERED that each conservator shall comply with all terms and
conditions of this Possession Order. IT IS ORDERED that this Possession Order is
effective immediately and applia to all periods of possession occuning on and after the
date the Court signs this Possession Order. IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED:

(a) Deﬁnitions

I. In this Possession Order "school" means the primary or secondary
school in which the child is enrolled or, if the child is not enrolled in a primary or
secondary school, the public school district in which the child primarily resides.

2. Possession Order "child" includes each child, whether one
In this
or more, who a subject of this suit while that child is under the age of eighteen
is

years and not otherwise emancipated,

(b) Mutual Agreement or Speciﬁed Terms for Possession

IT IS ORDERED that COREY
L. ROBERTS shall have possession of the
child at times mutually agreed to in advance by COREY L. ROBERTS and
CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS.

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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that each period of possession that is
mutually agreed to by COREY L. ROBERTS and CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS
must be in writing, state the date which the mutual agreement was made, state the
beginning date and time of COREY L. ROBERTS’ period of possession, state the
ending date and time of COREY L. ROBERTS’ period of possession, and be
signed by both parties.

CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS shall have the right of possession of the
child at all other times not speciﬁcally designated in this Possession Order for
COREY L. ROBERTS.
(d) General Terms and Conditions

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Possession Order, the terms
and conditions of possession of the child that apply regardless of the distance
between the residence of a parent and the child are as follows:

I. Surrender-of Child by CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS - CELIA
CLANTON ROBERTS is ORDERED to surrender the child to COREY L.
ROBERTS at the beginning of each period of COREY L. ROBERTS’s possession
at the residence of CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS.
2. Return of Child by COREY L. ROBERTS - COREY L.
ROBERTS is ORDERED to return the child to the residence of CELIA
CLANT ON ROBERTS at the end of each period of possession.
3. Surrender of Child by COREY L, ROBERTS — COREY L.
ROBERTS ORDERED to surrender the child to CELIA CLANTON
is
ROBERTS, if the child is in COREY L. ROBERTS‘s possession or subject to
COREY L. ROBERTS's control, at the beginning of each period of CELIA
ON
CLANT ROBERTS's exclusive periods of possession, at the place designated
in this Possession Order.

4. Return of Child by CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS - CELTA
CLANTON ROBERTS is ORDERED to retum the child to COREY L.
ROBERTS, if COREY L. ROBERTS is entitled to possession of the child, at the
end of each of CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS‘s exclusiveperiods of possession,
at the place designated in this Possession Order.

5. Personal Effects - Each conservator is ORDEREDto return with
the child the personal eﬁects that the child brought at the beginning of the period
ofpossession.

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6. Designation of Competent Adult — IT IS ORDERED that CELIA
CLANT ON ROBERTS may designate any competent adult to pick up and return
the child, as applicable. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that COREY L.
ROBERTS is prohibited ﬁ'om designated a competent adult to pick up and return
the child, as applicable. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a conservator or a
designated competent adult be prment when the child is picked up or returned.

7. Inability to Exercise Possession — Each conservator is ORDERED
to give notice to the person in possession of the child on each occasion that the
conservator will be unable to exercise that conservatofs right of possession for
any speciﬁed period.

8. Written Notice — Written notice, including notice provided by
electronic mail or facsimile, shall be deemed to have been timely made if received
or, if applicable, postmarked before or at the time that notice is due‘ Each
conservator is ORDERED
to notify the other conservator of any change in the
conservator's electronic mail address or facsimile number within twenty—four
hours aﬁer the change.

This concludes the Possession Order.

2. Duration

The periods of possession ordered above apply to each child the subject of this

suit while that child is under the age of eighteen years and not othenvise emancipated.

3. Nonimer;/‘erence with Possession

Except as expressly provided herein, IT IS ORDERED that neither conservator

shall take possession of the children during the other conservators period of possession

unless there is a prior written agreement signed by both conservators or in case of an

emergency.

4. Supervised Visitation

IT IS ORDERED that any and all periods of possession or access to the children
exercised by COREY L. ROBERTS shall be under the direct and continuous supervision
of a competent adult designated by CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS.

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5. Termination of Orders

The provisions of this decree relating to conservatorship, possession, or access

terminate on the remarriage of CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS to COREY L. ROBERTS
unless a nonparent or agency has been appointed conservator of the childrenunder

chapter 153 of the Texas Family Code.

