                                                                            ACCEPTED
                                                                       12-15-00058-CV
                                                            TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                        TYLER, TEXAS
                                                                  3/10/2015 9:12:49 AM
                                                                          CATHY LUSK
                                                                                CLERK



              CAUSE NO. 12-15-00058-CV
                                                        FILED IN
                                                 12th COURT OF APPEALS
                                                      TYLER, TEXAS
                         IN THE
                                                 3/10/2015 9:12:49 AM
                                                      CATHY S. LUSK
                 COURT OF APPEALS                         Clerk

                       FOR THE

     TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

                           AT

                    TYLER, TEXAS.


         IN RE JEANETTE B. DAVIDSON,
INDIVIDUALLY AND AS INDEPENDENT EXECUTOR OF
  THE ESTATE OF GARY L. DAVIDSON, DECEASED,
                   Relators,


     Original Proceeding from the County Court-at-Law
  of Anderson County, Texas, Hon. Jeff Doran, Presiding.


                FIRST AMENDED
        PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS


                Thomas R. McLeroy, Jr.
                   Bar No. 13766800
                     P. O. Box 668
                 Center, Texas 75935
                    (936) 598-2701
                  FAX (936) 598-6086
               mcleroylaw@sbcglobal.net

             ATTORNEY FOR RELATOR



           ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
            IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

The following named persons are parties to this proceeding, to-wit:

Relators:


              Jeanette B. Davidson, Individually and
                   as Independent Executrix of
            the Estate of Gary L. Davidson, Deceased.

Respondent:

                      Hon. Jeff Doran,
    Judge, County Court-at-Law of Anderson County, Texas
              500 North Church Street, Suite 11
                   Palestine, Texas 75801

Real Party in Interest:

              The Estate of Stone Haynes, Deceased
               Ben Haynes, Independent Executor


                    COUNSEL OF RECORD

Attorney for Relator:

                     Thomas R. McLeroy, Jr.
                        Bar No. 13766800
                          P. O. Box 668
                      Center, Texas 75935
                         (936) 598-2701
                       FAX (936) 598-6086
                    mcleroylaw@sbcglobal.net




                              page i
Attorney for Real Party in Interest:

                          Jeffrey L. Coe
                          P. O. Box 1157
                   Palestine, Texas 75802-1157
                        Bar No. 24001902
                          (903) 723-0331
                       FAX (903) 741-9229
                      jeff@coelawfirm.com




                               page ii
                                       TABLE OF CONTENTS




IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page iii

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page vii

STATEMENT OF THE CASE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page ix

STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page ix

CONTENT OF RECORD.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page ix

ISSUES PRESENTED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page x

        ISSUE NO. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page x
             (Whether Respondent Abused his Discretion
             in failing to Grant Relator’s Transfer Motion). . . . . . . . . . . page x

STATEMENT OF FACTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 1

ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

        A.       STANDARD OF REVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

        B.       MANDAMUS RELIEF IS WARRANTED TO CORRECT THE
                 TRIAL COURT’S REFUSAL TO GRANT RELATORS’ MOTION
                 TO TRANSFER VENUE OF THE PROBATE PROCEEDING TO
                 SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY, THE COUNTY OF THE
                 DECEDENT’S DOMICILE AND RESIDENCE AT THE TIME OF
                 HIS DEATH.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

CONCLUSION AND PRAYER.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10

VERIFICATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11

APPENDIX.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page I

                                                     page iii
TAB 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page II
     (Clerk’s Certification of Copies). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page II

TAB 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page V
     (Docket Sheet, Cause No. 15063). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page V

TAB 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page VIII
     (Application to Probate Will).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page VIII

TAB 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XVIII
     (Answers to Interogatories). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XVIII

TAB 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XXX
     (Proof of Death and Other Facts). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XXX

TAB 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XXXIII
     (Order Probating Will). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XXXIII

TAB 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XXXVII
     (Inventory). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XXXVII

TAB 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XLIV
     (Motion to Transfer Venue). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XLIV

TAB 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XLVII
     (Response to Defendants’
              Motion to Transfer Venue). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XLVII

TAB 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LIII
     (Reply to Response to
             Motion to Transfer Venue). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LIII

TAB 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXII
     (Amended Reply to
             Motion to Transfer Venue). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXII

TAB 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXI
     (Relator’s Letter Brief). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXI

TAB 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXVI
     (Letter from Respondent).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXVI

TAB 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXX
     (Relator’s Letter Brief). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXX

