Alavoor Vasudevan v. Deepa Vasudevan
Alavoor Vasudevan v. Deepa Vasudevan
Opinion
ACCEPTED 14-14-00765-CV FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TEXAS 1/1/2015 9:54:11 PM CHRISTOPHER PRINE CLERK Case No. 14-14-00765-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTEETH DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON
ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN Appellant (Defendants below) 010215 vs. DEEPA VASUDEVAN Appellee (Plaintiffs above)
BRIEF OF APPELLANT and EXCERPT OF RECORD Appeal from the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage entered on May 27, 2014 in the Brazoria County 300th District Court, Honorable K. Randall Hufstetler, Judge Attorneys for Appellant below: Alavoor Vasudevan Pro Se PO Box 710163 Houston TX 77271 Email: [email protected] Phone: 832-244-1927 Attorneys for Appellee below: Kelly McClendon (appeals lawyer) Ron Brownstein (trial court lawyer) SBN: 13407200 SBN: 03229800 P O Box 3457 5208 West Broadway, Suite 200 Lake Jackson, Texas 77566 Pearland, TX 77581 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Telephone: 979-299-0755 Phone: 281-485-2770 Fax: 281-485-4128 IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL Appellant’s Trial and Counsel Alavoor Vasudevan Pro Se (Appellant) PO Box 710163 Houston TX 77271 Email: [email protected] Phone: 832-244-1927 Annette M. Henry Texas State Bar No. 09478020 The Henry Law Firm 1314 Texas Avenue, Suite 400 Houston TX 77002 (713) 236-1818 Fax: 281-768-2439
Appellee's Counsel Kelly McClendon Texas State Bar No. 13407200 P O Box 3457 Lake Jackson, Texas 77566 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 979.299.0755 Ron Brownstein Texas State Bar No. 03229800 Ron Brownstein SBN: 03229800 5208 West Broadway, Suite 200 Pearland, TX 77581 Email: [email protected] Phone: 281-485-2770 Fax: 281-485-4128
ii Case No. 14-14-00765-CV Table of Contents I. STATEMENT OF THE CASE.........................................................5 II. STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT....................6 III. ISSUES PRESENTED...................................................................7 IV. STATEMENT OF FACTS..............................................................9 V. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENTS...........................................11 VI. ARGUMENT.................................................................................12 VII. PRAYER.......................................................................................14 VIII. APPENDIX.................................................................................16 Appendix A Trial Courts Judgment 08 Oct 2014.................................16 Appendix B Trial Courts Judgment 27 May 2014................................16 Appendix C Final Decree of Divorce (Trial Court)..............................16 Appendix D Inventory filed by Husband.............................................16 Appendix E Inventory filed by Wife....................................................16 Appendix F Proof filed by Husband for Community Estates...............16 Appendix G Proof filed by Husband for hidden gold bars of wife.......16 Appendix H Court reporters copy filed................................................16 Appendix I The Record Below.............................................................16 Appendix J Texas Family Code 3.003 - Community Estates...............16 Appendix K Texas Penal Code 2.01 - Cruelty by Husband..................17 Appendix L Felony Charge on Wife's Attorney filed by Husband.......17 Appendix M Health Reports of Husband.............................................17 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.........................................................18
iii Case No. 14-14-00765-CV INDEX OF AUTHORITIES Rules: Chapter 3 Marital Property Rights and Liabilities Sec.3.003. Presumption of community property Sec. 3.003. PRESUMPTION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY. (a) Property possessed by either spouse during or on dissolution of marriage is presumed to be community property. (b) The degree of proof necessary to establish that property is separate property is clear and convincing evidence.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.
CHAPTER 2. BURDEN OF PROOF Texas Penal Code for Proof Beyond a reasonable doubt Sec. 2.01. PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. All persons are presumed to be innocent and no person may be convicted of an offense unless each element of the offense is proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The fact that he has been arrested, confined, or indicted for, or otherwise charged with, the offense gives rise to no inference of guilt at his trial.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
iv Case No. 14-14-00765-CV I. STATEMENT OF THE CASE This is a divorce case involving the issue of property division. Husband seeks modification of the judgment of dissolution to award him greater than 60% of the community estates. And to classify the properties which were wrongly termed as the separate estates of wife into community estates. Also to modify the terms used in trial court's judgment where in the husband was declared doing “cruelty” even without doing any verification of cruelty and without any proof or witness for cruelty. Wife needs to update the inventory as of 27 May 2014 as her inventory filed is old and used old financial statements and not as of May 2014.
Nature of Judgment After a trial to the court, a Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage was entered.
Such judgment forms the basis for this appeal. Trial court awarded higher percentage (60%) of community estates to wife without considering the real facts of the innocent husband (husband's health, age, earning power, community estates and other factors).
Effective Date for Appeal Since the health conditions of husband was very bad, wife had filed false Protective Order to gain higher divisions in the properties instead of filing divorce first. On June 27, 2011, wife filed for Protective Order in cause number 63935, thereafter temporary orders were issued dated July 22, 2011. On 19 Jan 2012 husband filed for divorce in cause number 66539; wife filed a counter-petition for divorce and these two actions were consolidated under the lower cause number 63935 on 29 Mar 2012. The Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage was entered on May, 2014 and trial court awarded 60% to wife even without considering the health conditions of husband, earning capacity of wife and other factors. And thereafter a new trial to reconsider was filed by husband and it was heard on 8 October 2014, but was denied on the basis that “Notice of Appeals” was filed with
5 Case No. 14-14-00765-CV 14th Court of Appeals and no justice was done to husband. The Notice of Appeal was filed on 14 Sep 2014. Husband denied the charges of cruelty as they were falsely framed by wife without any proof or witness.
II. STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT Appellant requests oral argument for this Appeals case, so that appellant can answer and clarify any questions, points raised about this case.
6 Case No. 14-14-00765-CV III. ISSUES PRESENTED 1. Trial court classified the community estates as separate properties of wife, even without clear and convincing evidence. Wife has classified the CitiNRI account, DLR account as separate property but it is a community estate as husband had provided proof (Appendix F). As per the Texas Family Law Code, Sec.3.003 PRESUMPTION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY, property bought during the marriage is community estate. And degree of proof necessary to establish that property is separate property is clear and convincing evidence (Ref. Texas Statutes Chap 3 Sec.3.003). All the luxury furniture in possession of wife was declared as separate property even though it is community estate bought during marriage.
2. Wife was hiding, concealing community properties like gold bars, gold coins and trial court did not give chance to husband to exhibit the documents of proof for gold and sustained the objections of wife's attorney (Appendix G).
3. Husband was not given fair treatment by trial court. Husband was denied to expose the hiding of gold assets by wife due to objection raised by opposing counsel. Judge was favoring wife's attorney for unknown reasons (may be he is his friend?). I was a stranger to Judge as I had never seen him before. Also opposing attorney Ron Brownstein was stealing husband's postal mails which came to wife's home. A case of felony was filed by husband against the wife's attorney Ron Brownstein charging the attorney for breaking the federal/state laws and the case is pending hearing in near future in Houston District Court ( Appendix L ).
4. Trial court did not consider the health conditions of the husband (Appendix M) and age factors and declared husband as being “cruel” even without any verification. The protective orders are generally abused by wives to gain advantage and punish innocent husbands ( Appendix K ).
5. Court is there to do justice and protect the innocent but trial court did not make any attempts to protect the innocent husband and to do justice.
6. Judge denied motion saying that “You have filed in appeals court, hence let the Court of Appeals deal with it from this point and hence I deny the
7 Case No. 14-14-00765-CV hearing...” (Ref: Reporters record vol 3 of 3 Cause 63935 page 11, line 8, Appendix A) 7. Trial court did not consider: Fault In The Failure Of The Marriage: Husband is innocent divorcee because wife rejected/dumped the husband due to bad health (Appendix M).
Trial court did not consider the “Benefits The Innocent Spouse Would Have Received By Continuation Of The Marriage”: Akin to the assessment of fault approach is the compensation for the losses the innocent spouse will suffer by reason of the divorce. Certain valuable benefits may be lost (and perhaps be irreplaceable) as a result of the divorce. Disparity Of Earning Capacities: A gap between the business opportunities available to the spouses, a disparity in incomes, a difference in earning capabilities, and associated facts may affect the division of property. Physical Condition, Health: Physical health (or lack thereof) which affects the division of property between the spouses (Appendix M). Difference In Ages: A disparity in the ages of the parties may have a bearing upon ability to work, eligibility of a party for retirement benefits, etc. and, therefore, is a factor in dividing property. Husband is older to wife by 7.5 years.
8 Case No. 14-14-00765-CV IV. STATEMENT OF FACTS Summary Date of Marriage : 29 March 1992 Age of the Parties: Husband 52 yrs (DOB 07 July 1962) Wife 44 yrs (DOB 17 Nov 1969) Ages of Children Pallavi Dev 19 yrs (DOB 07 Dec 1995) Support: Husband paid child support until Pallavi graduated from high school.
Divorce Dissolution: 27 May 2014 Trial court, Brazoria Second Hearing : 08 Oct 2014 Trial court, Brazoria General Summary The parties were married in 29 March 1992 when husband was 29 and wife 22. Husband had completed his education at that time, having received Master's degree in 1989 and was working for tech company in California. Wife was still attending medical college and husband supported financially and physically to complete the degree and residency in USA. Baby Pallavi was born and husband was taking care of the baby while wife was doing college residency. Husband, in addition to supplying the great bulk of the income during wife's schooling/residency, also shared in the domestic chores (Ref: Oral, written depositions).
After the parties married, husband was the main source of income for the family until wife started earning in 1998.
At the time of hearing, wife was earning $200,000 p.a. and husband was making $90,000 p.a.
In the year 2005, husband was having serious health problems due to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver problems and eye problems (glaucoma) and was taking medications (Ref: Health reports of husband Appendix 9 Case No. 14-14-00765-CV M). Wife did not like the health problems of the husband and was extremely unhappy. The health problems of husband caused rifts in marriage relationships and caused great amounts of agony. The health problems of husband worsened over time. And the health problems of husband are the major cause of the divorce.
From 1992 until 2005, the relationship between wife and husband was very good.
After 2005, there were no financial problems as wife was earning large amounts for the family and also husband was earning but there were major health issues of husband. Because of the health issues, husband had problems with the employment. The diabetes was causing serious problems and resulted in memory loss and reduced the focus and capability in engineering job. And hence, husband lost several jobs/employment. In June 2011, wife filed for protective order to throw out the husband and husband made lots of efforts to save the marriage but of no use. Wife indirectly forced husband to file divorce in Jan 2012 and wife also counter-petitioned divorce. Wife had concealed substantial community estates in form of cash, gold bars, gold coins, jewelry and did not disclose those in the inventory. Husband tried Motion to Compel discovery but it was denied on March 2013. The divorce hearing was on 27 May 2014 but justice was not done to innocent husband. Husband filed for motion for reconsideration trial and on 8 Oct 2014 trial court heard the hearing but did not do any justice and simply referred to Appeals court application and left the decision for Appeals court to decide (Ref: Court Reporters records). The trial court did not consider the inventory filed by husband. And wife's inventory was having amounts and figures which were very old out-dated and were not as of 27 May 2014 (day on which divorce hearing occurred).