Child Support

IT IS ORDERED that COREY L. ROBERTS is obligated to pay and shall pay to CELIA
CLANT ON ROBERTS child support of four hundred eighty-nine dollars and fifty-ﬁve cents

($489.55) per month, with the first payment being due and payable on September 1, 2014 and a

like payment being due and payable on the 1‘ day of each month thereaﬂer until the ﬁrst month

following the date of the earliest occurrence of one of the events specified below:

L any child reaches the age of eighteen years or graduates ﬁ'om high school,

whichever occurs later, subject to the provisions for support beyond the age of eighteen years set

out below;

2. any child marries;

3‘ any child dies;

4. the child enlists in the armed forces of the United States and begins active service

as deﬁned by section 101 of title 10 of the United States Code; or

5. any child's disabilities are otherwise removed for general purposes.

Thereaﬁer, COREY L. ROBERTS is ORDERED to pay to CELIA CLANTON
ROBERTS child support of three hundred ninety-one dollars and sixty-four cents ($391.64)

per month, due and payable on the 1“ day of the first month immediately following the date of

the earliest occurrence of one of the events speciﬁed above for the other child and a like sum of

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three hundred ninety-one dollars and sixty-four cents ($391.64) due and payable on the 1“

day of each month thereal"ter until the next occurrence of one of the events speciﬁed above for

the other child‘

If the child is eighteen years of age and has not graduated from high school, IT IS

ORDERED that COREY L. ROBERTS's obligation to pay child support to CELIA CLANT ON
ROBERTS shall not temtinate but shall continue foras long as the child is enrolled-
]. under chapter 25 of the Texas Education Code in an accredited secondary school

in a program leading toward a high school diploma or under section 130.008 of the Education

Code in courses for joint high school and junior college credit and is complying with the

minimum attendance requirements of subchapter C of chapter 25 of the Education Code or

2. on a ﬁ.rll-time basis in a private secondary school in a program leading toward a

high school diploma and is complying with the minimum attendance requirements imposed by

that school.

Withholding from Earnings

IT IS ORDERED that any employer of COREY L. ROBERTS shall be ordered to

withhold from earnings for child support from the disposable earnings of COREY L. ROBERTS g

for the support of COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS and LILY MARIE ROBERTS.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all amounts withheld from the disposable earnings of

COREY L. ROBERTS by the employer and paid in accordance with the order to that employer

shall constitute a credit against the child support obligation. Payment of the ﬁrll amount of child

support ordered paid by this decree through the means of withholding from earnings shall

discharge the child support obligation. If the amount withheld from earnings and credited

against the child support obligation is less than I00 percent of the amount ordered to be paid by

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this decree, the balance due remains an obligation of COREY L. ROBERTS, and it is hereby

ORDERED that COREY L. ROBERTS pay the balance due directly to the state disbursement

unit speciﬁed below.

On this date the Court signed an income Withholding for Support.

Emit
IT IS ORDERED that all payments shall be made through the state disbursement unit at
Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 659791, San Antonio, _Texas 78265-9791, and

thereafter promptly remitted to CELIA CLANT ON ROBERTS for the support of the children.

IT IS ORDERED that each party shall pay, when due, all fees charged to that party by the state

disbursement unit and any other agency statutorily authorized to charge a fee.

Changerof Employment

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that COREY L. ROBERTS shall notify this Court and

CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS by US. certiﬁed mail, return receipt requested, of any change of

address and of any termination of employmem. This notice shall be given no later than seven

days after the change of address or the termination of employment. This notice or a subsequent

notice shall also provide the current address of OOREY L. ROBERTS and the name and address
of his current employer, whenever that infomtation becomes available.

Q]erk's Duties

IT IS ORDERED that, on the request of a prosecuting attorney, the title IV-D agency, the

friend of the Court, a domestic relations ofﬁoe, CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS, COREY L.

ROBERTS, or an attorney representing CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS or COREY L.

ROBERTS, the clerk of this Court shall cause a certiﬁed copy of the Income Withholding for

Support to be delivered to any employer.

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Health Care

1. IT IS ORDERED that CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS and COREY L. ROBERTS
shall each provide medical support for each child as set out in this order as additional child

support for as long as the Court may order CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS and COREY L.

ROBERTS to provide support for the child under sections l54.001 and 154.002 of the Texas

Family Code. Beginning on the day CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS and COREY L.

ROBERTS's actual or potential obligation to support a child under sections 154.00] and 154.002

of the Family Code tenninates, IT IS ORDERED that CELIA CLANT ON ROBERTS and

COREY L. ROBERTS are discharged ﬁ'om the obligations set forth in this medical support order

with respect to that child, except for any failure by a parent to fully comply with those

obligations before that date. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the cash medical support

payments ordered below are payable through the state disbursement unit and subject to the

provisions for withholding ﬁom earnings provided above for other child support payments.