                                                         page iv
TAB 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXXIII
     (Letter Brief from Haynes).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXXIII

TAB 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXXV
     (Relator’s Letter Brief). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page LXXXV

TAB 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XC
     (Letter from Respondent).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XC

TAB 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XCIV
     (Order Denying Venue Transfer Motion).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XCIV

TAB 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XCVI
     (Letter Brief from Real Party in Interest). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XCVI

TAB 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XCVIII
     (Petition in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page XCVIII

TAB 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CII
     (Amended Petition in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CII

TAB 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CVI
     (Motion to Transfer Venue
             in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CVI

TAB 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CIX
     (Defendant’s Answer
             in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CIX

TAB 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXIV
     (Amended Reply to Ben Haynes’ Response
             to Defendants’ Motion to Transfer Venue
             in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXIV

TAB 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXXIII
     (Response to Defendant’s Motion to
             Transfer Venue in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXXIII

TAB 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXXIX
     (Amended Motion to Transfer Venue
             in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXXIX



                                                       page v
TAB 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXXXIII
     (Second Amended Petition
             in Cause No. 11,953). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXXXIII

TAB 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLI
     (TEXT OF FORMER TEXAS PROBATE CODE §5A).. . . . page CXLI

TAB 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLIV
     (TEXT OF TEXAS CIVIL PRACTICE
             & REMEDIES CODE §15.001).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLIV

TAB 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLV
     (TEXT OF TEXAS CIVIL PRACTICE &
             REMEDIES CODE §15.016.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLV

TAB 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLVI
     (TEXT OF TEXAS CIVIL PRACTICE &
             REMEDIES CODE §15.0642). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLVI

TAB 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLVII
     (TEXT OF TEXAS PROBATE CODE §6). . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLVII

TAB 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page CXLVIII
     (TEXT OF TEXAS PROBATE CODE §8A). . . . . . . . . . . page CXLVIII




                                                     page vi
                                        INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

STATE CONSTITUTIONS:

TEX. CONST. art. V, §6.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page ix


STATUTES:

TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN., §15.006 (Vernon 2002). . . . . . . . . page 5

TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN., §15.016 (Vernon 2002). . . . . . . . . page 7

TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN., §15.0642 (Vernon 2002). . . . . . . page ix,
                                                                       page 8

TEX. GOV. CODE ANN., §22.221 (Vernon 2004). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page ix

TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §6 (Vernon Supp. 2013). . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3, page 7

TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §8A (Vernon Supp. 2013). . . . . page 3, page 8, page 9


COURT RULES:

TEX. R. APP. P. 52.7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page ix

TEX. R. APP. P., 9.4.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10

TEX. R. CIV. P., 87. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4, page 7


CASES:

In re Graham, 251 S.W.3d 844 (Tex. App. –Austin, 2008) (orig. proceeding)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

In re Lemons, 281 S.W.3d 643 (Tex. App. –Tyler, 2009) (orig. proceeding)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

In re Missouri Pacific Railroad Co., 998 S.W.2d 212 (Tex. 1999) (orig.
proceeding). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124 (Tex. 2004). . . . . . . . . . page 6
                                                           page vii
In re Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc., 271 S.W.3d 270 (Tex. 2008) (orig.
proceeding). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. 1992). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6


REPEALED STATUTES:

Act of June 17, 2011, 83rd Leg. ch. 1338, §§1.04, 1.06 and 2.54(c). . . . . page iii

Act of June 19, 2009, 81st Leg., RS, ch. 1351, §12(h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page ii

TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §5A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2




                                                      page viii
                        STATEMENT OF THE CASE

      This matter arises in the course of the administration of a decedent’s estate

in Cause No. 15,063 pending in the County Court-at-Law of Anderson County,

Texas, styled, The Estate of Stone Haynes, Deceased. At all material times, the

Honorable Jeff Doran, the Respondent, was the judge presiding in said court.

The issue in dispute involves the proper venue of the probate court with

supervision of the administration of the decedent’s estate. Relators bring this

original proceeding in order to correct the error of Respondent in denying

Relators’ motion to transfer the venue of these proceedings to San Augustine

County, Texas, the county of the decedent’s domicile and residence at the time

of his death and, consequently, the county of mandatory venue under the Texas

Probate Code.

                      STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION

      This court has jurisdiction to issue a writ of mandamus under TEX. CONST.

art. V, §6, TEX. GOV. CODE ANN., §22.221(a), (b) (Vernon 2004), and TEX. CIV.

PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN., §15.0642 (Vernon 2002).

                           CONTENT OF RECORD

      Pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. 52.7, a certified copy of every document that

is material to relator’s claim for relief and that was filed in the underlying

proceedings is contained in the Appendix to this application under Tabs 1 - 27.

No transcript of testimony is included because no testimony was adduced in

connection with the matter complained of.

                                      page ix
                            ISSUES PRESENTED

                                 ISSUE NO. 1
                 (Whether Respondent Abused his Discretion
                in failing to Grant Relator’s Transfer Motion)

      Relator filed her motion to transfer venue of the probate proceedings in

The Estate of Stone Haynes, Deceased, from Anderson County, the county in

which an administration of the decedent’s estate is pending, to San Augustine

County, the county of the decedent’s domicile and residence at the time of his

death. Although the Real Party in Interest admitted that the decedent was a

resident of San Augustine County at the time of his death and the trial court’s

judgment admitting the decedent’s will to probate recited that the decedent was

a resident of San Augustine County at the time of his death, the Respondent

denied Relator’s motion. The issue presented is:

      Whether the Respondent’s refusal to grant Relators’ motion to transfer

venue to the county of decedent’s undisputed domicile and residence at the time

of his death constitutes a clear abuse of discretion for which mandamus relief is

warranted.




                                      page x
                          STATEMENT OF FACTS

      In this case, which was filed on July 24, 2012, under Cause No. 15,063 in

the County Court-at-Law of Anderson County, Texas, Benjamin Stone Haynes,

who is the same person as Ben Haynes, (hereinafter referred to as “Haynes”),

applied for probate of the last will and testament of Stone Haynes, deceased, and

for Letters Testamentary. (Tab 3, pp. VIII - XVII, Application to Probate Will

and for Issuance of Letters Testamentary). The sole devisee under the decedent’s

will was The Stone Haynes Living Trust. (see Tab 3, page XII, Last Will and

Testament of Stone Haynes, Article Four). Thereafter, on July 30, 2012, before

his appointment as executor of the estate, Haynes, as trustee of The Stone

Haynes Living Trust, filed suit in Cause No. 11,953 in the same court in which

this probate matter is pending, seeking to recover the balance alleged to be due

on the note executed by Relator, Jeannette B. Davidson, and the decedent whose

estate the Relator represents. (Tab 20, pp. XCVI - CI, Original Petition for Suit

on Note). On August 3, 2012, in furtherance of the probate application, he filed

answers to interrogatories in this suit which affirmed that, at the time of his

death, Stone Haynes, the decedent, was domiciled in and had his fixed place of

residence in San Augustine County, Texas. (Tab 4, pp. XVIII - XXIX, Answers

to Applicant’s First Set of Interrogatories, Response to Interrogatory #5). He,

also, filed an affidavit stating that the decedent was domiciled and had a fixed

place of residence in San Augustine County, Texas, on the date of his death.

(Tab 5, pp. XXX - XXXII, Proof of Death and Other Facts, Item No. 2). A

hearing on the application was held on August 8, 2012, after which the
Respondent entered a judgment admitting the will to probate and appointing

Haynes’ as an independent executor of the estate. (Tab 6, pp. XXXIII - XXXVI,

Order Probating Will and Authorizing Letters Testamentary, page 1). The

judgment entered by Respondent recited that “. . .Decedent died in San

Augustine County, Texas on May 12, 2012. . .” and that “. . .this Court has

jurisdiction and permissive venue over the estate as the Decedent was domiciled

in San Augustine County, Texas at the time of his death.” Id. at Tab 6, pg.

XXXIV. After qualifying as the executor, Haynes returned the required

inventory showing the estate to consist only of a parcel of real estate situated in

Sabine County, Texas, an old pickup truck, household furnishings, personal

possessions and a claim against Relators for the balance alleged to be due on the

a promissory note. (Tab 7, pp. XXXVIII - XLIII, Inventory, Appraisement and

List of Claims).

        On August 24, 2012, after his appointment as executor, Haynes amended

his pleadings in the suit on the note to omit The Stone Haynes Living Trust and

to substitute the Estate of Stone Haynes, Deceased, as the plaintiff. (Tab 21, pp.

CII - CV, First Amended Original Petition for Suit on Note). The pleadings

alleged that venue of the suit on the note was proper in Anderson County under

a previously repealed statute, Texas Probate Code § 5A1. (cited at Tab. 21, pg.