10 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV V. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENTS Wife's classification of CITINRI account ($120,000) and DRL Lands ($52,000) and gold jewelry is without merit because wife had not submitted clear and convincing evidence as per Texas Family code sec3.003.
Wife's filing for protective order is falsified and without merit because there is no proof, witness, medical reports, police reports of any harassment by husband for the past 22 years. Trial court's declaration of husband as cruel is wrong and incorrect because of no verification.
Trial court's award of 60% to wife is without merit because there is solid basis and it is like rewarding the guilty and punishing the innocent. Trial court was tilting in favor of wife's attorney because the judge may be close friend of wife's attorney and husband is a stranger. Husband deserves the 60% share of property division.
Wife's submission of inventory is not up to date in figures and amounts and were old and out of date. They were not as of May 2014 and trial court did not consider the inventory submitted by husband.
If Trial court suppresses exhibits/documents from innocent and supports the attorney of guilty then the final judgment will favor only the guilty and the innocent will get punished. But there is chance provided by law so that appeals court can correct it and protect the innocent and punish the guilty.
11 Case No. 14-14-00765-CV VI. ARGUMENT Texas laws provides that the appellate court will review the case on both the law and the evidence. The trial court's decision must be reversed if it was not legally correct and if the trial court's decision is punishing the innocent and rewarding the guilty. The law must protect the innocent and punish the guilty.
The appellant's argument is: THE TRIAL COURT'S DECISIONS TO DECLARE COMMUNITY ESTATES (CITINRI A/C, DLR LAND, GOLD BARS) AS SEPARATE PROPERTY WITHOUT ANY CLEAR AND CONVINCING PROOF AS PER TEXAS FAMILY LAW CODE sec 3.003 IS NOT LEGALLY CORRECT. TRIAL COURT ALSO ERRORED IN TAKING THE OLD AND OUTDATED FIGURES IN THE WIFE'S INVENTORY, AND DID NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE LUXURY FURNITURES AS COMMUNITY ESTATES.
THE TRIAL COURT DECLARED THE HUSBAND AS CRUEL EVEN WITHOUT VERIFYING THE WITNESS, POLICE RECORDS, MEDICAL REPORTS TO PROVE CRUELTY. HUSBAND WAS LIVING WITH WIFE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS AND THERE IS NO SINGLE POLICE REPORT, MEDICAL REPORT SUPPORTING CRUELTY, TRIAL COURT WAS BLINDLY TAKING WHATEVER WAS WRITTEN PROTECTIVE WITHOUT CHECKING ITS VALIDITY AND PROOF. ACTUALLY WIFE WAS BATTERING HUSBAND BECAUSE OF HUSBAND'S ILL HEALTH.
TRIAL COURT ALSO DID NOT CONSIDER THE SEVERE HEALTH CONDITIONS OF HUSBAND WHILE DIVIDING PROERTY AND EARNING CAPACITY OF WIFE WHO IS MEDICAL DOCTOR AND THE FAULT IN BREAKUP OF 12 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV MARRIAGE.
THE TRIAL COURT ALSO ERRORED BY “TILTING” IN FAVOUR OF THE WIFE'S ATTORNEY, MAY BE BECAUSE THE APPELLANT IS A STRANGER AND UNKNOWN TO JUDGE BUT JUDGE IS A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE WIFE'S LAWYER.
The Texas family code says that any asset or property bought during the marriage is a community estate unless the party provides the court with clear and convincing evidence to prove that it is a separate estate.
13 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV VII. PRAYER a) Award the husband greater than 60% of community property division because of poor health conditions of husband, age disparity between wife and husband, and income disparities (Appendix M). b) Classify CITINRI bank a/c and DLR land as community estate, as wife had no proof of them as separate estates. Husband had submitted proofs that they are community estates (Ref: Appendix F). c) Order wife to update the financial statements in the inventory as of 27 May 2014. d) Order wife to disclose the 14 gold bars, gold coins and jewelry being hidden by her in the inventory and other hidden assets. e) Remove the term cruelty of husband from judgment, as wife had not submitted any proof of cruelty like - witness, recordings, video, police reports, medical reports of the same and there was no basis for that at all. f) Appeals court can order wife to pay spousal support to husband for 7 years. g) Pay for the appeals cost. h) Accept the Inventory filed by husband (Appendix D) For the above reasons and authorities stated, the Appellant respectfully requests that the judgment of the Brazoria District Court be reversed, and appellant be given the relief requested.
Dated: 02 December 2014 Respectfully submitted ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN
________________________ ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN Pro Se PO Box 710163 14 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV Houston TX 77271 Email: [email protected] Phone: 832-244-1927 Statement as to Typeface: The font used in this Brief is Times New Roman and the type size is 14 point.
15 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV VIII. APPENDIX Appendix A Trial Courts Judgment 08 Oct 2014 The trial courts judgment is attached in case envelope and also the exhibits Appendix B Trial Courts Judgment 27 May 2014 The trial courts judgment is attached in case envelope and also the exhibits.
Appendix C Final Decree of Divorce (Trial Court) The trial courts final decree is attached in case envelope Appendix D Inventory filed by Husband Inventory filed by Husband is attached in case envelope Appendix E Inventory filed by Wife Inventory filed by Wife is attached in case envelope Appendix F Proof filed by Husband for Community Estates Proof filed by Husband is attached in case envelope Appendix G Proof filed by Husband for hidden gold bars of wife Proof filed by Husband is attached in case envelope Appendix H Court reporters copy filed Court reports report is filed directly to 14th Appeals Court for 27 May 2014 hearing and 08 Oct 2014 hearing.
Appendix I The Record Below All the documents filed with the Trial court are attached in the case envelope.
Appendix J Texas Family Code 3.003 - Community Estates Texas Family Code for Marital Property Rights http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/?link=FA Code = Family Code Chapter 3 Marital Property Rights and Liabilities 16 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV Sec.3.003. Presumption of community property Sec. 3.003. PRESUMPTION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY. (a) Property possessed by either spouse during or on dissolution of marriage is presumed to be community property. (b) The degree of proof necessary to establish that property is separate property is clear and convincing evidence.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.
Appendix K Texas Penal Code 2.01 - Cruelty by Husband Texas Penal Code for Proof Beyond a reasonable doubt http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.2.htm#2.01 Code = Penal Code CHAPTER 2. BURDEN OF PROOF Sec. 2.01. PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. All persons are presumed to be innocent and no person may be convicted of an offense unless each element of the offense is proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The fact that he has been arrested, confined, or indicted for, or otherwise charged with, the offense gives rise to no inference of guilt at his trial.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
Appendix L Felony Charge on Wife's Attorney filed by Husband Husband filed felony charge on wife's attorney for postal mail thefts is attached in case envelope Appendix M Health Reports of Husband Health reports of Husband is attached in case envelope
17 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV Appendix A Trial Courts Judgment 08 Oct 2014 The trial courts judgment is given here (next page)
1 REPORTER'S RECORD 2 VOLUME 3 OF 3 3 TRIAL COURT CAUSE NO. 63935
5 DEEPA VASUDEVAN * IN THE DISTRICT COURT VS. * BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN * 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
9 ******************************************************** 10 MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL ******************************************************** 12 On the 8th day of October, 2014, the following proceedings came on to be heard in the above-entitled and numbered cause before the Honorable K. Randall Hufstetler, Judge presiding, held in Angleton, Brazoria County, Texas.
16 Proceedings reported by Machine Shorthand.
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A-P-P-E-A-R-A-N-C-E-S:
3 COUNSEL FOR DEEPA VASUDEVAN: Mr. Ronald Brownstein Attorney at Law TBN: 03229800 5208 Broadway Street, Suite 200 Pearland, Texas 77581 (281)485-2770
10 COUNSEL FOR ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN: Mr. Alavoor Vasudevan Pro Se PO Box 710163 Houston, Texas 77271 (832)244-1927
17 REPORTED BY: Kim Keeler, CSR Deputy Court Reporter 300th Judicial District E. Locust, Rm. 401 Angleton, Texas 77515 (281)352-0863
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 INDEX 2 VOLUME 3 OF 3 3 MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL OCTOBER 8, 2014 5 Page Vol.
6 Appearances ......................... 2 3 Motion for new trial ................ 4 3 Court's Ruling ...................... 10 3 Adjournment ......................... 14 3 Court Reporter's Certificate ........ 15 3
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL THE COURT: All right. Let's go on the record in 63935 set on today's docket for hearing. What do we got, reconsideration? Is that one set today?
5 MR. BROWNSTEIN: If I may, Your Honor.
6 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Mr. Alavoor Vasudevan has filed several post-trial matters with the Court. Some of them are entitled motions.
10 I think all of them collectively are, in essence, new trial motions, motions for rehearings or reconsiderations.
13 He's also given notice of appeal that has -- we received notice from the Fourteenth Court of Appeals.
15 So I believe all of these collectively are, in essence, a request for a new trial. I don't know if Mr. Vasudevan will agree with me on that, but I think collectively that's what they would represent.
19 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, it's in regards to the old inventory because there were several items which were not supplemented by my wife. Like she's not provide proof that estates are separated estates. Also, she has not -- she failed to update the inventory figures.
24 And also, in my previous correspondence dated 21 June, 2014, I had stated that the wife has failed to KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 submit proof about abuse and physical abuse and murder and financial abuse.
3 Wife has also failed to submit any medical reports or police reports or videos, recording, or witnesses to prove cruelty of the husband.
6 THE COURT: To prove?
7 MR. VASUDEVAN: The cruelty of the husband.
8 THE COURT: Okay.
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: The final judgment you said that the husband is cruel, so the wife has not provided any proof, so -- the protective order said also abuse.
12 The husband provided -- and even on the inventory, Item No. 1, which is the City Bank -- and I provided the proof that it's not -- it's not separate, but it's a community estate.
16 So there was other items, also. In my correspondence on -- dated 12 June, I said that there was no abuse or cruelty; and I provided proof of my health conditions, like diabetes and blindness, kidney problems, and liver disease.
21 THE COURT: Let me take care of one of those for you real quick. All right?
23 MR. VASUDEVAN: Uh-huh.
24 THE COURT: In your correspondence you complain that there was no rape or sexual abuse.
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
2 THE COURT: All right. There's not anything in the record that says there was. What you are reading is a docket entry that says: "Record, dash, R. Rape, evidence presented." 6 My court reporter's name -- 7 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, in her statement she was saying, "I was abused sexually." That's what she said.
9 THE COURT: But in your correspondence you say there was no evidence of rape. That's not what that statement says. That's just -- my court reporter's last name is Rape.
13 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, I know that. Yes.
14 THE COURT: So let me take care of that.
15 That's not what that docket entry says.
16 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
17 THE COURT: Okay?
18 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
19 THE COURT: So any complaint about that, that's not what that is saying.
21 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, that's fine.
22 But in her statement when she was talking, she was saying, "I was abused sexually and financially" and all that. She was saying that.
25 THE COURT: Okay.
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. VASUDEVAN: So what I'm saying is there's no such thing like sexual abuse or rape or anything like that and no physical injury or anything like that.
