Opinion
No. 04-17-00452-CV
08-03-2017
IN THE INTEREST OF A. T., CHILDREN
From the 408th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2016-PA-01692
Honorable Richard Garcia, Judge Presiding
ORDER
This is an accelerated appeal from a trial court's order terminating appellant's parental rights. The clerk's record was filed on July 21, 2017 and shows appellant filed a notice of appeal on July 17, 2017, in which he contends he is appealing a "final decree of termination, ordered on JULY 10, 2017." However, the clerk's record does not include a final order of termination signed by the trial court. The clerk's office of this court contacted the district clerk's office by telephone and was advised that no order of termination has been signed.
Generally, an appeal may be taken only from a final judgment. Lehmann v. Har-Con Corp., 39 S.W.3d 191, 196 (Tex. 2001). A judgment is final for appellate purposes if it disposes of all pending parties and claims in the record. Id. Because it appears there is no final order of termination in the clerk's record, it appears there is no final judgment from which appellant may appeal at this time.
Accordingly, we ORDER appellant to file a written response in this court on or before August 18, 2017, showing cause why this appeal should not be dismissed for want of jurisdiction. See TEX. R. APP. P. 42.3(a). If appellant fails to satisfactorily respond within the time provided, the appeal will be dismissed. See id. R. 42.3(c). If a supplemental clerk's record is required to establish this court's jurisdiction, appellant must ask the trial court clerk to prepare one and must notify the clerk of this court that such a request was made. All deadlines in this matter are suspended until further order of the court.
We order the clerk of this court to serve a copy of this order on the trial court, appellant, appellee, and the district clerk.
/s/_________
Marialyn Barnard, Justice
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 3rd day of August, 2017.
/s/_________
Luz Estrada
Chief Deputy Clerk