CIII, First Amended Original Petition, paragraph 3).

       1

TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §5A, was repealed by Act of June 19, 2009, 81st Leg., RS, ch. 1351,
§12(h), effective as of September 1, 2009. The repealed statute originally dealt, not with venue,
but with which courts have jurisdiction over matters appertaining and incident to an estate
and other probate court jurisdiction.
                                             page 2
        Citation in the suit on the note was subsequently served on Relators and,

in due order of pleading, Relators filed their motions to transfer venue of both

this probate suit and the suit on the note. (Tab 8, pp. XLIV - XLVI, Tab 22, pp.

CVI - CVIII). Relators’ motion in this suit alleged that Stone Haynes, the

decedent, died in San Augustine County, Texas, on May 17, 2012, and that, at the

time of his death, the decedent was domiciled in and was a resident of San

Augustine County, so that venue of the probate matter was mandatory in San

Augustine County, Texas, under TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §6(1) and (2)2. (Tab 8,

page XLV - XLVI , Motion to Transfer Venue). They requested the transfer of

this case to San Augustine County, Texas, pursuant to TEX. PROB. CODE ANN.,

§8A. On February 22, 2013, Haynes filed his response to Relators’ motions to

transfer venue. (Tab 9, pp. LVII - LII, Response to Defendant’s Motion to

Transfer Venue). Haynes response did not specifically deny that the decedent’s

residence at the time of his death was in San Augustine County, but, rather,

argued that the judgment admitting the will to probate in Anderson County was

a final, appealable order at the time it was entered and had become

unappealable by the time Relators filed their venue transfer motions so that

Relators were precluded from raising the issue of the decedent’s residence. Id.

Relators promptly filed their reply to Haynes’ response, as well as an amended

reply, arguing that the Probate Code venue provisions were mandatory and that

        2

          Sections 6 and 8A of the Texas Probate Code were amended and repealed, effective January 1, 2014, by
Act of June 17, 2011, 83rd Leg. ch. 1338, §§1.04, 1.06 and 2.54(c). For ease of reference, citations in this
Application are to the Texas Probate Code in effect on the material dates of the actions complained of and their
text is reproduced at Tabs 32 and 33 in the Appendix to this Application for a Writ of Mandamus.

                                                    page 3
Probate Code, § 8A authorized a venue transfer at any time before the estate was

closed. (Tab 10, pp. LIII - LXI, Tab 11, page LXII - LXX).

      A hearing on Relators’ motion in this case was held on March 25, 2013,

and the Respondent requested the parties to submit supplemental authorities

and arguments on an issue that the parties did not raise. Relators promptly

submitted their supplemental brief again asserting that Probate Code § 8A

authorized the venue transfer that Relators requested. (Tab 12, page LXXI -

LXXV). On May 10, 2013, the Respondent requested the parties to inform the

court whether the issue of the decedent’s residence at the time of his death was

contested. (Tab 13, pp. LXXVI - LXXIX). Respondent informed the parties

that, notwithstanding Haynes’ interrogatory responses, his affidavit of Proof of

Death and Other Facts, Respondent’s own finding embodied in the Order

Probating Will and Authorizing Letters Testamentary and Haynes’ failure to

specifically deny the venue facts, as required by TEX. R. CIV. P., 87(3)(a), the

court found nothing in the case to contradict the allegation in Haynes’

Application to Probate Will and for Issuance of Letters Testamentary that the

decedent’s residence was Anderson County. Respondent, also, suggested that

different venue rules might apply to a trust. Id. Relators responded to the

Court’s inquiry on May 15, 2013, detailing the admissions and court findings in

the record that established the decedent’s residence in San Augustine County,

the fact that the issue was uncontested and the fact that no trust was yet entitled

to possession of the decedent’s estate. (Tab 14, pp. LXXX - LXXXII).


                                       page 4
      On May 17, 2013, Haynes responded to the Court’s inquiry by tendering

an amended pleading in the suit on the note that once again joined The Stone

Haynes Living Trust as a plaintiff. (Tab 15, pp. LXXXIII - LXXXIV, Tab 27,

pp. CXXXIII - CXL, Second Amended Original Petition for Suit on Note).