4 What it just says in the protective order, it's simply written and nothing of such thing happened.
6 And I provided a copy of that protective order, also.
7 There she has simply written on there but there is nothing of such thing happened and there is no proof. She has not provided any proof. And there is no 911 calls or police reports or any of such thing.
11 She -- they simply write this protective order just to get the protective order and just to throw the husband out of the house. That's what they use that for, I think; and probably it's all done by the lawyer and not by my wife.
16 THE COURT: Mr. Brownstein.
17 MR. BROWNSTEIN: If I may respond, Your Honor. On May 27th this Court heard this case. My client was the only party to offer testimony and exhibits, other than me regarding attorney's fees. Mr. Alavoor declined to testify.
22 Immediately prior to trial -- which was May 27th -- on April the 2nd, we supplemented discovery. On May 5th -- now, this is 2014; and the trial was May 27th, 2014 -- we filed our Third Amended Inventory.
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 On May the 7th, 2014, we amended our -- we supplemented our inventory again. And then on May the 9th, 2014, we filed our Fourth Amended Inventory.
4 Your Honor, way back on June 27th, 2011 -- that's when the first application for a protective order was entered -- the parties reached an agreement back on June 28th, 2011, regarding temporary orders.
8 The case brought before you was just on the divorce. The protective order and the divorce were consolidated.
11 And, Your Honor, we believe that the decision that you made was correct. There has been no suggestion of newly discovered evidence. Mr. Alavoor is complaining that he feels that your division of property was unfair and that he feels it was unfair that you found grounds for divorce not only insupportability but cruelty.
17 And as much as he has now appealed this to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, Your Honor, I'm asking this Court to deny all post-trial motions of Mr. Vasudevan in a proposed order that I have before this Court and to deny a new trial.
22 We think your decision was accurate based upon the evidence, and we ask that you deny all of these motions.
25 MR. VASUDEVAN: I raise objection to his KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 statements, Your Honor, because what amended inventory they filing, they have not updated the figures according to the latest statements.
4 And also, on the protective order, what of it has she written? It's not written by her. And there is no proof that there was any cruelty.
7 So to date, they have not submitted anything; and I asked them to. I also send a copy to the opposing counsel to submit the proof, if they have any; but so far I have not gotten any.
11 Also, for one of the items, No. 2, the DLR interest, it's a land that she purchased during the marriage; and it's, as per law, it is -- it's a community estate. CHECK INTERNET COURT RECORDS FOR THIS 15 And she has not provided any proof that it's a separate -- the burden lays on her to submit the proof.
17 She has not given any solid proof to the Court.
18 And also, there was some gold, which -- a lot of gold she was hiding, like 14 gold bars and jewelry.
20 And all this she has not disclosed that in the inventory at all. She's hiding and concealing.
22 So the inventory, whatever they submitted, is wrong; and it's not correct and accurate.
24 So what I'm requesting the Court is they should -- the Court should order them to correct the KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 inventory and give the latest -- update all the items.
2 And they need to update the statements and submit the statements, all the financial statements.
4 So I hope that justice will be done here; and if I don't get justice, then I may be forced to go to appeals court, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals.
7 And I don't want to go spend that much time in the Court of Appeals; and it takes a lot more time, so I want to settle this in this Court.
10 THE COURT: Give me just a minute. Let me go pull my notes and look at the Court's file. I'm going to pull my notes and come back and let you know what we're going to do.
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: Your Honor, I'll give you the same copy which I sent it to you before.
16 THE COURT: I have all that. It's all electronic. That's what I've been looking at.
18 MR. VASUDEVAN: You have all that. Okay.
19 (Brief recess.)
20 THE COURT'S RULING 21 THE COURT: All right. I have looked at the -- I'm going to call it the Motion to Reconsider, which was filed 9/12/2014 by Mr. Vasudevan. I have looked at the other notices that were filed and the Notice of Appeal.
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 I've also looked at the decree, the inventories that were filed, and I've looked at my notes from the time of the hearing.
4 And I will find that the motion for new trial should be denied. The decree will stand as the final order.
7 And you have already given notice of appeal, so we'll let the Court of Appeals deal with it from this point out.
10 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I have a proposed order I believe that encompasses your ruling, Your Honor. If you feel that is accurate, we ask that -- in essence, denied a new trial.
14 THE COURT: Yes. All right. Anything else?
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: Your Honor, they submitted the Third Amended Inventory; and they need to update the inventory, so they have not updated it yet.
18 THE COURT: They filed a Fourth Amended Inventory -- 20 MR. VASUDEVAN: But those figures were not updated. They just simply did a fourth one.
22 THE COURT: I understand you might not believe that they are accurate, but that was the latest inventory -- 25 MR. VASUDEVAN: That's old figures.
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: That's the latest inventory that was filed by Mr. Brownstein on behalf of his client.
3 In looking at the Court's file, I think -- 4 MR. VASUDEVAN: I also filed one Third Amended Inventory. You might have got it along with that.
6 THE COURT: When did you file that?
7 MR. VASUDEVAN: It was on July -- 8 THE REPORTER: I'm sorry. July what?
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: 2014.
10 THE COURT: After the trial.
11 MR. VASUDEVAN: Right.
12 THE COURT: Okay. It may be filed, but it was not filed such that it could be considered by the Court.
15 Your inventory that I considered at the time of the trial was -- I think that was filed October, 2013.
17 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, no. It was in May.
18 THE COURT: May?
19 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah. I took an oath; and then on the same day I submitted it, an inventory.
21 THE COURT: Submitted another inventory?
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, the second inventory.
23 THE COURT: I have one that was introduced as an exhibit.
25 I saw your notes to correct her inventory.
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Did you file a separate inventory?
2 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
3 THE COURT: On what day?
4 MR. VASUDEVAN: On the same day. I took an oath, and then I submitted.
6 THE COURT: What day?
7 MR. VASUDEVAN: On 27th May.
8 THE COURT: 27th May. The day of trial?
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, the day of the trial.
10 THE COURT: Okay. That may have been the exhibit that was introduced. I did have an inventory that was filed or introduced as an exhibit that day, but I don't have the exhibits. Those are upstairs in the clerk's office.
15 If it was an updated one, I did take that into consideration at the time of the trial on May 27, 2014.
18 I can't take into consideration an inventory that was filed after the trial because it would be late.
20 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay. It would be late; but for this trial, I think -- I thought you would consider that in today's hearing.
23 THE COURT: Well, there's certain things that have to be presented in the motion for new trial hearing; and I can't tell you what those are. I can't help you KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 represent yourself.
2 I understand that you're representing yourself, but I can't show you how to do those things.
4 All right?
5 So my ruling is that the motions for new trial will be -- or motion to reconsider, which might also be known as a motion for new trial, will be denied.
8 MR. BROWNSTEIN: May we be excused?
9 THE COURT: Yes. Thank you.
10 (Hearing concluded.)
KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE STATE OF TEXAS ) COUNTY OF BRAZORIA ) 3 I, Kim Keeler, Deputy Court Reporter in and for the 300th District Court of Brazoria County, State of Texas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true and correct transcription of all portions of evidence and other proceedings requested in writing by counsel for the parties to be included in this volume of the Reporter's Record, in the above-styled and numbered cause, all of which occurred in open court or in chambers and were reported by me. 12 I further certify that this Reporter's Record of the proceedings truly and correctly reflects the exhibits, if any, admitted, tendered in an offer of proof, or offered into evidence.
16 I further certify that the total cost for the prepartion of this Reporter's Record is $150.00 and was paid by Alavoor Vasudevan.
19 WITNESS MY OFFICIAL HAND this the 12th day of November, 2014.
21 /s/Kimberly Keeler Kimberly Keeler, CSR 22 Certification Number: 8253 Expiration: December 31, 2014 23 Deputy Court Reporter, 300th Judicial District Brazoria County 24 111 E. Locust, Rm. 401 Angleton, Texas 77515 25 (281)352-0863 KIM KEELER, CSR DEPUTY COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT Appendix B Trial Courts Judgment 27 May 2014 The trial courts judgment is given here (next page)
1 REPORTER'S RECORD 2 VOLUME 1 OF 3 VOLUMES 3 TRIAL COURT CAUSE NO. 63935 4 APPELLATE COURT CAUSE NO. 14-14-00765-CV
6 IN THE MATTER OF * IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE MARRIAGE OF * 7 * DEEPA VASUDEVAN * 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT AND * ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN * 9 * AND IN THE INTEREST OF * PALLAVI DEV, A CHILD * BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS
12 ******************************************************** 13 MASTER INDEX ********************************************************
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A P P E A R A N C E S
3 MR. ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN PRO SE Post Office Box 710163 Houston, Texas 77271 Phone: (832) 244-1927 PETITIONER
10 AND
12 RONALD A. BROWNSTEIN SBOT NO. 03229800 5208 West Broadway, Suite 200 Pearland, Texas 77581 Phone: (281) 485-2770 ATTORNEY FOR RESPONDENT/COUNTER-PETITIONER, DEEPA VASUDEVAN
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX VOLUME 1 - MASTER INDEX
4 VOLUME 2 - TRIAL ON FINAL MERITS MAY 27, 2014 PAGE VOL Witnesses Sworn by the Court .................. 6 2
8 COUNTER-PETITIONER/ RESPONDENT'S WITNESSES DIRECT CROSS REDIRECT RECROSS VOL Vasudevan, Deepa 8 59 81 2 Brownstein, Ronald Allen 83 86 2
13 Counter-Petitioner/Respondent Rests ........... 88 2 Petitioner Offers Exhibits .................... 88 2 Petitioner Rests .............................. 92 2 Court's Orders ................................ 92 2 Court Adjourned ............................... 96 2 Court Reporter's Certificate .................. 97 2
20 VOLUME 3 - MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL OCTOBER 8, 2014 PAGE VOL Appearances ................................... 2 3 Motion for New Trial .......................... 4 3 Court's Ruling ................................ 10 3 Adjournment ................................... 14 3
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX CONTINUED VOLUME 3 - MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL - (continued) OCTOBER 8, 2014 PAGE VOL Court Reporter's Certificate .................. 15 3
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF WITNESSES WITNESS' NAME DIRECT CROSS REDIRECT RECROSS VOL Brownstein, Ronald Allen 83 86 2 Vasudevan, Deepa 8 59 81 2
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 OFFICIAL REPORTER'S RECORD 2 CERTIFICATION PAGE
4 THE STATE OF TEXAS) COUNTY OF BRAZORIA)
7 I, Renee Rape, Official Court Reporter in and for the 300th District Court of Brazoria County, State of Texas, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing contains a true and correct transcription of all portions of evidence and other proceedings requested in writing by counsel for the parties to be included in this volume of the Reporter's Record, in the above-styled and numbered cause, all of which occurred in open court or in chambers and were reported by me. I further certify that this Reporter's Record of the proceedings truly and correctly reflects the exhibits, if any, admitted by the respective parties.
14 I further certify that the total cost for the preparation of this Reporter's Record is $576.00 and was paid/will be paid by Petitioner, Mr. Alavoor Vasudevan.