2. Deﬁnitions —

“Health Insurance" means insurance coverage that provides basic health-care services,

including usual physician services, office visits, hospitalization, and laboratory, X-ray, and

emergency services, that may be provided through a health maintenance organization or other

private or public organization, other than medical assistance under chapter 32 of the Texas
I

Human Resources Code.

"Reasonable cost" means the total cost of health insurance coverage for all children for

which COREY L. ROBERTS is responsible under a medical support order that does not exceed

9 percent of COREY L. ROBERTS ‘s annual resources, as described by section l54.062(b) of

the Texas Family Code.

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"Reasonable and necessary health-care expenses not paid by insurance and incun'ed by or

on behalf of a child" include, without limitation, any copayments for oﬁice visits or prescription

drugs, the yearly deductible, if any, and medical, surgical, prescription drug, mental health-care

services, dental, eye care, ophthalmological, and orthodontic charges. These reasonable and

necessary health-care expenses do not include expenses for travel to and from the health-care

provider or for nonprescription medication.

"Furnish“ means -

a. to hand deliver the document by a person eighteen years of age or older

either to the recipient or to a person who is eighteen years of age orolder

and permanently resides with the recipient;

b. to deliver the document to the recipient by certiﬁed mail, return receipt

requested, to the recipient's last known mailing or residence address; or

c. to deliver the document to the recipient at the recipient's last known

mailing or residence address using any person or entity whose principal

business is that of a courier or deliverer of papers or documents either

within or outside the United States.

3. Findings on Health Insurance Availabi|ity- Having considered the cost,

accessibility, and quality of health insurance coverage available to the parties, the Court ﬁnds:

No parent has access to private health insurance at a reasonable cost.
IT IS FURTHER FOUND that the following orders regarding health-care coverage are in
the best interest of the children.

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4‘ Provision of Health-Care Coverage -

COREY L. ROBERTS is ORDERED to apply, within 30 days after entry of this order,

for coverage under a governmental medical assistance program or health plan for each child who
is the subject of this suit.

When such health coverage is obtained, COREY L ROBERTS is ORDERED to

maintain the coverage in full force and elfect on each child who is the subject of this suit as long

as child support is payable for that child, by paying all applicable fees required for the coverage,

including but not limited to enrollment fees and premiums. COREY L. ROBERTS is

ORDERED to fumish CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS a true and correct copy of the health

insurance policy or certiﬁcation and a schedule of beneﬁts within 15 days following the signing

of this order. COREY L. ROBERTS is FURTHER ORDERED to furnish CELIA CLANTON
ROBERTS copies of the insurance cards and any other forms necessary for use of the insurance

within 15 days following the signing of this order. COREY L, ROBERTS is ORDERED to

provide, within three days of receipt by COREY L. ROBERTS, to CELIA CLANTON

ROBERTS any insurance checks, other payments, or explanations of beneﬁts relating to any

medical expenses for the children that CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS paid or incurred.

Pursuant to section 1S4,l83(c) of the Texas Family Code, the reasonable and necessary

health-care expenses of the children that are not reimbursed by health insurance or are not

otherwise covered by the amount of cash medical support under section 154.182(b) are allocated

as follows: CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS is ORDERED to pay 50 percent and COREY L.’

ROBERTS is ORDERED to pay 50 percent of the total unreimbursed health-care expenses that

exceed the amount covered by health insurance.

The party who incurs a health-care expense on behalf of the children is ORDERED to

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ﬁxmish to the other party all forms, receipts, bills, statements, and explanations of beneﬁts

reﬂecting the uninsured portion of the health-care expenses within thirty days aﬁer he or she

receives them. The nonincurring pany is ORDERED to pay his or her share or percentage of the
uninsured portion of the health-care expenses either by paying the healthvcare provider directly

or by reimbursing the incurring party for any advance payment exceeding the incurring pany's

share or percentage of the uninsured portion of the health-care expenses within thirty days aﬁer

the nonincurring party receives the forms, receipts, bills, statements, and explanations of

beneﬁts.

These provisions apply to all unreimbursed health—care expenses of any child who is the

subject of this order for the provision of health—caie coverage that are incurred while cash

medical support is payable for that child.