Haynes misrepresented to the court that the changes made by the addition of the

trust to the other suit authorized the court to deny Relators’ motion in this case,

despite the clear declaration of TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN., §15.006 that

venue determinations are made on the basis of facts existing at the time the cause

of action accrues, and not at some later date. (Tab 15, page LXXXIV). On May

20, 2013, Relators responded to Haynes’ amended pleadings and assertions,

pointing out that only the venue of the probate matter was before the court and

that, in any event, the addition of the trust to the suit on the note affords no new

grounds for denial the venue transfer motion in either this probate matter or the

the other suit. (Tab 16, pp. LXXXV - LXXXIX). On September 9, 2013,

Respondent advised the parties that he would deny Relators’ motion to transfer

venue. (Tab 17, pp. XC - XCIII). Finally, on February 10, 2015, Respondent

signed an order denying the motion. (Tab 18, pp. XCIV - XCV). This

application is made for a writ of mandamus compelling Respondent to vacate the

order denying a venue change and to enter an order granting Relators’ motion

and transferring this suit to the County Court of San Augustine County, Texas,

the court with probate jurisdiction in the proper venue.




                                       page 5
                      ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES

A.    STANDARD OF REVIEW:

      A mandamus will issue to correct a clear abuse of discretion where there

is no adequate remedy by law. In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124,

135 – 136 (Tex. 2004); Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839 (Tex. 1992). With

respect to the resolution of factual issues or other matters committed to the trial

court’s discretion, the reviewing court may not substitute its judgment for that

of the trial court. Walker, 833 at 839. But a trial court has no discretion in

determining what the law is or in applying the law to the facts. Walker, 827 at

839. If the trial court fails to analyze or apply the law correctly, it commits an

abuse of discretion. Walker, 827 at 840. In this case, because the trial court’s

action was not based upon the resolution of disputed factual issues, its

application of the law is not entitled to the deference extended to matters

committed to the trial court’s discretion. See Walker, 827 at 839-840, (holding

that a trial court’s determination of the legal principles controlling its ruling is

treated less deferentially than its resolution of factual issues). And, because this

case involves the trial court’s failure to correctly apply a mandatory venue

statute, Relators are not required to establish the lack of an adequate appellate

remedy. In re Missouri Pacific Railroad Co., 998 S.W.2d 212, 216 (Tex. 1999)

(orig. proceeding); In re Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc., 271 S.W.3d 270,

271 (Tex. 2008) (orig. proceeding); In re Lemons, 281 S.W.3d 643, 646 (Tex. App.

–Tyler, 2009) (orig. proceeding).


                                       page 6
B.    MANDAMUS RELIEF IS WARRANTED TO CORRECT THE TRIAL
      COURT’S REFUSAL TO GRANT RELATORS’ MOTION TO
      TRANSFER VENUE OF THE PROBATE PROCEEDING TO SAN
      AUGUSTINE COUNTY, THE COUNTY OF THE DECEDENT’S
      DOMICILE AND RESIDENCE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.

      There were no factual issues for the trial court to resolve in this case.

Haynes’ admissions contained in his response to interrogatories and his “Proof

of Death and Other Facts,” the findings of Respondent in the order admitting the

decedent’s will to probate and Haynes’ failure to specifically deny the venue

facts pled by Relators in their venue transfer motion, as required by TEX. R. CIV.

P., 87(3)(a), establish that the county of residence of the decedent, Stone Haynes,

at the time of his death was San Augustine County and not Anderson County.

Because it was undisputed that the decedent maintained his domicile and place

of residence in San Augustine County at the time of his death, venue of these

proceedings was proper under TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §6, only in San Augustine

County.

      The Texas Probate Code specifically provided that:

       “Wills shall be admitted to probate, and letters testamentary or of
      administration shall be granted: (1) in the county where the
      decedent resided, if the decedent had a domicile or fixed place of
      residence in this State.” TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §6(1) [Emphasis
      added].

      This statute provides for mandatory venue. In re Graham, 251 S.W.3d

844, 847 (Tex. App. –Austin, 2008) (orig. proceeding). Actions governed by a

mandatory venue statute must be brought in the county required by that statute.

TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN., §15.016. The admissions contained in


                                       page 7
Haynes’ responses to interrogatories and in his affidavit of proof of death and

other facts, together with the trial court’s determination that the county of

decedent’s domicile and residence at the time of his death was San Augustine

County, would have justified either the trial court’s refusal in the first instance

to admit the will to probate in Anderson County, or its transfer of the probate

matter to San Augustine County. It did neither.

      The Texas Probate Code specifically provides a method for correcting

improperly placed venue. If, on the application of any interested person before

the final decree, it is made to appear to the probate court that the proceeding

was commenced in a court without priority of venue, the court is required to

transfer the proceeding to the proper county. TEX. PROB. CODE ANN., §8A(a).