16 WITNESS MY OFFICIAL HAND this the 17th day of November, 2014.
19 /s/Renée Rape ____________ Renée Rape, Texas CSR# 4031 Expiration Date: 12-31-16 Official Court Reporter, 300th District Court Brazoria County, Texas East Locust, RM 402 Angleton, Texas 77515 979-864-1229
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 REPORTER'S RECORD 2 VOLUME 2 OF 3 VOLUMES 3 TRIAL COURT CAUSE NO. 63935 4 APPELLATE COURT CAUSE NO. 14-14-00765-CV
6 IN THE MATTER OF * IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE MARRIAGE OF * 7 * DEEPA VASUDEVAN * 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT AND * ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN * 9 * AND IN THE INTEREST OF * PALLAVI DEV, A CHILD * BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS
12 ******************************************************** 13 TRIAL ON FINAL MERITS ******************************************************** On the 27th day of May, 2014, the following proceedings came on to be heard in the above-entitled and numbered cause before the Honorable K. Randall Hufstetler, Judge presiding, held in Angleton, Brazoria County, Texas.
20 Proceedings reported by Machine Shorthand Method.
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A P P E A R A N C E S
3 MR. ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN PRO SE Post Office Box 710163 Houston, Texas 77271 Phone: (832) 244-1927 PETITIONER
10 AND
12 RONALD A. BROWNSTEIN SBOT NO. 03229800 5208 West Broadway, Suite 200 Pearland, Texas 77581 Phone: (281) 485-2770 ATTORNEY FOR RESPONDENT/COUNTER-PETITIONER, DEEPA VASUDEVAN
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 I N D E X MAY 27, 2014 PAGE VOL Witnesses Sworn by the Court .................. 6 2
5 COUNTER-PETITIONER/ RESPONDENT'S WITNESSES DIRECT CROSS REDIRECT RECROSS VOL Vasudevan, Deepa 8 59 81 2 Brownstein, Ronald Allen 83 86 2
10 Counter-Petitioner/Respondent Rests ........... 88 2 Petitioner Offers Exhibits .................... 88 2 Petitioner Rests .............................. 92 2 Court's Orders ................................ 92 2 Court Adjourned ............................... 96 2 Court Reporter's Certificate .................. 97 2
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 EXHIBIT INDEX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS NO. DESCRIPTION OFFERED ADMITTED VOL 1 Second Amended Inventory and 88 90 2 5 Appraisement of Alavoor 6 Vasudevan 2 Objections to Inventory Filed 90 X 2 8 By Wife on 9 May 2014 5 Citibank Account Statement for 67 X 2 10 April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 12 Wedding Photographs Showing 71 X 2 12 Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry 13 Handwriting Diary of Wife 71 X 2 14 1. Bank of America Payment 71 75 2 15 Notice, 7-1-13 to 6-30-14 16 2. Bank of America Payment 17 Notice, 7-1-08 to 6-30-09 18 3. Bank of America Account Statement 19 August, 2001 - Pages 1 and 2 of 13 20 4. Bank of America Account Statement 21 August, 2001 - Pages 7 and 8 of 13 22 5. Bank of America Account Statement 23 July, 2002 - Pages 1 and 2 of 13 24 6. Bank of America Account Statement 25 July, 2002 - Pages 3 and 4 of 13
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 EXHIBIT INDEX CONTINUED PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS NO. DESCRIPTION OFFERED ADMITTED VOL 14 7. Handwritten Notes 71 X 2 15 Handwritten Notes 71 X 2 16 Samples of Identity Thefts and 72 X 2 7 Article from Odisha Sun Times
9 RESPONDENT/COUNTER-PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS NO. DESCRIPTION OFFERED ADMITTED VOL 1 Bank of America Account 31 32 2 12 Activity as of 10-28-13 2 Letters between Petitioner 33 33 2 14 and Mr. Ron Brownstein 3 Deepa Vasudevan's Motion to 36 38 2 16 Compel Discovery and for 17 Sanctions and Protective Order 4 Affidavit for Business Records 41 42 2 19 For Deepa Vasudevan 5 Fourth Amended Inventory and 43/50 50 2 21 Appraisement of Deepa Vasudevan 6 Photograph 49 49 2 7 Photograph 52 52 2 8 Attorney's Fees for Ronald 85 86 2 25 Allen Brownstein
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MAY 27, 2014 2 THE COURT: All right. All those who are going to be testifying in the Vasudevan matter, please stand and raise your right hand to be sworn.
5 (The witnesses were sworn by the Court.) 11:34AM 6 THE COURT: All right. Please have a seat at counsel table, and we will get started.
8 All right. Mr. Brownstein?
9 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Well, Your Honor, I am the Counter-Petitioner in this case. I would be glad to 11:35AM proceed forward if Alavoor would allow me to do so. 12 THE COURT: Mr. Vasudevan?
13 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, sir.
14 THE COURT: You are representing yourself?
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, Your Honor. 11:35AM 16 THE COURT: And you understand this is on final today?
18 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
19 THE COURT: Give me just one second.
20 And this was consolidated with another case, 11:37AM 66539.
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
23 THE COURT: So, we have 63935 and 66539.
24 Everything is in the older matter. And we're still working with your original petition; is that correct? 11:37AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
2 THE COURT: And, Mr. Brownstein, you have -- is it still your original Counter-Petition, or have you had an amended?
5 MR. BROWNSTEIN: The original 11:38AM Counter-Petition was filed by previous counsel from Scott Brown's office. I had filed a First Amended Counter-Petition and supplemented that twice, the most recent of which was a name change request, Your Honor.
10 So, my active pleadings are my First Amended 11:38AM Counter-Petition with two supplemental -- two supplements to that document, Your Honor.
13 THE COURT: November 22, 2013, and December 16, 2013. I have both of those.
15 All right. Mr. Vasudevan, do you want to 11:39AM proceed as the Petitioner, or do you want Mr. Brownstein to proceed first as the Counter-Petitioner? Your choice.
19 MR. VASUDEVAN: It doesn't matter. He can proceed. 11:39AM 21 THE COURT: Thank you.
22 Mr. Brownstein, on your Counter-Petition.
23 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I first ask the Court to take judicial notice of the entire file in this case, including the original Application for Protective 11:39AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Order of which this, being the older case, has now been consolidated with the divorce action.
3 THE COURT: I'll take notice of both files in 63935 and 66539.
5 MR. BROWNSTEIN: All right. I would like to 11:40AM call my client, Mrs. Deepa Vasudevan.
7 THE COURT: Once you're seated, if you'll pull that microphone in front of you, please.
9 You may proceed.
10 DEEPA VASUDEVAN, 11:40AM and having been first duly sworn, testified as follows: 12 DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. BROWNSTEIN: 14 Q. Please tell the Judge your name.
15 A. Deepa Vasudevan. 11:40AM 16 Q. And may I address you as Deepa, since that's how I've known you for over two years in this case?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. Mrs. Deepa, prior to filing your lawsuit and Counter-Petition for divorce, you first filed an 11:40AM Application for a Protective Order against your husband; is that correct?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. Are you married to Alavoor Vasudevan?
25 A. Yes. 11:41AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. When did the two of you marry?
2 A. March, 1992.
3 Q. And when did you separate, more or less, living together as husband and wife?
5 A. Around June. I filed for the Protective Order 11:41AM in June of 2011.
7 Q. Prior to filing your -- and you subsequently then filed with Scott Brown's office a Petition or a Counter-Petition for divorce; is that correct?
10 A. Yes. 11:41AM 11 Q. Prior to filing your Counter-Petition for divorce, did you live in the state of Texas at least six months and Brazoria County the preceding 90-day period?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. Approximately six months before you filed for 11:41AM divorce, you filed your Application for Protective Order; is that correct?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. Why did you seek the protection of the Court?
20 A. Because at the point that I filed for it, I had 11:42AM the injury to myself and I was not in a safe environment; and both for me and my daughter, I needed some protection because I was abused both mentally, physically, as well as sexually by my husband.
25 Q. And in your Application for Protective Order, 11:42AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 there was attached an affidavit which accused your husband of certain activity. Is it true -- A. Yes.
4 Q. -- that your husband threatened to kill you and your daughter? 11:42AM A. Yes.
7 Q. Is it true that he threatened to burn down the house with you and your daughter in it?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. Is it true that your husband had a history or 11:43AM pattern of physically assaults upon you?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. Would he grab you and shake you?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. Why would he do that? 11:43AM 16 A. In most cases, it was as if it was because he wanted to either get physical with me or if there was a disagreement on any issue relating to finances.
19 Q. On June 26, 2011, the day before you filed your -- or prepared your affidavit, is it true that he 11:43AM followed you into the bathroom and started shaking you and pinning you against the bathroom wall?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. Who came to your rescue?
25 A. I called one of my friends, and her husband 11:43AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 came. They lived in the neighborhood, and they came to help me. Q. Was your daughter in the house at this time?
4 A. She was. She was sleeping upstairs.
5 MR. BROWNSTEIN: May I approach, Your Honor? 11:44AM 6 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
7 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) As a result of your Application for Temporary Orders -- for a Protective Order, you and your husband and his respective attorney agreed to Temporary Orders; is that correct? 11:44AM 11 A. Yes.
12 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Judge, these were filed with the Court on July 22nd, 2011.
14 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) In the Temporary Orders, was it agreed upon at that time that although the two of 11:44AM you did not agree and use the term "conservator", that you were appointed the primary custodian of your daughter?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. Your daughter was what age at that time? 11:44AM 21 A. She was 15 and a half.
22 Q. Okay. And she was going to public schools; is that correct?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. And pursuant to the terms of the agreement, you 11:45AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 were agreed to have exclusive rights to designate where the child lived within Brazoria and the surrounding counties?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. Exclusive right to consent to medical and 11:45AM surgical treatment involving any invasive procedures?
7 A. Yes.
8 Q. Exclusive right to psychiatric and psychological treatment of the child?
10 A. Yes. 11:45AM 11 Q. Exclusive right to receive support for the child, child support?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. Exclusive right to represent the child in legal action; to agree, if you so consented, to early marriage 11:45AM or enlistment in the armed forces; to make educational decisions; and to manage her estate, all of these being exclusively awarded to you in this agreement; is that correct?
20 A. Yes. 11:45AM 21 Q. Regarding your husband's possession or access to the child, was it agreed that any access by your husband, Alavoor, was to be supervised by a friend or a family member designated by you?
25 A. Yes. 11:46AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. And that no specific times and dates were awarded to him on visitation.
3 A. Yes.
4 Q. And you both agreed that was in the best interest of the child. 11:46AM A. Yes.
7 Q. Why didn't -- did the child want to be around the father?
9 A. The child has had actually no bond at all with the father. He had not spent any time with her. Her 11:46AM complete care from when she was born close to about four years was helped by my mother because I was doing my residency. And after that, after my mom passed, it was pretty much under -- she was under my care.
15 So, she had no bond whatsoever. There has 11:46AM never been a day that she's been alone with her father taking care of her. So, she was very, very nervous about staying with him. And after the threatening episode in June, there was definitely no -- I was very nervous and so was she to spend any amount of time with 11:47AM him alone.