5. WARNING A PARENT ORDERED TO PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE
-

OR TO PAY THE OTHER PARENT ADDITIONAL CHILD SUPPORT FOR THE COST OF
HEALTH INSURANCE WHO FAILS TO DO S0 IS LIABLE FOR NECESSARY MEDICAL
EXPENSES OF THE CHILDREN, WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER Tl-IE E)ﬂ’ENSES

WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID IF HEALTH INSURANCE HAD BEEN PROVIDED, AND FOR
THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS OR CONTRIBUTIONS, IF ANY, PAID

ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN.
Miscellaneous Child Support Provisions

No Credit for Informal Payments
IT IS ORDERED that the child support as prescribed in this decree shall be exclusively

discharged in the manner ordered and that any direct payments made by COREY L. ROBERTS
to CELIA CLANT ON ROBERTS or any expenditlmcs incurred by COREY L. ROBERTS

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during COREY L. ROBERTS‘s periods of possession of or access to the children, as prescribed
in this decree, for food, clothing, giﬁs, travel, shelter, or entertainment are deemed in addition to

and not in lieu of the support ordered in this decree.

Support gs Obligation of Estate

IT IS ORDERED that the provisions for child support in this decree shall be an

obligation of the estate of COREY L. ROBERTS and shall not terminate on the death of COREY
L. ROBERTS. Payments received for the beneﬁt of the children, including payments from the

Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs or other governmental agency or

survivor beneﬁts,
life insurance proceeds, annuity payments, trust distributions, or retirement

Any remaining balance of the child support is an
shall be a credit against this obligation.

obligation of COREY L. ROBERTS’s estate.
Tennination of Orders on Remarriage of Parties but Not on Death of Obligee

The provisions of this decree relating to amen! child support terminate on the rcmaniage

of CELIA CLANT ON ROBERTS to COREY L. ROBERTS unless a nonparent or agency has

been appointed conservator of the children under chapter I53 of the Texas
Family Code. An

obligation to pay child support under this decree does not terminate
on the death of CELIA

CLANTON ROBERTS but continues asyan obligation to COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS and
LILY MARIE ROBERTS.

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Information Regarding Parties

The infon-nation required for each party by section lO5,006(a) of the Texas Family Code

is as follows:

Name: CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS
Social Security number: "*"‘-”-3990
Driver's license number: 15756492 Issuing state: Texas
Current residence address: West Wendy Lane, Orange, Texas 77630
7 I 26
Mailing address: 7126 West Wendy Lane, Orange, Texas 77630
Home telephone number: (409) 553-4078
Name of employer:
Address of employment:
Work telephone number:

Name: COREY L. ROBERTS
Social Security number: ***-”-2636
Driver's license number 029303025 Issuing state: Texas
Current residence address: 7705 Burton Road, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Mailing address: 7705 Burton Road, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Home telephone number:
Name of employer: Ferris & Sons Milk Hauling Inc.
Address of employment: 9480 Herold Highway, Addison, Michigan 49220
Work telephone number: (517) 547-7676

Required Notices

EACH PERSON WHO IS A PARTY TO THIS ORDER IS ORDERED TO NOTIFY
EACH OTHER PARTY, THE COURT, AND Tl-[E STATE CASE REGISTRY OF ANY
CHANGE IN THE PARTY'S CURRENT RESIDENCE ADDRESS, MAILING ADDRESS,
HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER NAME OF EMPLOYER, ADDRESS OF EMPLOYMENT,
DRIVER‘S LICENSE NUMBER AND WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER. THE PARTY IS

ORDERED TO GIVE NOTICE OF AN INTENDED CHANGE IN ANY OF THE REQUIRED
INFORMATION TO EACH OTHER PARTY, THE COURT, AND THE STATE CASE
REGISTRY ON OR BEFORE THE 60TH DAY BEFORE THE INTENDED CHANGE. IF

THE PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN OF THE CHANGE IN

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SUFFICIENT TIME TO PROVIDE 60-DAY NOTICE, Tl-[E PARTY IS ORDERED TO GIVE
NOTICE OF THE CHANGE ON OR BEFORE THE FIFTH DAY AFTER THE DATE THAT
THE PARTY KNOWS OF T1-IE CHANGE.
THE DUTY TO FURNISH TI-HS INFORMATION TO EACH OTHER PARTY, THE
COURT, AND THE STATE CASE REGISTRY CONTINUES AS LONG AS ANY PERSON,
BY VIRTUE OF THIS ORDEIL IS UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT
OR ENTITLED TO POSSESSION OF OR ACCESS TO A CHILD.
FAILURE BY A PARTY TO OBEY THE ORDER OF THIS COURT TO PROVIDE
EACH OTHER PARTY, THE COURT, AND THE STATE CASE REGISTRY WITH THE
CHANGE IN TI-IE REQUIRED INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN FURTHER LITIGATION
TO ENFORCE THE ORDER, INCLUDING CONTEMPT OF COURT. A FINDING OF
CONTEMPT MAY BE PUNISHED BY CONFINEMENT IN JAIL FOR UP TO SIX
MONTHS, A FINE OF UP TO $500 FOR EACH VIOLATION, AND A MONEY JUDGMENT
FOR PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COURT COSTS.
Notice shall be given to the other pany by delivering a copy of the notice to the party by