The statute does not limit the review to an appeal of the order admitting the

estate to probate or an appeal of the order closing the estate, but expressly

provides that venue may be transferred at the request of any interested person

before the final decree closing the estate. Relators filed their venue transfer

motions in due order of pleadings but, although there was no dispute that the

decedent’s domicile and residence at the time of his death was San Augustine

County, Respondent denied Relators’ motion. Respondent’s failure to analyze

and apply the applicable law correctly amounted to a clear abuse of discretion.

      The court’s determinations under the mandatory venue statute are

properly reviewed by mandamus.          TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN.,

§15.0642. Because the failure to grant Relators’ motion to transfer venue to the


                                       page 8
county of proper mandatory venue was a clear abuse of discretion, this court

should grant the Relators’ application and issue a writ of mandamus directing

Respondent to vacate the order overruling Relators’ venue transfer motion that

was entered on the 10th day of February, 2015, to grant Relators’ motion and

to order these proceedings transferred in accordance with TEX. PROB. CODE

ANN., §8A(a) to the court of proper jurisdiction in San Augustine County, Texas,

the county of proper venue, by transmitting to the County Court of San

Augustine County, Texas, or other proper court in such county, the original file

in such case, together with certified copies of all entries in the judge's probate

docket theretofore made.

                        CONCLUSION AND PRAYER

      For the foregoing reasons, Relators request this court to:

      (1) grant the Petition for Writ of Mandamus;

      (2) direct the Respondent to:

            (a)   vacate the order overruling Relators’ Motion to Transfer

                  Venue”;

            (b)   grant Relators’ Motion to Transfer Venue; and

            (c)   order these proceedings to be transferred to the County Court

                  of San Augustine County, Texas, or other court of proper

                  jurisdiction in San Augustine County, Texas, by transmitting

                  to the proper court the original file in such case, together with

                  certified copies of all entries in the judge's probate docket


                                      page 9
                  theretofore made; and

      (3)   Grant Relators such other and further relief to which they may be

entitled.

                                                Respectfully Submitted:

                                                      Thomas R. McLeroy, Jr.
                                                           P. O. Box 668
                                                       Center, Texas 75935
                                                          (936) 598-2701
                                                        FAX (936) 598-6086




                                                BY:
                                                       Attorney for Relator.



                     CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE



      In compliance with TEX. R. APP. P., 9.4(3), I certify that the word-count of

the foregoing brief is 2,507 words.




                                                      Attorney for Relator




                                      page 10
VERIFICATION
            APPENDIX
(To Petition for Writ of Mandamus)




              page I
            TAB 1
(Clerk’s Certification of Copies)




             page II
page III
page IV
            TAB 2
(Docket Sheet, Cause No. 15063)




            page V
page VI
page VII
           TAB 3
(Application to Probate Will)




          page VIII
page IX
page X
page XI
page XII
page XIII
page XIV
page XV
page XVI
page XVII
         TAB 4
(Answers to Interogatories)




        page XVIII
page XIX
page XX
page XXI
page XXII
page XXIII
page XXIV
page XXV
page XXVI
page XXVII
page XXVIII
page XXIX
            TAB 5
(Proof of Death and Other Facts)




           page XXX
page XXXI
page XXXII
        TAB 6
(Order Probating Will)




     page XXXIII
page XXXIV
page XXXV
page XXXVI
  TAB 7
(Inventory)




page XXXVII
page XXXVIII
page XXXIX
page XL
page XLI
page XLII
page XLIII
          TAB 8
(Motion to Transfer Venue)




        page XLIV
page XLV
page XLVI
         TAB 9
(Response to Defendants’
Motion to Transfer Venue)




       page XLVII
page XLVIII
page XLIX
page L
page LI
page LII
         TAB 10
 (Reply to Response to
Motion to Transfer Venue)




        page LIII
page LIV
page LV
page LVI
page LVII
page LVIII
page LIX
page LX
page LXI
         TAB 11
  (Amended Reply to
Motion to Transfer Venue)




        page LXII
page LXIII
page LXIV
page LXV
page LXVI
page LXVII
page LXVIII
page LXIX
page LXX
       TAB 12
(Relator’s Letter Brief)




       page LXXI
page LXXII
page LXXIII
page LXXIV
page LXXV
          TAB 13
(Letter from Respondent)