22 Q. As a matter of fact, since the date of your Protective Order hearing, which occurred on July the 19th, 2011; is that correct?
25 A. Yes. 11:47AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. To today's date, has the father ever had the child spend overnight access with him?
3 A. No. Q. How many times has the father, your husband, physically been in the presence of the child for 11:47AM visitation or access?
7 A. I would say three to four times.
8 Q. And have all of those times been supervised?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. And have sometimes you've been the person to 11:47AM supervise that visitation?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. Regarding the child support, did you agree that Mr. Vasudevan, your husband, would pay child support as deemed appropriate by him? 11:48AM 16 A. Yes.
17 Q. Until September of 2011, at which time -- at that time, either party could seek additional orders; is that correct?
20 A. Yes. 11:48AM 21 Q. As part of your agreement in this Protective Order application, did you also agree that both of you would attend a parent education and family stabilization course?
25 A. Yes. 11:48AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. And that you would present proof that you have taken that course and filed your certificate with the Court?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. Did you take that course? 11:48AM A. Yes.
7 Q. And did you file that certificate with the Court?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. Do you know if your husband ever filed any 11:48AM certificate with the Court?
12 A. I'm not aware.
13 Q. All right. Was your husband also ordered to attend at least ten sessions of anger management?
15 A. Yes. 11:49AM 16 Q. Did he ever tell you if he had attended all ten sessions or at least ten sessions?
18 A. He did not tell me. 19 Q. You also agreed at the time of the hearing on your Protective Order that the residence of the parties, 11:49AM 3402 Castle Pond, that you would be awarded the exclusive use of that house.
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. And that you would have the exclusive use of your Mercedes. 11:49AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. And that your husband, if he has not already vacated, vacate the premises; is that correct?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. You each had exclusive use of certain vehicles. 11:49AM 6 And there was an issue regarding a pink computer that was addressed in the Temporary Orders. He was ordered to return the pink computer belonging to your daughter, Pallavi; is that correct?
10 A. Yes. 11:50AM 11 Q. Now, tell me the date of birth of Pallavi, if you know it. 13 A. 12-7-1995.
14 Q. Did you and your husband acquire a pink computer for your daughter's education? 11:50AM 16 A. Yes.
17 Q. At that time, was she doing very well in school?
18 A. Extremely well.
19 Q. As a matter of fact, has she graduated number one in her class at Dawson High School in Pearland, 11:50AM Texas?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. She's the valedictorian.
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. What would she use that pink computer for? 11:50AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. She had all of her files on -- all the Word files that she used to do her school work on, she had saved them on that file.
4 And after the Protective Order was filed, two hours later, my husband came to the house when he 11:51AM was ordered not to by the Court. And my daughter was with her -- the housekeeper. And he came, disconnected all the connections, all the computer connections, took her pink laptop which was there, and left at that point.
10 And so, she was distraught because all her 11:51AM work was on the computer. And hence, I had to come back and file, so that way I was able to get that computer back to her, at least to get all the files transferred back to a new computer, if I needed to.
15 Q. All right. And did Alavoor return the computer 11:51AM back to your daughter?
17 A. After the Court ordered, yes.
18 Q. Okay.
19 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I have not marked the Temporary Orders as an exhibit since it's a 11:51AM part of the Court's file. But if you wanted a written copy -- I didn't know which is easier for you to review, if it's -- 24 THE COURT: I have it electronically.
25 MR. BROWNSTEIN: So, you do not need it for 11:52AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 that purpose.
2 THE COURT: I don't need it unless you want it marked as an exhibit. It's up to you.
4 MR. BROWNSTEIN: No, I do not, Your Honor.
5 THE COURT: All right. Thank you. 11:52AM Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Deepa, would you tell us a little bit about your educational background?
8 A. I am an MD by my degree, and I finished my medical school in India in 1992. And I had, in Europe, internship that I did not complete. And I got married 11:53AM and I came to the United States, did my exams, went back to finish the course, and then did my residency here with the University of Texas.
14 So, I have an undergraduate degree, which is from India, and then an MD, which is also from India. 11:53AM But passing my exams, I was able to start my residency in the United States.
18 Q. All right. And tell me a little bit about your employment history.
20 A. Okay. So, I started my residency 1995, June. 11:53AM And before that, I was here for a very short time. I came in here in 1993, joined my husband for about seven months, did my exams, went back, finished all the required training, the internship that I had to do.
25 Came back in early '95, took all my interviews, and then 11:53AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 started working in 1995. From '95 to '98, I was an intern at the University of Texas in Houston.
3 Q. All right. I'm going to stop you. During your internship, '95 through '98 -- 5 A. Yes. 11:54AM 6 Q. -- what was your approximate salary or income?
7 A. About 36,000.
8 Q. All right.
9 A. Annually.
10 And then in 1998, September, I was offered 11:54AM the position of a faculty with the university and I accepted that and that's where I am presently employed to.
14 Q. Can you tell us approximately the incomes you have made since becoming a faculty member at the 11:54AM University of Texas?
17 A. So, initially, I started off at 110 to 120,000.
18 And then progressively -- for a couple of years, I stayed at that salary and then went up to about 150 and -- for another few years. And then last year, I was 11:54AM promoted; and I'm right now at 195,000.
22 Q. All right. Of the marriage, Pallavi was the only child born; is that correct?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. You have identified her on your petition as -- 11:55AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 her name as Pallavi, last name, D-e-v; is that correct?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. No other children were born or adopted during your marriage?
5 A. No. 11:55AM Q. And you are not expecting a child at this time.
7 A. No. Q. As grounds for divorce, you have alleged two grounds. One, that your marriage has become insupportable due to discord or conflict of 11:55AM personalities between you and your husband that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.
14 Is that true?
15 A. Yes. 11:55AM 16 Q. You've also alleged that your husband is guilty of cruel treatment towards you of a nature that renders further living together insupportable. Is that also true?
20 A. Yes. 11:56AM 21 Q. Can you be more specific and give examples of how your husband's cruel treatment has caused you to seek this divorce?
24 A. To go back a little bit, ours was an arranged marriage. And it was in 1992 that our families arranged 11:56AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 the wedding. And my husband returned back to the United States after the wedding in March of 1992. I joined him in January of 1993 for a short time.
4 The -- and then the first three years we spent a little time just because of my travel between 11:56AM India and here. So, I did not know him very well at that point. After coming and spending some time with me, I've always had -- it's always been what he's wanted, whether it's been emotional, physical, sexual.
10 It's never been what I have wanted. It's always been -- 11:57AM that was always the way it worked. And I was new. I was young. I was about 22. So, I didn't -- and I came from a very different culture where I was raised very differently.
15 We had Pallavi in 1995, about a year after I 11:57AM had stayed with him. And all through the pregnancy, he had not come with me even for maybe one visit to the physician. Never offered any emotional, financial, or physical support of any kind. It was just, you know, a way to -- just fathering a child. That was all that was 11:57AM important to him.
22 After the child was born, I was a resident and so, my mother did come here to help me with the child. She took care of the child most of the time for about four years. During those times, there was very 11:57AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 minimal help offered, whether it was taking care of her, whether it was taking her to the doctors. I had a full-time housekeeper who would help my mother take care of the child's needs. The child slept with my mother in her room. 11:58AM 6 There was never an emotional bonding that was there with him and his child. And after I started my -- I finished my residency, I became the primary caretaker of the child. All her visits, all her school care, everything related to Pallavi was done by me. 11:58AM 11 In 2007, I lost my mother to breast cancer.
12 At that point, he started mentally, as well as emotionally, abusing me. It was like the child was always the center. He knew that the child was my weakest link; and so, it was always I'm going to tell 11:58AM the child or I'm going to take her here or -- it was very different.
18 Never provided for her. And I used to go to work and never be sure that I would come back and have the child fed or even taken to any of the activities she 11:59AM needed. We had a housekeeper who did most of the work.
22 Emotionally, it was very difficult because it was always about what he wanted and I had to give in just because we had a very young child. I was unsure of the system. I had just lost my mother. I was probably 11:59AM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 at my lowest time.
2 At that time, financially, he made several steps where he actually closed out an account, took money away. And so, at that point, I had to start making some financial decisions myself and that was 11:59AM difficult for him to digest and he emotionally got worse.
8 This continued for about ten years where I was the primary caretaker for Pallavi. Even for a breakfast appointment, like a breakfast with dad, I had 11:59AM to send money with the child, so that he could get a donut for her -- I mean, she could buy him a donut instead of the other way around.
14 About when she was 15, I think, my patience broke and it was getting -- every single day was a 12:00PM challenge. Either it was physical, it was mental, it was emotional or sexual. And finally, I think a time came where I couldn't handle; and I moved upstairs into a bedroom upstairs. And I think that was the one where the physical abuse got quite strong. 12:00PM 21 I actually had to call in several friends several times to talk to him because he was under the impression that if he wanted something, he got it, whether it was physical, mental, financial, or sexual.
25 And when I moved into a separate bedroom, I 12:00PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 think it was very difficult for him to understand that, you know, he was not getting what he needed. At that point, I think the physical abuse got worse.
4 And I had kept my child very separate from all this. Whatever was happening between us was always 12:00PM between four walls. But I think with this, it sort of separated out and my child got to see some of it. And I think when one of -- when I woke up one day and I walked down, that was when he pinned me down and I was very nervous. I thought that would have been my last day. I 12:01PM did not think I would survive that, and I'm glad I did.
12 And that's when I made the decision to say that I needed to file for -- I couldn't take the physical, mental, as well as sexual torture anymore.
15 So, that's when I filed for the Temporary Orders. 12:01PM 16 THE COURT: All right. We're going to recess for lunch. See y'all at 1:00 o'clock.
18 (Recess was taken.)
19 THE COURT: All right. Let's continue.
20 Mr. Brownstein? 01:14PM 21 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Yes, Your Honor. May I proceed?
23 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
24 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Deepa, tell the Judge a little bit about your husband's educational background 01:15PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 and his work history.
2 A. He has an undergraduate degree in engineering from India, which is called BS. And he has an MS from university -- University of Texas El Paso here. And he's done several courses online, as well as he's 01:15PM pursuing a PhD, I think.
7 Q. All right. And is his pursuit of a PhD, is that in computer engineering or a computer science field?
9 A. I think it is in computer science.
10 Q. And has your husband been employed throughout 01:15PM the marriage?
12 A. Through most of the marriage, yes, he's been employed. He had a few months probably in 2003 that he was looking for work in between, but most of the time all throughout he has been employed. 01:16PM 16 Q. All right. Can you tell us the type of employment, who his -- who his employers were and his approximate income?
19 A. In California where we were initially, he was working for a company called Amdahl; and he made 01:16PM anywhere between 80 to 120,000. And then after that, he worked for an accounting corporation in Houston. And subsequent to that, he changed -- he's worked for the, I think, San Jac college. He has worked for other companies, and his income has been anywhere between 80 01:16PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 to 110,000.