registered or certiﬁed mail, return receipt requested. Notice shall be given to the Court by

delivering a copy of the notice either in person to the clerk of this Court or by registered or

certified mail addressed to the clerk at 801 Division, Orange, Texas 77630. Notice shall be

given to the state case registry by mailing a copy of the notice to State Case Registry, Contract

Services Section, MC046S, PO Box 12017, Austin, Texas 78711-2017.
NOTICE TO ANY PEACE OFFICER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: YOU MAY USE
REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENFORCE THE TERMS OF CHILD CUSTODY SPECEFIED
IN THIS ORDER‘ A PEA/CE OFFICER WHO RELIES ON THE TERMS OF A COURT

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ORDER AND THE OFFICER‘S AGENCY ARE ENTITLED TO THE APPLICABLE
IMMUNITY AGAINST ANY CLAIM, CIVI.L OR OTHERWISE, REGARDING THE
OFFICER'S GOOD FAITH ACTS PERFORMED IN THE SCOPE OF TI-IE OFFICER'S

DUTIES IN ENFORCING TI-IE TERMS OF THE ORDER THAT RELATE TO CHILD
CUSTODY. ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY PRESENTS FOR ENFORCEMENT AN
ORDER THAT IS INVALID OR NO LONGER IN EFFECT COMIMITS AN OFFENSE THAT
MAY BE PUNISHABLE BY CONFINEMENT IN JAIL FOR AS LONG AS TWO YEARS
AND A FINE OF AS MUCH AS $10,000.
Warning: to Parties

WARNINGS TO PARTIES: FAILURE TO OBEY A COURT ORDER FOR CHILD
SUPPORT OR FOR POSSESSION OF OR ACCESS TO A CHILD MAY RESULT IN
FURTHER LITIGATION TO ENFORCE THE ORDER, INCLUDING CONTEMPT OF
COURT. A FINDING OF CONTEIVIPT MAY BE PUNISHED BY CONFINEMENT IN JAIL

FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, A FINE OF UP TO $500 FOR EACH VIOLATION, AND A
MONEY JUDGMENT FOR PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COURT COSTS.
FAILURE OF A PARTY TO MAKE A CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT TO THE
PLACE AND IN THE MANNER REQUIRED BY A COURT ORDER MAY RESULT IN THE
PARTY'S NOT RECEIVING CREDIT FOR MAKING TH.E PAYTMENT.
FAILURE OF A PARTY TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT DOES NOT JUSTIFY
DENYING THAT PARTY COURT-ORDERED POSSESSION OF OR ACCESS TO A
CHILD. REFUSAL BY A PARTY TO ALLOW POSSESSION OF OR ACCESS -TO A
CHILD DOES NOT J USTIF Y FAILURE TO PAY COURT-ORDERED CHILD SUPPORT TO
THAT PARTY.

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Division qfMarit'uI Estate

The Court ﬁnds that the following is a just and right division of the parties’ marital estate,

having due regard for the rights of each party and the children of the maniage.
V

Progeny to Husband

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that the husband, COREY L. ROBERTS, is awarded
the following as his sole and separate property, and the wife is divested of all right, title, interest,

and claim in and to that property:

H-l. All household ﬁirniture, ﬁtmishings, ﬁxtures, goods, an objects, collectibles,

appliances, and equipment in the possession of the husband or subject to his sole control.

H-2. All clothing, jewelry, and other personal effects in the possession of the husband
-

or subject to his sole control.

H-3. All sums of cash in the possession of the husband or subject to his sole control,

including ﬁmds on deposit, together with accrued but unpaid interest, in banks, savings

institutions, or other ﬁnancial institutions, which accounts stand in the husbands sole name or

from which the husband has the sole right to withdraw funds or which are subject to the

husband's sole control.

H-4. All sums, whether matured or umnatured, accrued or unaccrued, vested or

otherwise, together with all increases thereof; the proceeds therefiom, and any other rights

related to any profit-sharing plan, retirement plan, Keogh plan, pension plan, employee stock

option plan, 401(k) plan, employee savings plan, accrued unpaid bonuses, disability plan, or

other benefits existing by reason of the husband's past, present, or ﬁxture employment.