      page LXXVI
page LXXVII
page LXXVIII
page LXXIX
       TAB 14
(Relator’s Letter Brief)




      page LXXX
page LXXXI
page LXXXII
         TAB 15
(Letter Brief from Haynes)




       page LXXXIII
page LXXXIV
       TAB 16
(Relator’s Letter Brief)




     page LXXXV
page LXXXVI
page LXXXVII
page LXXXVIII
page LXXXIX
          TAB 17
(Letter from Respondent)




        page XC
page XCI
page XCII
page XCIII
               TAB 18
(Order Denying Venue Transfer Motion)




              page XCIV
page XCV
                 TAB 19
(Letter Brief from Real Party in Interest)




               page XCVI
page XCVII
            TAB 20
(Petition in Cause No. 11,953)




         page XCVIII
page XCIX
page C
page CI
               TAB 21
(Amended Petition in Cause No. 11,953)




               page CII
page CIII
page CIV
page CV
         TAB 22
(Motion to Transfer Venue
  in Cause No. 11,953)




        page CVI
page CVII
page CVIII
      TAB 23
(Defendant’s Answer
in Cause No. 11,953)




      page CIX
page CX
page CXI
page CXII
page CXIII
                 TAB 24
(Amended Reply to Ben Haynes’ Response
 to Defendants’ Motion to Transfer Venue
          in Cause No. 11,953)




               page CXIV
page CXV
page CXVI
page CXVII
page CXVIII
page CXIX
page CXX
page CXXI
page CXXII
             TAB 25
(Response to Defendant’s Motion to
Transfer Venue in Cause No. 11,953)




            page CXXIII
page CXXIV
page CXXV
page CXXVI
page CXXVII
page CXXVIII
            TAB 26
(Amended Motion to Transfer Venue
      in Cause No. 11,953)




           page CXXIX
page CXXX
page CXXXI
page CXXXII
         TAB 27
(Second Amended Petition
   in Cause No. 11,953)




      page CXXXIII
page CXXXIV
page CXXXV
page CXXXVI
page CXXXVII
page CXXXVIII
page CXXXIX
page CXL
                 TAB 28
(TEXT OF FORMER TEXAS PROBATE CODE §5A)




                page CXLI
page CXLII
page CXLIII
                                  TAB 29
                      (TEXT OF TEXAS CIVIL PRACTICE
                         & REMEDIES CODE §15.001)

                        Effective:[See Text Amendments]

Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness

 Civil Practice and Remedies Code(Refs & Annos)
   Title 2. Trial, Judgment, and Appeal
    Subtitle B. Trial Matters
          Chapter 15. Venue (Refs & Annos)
            Subchapter A. Definitions; General Rules

        § 15. 001. Definitions

In this chapter:

(a) “Principal office” means a principal office of the corporation, unincorporated
association, or partnership in this state in which the decision makers for the
organization within this state conduct the daily affairs of the organization. The mere
presence of an agency or representative does not establish a principal office.

(b) “Proper venue” means:

 (1) the venue required by the mandatory provisions of Subchapter B [FN1] or
 another statute prescribing mandatory venue; or

 (2) if Subdivision (1) does not apply, the venue provided by this subchapter or
 Subchapter C. [FN2]

 CREDIT(S)

 Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 138, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.

      [FN1] V.T.C.A., Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 15.011 et seq.

      [FN2] V.T.C.A., Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 15.031 et seq.
(c) 2013 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works.



                                     page CXLIV
                                         TAB 30
                             (TEXT OF TEXAS CIVIL PRACTICE &
                                 REMEDIES CODE §15.016)

                                  Effective:[See Text Amendments]

Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness

  Civil Practice and Remedies Code (Refs & Annos)
    Title 2. Trial, Judgment, and Appeal
     Subtitle B. Trial Matters
           Chapter 15. Venue (Refs & Annos)
             Subchapter B. Mandatory Venue (Refs & Annos)

           § 15.016. Other Mandatory Venue

An action governed by any other statute prescribing mandatory venue shall be
brought in the county required by that statute.

CREDIT(S)
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature

(c) 2013 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works.