2 Q. Is he employed today?
3 A. Yes.
4 Q. Okay. Who is he currently employed with?
5 A. I'm not sure, but I think ABB is what I was 01:17PM told.
7 Q. All right. And his approximate income today is what?
9 A. About 90 to 100,000.
10 Q. As your child is getting ready for graduation, 01:17PM tell me about her future plans.
12 A. My daughter wants to pursue medicine as a career; so, she looked at several undergraduate colleges. And we went -- and we were in-state touring, as well as out of state. And she has decided to go to 01:17PM University of Texas Dallas, the provision with admission to Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.
18 Q. And how many campuses or universities did you join her in looking at before she made her decision?
20 A. We went to about six campuses, and I was there 01:18PM in all of them.
22 Q. And, Deepa, tell me about your future.
23 By the way, you and your husband are both naturalized U.S. citizens; is that correct?
25 A. Yes. 01:18PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. And what are your future plans regarding service to our country?
3 A. At this point since my biggest commitment, which was my daughter, is going to go off to college, it has given me some chance -- I always wanted to give back to 01:18PM the country that gave me quite a bit. So, I'm planning to be a reservist in the Army for -- for a couple of years. So, I've already talked to the U.S. Army recruiters. I haven't decided on a date because my daughter is still a little nervous, but I probably will 01:18PM do that next year.
12 And that entails two months out of the year that I need to go and serve at one of the Army bases; and if there is a need determined, I will be asked to go serve in that area. And that may mean that with the 01:18PM state I may be -- I will have to give a temporary resignation with the fact that since it's a federal opportunity, I will be given my job back when I do come back from service.
20 Q. As a reservist, is it possible that you could be 01:19PM called up for an indefinite time period if the military branch so chooses?
23 A. Yes, that's a possibility.
24 Q. Okay. In July 13 of 2012, you filed a Motion to Modify the Temporary Orders seeking child support; is 01:19PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 that correct?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. And why did you do that?
4 A. Because initially when we came and I got the Temporary Orders, my husband was supposed to pay child 01:19PM support as deemed appropriate; but he never paid me any support. And hence, I had to file a motion to ask him to pay child support.
9 Q. As a matter of fact, he contributed no support to you from the date of your hearing on the Temporary 01:20PM Orders on your Protective Order, that was July 22nd of 2011, until September 1st of 2012; is that correct?
13 A. Yes.
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: Objection, please, because I was told not to give her any support by -- 01:20PM 16 THE COURT: I didn't understand. You were told what?
18 MR. VASUDEVAN: I was told not to give her any support or anything because of the court order.
20 THE COURT: Okay. Go ahead. 01:20PM 21 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) So, that period, September, 2011 -- I mean, July, 2011, through September of 2012, was 14 months where he contributed nothing to the support of you and your child; is that correct?
25 A. Yes. 01:20PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. You and your husband reached an agreement with his attorney at that time for additional Temporary Orders; is that correct?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. And commencing -- and that was a court order of 01:21PM this Court.
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: May I approach again, Your Honor?
9 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
10 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Deepa, you and your husband 01:21PM reached an agreement that was filed with the Court on September the 11th, 2012, now ordering your husband to pay child support; is that correct?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. And was he ordered to pay you $1,200 per month 01:22PM beginning September 1st, 2012?
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. And a like payment due and payable on each month until further order of the Court; is that correct?
20 A. Yes. 01:22PM 21 Q. And did your husband initially pay his Court-ordered support of $1,200 per month?
23 A. He started -- I think, the first month was September; and since then, he did not pay one month of child support from the time he was ordered to now. 01:22PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. Okay. All right. Did it come to pass that in November of 2012 -- well, let me have my outline back.
3 I'm going to hand you what is marked as Respondent's Exhibit Number 1. And is this a record of your bank records where your husband was making direct 01:23PM deposits of child support?
7 A. Yes.
8 Q. All right. He was not ordered to pay through the Child Support Office; is that correct?
10 A. Yes. 01:23PM 11 Q. All right. For the payment of November, 2012, did he pay you $1,200?
13 A. No. 14 Q. How much did he pay you?
15 A. It says $1,048.36. 01:23PM 16 Q. Do you know why he paid you less than the $1,200 he was ordered to pay?
18 A. Because he took me and my daughter out for dinner; and so, the cost of the dinner was -- 20 MR. VASUDEVAN: Objection, Your Honor. This 01:24PM is not correct. This is the utility bill I paid. Maybe that's -- 23 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, opposing counsel will get a chance to cross-examine her.
25 THE COURT: Go ahead. 01:24PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Okay. So, he paid you less than 1,200 -- A. Yes.
4 Q. -- because he took you out to dinner.
5 A. Yes. 01:24PM Q. That difference was $151.64.
7 A. Yes.
8 Q. Was that the cost of the dinner?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. And in which he participated, as well. 01:24PM 11 A. Yes.
12 Q. Did he also miss a payment in July of 2013?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. Okay. Has he ever caught that payment up?
15 A. No. 01:24PM 16 Q. Okay. Does Respondent's Exhibit Number 1 evidence the November payment of 2012 that he was short and also evidence that there is no payment or no credit for child support that he delivered into your bank account for the month of July of 2012? 01:25PM 21 A. Yes.
22 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I'm going to offer Respondent's Exhibit Number 1.
24 (Discussion off the record between Mr. Brownstein and Mr. Vasudevan.) 01:25PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to offer Respondent's Exhibit Number 1.
3 THE COURT: Any objection?
4 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, Your Honor. On this, the 1,048, that is due to the utility bill, which came 01:25PM to my address.
7 THE COURT: That's cross. You'll have an opportunity to ask her some questions. All I'm asking you right now is do you object to this being a copy of a bank statement -- 01:25PM 11 MR. VASUDEVAN: No. 12 THE COURT: -- of the witness?
13 All right. One is admitted.
14 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Thank you, Your Honor.
15 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Additionally, did you have 01:25PM your attorney send your husband a letter, among other things, indicating that he was behind in his child support?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. Okay. And is Respondent's Exhibit Number 2 a 01:26PM true and correct copy of the letter sent to your husband, among other things, notifying him that he was behind in his child support of past due?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. Okay. Attached as part of Respondent's Exhibit 01:26PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Number 2, is this a true and correct copy of the response, in part, received by you or your attorney indicating that Alavoor indicated that there was a delay due to a technical problem on the bank website?
5 A. Yes. 01:26PM Q. Is that correct?
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Do you have any objections to our correspondences?
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: No. 10 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Okay. No objection, Your 01:27PM Honor, I ask that Respondent's Number 2 be admitted.
12 THE COURT: Two will be admitted.
13 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) On or about February 14th of 2013, did your husband file a Motion to Compel Discovery? 01:27PM 16 A. Yes.
17 Q. All right. And at this time, he was no longer being represented by Annette Henry? He was representing himself.
20 A. Yes. 01:27PM 21 Q. Okay. And was hearing held on that Motion to Compel on March 11th, 2013?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. At the hearing on March 11, 2013, the Court made a ruling denying your husband's Motion to Compel 01:28PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Production; is that correct?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. And in addition, the Court ordered your husband to pay you $600 in attorney's fees and costs on or before March 18th, 2013; is that correct? 01:28PM A. Yes.
7 Q. Did you ever receive that payment?
8 A. No. Q. As we sit here today, your husband continues to violate that Court order by not paying the $600; is that 01:28PM correct?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. Shortly after the hearing, on March the 19th, your husband filed a request for court order on the Motion to Compel that the Judge just made a ruling on; 01:29PM is that correct?
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. And he also submitted to the Court a court order for the Judge to sign; is that correct?
20 A. Yes. 01:29PM 21 Q. That was never heard or submitted to the Court; was it?
23 A. No. 24 Q. Do you know why your husband sent a second request and a proposal for the Judge to sign the Motion 01:29PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 to Compel when the Judge had just made a ruling seven days prior?
3 A. I'm not sure.
4 Q. On June 5th, 2013, did you request that I forward a notice to take the oral deposition of your 01:30PM husband set for July 11, 2013?
7 A. Yes.
8 Q. At the deposition set in my office on July 11, 2013, did your husband appear at his deposition?
10 A. No. 01:30PM 11 Q. Were you required through your attorney to pay the court reporter $150 for her appearance?
13 A. Yes.
14 MR. BROWNSTEIN: May I approach again, Your Honor? 01:31PM 16 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
17 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Because your husband failed to appear for his deposition and because he was forwarding numerous additional production-related requests, were you forced to file a Motion to Compel 01:31PM Discovery and for Sanctions?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. Although this has been filed with the Court, I'm going to mark this as Respondent's Exhibit Number 3. Is this a true and correct copy of the Motion to Compel 01:31PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Discovery and for Sanctions that I filed with the Court?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. This was filed for several reasons; is that correct?
5 A. Yes. 01:32PM Q. One of which is your husband did not pay the $600 in attorney's fees ordered by the Court; is that correct?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. And that your husband failed to appear at his 01:32PM deposition. Is that also correct?
12 A. Yes.
13 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I'm going to ask that Respondent's Exhibit Number 3 be admitted.
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: I do raise objections on the 01:32PM motions.
17 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I understand. You can cross-examine. Do you have any objections to the filing of this?
20 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, I do. 01:33PM 21 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to ask that Respondent's Exhibit Number 3 be admitted. It is a true and correct copy of the Motion to Compel Discovery that was filed with this Court that you have taken notice of on August -- August 2nd, 2013. 01:33PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: Any objection?
2 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, I do have objections, Your Honor.
4 THE COURT: What's your objection?
5 MR. VASUDEVAN: The objection was that 01:33PM Motion to Compel, it was not complete. The Judge said he wanted more permission from me; so, that's why I sent it.
9 THE COURT: He's offering an exhibit. Do you have any objection to that exhibit? 01:33PM 11 MR. VASUDEVAN: I do have objections.
12 THE COURT: What's the objection to the exhibit? Not to the hearing, not to the Motion to Compel, but to that exhibit.
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: The objections I have were 01:34PM on Page 3, the hearing on Motion to Compel, and also on the Page 4, the Motion to Compel Discovery and for Sanctions.
19 THE COURT: Okay. I don't know if you're understanding me or not, but we're not going back and 01:34PM rehearing that hearing. Mr. Brownstein is simply offering that as an exhibit as to what happened.
23 MR. VASUDEVAN: Oh, okay.
24 THE COURT: Okay? Do you have any objection to that? 01:34PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, I don't.
2 THE COURT: Okay. Three is admitted.
3 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Now, among the reasons that you have requested this Motion to Compel included the defaults of your husband you just testified to. 01:35PM A. Yes.
7 Q. Not appearing at his oral deposition, not paying.
9 And in addition, did your -- attached to this exhibit that has been now admitted, Respondent's 01:35PM Exhibit Number 3, is correspondence that your husband directed to me questioning the corruption of the Court; is that correct?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. And his questions regarding the court hearing, 01:35PM he suggested that the presiding Associate Judge at that time -- he asked several questions including whether I had a blood relative or other relationship with Judge Robertson; is that correct?
20 A. Yes. 01:36PM 21 Q. And that he basically, in a nutshell, if you were to summarize his questions, accused the Judge of being corrupt; is that correct?
24 A. Yes.
25 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Respondent's Number 3, Your 01:36PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Honor.
