In re Hermelinda Martinez Ruiz

No. 13-26-00196-CV · Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth District of Texas · March 30, 2026 · No. 13-26-00196-CV

Summary

The Thirteenth Court of Appeals of Texas denied Hermelinda Martinez Ruiz’s petition for writ of mandamus seeking to compel the trial court to rule on applications to probate Francisco Ruiz Oseguera’s will. The court held that the relator did not meet her burden to establish entitlement to mandamus relief.

Court
Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth District of Texas
Writing for the Court
Justice Jon West; Chief Justice Tijerina; Justice West; Justice Cron
Jurisdiction
Texas Court of Appeals, Thirteenth District
Decision date
March 30, 2026
Docket number
13-26-00196-CV
Procedural posture
Original proceeding in which Hermelinda Martinez Ruiz petitioned for a writ of mandamus compelling the trial court to rule on applications to probate Francisco Ruiz Oseguera's will.
Standard of review
Mandamus is an extraordinary and discretionary remedy. The relator must establish that the trial court abused its discretion and that the relator lacks an adequate remedy by appeal; the relator bears the burden of proving both requirements.
Precedential value
Published memorandum opinion
Parties
Hermelinda Martinez Ruiz v. Everardo Ruiz, Edith Berenice Ruiz, Emiliano Ruiz, Hermelinda Gonzalez Ruiz, Marcelina Gonzalez
Disposition
writ_denied

Topics

probate procedurewrit of certiorariappellate procedurestandard of reviewremedies

Practice areas

Appellate procedureProbate

Questions Presented

  1. Whether relator established entitlement to mandamus relief compelling the trial court to rule on the applications to probate the decedent's will.

Holdings

  1. Relator did not meet her burden to show that the trial court abused its discretion and that she lacked an adequate remedy by appeal; therefore, mandamus relief was denied.

Key quotations

Mandamus is an extraordinary and discretionary remedy. (at 2)
The relator bears the burden of proving these two requirements. (at 2)

Factual background

Hermelinda Martinez Ruiz sought rulings on applications to probate the will of Francisco Ruiz, also known as Francisco Ruiz Oseguera. She filed a mandamus petition alleging that the trial court had not ruled on those applications.

Procedural history

Relator filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals, alleging that the trial court had failed to rule on applications to probate the decedent's will. After considering the petition and the response of the real parties in interest, the court denied mandamus relief.

Court Document

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