                                                     page CXLV
                                        TAB 31
                            (TEXT OF TEXAS CIVIL PRACTICE &
                                REMEDIES CODE §15.0642)

                                Effective:[See Text Amendments]

Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness

  Civil Practice and Remedies Code (Refs & Annos)
    Title 2. Trial, Judgment, and Appeal
     Subtitle B. Trial Matters
           Chapter 15. Venue (Refs & Annos)
             Subchapter D. General Provisions (Refs & Annos)

           § 15.0642. Mandamus

A party may apply for a writ of mandamus with an appellate court to enforce the
mandatory venue provisions of this chapter. An application for the writ of mandamus
must be filed before the later of:

  (1) the 90th day before the date the trial starts; or

  (2) the 10th day after the date the party receives notice of the trial setting.

CREDIT(S)
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 138, § 5, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.

Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature

(c) 2013 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works.




                                                  page CXLVI
                                         TAB 32
                            (TEXT OF TEXAS PROBATE CODE §6)

                    Effective: September 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013

Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated
Texas Probate Code
Chapter I. General Provisions

§ 6.     Venue: Probate of Wills and Granting of Letters Testamentary and of
         Administration

       Wills shall be admitted to probate, and letters testamentary or of administration
shall be granted:

       (1) in the county where the decedent resided, if the decedent had a domicile or
fixed place of residence in this State;
       (2) if the decedent had no domicile or fixed place of residence in this State but
died in this State, then either in the county where the decedent's principal estate was
at the time of the decedent's death, or in the county where the decedent died; or
       (3) if the decedent had no domicile or fixed place of residence in this State, and
died outside the limits of this State:
       (A) in any county in this State where the decedent's nearest of kin reside; or
       (B) if there are no kindred of the decedent in this State, then in the county
       where the decedent's principal estate was situated at the time of the decedent's
       death.
Acts 1955, 54th Leg., p. 88, ch. 55, eff. Jan. 1, 1956. Amended by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., ch. 1338 (S.B. 1198), § 1.04,
eff. Sept. 1, 2011.

<The Texas Probate Code is repealed and the Estates Code is enacted, effective January 1, 2014, by Acts 2009, 81st
Leg., ch. 680, Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., ch. 823 (H.B. 2759) and Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., ch. 1338 (S.B. 1198).>
REPEAL

<This section is repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., ch. 1338 (S.B. 1198), § 2.54(c), effective January 1, 2014.>




                                                  page CXLVII
                                         TAB 33
                            (TEXT OF TEXAS PROBATE CODE §8A)

                                       Effective: September 1, 2011

Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness
Texas Probate Code (Refs & Annos)

Chapter I. General Provisions (Refs & Annos)

§ 8A. Transfer of Venue in Probate Proceeding

(a) Transfer for Want of Venue. If it appears to the court at any time before the final
decree in a probate proceeding that the proceeding was commenced in a court which
did not have priority of venue over such proceeding, the court shall, on the
application of any interested person, transfer the proceeding to the proper county by
transmitting to the proper court in such county the original file in such case, together
with certified copies of all entries in the judge's probate docket theretofore made, and
the proceeding in such county shall be completed in the same manner as if the
proceeding had originally been instituted therein; but, if the question as to priority of
venue is not raised before final decree in the proceedings is announced, the finality
of such decree shall not be affected by any error in venue.

(b) Transfer for Convenience. If it appears to the court at any time before a probate
proceeding is concluded that it would be in the best interest of the estate or, if there
is no administration of the estate, that it would be in the best interest of the heirs or
beneficiaries of the decedent's will, the court, in its discretion, may order the
proceeding transferred to the proper court in any other county in this State. The clerk
of the court from which the proceeding is transferred shall transmit to the court to
which the proceeding is transferred the original file in the proceeding and a certified
copy of the index.

CREDIT(S)
Acts 1955, 54th Leg., p. 88, ch. 55, eff. Jan. 1, 1956. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4754, ch. 833, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1983; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 786, § 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987. Subsec. (c)(2) amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch.
1060, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Subsecs. (a), (b), (c), and (e) amended by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., ch. 1170, § 2.01, eff. Sept.
1, 2007. Amended by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., ch. 602, § 1, eff. June 19, 2009. Redesignated from V.A.T.S. Probate Code,
§ 8(c)(1), (2) and amended by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., ch. 1338 (S.B. 1198), § 1.06, eff. Sept. 1, 2011.

<The Texas Probate Code is repealed and the Estates Code is enacted, effective January 1, 2014, by Acts 2009, 81st
Leg., ch. 680, Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., ch. 823 (H.B. 2759) and Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., ch. 1338 (S.B. 1198).>
Current through the end of the 2011 Regular Session and First Called Session of the 82nd Legislature

(c) 2012 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works.


                                                    page CXLVIII