2 THE COURT: Thank you.
3 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) At the hearing on this Motion to Compel, at that time he had just recently hired an attorney by the name of Shannon Tigner; is that 01:36PM correct?
7 A. Yes.
8 Q. And did y'all reach an agreement regarding what was to take place regarding my motion?
10 A. Yes. 01:36PM 11 Q. All right. Did y'all agree that we would pass the Motion to Compel and that the parties were to attend mediation with Jimmy Phillips?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. Was your husband required, among other things, 01:36PM to produce records that were responsive to the Exhibit A on my Motion for Oral Deposition?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. And was he also required to file an inventory at least seven days prior to the mediation? 01:37PM 21 A. Yes.
22 Q. Did your husband file his inventory prior to the mediation?
24 A. No. 25 Q. Filed with this Court is the Mediated Settlement 01:37PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Agreement as to Pallavi. You and your husband at the first mediation of Jimmy Phillips were able to reach an agreement regarding your child; is that correct?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. That agreement, among other things, appointed 01:38PM you the primary conservator of the child but only allowed possession and access of the child with the father as agreed upon between the child and the father.
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. He was also ordered to pay -- or y'all agreed 01:38PM for an increase in child support beginning on the first pay period after the date of the divorce. But you haven't been divorced yet; have you?
14 A. No. 15 THE COURT: Mr. Brownstein, just as a point 01:38PM for my notes, this is a property issue case; right? I mean, we got a lot of questions about child support, about visitation, about her going to visit all these schools, and I'm -- I haven't made a note yet on property division. 01:39PM 21 MR. BROWNSTEIN: We're getting very close there, Judge. Since we have asked -- 23 THE COURT: Can we go ahead and get there?
24 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Yes, Your Honor.
25 THE COURT: All right. 01:39PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 (Discussion off the record between Mr. Brownstein and Mr. Vasudevan.)
3 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Deepa, I'm going to hand you a copy of your Fourth Amended Inventory, which you have filed with the Court on May the 9th. 01:42PM 6 And I'm going to also hand you what is marked as Respondent's Exhibit Number 4, which is your Affidavit of Business Records that you filed with the Court and gave notice to your husband back on May the 9th, 2014. 01:43PM 11 MR. BROWNSTEIN: First, let me tender Respondent's Exhibit Number 4. Do you have any objections to the business records affidavit, Mr. Vasudevan?
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, I do have objections on 01:43PM this.
17 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Well, would you inform the Court what your objections are since I'd like to offer this?
20 MR. VASUDEVAN: I do send objections on this 01:43PM one, on the inventory.
22 THE COURT: When did you send it?
23 MR. VASUDEVAN: I just gave it this morning before lunch. The one where it says objections to the -- 01:43PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: In this stack?
2 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, that stack. It's the second page, the second document.
4 THE COURT: Okay. Well, once again, what is being offered is a summary. 01:44PM 6 Well, is it your four? Is that what you're on right now?
8 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Yes. Respondent's 4 is the business records affidavit.
10 THE COURT: That's not the inventory. 01:44PM 11 Your next exhibit is the inventory; right?
12 MR. BROWNSTEIN: That's coming up next, Your Honor.
14 THE COURT: Okay. What is being offered now is a business records affidavit, which contains records. 01:44PM Do you have any objection to that? What you just showed me was your objections to her inventory.
18 MR. VASUDEVAN: Right. Those documents are correct, but only thing is they are outdated.
20 THE COURT: They're correct? 01:44PM 21 MR. VASUDEVAN: They are not up to date.
22 THE COURT: Are they correct?
23 MR. VASUDEVAN: They are correct as for the last two years.
25 THE COURT: That's all I need to know. 01:44PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 All right. Four is admitted.
2 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) All right. And, Deepa, I'm going to hand you what is marked as Respondent's Exhibit Number 5. And is this your proposed division of how you're asking this Court to divide your estate? Is that 01:44PM correct?
7 A. Yes.
8 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Do you have any objections to our proposal?
10 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, I do have objections. 01:45PM I gave that to the Judge. He already has a copy of the objections.
13 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to offer Respondent's Exhibit Number 5, which is our proposed division of property as required by your local 01:45PM rules of this Court for proposals to be tendered to the Court. There is an objection.
18 THE COURT: Do you understand what is being offered, Mr. Vasudevan? This is an offer of what your wife would testify to if she were testifying with regard 01:45PM to each of these items. You may disagree with them, but that's going to be her testimony and that's what he is offering.
24 So, do you object to this being a summary of her testimony? 01:46PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, I do have objections.
2 THE COURT: What is your objection?
3 MR. VASUDEVAN: Those objections are given in my -- 5 THE COURT: You're not understanding what 01:46PM I'm saying. She's going to testify to everything on here.
8 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
9 THE COURT: You might disagree with it, but that's what she's going to say. 01:46PM 11 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
12 THE COURT: So, do you have any objection if they offer this as a shorthand of what she would say?
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, I do.
15 THE COURT: Okay. Then go through each 01:46PM item.
17 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor -- 18 THE COURT: I have a copy.
19 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Of the Fourth Amended Inventory? All right. 01:46PM 21 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) All right. Deepa, we're going to have you walk this Judge through what is the central issue now before this Court, which is how is your property to be divided by this Judge.
25 In conjunction with your Fourth Amended 01:46PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Affidavit [sic], you have -- and the Judge has accepted your affidavit Of Business Records -- does your Affidavit of Business Records contain bank records and other documents that support each and every one of your valuations as far as bank accounts and property that you 01:47PM are claiming as your separate versus community? Is that correct?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. Okay. All right. In that regard, Deepa, you are claiming as your separate property a bank account in 01:47PM India right now; is that correct?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. Of a Citibank NRA [sic] with a value of $103,000.
15 A. Yes. 01:47PM 16 Q. The -- of the 89 pages of your business records, is the first document your bank statement dated as early as July of 2013 showing a balance of 103,143?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. Is the balance of that account substantially the 01:47PM same today?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. You are claiming that as your separate property as the sale of an inherited house that you inherited from your mother; is that correct? 01:48PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. If we turn to the latter pages of your business records affidavit, does this include a Last Will and Testament of your beloved grandmother?
5 A. Yes. 01:48PM Q. And this will leaves property to some of your grandmother's heirs, including your mother; is that correct?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. And is this -- and does this Last Will and 01:48PM Testament direct that a house be sold and that certain amounts of money be paid to different relatives of your grandmother, including your own mother?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. Okay. And what house is that, Deepa? 01:49PM 16 A. That was the primary residence of my grandmother and mother's estate in India.
18 Q. And when that was sold, your mother was to keep most of the proceeds -- the majority of the proceeds; is that correct? 01:49PM 21 A. Yes.
22 Q. But she was required under her mother's will to dispose of certain amounts of money to different relatives; is that correct?
25 A. Yes. 01:49PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Q. Who are those relatives?
2 A. They were my mother's siblings and my mother's nieces and nephews.
4 Q. Okay. Now, when your mother died -- and when did she die, ma'am? 01:49PM A. She died on June 8th, 2004.
7 Q. And she was living here in the state of Texas at the time of her death?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. And was she married at the time of her death? 01:49PM 11 A. No. 12 Q. Did she have any children born or adopted by her other than you?
14 A. No. 15 Q. You are her only surviving heir; is that 01:49PM correct?
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. Did you, in fact, enter into an agreement to sell that house that you inherited from your mother?
20 A. Yes. 01:50PM 21 Q. All right. And attached to your business records is the agreement between you and who else?
23 A. It's between the developer that bought the property.
25 Q. And what was the -- what were the terms of this 01:50PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 sale?
2 A. The -- the terms of the sale were the initial payment was going to be made for the land; and once they built some apartments, the rest of the money was going to be paid. 01:50PM Q. All right. Approximately, how much did you receive from the sale of this property that you inherited through your mother?
9 A. The entire property sold for about 1 crore 27 lakhs, which is about $211,000. And this was the entire 01:50PM property; and I had to distribute it based on the will, to give other relatives that were determined to get some money from the proceeds, as well.
14 Q. Okay. After those proceeds were given to other relatives who owned that property, did you inherit 01:51PM approximately a little over $100,000 -- or 150,000?
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. Okay. 100,000 of that is still in the bank account in India; is that correct?
20 A. Correct. 01:51PM 21 Q. Identified on your inventory under separate property as having a value of 103,000?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. And did you, thereafter, take 50,000 and purchase an interest in a partnership here in Texas? 01:51PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. And was your partnership contribution $51,450?
3 A. About that, yes.
4 Q. Okay. Has there been any increase in value in that partnership interest? 01:51PM A. No. Q. When you got married -- 8 I'm going to hand you what is marked as Respondent's Exhibit Number 6 and ask if you can identify this. 01:52PM 11 A. Yes. This is a picture of me on my wedding day.
12 Q. Okay.
13 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Do you have any objections to this?
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: No. 01:52PM 16 MR. BROWNSTEIN: And -- okay. I'm going to offer Respondent's Exhibit Number 6. No objections on this one?
19 THE COURT: Six is admitted.
20 Do you have any other proffer on Number 5? 01:52PM 21 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Well, I do; but I'm walking through the inventory, so to speak, as quickly as I can.
23 That will be -- 24 THE COURT: Okay. You moved off from that.
25 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Oh, okay. I'm sorry. 01:52PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: I was going to rule on it.
2 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I'm sorry, Judge?
3 THE COURT: I was going to rule on it.
4 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Well, Your Honor, as I'm walking through the inventory, I would like to offer 01:52PM Exhibit Number 5, which is our proposed division of property based upon my client's sworn inventory that has been -- her Fourth Amended Inventory that has been filed with the Court.
10 THE COURT: And five will be admitted for 01:53PM that purpose.
12 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Thank you, Your Honor.
13 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) And in this photograph of you on your wedding day -- or on or about your wedding day; is that correct? 01:53PM 16 A. Yes.
17 Q. You are bedecked with what appears to be jewels; is that correct?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. Okay. And were these jewels gifted to you by 01:53PM your family?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. Okay. Were some of these -- 24 A. Yes.
25 Q. Tell me what they are. 01:53PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Some of them were bangles, gold; and some of them were just cosmetic jewelry. The hair band and stuff that you see is cosmetic, but the other stuff is gold.
5 Q. Okay. And on your inventory, you're claiming 01:53PM this jewelry that you were wearing on your wedding day as your separate property; is that correct?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. And you have evaluated that at approximately $5,000. 01:53PM 11 A. Yes.
12 Q. All right. Exhibit Number 7 is a photograph when opposing counsel wanted to inspect your safety deposit box here in Houston; is that correct?
15 A. Yes. 01:54PM 16 Q. And did you allow them access -- 17 A. Yes.
18 Q. -- to take photos?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. And is Respondent's Exhibit Number 7 a correct 01:54PM representation of the contents of your safety deposit box?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. Were some of these items in Exhibit Number 7, some of this jewelry, the same jewelry you were wearing 01:54PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 on the date of your marriage?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. What items are identical?
4 A. There is a hand band that I'm wearing in the wedding day. The earrings that I'm wearing, the same 01:54PM ones.
7 Q. Any of the -- are any of the bangles or any other jewelry?
9 A. I can't tell. There's a couple of bangles there, and I think those are the same ones that I'm 01:54PM wearing.
12 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Do you have objections to Number 7?