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Property to Wife

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that the wife, CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS, is

awarded the following as her sole and separate property, and the husband is divested of all right,

title, interest, and claim in and to that property:

W-l. All household ﬁimiture, furnishings, ﬁxtures, goods, art objects, collectibles,

appliances, and equipment in the possession of the wife or subject to her sole control.

W—2. All clothing, jewelry, and other personal effects in the possession of the wife or
I

subject to her sole control.

W-3. All sums of cash in the poﬁession of the wife or subject to her sole control,

including funds on deposit, together with accrued but unpaid interest, in banks, savings

institutions, or other ﬁnancial institutions, which accounts stand in the wife's sole name or ﬁ'om

which the wife has the sale right to withdraw ﬁmds or which are subject to the wife's sole
I

control.

W-4. The sums, whether matured or unmatured, accrued or unaccrued, vested or

otherwise, together with all increases thereof, the proceeds therefrom, and any other rights

related to any proﬁt-sharing plan, retirement plan, Keogh plan, pension plan, employee stock

option plan, 401(k) plan, employee savings plan, aocmed unpaid bonuses, disability plan, or

other benefits existing by reason of the wife's past, present, or future employment.

W-5. The 2002 Honda Odyssey EXIL motor vehicle, vehicle identiﬁcation number

SFNRLI 80628023344, together with all prepaid insurance, keys, and title documents.

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Division of Debt

Debts to Husband

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that the husband, COREY L. ROBERTS, shall pay,

as a part of the di\n'sion of the estate of the parties, and shall indemnify and hold the wife and her

property harmless from any failure to so discharge, these items:

H-1. All debts, charges, liabilities, and other obligations incurred solely by the husband

unless express provision is made in this decree to the contrary.

H-2. All encumbrances, ad valorem taxes, liens, assessments, or other charges due or to

become due on the real and personal property awarded to the husband in this decree unless

express provision is made in this decree to the contrary.

H-3. The, debt owed to Dupont Goodrich Federal Credit Union, Account Number
7013815.

Debts to Wife

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that the wife, CELIA CLANT ON ROBERTS, shall

pay, as a part of the division of the estate of the panies, and shall indemnify and hold the

husband and his property harmless from any failure to so discharge, these items:

W-l. The balance due, including principal, interest, and all other charges, on the

promissory note payable to Sattler Automotive Group and given as part of the purchase price of

and secured by a lien on the 2002 Honda Odyssey EXL motor vehicle awarded to wife.

W-2. All debts, charges, liabilities and other obligations incurred solely by the wife

unless express provision is made in this decree to the comrary.

W—3. All encumbrances, ad valorem taxes, liens, assessments, or other charges due or to

become due on the real and personal property awarded to the wife in this decree unless express

Page 23 of 27

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provision is made in this decree to the oomrary.

EEC;
IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that each party shall send to the othervparty, within

three days of its receipt, a copy of any correspondence from a creditor or taxing authority

concerning any potential liability of the other party.

Attorney's Fees

To effect an equitable division of the estate of the parties and as a part of the division,

and for services rendered in connection with conservatorship and support of the children, each

party shall be responsible for his or her own attorney's fees, expenses, and costs incurred as a

result of legal representation in this case.

Liability for Federal Income Taxes for Prior Year

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that CELIA CLANT ON ROBERTS and COREY L.
ROBERTS shall be equally responsible for all federal income tax liabilities of the parties from

the date of marriage through December 31, 2013, and each party shall timely pay 50 percent of

any deﬁciencies, assessments, penalties, or interest due thereon and shall indemnify and hold the

other party and his or her property harmless from 50 percent of such liabilities unless such

additional tax, penalty, and/or interest resulted from a pany's omission of taxable income or

claim of erroneous deductions. In such case, the portion of the tax, penalty, and/or interest

relating to the omitted income or claims of erroneous deductions shall be paid by the party who

earned the omitted income or proffered the claim for an erroneous deduction. The parties agree

that nothing contained herein shall be constnned as or is intended as a waiver of any rights that a

party has under the "Innocent Spouse" provisions of Internal Revenue Code.

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Treatment/Allocation of Communny' Income for Year of Divorce

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED tint, for the calendar year 2014, each party shall file

an individual income tax return in accordance with the lntemal Revenue Code.

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that for calendar year 2014, each party shall

indemnify and hold the other party and his or her property harmless from any tax liability

associated with the reporting party's individual tax retum for that year unless the parties have

agreed to allocate their tax liability in a manner different from that reflected on their returns.

