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615 S.W.2d 302

Morris v. Morris

Court of Appeals of Texas

Decided April 9, 1981

Court of Appeals of Texas · decided 1981-04-09

Relies on Bernhardt v. Port Arthur Independent School District · Bellmead State Bank v. Campbell · Dillard v. McClain

Decided 1981-04-09

¶1OPINION

McDONALD, Chief Justice.

¶2Appellant has filed motion to file transcript and further moves “that his motion for new trial be construed as timely filed”; thus causing the transcript to be timely received.

¶3Appellee and appellant were decreed a divorce on December 5, 1980.

¶4Appellant filed motion for new trial 13 days later on December 18, 1980. The trial court purported to overrule such motion for new trial on January 21, 1981. Appellant gave notice of appeal on February 9, 1981 and filed an affidavit of inability to pay costs on February 17, 1981.

¶5Rule 329b TRCP in effect at that time required a motion for new trial to be filed within 10 days after judgment. Appellant’s motion filed on December 18, 1980, 13 days after judgment was a nullity.

¶6Rule 356 TRCP requires in such situation that plaintiff’s appeal bond (or affidavit in lieu) be filed within 30 days after judgment. Appellant’s affidavit filed on February 17,1981, some 74 days after judgment was a nullity. Wilson v. Worley, Tex.Civ.App. (Waco) NRE, 562 S.W.2d 22; Bellmead State Bank v. Campbell, Tex.Civ.App. (Waco) NWH, 386 S.W.2d 205; Bernal v. The Travelers Ins. Co., Tex.Civ.App. (Waco) NWH, 469 S.W.2d 641; Dillard v. McClain, 159 Tex. 559, 324 S.W.2d 163; Meadors v. Phillips, Tex.Civ.App. (Waco) 614 S.W.2d 610.

¶7Motion to file transcript is denied and the attempted appeal dismissed.

¶8APPEAL DISMISSED.

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