Opinion
05-22-00656-CV
07-26-2022
IN RE NICHOLAS D. MOSSER, Relator
Original Proceeding from the 471st Judicial District Court Collin County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. 471-06006-2019
Before Justices Osborne, Partida-Kipness, and Smith
MEMORANDUM OPINION
LESLIE OSBORNE JUSTICE
Relator's July 1, 2022 petition for writ of mandamus challenges the trial court's denial of real party in interest Fidelity National Title Insurance Company's motion for protection from discovery. Entitlement to mandamus relief requires relator to show that the trial court clearly abused its discretion and that he lacks an adequate appellate remedy. In re Copart, Inc., 619 S.W.3d 710, 713 (Tex. 2021) (orig. proceeding) (per curium) (citing In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135-36 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding)).
As the party seeking relief, relator has the burden of providing the Court with a certified or sworn copy of every document that is material to establishing his right to mandamus relief. See Tex. R. App. P. 52.3(k), 52.7(a); In re Butler, 270 S.W.3d 757, 759 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding) (requiring relator to submit a record containing certified or sworn copies). We conclude that relator has not met this burden because his unsworn verification fails to satisfy the requirements of section 132.001 of the Texas Government Code. See Tex. Gov't Code § 132.001. Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus.
Relator has informed us that defendant First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Generally, the automatic stay provision of section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code does not extend to actions against parties other than the debtor. See Paine v. Sealy, 956 S.W.2d 803, 807 (Tex. App.- Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.). Because Fidelity is not the debtor, and none of the limited exceptions to this general rule are applicable, we conclude that the automatic stay provision is not triggered here.