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that each party shall furnish such information to the

other party as is requested to prepare federal income tax returns for 2014 within thirty days of

receipt of a written request for the information, and in no event shall the available information be

exchanged later than March 1, 20l5. As requested information becomes available aﬁer that date,

it shall be provided within ten days of receipt.

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that all payments made to the other party in

accordance with the allocation provisions for payment of federal income taxes contained in this

Final Decree of Divorce are not deemed income to the party receiving those payments but are

part of the property division and necessary for a just and right division of the parties‘ estate.

Tax Exemption for Children

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that CELIA CLANTON ROBERTS has the sole and

exclusive right to claim the children, COREY SEBASTIAN ROBERTS and LILY MARIE
ROBERTS, as dependents on her federal andlor state income taxes.

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Permanent Injunctions as to Persons

The Court ﬁnds that, because of the conduct of COREY L. ROBERTS, a permanent

injunction against him should be granted as appropriate relief because there is no adequate

remedy at law.

The permanent injunction granted below shall be etfective immediately and shall be

binding on COREY L. ROBERTS; on his agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and on

those persons in active concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of this order

by personal service or otherwise.

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that COREY L. ROBERTS is permanently

enjoined from:

1. Interfering in any way with the Managing Conservator's possession of the

children or taking or retaining possession of the children, directly or in concert with other

persons, except as permitted by order of the Coun.

2. Removing the children from the State of Texas.

Court Costs

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that costs of court are to be borne by the party who

incurred them.

Discharge from Discovery Retention Requirement‘

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that the parties and their respective attomeys are

discharged from the requirement of keeping and storing the documents produced in this case in

accordance with rule 191.4(d) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

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Clanfving. Orders

Without affecting the ﬁnality of this Final Decree of Divorce, this Court expressly

reserves the right to make orders necessary to clarify and enforce this decree.

Relief Nor Granted

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that all relief requested in this case and not expressly
granted is denied. This is alﬁnal judgment, lbr which let execution and all writs and processes

necessary to enforce this judgment issue. This judgment ﬁnally disposes of all claims and all

parties and is appealable.

Date of Judgment

SlGNEDon QQ am‘/0

P SIDING

APPROVED AS TO FORM ONLY:
JOE D. ALFORD
Attorney at Law
lO5 South Market Street
Orange, Texas 77630
Tel: (409) 882-9014
Fax: (40 82-0564

By:
JOE .
ALr~‘6RD
Attorney for Peti oner
State Bar No. 01012500
jd.alford@hotmail.com

Page 27 of 27

l3:_«2:¥’«l
Tex. R. Civ. 1’. 107
This document is current through February 4, 2015

Texas Court Rules > STATE RULES > TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE > PART II.

RULES OF PRACTICE IN DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS > SECTION 5. Citation

Rule 1 7 Return of Service
(a) The officer or authorized person executing the citation must complete a return of service, The return may, but need
not. be endorsed on or attached to the citation.

(b) The retum, together with any document to which it is attached, must include the following information:

(1) the cause number and case name;

(2) the court in which the case is filed;

(3) a description of what was served;

(4) the date and time the process was received for service;

(5) the person or entity served;

(6) the address served;

(7) ’the date of service or attempted service;

(8) the manner of delivery of service or attempted service;

(9) the name of the person who served or attempted to serve the process;

(10) if the person named in (9) is a process server certiﬁed under order of the Supreme Court, his or her
identiﬁcation number and the expiration date of his or her certification; and
(11) any other information required by rLle or law.

(c) When the citation was served by registered or certiﬁed mail as authorized by Rule 106, the return by the officer
or authorized person must also contain the return receipt with the addressee’s signature.

(<1) When the officer or authorized person has not served the citation, the return shall show the diligence used by the
officer or authorized person to execute the same and the cause of failure to execute it, and where the defendant is
to be found, if ascertainable.

(e) The ofﬁcei‘ or authorized person who serves or attempts to serve a citation must sign the return, If the return is

signed by a person other than a sheriff, constable, or the clerk of the court, the return must either be veriﬁed or be
signed under penalty of perjury. A return signed under penalty of perjury must contain the statement below in ~

substzuitially the following form:

"My name is , my date of birth is

(First) (Middle) (Last)

j, and my address is T, _»_ _, , and

(Street) (City) (State)(Zip Code)

. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and

correct.

(Country)

A. Q9\
Page 2 of 2
Tex. R. Civ. 1’. 107

Executed in County, State of , on the _day of ,

(Month) "(Year)

Dec1a.rant"

(1') Where citation is executed by an alternative method as authorized by Rule 106, proof of service shall be made in

the manner ordered by the court.

