IN THE INTEREST OF CHILD v. << (2018)

MEMORANDUM OPINION

By letter dated February 2, 2018, the Court questioned its jurisdiction over this appeal because it appears there is no final judgment or other appealable order. We instructed appellant to file, by February 16, 2018, a letter brief addressing our concern. We cautioned appellant that failure to comply may result in dismissal of the appeal without further notice. As of today's date, appellant has not responded.

In her notice of appeal, appellant states she is appealing the trial court's judgment signed on December 12, 2017. On that date, the trial judge signed a memorandum setting forth her ruling and instructing the parties to draft an order for her signature.

A memorandum ruling will be accorded final judgment status triggering appellate deadlines if it substantially complies with the requisites of a formal judgment. See In re CAS Cos., LP, 422 S.W.3d 871, 875 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2014, orig. proceeding); In re Newby, 266 S.W.3d 557, 558 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2008, orig. proceeding) (per curiam). Specifically, a memorandum may constitute an order if: (1) it describes the decision with certainty as to parties and effect; (2) it requires no further action to memorialize the ruling; (3) it contains the name and cause number of the case; (4) the court's diction is affirmative rather than anticipatory of a future ruling; (5) it bears a date; (6) it was signed by the court; and (7) it was filed with the district clerk. See In re CAS Cos., 422 S.W.3d at 875.

The memorandum in this case fails to meet two of the requirements. It requires further action by instructing the parties to prepare an order and it was not filed with the district clerk. For these reasons, the memorandum cannot be accorded final judgment status triggering appellate deadlines. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal for want of jurisdiction. See TEX. R. APP. P. 42.3(a).

CAROLYN WRIGHT CHIEF JUSTICE