Joslin v. Joslin

Decision Date17 June 1982
Docket NumberNo. 2599,2599
Citation636 S.W.2d 519
PartiesGuadalupe Ibarra JOSLIN, Appellant, v. Marcos Garza JOSLIN, Appellee.
CourtTexas Court of Appeals
OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Appellant has filed a motion for rehearing on this Court's denial of her motion for extension of time to file the statement of facts. The final judgment of the trial court was signed on December 15, 1981. A motion for new trial was filed and overruled by order signed on February 18, 1982. Pursuant to Rule 386, T.R.C.P., the statement of facts was due to be filed in our Court on or before March 25, 1982.

In her unverified motion for extension of time to file the statement of facts, appellant states that the statement of facts was not requested from the court reporter until April 5, 1982, or eleven days after the statement of facts was due to be filed. Appellant states that her inability to file the statement of facts within the time required is due to her lack of funds to prosecute this appeal. Appellant adds that the statement of facts was not requested sooner because appellant's attorney was in trial at the time and miscalculated the dates the statement of facts was due. Appellant's motion for extension of time was denied on April 22, 1982.

Appellant has attached to her motion for rehearing an affidavit from the attorney who miscalculated the due date of the statement of facts. Appellant's attorney states that it was her mistaken impression that the statement of facts was to be filed within 60 days of the time the transcript was filed with the Court of Appeals. She states that she became aware of the correct procedure only after she employed an attorney who offices with her to prepare the appellant's brief.

Tex.R.Civ.P. 21c(1) states:

"An extension of time may be granted for late filing in a Court of Civil Appeals of a transcript, statement of facts ... if a motion reasonably explaining the need therefor is filed within fifteen (15) days of the last date for filing as prescribed by applicable rule or rules."

The term "reasonably explaining" means any plausible statement of circumstances indicating that the failure to file within the sixty-day period was not deliberate or intentional, but was the result of inadvertance, mistake, or mischance. Meshwert v. Meshwert, 549 S.W.2d 383, 384 (Tex.1977). Case law reveals that each motion under Rule 21c rests on its own facts. Petitioner has the burden to reasonably explain the need for an extension. Hildyard v. Fannel Studio, Inc., 547 S.W.2d 332 (Tex.Civ.App.-Corpus Christi 1977, writ ref'd n. r. e.).

Appellant's attorney states in her affidavit that the reason for her failure to timely request the preparation of the statement of facts was her mistaken belief that the statement of facts was due within 60 days of the time the transcript was filed in this Court. We do not believe this excuse is a reasonable explanation. Unlike a situation where the attorney is aware of the rule and time for filing the statement of facts, however, miscalculates the correct...

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4 cases
  • Gomez v. State
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Appeals
    • December 30, 1988
    ...intentional, but was the result of inadvertence, mistake, or mischance. Meshwert v. Meshwert, 549 S.W.2d 383, 384 (Tex.1977). In Joslin v. Joslin, 636 S.W.2d 519 (Tex.App.--Corpus Christi 1982, no writ), we held that an attorney's failure to familiarize herself with the basic rules of appel......
  • Zimmerman v. Boyce, 08-83-00175-CV
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Appeals
    • June 29, 1983
    ...lack of attention and want of care and comes within the definition of "inadvertence" which also means fault from negligence? In Joslin v. Joslin, 636 S.W.2d 519 (Tex.App.--Corpus Christi 1982, no writ), the court held that an error resulting from indifference, negligence or disregard is not......
  • Dealers Elec. Supply Co., Inc. v. Williams Industries
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Appeals
    • March 23, 1989
    ...1988, no writ); Home Insurance Company v. Espinoza, 644 S.W.2d 44 (Tex.Civ.App.--Corpus Christi 1982, writ ref'd n.r.e.); Joslin v. Joslin, 636 S.W.2d 519 (Tex.Civ.App.--Corpus Christi 1982, no writ); and Southern Pacific Transportation Co. v. Yendrey, 605 S.W.2d 676 (Tex.Civ.App.--Corpus C......
  • Home Ins. Co. v. Espinoza
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Appeals
    • August 26, 1982
    ...the attorney is aware of the correct requirements of the rule and time for filing, but inadvertently miscalculates the due date. Joslin v. Joslin, 636 S.W.2d 519 (Tex.App.--Corpus Christi, 1982, no writ). In the case at bar, as in Joslin, the attorney impliedly admitted that she was mistake......

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