Roberson v. Robinson

Citation768 S.W.2d 280
Decision Date19 April 1989
Docket NumberNo. C-8250,C-8250
PartiesCharles E. ROBERSON and Roberson's Funeral Home, Inc., Petitioners, v. Raymond ROBINSON, Respondent.
CourtSupreme Court of Texas

Parker Ellzey, Alice, for petitioners.

Bernice Y. Shapiro, San Antonio, for respondent.

PER CURIAM.

Raymond Robinson, individually and as Executor of the Estate of Etta Moyer, filed this suit for rents against Charles E. Roberson and Roberson's Funeral Home, Inc. ("Roberson"). After a nonjury trial, the trial court rendered judgment against Roberson. The court of appeals reformed the trial court's judgment in part and affirmed. 761 S.W.2d 51. We reverse the judgment of the court of appeals.

Roberson brought forth a statement of facts on appeal, but did not request the trial court to make any findings of fact or conclusions of law. In the court of appeals, Roberson challenged the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court's judgment. In purporting to resolve these points, the court of appeals stated:

In determining if there is any evidence to support the judgment and implied findings of fact, we can consider only the evidence favorable to the implied findings and disregard any contrary evidence.

761 S.W.2d at 53. The court then proceeded to consider only that evidence favorable to the trial court's judgment.

In a nonjury trial, where no findings of fact or conclusions of law are filed or requested, it is implied that the trial court made all the necessary findings to support its judgment. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. v. Jefferson Constr. Co., 565 S.W.2d 916, 918 (Tex.1978); Buchanan v. Byrd, 519 S.W.2d 841, 842 (Tex.1975). When a statement of facts is brought forward, these implied findings may be challenged by factual sufficiency and legal sufficiency points the same as jury findings or a trial court's findings of fact. Burnett v. Motyka, 610 S.W.2d 735, 736 (Tex.1980); see also Seaman v. Seaman, 425 S.W.2d 339, 341 (Tex.1968); Bishop v. Bishop, 359 S.W.2d 869, 872 (Tex.1962).

In this case, it is clear that the court of appeals, in applying only a no evidence standard of review, failed to consider and weigh all of the evidence, thereby failing to properly rule on Roberson's factual sufficiency points. We conclude that this cause therefore must be remanded to that court for consideration of these points. Burnett v. Motyka, 610 S.W.2d at 736.

Pursuant to Rule 133(b), Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, we grant Roberson's motion for...

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    • 14 Marzo 1994
    ...requested in a nonjury trial, it is presumed that the trial court made all necessary findings to support the judgment. Roberson v. Robinson, 768 S.W.2d 280, 281 (Tex.1989); Burnett v. Motyka, 610 S.W.2d 735, 736 (Tex.1980). Unless the trial court's findings are challenged by a point of erro......
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    ...however, these implied findings are not conclusive and an appellant may challenge the sufficiency of the evidence. Roberson v. Robinson, 768 S.W.2d 280, 281 (Tex. 1989).3 Thus, in this case, we review the trial court's application of law de novo and review the facts for sufficiency. See M.G......
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