Hughes v. Branton

MURDOCK, Justice.

Donald E. Hughes (“Don”) and John H. Hughes (“John”) appeal from a judgment of the Houston Circuit Court vacating a deed and imposing a constructive trust upon real property formerly owned by Henry C. Hughes (“Henry”) and Emma Lucille Hughes (“Emma”), both of whom are deceased. Because we conclude that the circuit court never acquired jurisdiction of the claim at issue, we vacate the judgment and dismiss the appeal.

I. Facts and Procedural History

Henry and Emma, who was born in December 1918, had five children: daughters Robbie Jean Branton (“Robbie”) and Sarah Spears…