- 28 - Furthermore, even if the documents buttressed the estate’s argument, denial of their admission would be appropriate on grounds of prejudice to respondent. By submitting the documents after trial, the estate deprived respondent of any opportunity to examine or question them during the proceeding. In fact, the items were not proffered until after respondent had filed both opening and reply briefs. Furthermore, it is clear from the record that the will and trust documents were available to the estate at least a year prior to trial in the instant case. The estate offers no explanation or excuse as to why the materials could not have been exchanged and dealt with in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rule 91 and the Court’s standing pretrial order. We normally do not countenance such tardiness. The Court will deny the estate’s motion to reopen. The fifth category drawn upon by estate is the familial relationship between decedent and Mr. Greene and the presumption related thereto under Texas law. As stated in the following oft- cited pronouncement, Texas courts adhere to a rule under which: “There is, however, a presumption that a parent intends to make a gift to his child if the parent delivers possession, conveys title, or purchases property in the name of a child.” Woodworth v. Cortez, 660 S.W.2d 561, 564 (Tex. App. 1983); see also Richardson v. Laney, 911 S.W.2d 489, 492 (Tex. App. 1995); Oadra v. Stegall, 871 S.W.2d at 891; Masterson v. Hogue, 842 S.W.2dPage: Previous 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011