(g) The return and any document to which it is attached must be filed with the court and may be filed electronically

or by facsimile, if those methods of filing are available.

(h) No default judgment shall be granted in any cause proof of service as provided by this rLle or by Rules 108
until

or 108a, or as ordered by the court in the event citation is executed by an alternative method under Rule 106, shall
have been on file with the clerk of the court ten days, exclusive of the day of filing and the day of judgment.

History

Amended by Texas Supreme Court, Misc. Docket No. 11-9250. effective January 1, 2012.

SOURCE:
Arts. 2034 and 2036.
Change: That part of the rLle derived from Art. 2034 has been changed only textually. The last sentence of the
supersedes Art. 2036 in the District and County Courts in harmony with the new making the time for answer date
Q
from the day of service.
Change by amendment effective January 1, 1978: Provides manner of return when service by mail or by an alternative
'

method.
Change by amendment effective January 1, 1981: The only changes are the references to E_u_l_e_ 106.
Change by amendment effective January 1. 1988: Amendments are made to conform to changes in 111% 103.
Change by amendment effective September 1, 1990: To state more directly that a default judgment can be obtained when
the defendant has been served with process in a foreign country pursuant to the provisions of ﬂag 108 or 108a.

EDITOR’S NOTE. -- ,

Teﬂ Supreme Court, Misc. Docket No. 11-9250 provides: "The provisions allowing a return of service to be filed

electronically or by facsimile when those methods of ﬁling are available supersede any contradictory local rlli or court
orders."
PUBLICATION REFERENCES. «See Litigation Guide, Ch. 31, Service on Residems; Ch. 32, Personal Jurisdiction

and Service on Nonresidents.
See also Civil Practice & Remedies Code §§ l7.021—17.025.
2011 amendment, by 11—9250, rewrote the first two sentences of the first undesignated paragraph, which read:
”The return
of the officer or authorized person executing the citation shall be endorsed on or attached to the same; it shall state when
the citation was served and the manner of service and be signed by the officer officially or by the authorized person. The
return of citation by an authorized person shall be veriﬁed.” and gave them the (a) designation; added (b); gave the second
”if ascertainable” for
and third sentences of the first undesignated paragraph the (c) and (d) designations; in (d), substituted
”if he can ascertain”; added (e); gave the second undesignated paragraph the (f) designation; added (g); gave the third

undesignated paragraph the (h) designation; and in (h), deleted "the citation, or process under Ri_4le_s 108 or 108a, with" after
"cause until”, and added "by an altemative method”.

Texas Court Rules > STATE RULES > TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE > PART II.
RULES OF PRACTICE IN DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS > SECTION 11. Trial 0 Causes >
A.APPEARANCE AND PROCEDURE

@
»

Rule Judgment by Default

Upon such of the docket, or at any time after :1 defendant is required to answer, the plaintiff may in temi time take
call
judgment by default against such defendant if he has not previously ﬁled an answer, and provided that return of service
shall have been on file with the clerk for the length of time required by Rule 107.

History

Amended by Texas Supreme Court, Misc. Docket No. ll—9250, effective January 1, 2012.

EDITOR’S NOTE. --

Texas Supreme Court, Misc. Docket No. ll~9250 provides: ”The provisions allowing a return of service to be filed
electronically or by facsimile when those methods of ﬁling are available supersede any contradictoiy local or court
orders.”
PUBLICATION REFERENCES. —-See Litigation Guide, Ch. 100, Default Judgment. .

2011 amendment, by G.O. 11-9250, substituted ”return of service” for "citation with the ofﬁcer’s return thereon".

A 44\
Tex. R. Civ. R 301
This document is current through February 4, 2015

Texas Court Rules > STATE RULES > TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE > PART II.
RULES OF PRACTICE IN DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS > SECTION 11. Trial 0 Causes >
H. IUDGMENTS

Rule .@ Judgments
The judgment of the court shall conform proved and the verdict, if any, and shall
to the pleadings, the nature of the case
be so framed which
as to give the party all the relief tohe may be entitled either in law or equity. Provided, that upon motion
and reasonable notice the court may render judgment non obstante veredicto if a directed verdict would have been proper,

and provided further that the court may, upon like motion and notice, disregard any jury finding on a question that has no
support in the evidence. Only one final judgment shall be rendered in any cause except where it is otherwise specially

provided by law. Judgment may, in a proper case. be given for or against one or more of several plaintiffs, and for or against
one or more of several defendants or intervenors.
Texas Rules
Copyright © 2015 by Matthew Bender & Company, Inc. a member of the LexisNcxis Group. All rights reserved.

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