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: No. No objections.
15 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Okay. I'm going to 01:54PM offer -- I think six has been admitted. I offer Respondent's Number 7, Your Honor.
18 THE COURT: Seven is admitted.
19 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Other than this separate property that you have identified, is the remaining 01:55PM property that you have identified on your Fourth Amended Inventory community property?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. Save and except those funds that are listed as Exhibit A, which is your child's property; is that 01:55PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 correct?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. Deepa, are all of the items that are listed with a bank account on your community property, are all of those values identified in your business records 01:56PM affidavit?
7 A. Yes.
8 Q. I am not going to go item by item; but if the Court were to look at your business records affidavit, the values here would be identical to those documents 01:56PM contained in your business records affidavit.
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. Is that correct?
14 We've also listed as Exhibit A that property that you believe belongs to your child. 01:56PM 16 A. Yes.
17 Q. Tell me, did you and your -- did you or you and your husband gift your child with a Kindle reading device?
20 A. Yes. 01:56PM 21 Q. Two laptops, one Apple and one pink?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. A piano?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. Does she play the piano? 01:56PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. Has she been taking music lessons for many years?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. And finally, you and your husband set up two 01:56PM Uniform Gift to Minors Accounts, one that you control and one that your husband controls, listed as Items Number 6 and 7 on Exhibit A as your child's property.
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. And are you asking this Court -- now that she is 01:57PM age 18, does she need these funds for college?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. Do you want this Court to, as part of its court order, to find and order that all of these funds belong to your daughter on your Exhibit A? Do you want that? 01:57PM 16 A. Yes.
17 Q. And do you want the Judge to order the immediate release and surrender of these accounts to your daughter, ones that you previously held and your husband previously held as custodians for the benefit of your 01:57PM daughter?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. In your division of property, you have identified under Item Number 4 some India property that is in your husband's name or subject to his control; is 01:58PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 that correct?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. You are not on the title of that India property; are you?
5 A. No. 01:58PM Q. You really don't know the value of that property; do you?
8 A. No. Q. You have also listed a bank account in your husband's name in India with a value unknown; is that 01:58PM correct?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. All of those are evidenced in your business records affidavit; is that correct?
15 A. Yes. 01:59PM 16 Q. Deepa, you have made a proposal to this Judge, based upon your inventory, of how your estate should be divided.
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. You're asking this Court to find as your 01:59PM separate property the remaining sale proceeds of your mother's house in India of about $103,000; is that correct?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. That account being in an Indian account. 02:00PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. And 50,000 you used from the sale proceeds to buy an interest with some friends and relatives called DLR Interest?
5 A. Yes. 02:00PM Q. And, of course, all of your jewelry and personal effects.
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. If the Judge were not to find this as your separate property, would you still want the Judge to 02:00PM award this to you as part of your division of your overall estate?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. All of the items listed in your proposal have a possession sign for -- "H" for husband and "W" for wife. 02:00PM You're asking the Court to award you not only the house, the contents in the house, the personal effects, rather than trying to divide those.
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. And your husband's inventory with the Court that 02:00PM he filed several months ago, he has not listed any household furnishings in his possession; has he?
23 A. No. 24 Q. Okay. To award you -- you're asking the Court to award you a greater share of the estate? 02:01PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. Is that in part because of the fault involved in this relationship?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. And in part because your husband did not 02:01PM contribute to your support for a period of 14 months until a Judge ordered him to do so; is that correct? 8 A. 14 months was the one that the Judge, but he hasn't done much. Our finances have been separate since 2004, and there's been no contributions since then. 02:01PM 11 Q. If the Judge were to honor our proposal, it would allow you to keep all of the accounts in your name and the same for your husband; is that correct?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. Save and except a retirement account that you 02:01PM have.
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. And that is with your current employer; is that correct?
20 A. Yes. 02:01PM 21 Q. And you're asking this Judge to award you out of your 403 -- 403(b) plan with the University of Texas, 337,878?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. And 128,567 to your husband? 02:02PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. And if the Judge were to do that and award to you the proposal that you see here, you would be awarded approximately 60 percent of the community estate, as you have testified. 02:02PM A. Yes.
7 Q. Do you think that is a fair and equitable division of your estate?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. Deepa, was it necessary for you to hire me to 02:02PM represent you in this case?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. And have you agreed to pay me an hourly rate of $350 an hour?
15 A. Yes. 02:03PM 16 Q. And have you, to date, paid me over $37,000 in attorney's fees?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. And you're asking this Court to award you attorney's fees in this case; is that correct? 02:03PM 21 A. Yes.
22 MR. BROWNSTEIN: One minute, Your Honor?
23 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
24 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I pass the witness, Your Honor. 02:04PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: All right. Mr. Vasudevan, do you have any questions of the witness?
3 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, Your Honor.
4 THE COURT: You may proceed.
5 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes. 02:04PM 6 CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. VASUDEVAN: Q. First question I have is -- 9 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I wish opposing counsel would just go ahead and ask from his chair 02:04PM unless he has something as an exhibit for her to review.
12 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
13 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, Deepa, when did you come to U.S.?
15 A. First time, January of 1993. 02:04PM 16 Q. After coming to U.S., how many times did you travel back to India?
18 A. I can't remember for sure.
19 Q. Did you at any time travel or -- after 1993?
20 A. Absolutely. 02:05PM 21 Q. About how many times?
22 A. I can't remember. I must have gone three or four times at least.
24 Q. So, when you went back to India, how many -- how many months did you stay there? 02:05PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. The first time I went there, I stayed for about seven months because I had to finish my internship.
3 Q. So, when did your mom come to U.S.?
4 A. I can't remember the exact date, but she came when I was pregnant. 02:05PM Q. Was her visa -- A. It was in 1995.
8 Q. -- rejected several times?
9 A. What's that?
10 Q. Was her visa rejected several times? 02:05PM 11 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to object as not relevant.
13 THE COURT: What's the relevance of that?
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: I want to prove that I was taking care of the family and the house and all that. 02:05PM And she was saying that the maid servant was taking care of the house, but there was no maid servant. That's my point.
19 THE WITNESS: That was after Pallavi was born. 02:06PM 21 THE COURT: Okay.
22 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I would object on relevance.
24 THE COURT: Your daughter is how old?
25 THE WITNESS: She is 18. 02:06PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: 18?
2 THE WITNESS: Yes.
3 THE COURT: So, what does that have -- 18 years ago, what does that have to do with what I'm going to be doing today? 02:06PM 6 MR. VASUDEVAN: Oh, for the last 18 years, I have been taking care of the family.
8 THE COURT: Okay.
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: And she was saying that -- 10 THE COURT: Hang on. Are you asking me to 02:06PM do something with regard to that 18 years?
12 MR. VASUDEVAN: No. I just want -- she was saying in the beginning that I was not taking care of the home and -- 15 THE COURT: And that's -- so, I'm going to 02:06PM tell you the same thing I did Mr. Brownstein. What does that have to do with the property division? And Mr. Brownstein got right to the property issue, and that's when his -- 20 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay. 02:07PM 21 THE COURT: -- questioning stopped. So, what does that have to do with property?
23 MR. VASUDEVAN: It's important in the marriage as to whose fault it is.
25 THE COURT: The fact that you were taking 02:07PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 care of the family -- 2 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
3 THE COURT: -- has to do with the fault.
4 Okay. If you see that as an issue, I'll let you ask that. I don't, but -- 02:07PM 6 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I'm going to object, Your Honor, because his petition -- the only grounds for divorce is insupportability, not fault.
9 THE COURT: I'll sustain that objection.
10 Your next question? 02:07PM 11 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) The next question was: So, you've been working like all time and working night duty and all that?
14 A. I was working at UT. UT gives me the ability to work overtime if needed. And I have to support the 02:07PM family; and hence, I did work overtime. And my salary represents my -- what I get is one paycheck from the University of Texas. Whether I moonlight, whether I work excess, it's one paycheck. I do not get multiple paychecks. And they're all documented. 02:08PM 21 Q. So, who was taking care of the child when, in the night duty, when you were doing night duty?
23 A. My mother.
24 Q. Your mother was not here; right? 25 A. 1995. She came when I was pregnant and stayed 02:08PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 for one and a half year.
2 Q. How can she stay about one and a half years when the visa was only good for six months?
4 A. She filed an extension for about a year after that. 02:08PM Q. No. The maximum extension is only six months.
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to object. There's no question. He's testifying.
9 THE COURT: Sustained.
10 MR. VASUDEVAN: So, I want to prove, Your 02:08PM Honor, that I was taking care of the child and she was going on duty -- on night duty and moonlighting, and I was taking care of the child. And child loves me, and I love the child and I love the family, too.
15 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, again, I'm 02:09PM going to object to testifying. If he has a question -- 17 THE COURT: I'll sustain it.
18 Make sure that you ask questions.
19 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay, Your Honor.
20 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, when I was working, I 02:09PM was traveling a lot doing consulting work to other places?
23 A. I think you did one year where you went consulting. But most of yours was primarily in Houston.
25 Q. But even in Houston, I had to travel a lot; 02:09PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 right? To Dallas every week?
2 A. I don't -- I mean, I cannot remember when you were working in Dallas. Most of your travel was within Houston.
5 Q. Okay. Oh, on the pink laptop, you said that I 02:09PM had taken it; right? The pink laptop? Who bought that laptop?
8 A. I think we bought it for our child.
9 Q. And that was -- I was also doing office work on that? 02:10PM 11 A. I don't think. There was very limited. There was nothing that you were working on. You had your own laptop.
14 Q. No. I was using that for my office work, too.
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: So, that's the reason I took 02:10PM that laptop, Your Honor. And then after I copied that, I returned that laptop.
18 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Objection. Not a question, Your Honor.
20 THE COURT: Make sure -- don't argue. Just 02:10PM ask questions. All right?
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
23 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, why was the phone blocked when my -- my phone was blocked. I couldn't call home. 02:11PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. I had -- 2 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Objection. Asking questions of evidence that's not been testified to, Your Honor.
5 THE COURT: Sustained. 02:11PM 6 Ask a question.
7 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) Okay. In the inventory, number one, where it says the Citibank NRI, it was reportedly having $113,000; right? And you have withdrawn $10,000 recently? 02:12PM 11 A. Yes.
12 Q. Why -- why was it withdrawn?
13 A. I had to pay for attorney fees. I had to pay taxes. Also, for that bank, I have to pay the taxes for the India -- for the money in India. So, that was 02:12PM deducted directly from that account. I also had to pay for other things that I needed for Pallavi's education.
18 Q. What did you spend for Pallavi's education?
19 A. Books, travel. She had to go to campus tours.
20 Q. So, what were you doing with the salary? You 02:13PM were making 200, 300K salary; right?
22 A. I was also running a house.
23 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to object. That's such a general question. It's impossible to answer what did she do with her salary. 02:13PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: Sustained.
2 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, the Citibank NRI account, that 103, came from a joint account which we both had?
5 A. No. Initially, we held a joint account in 2004. 02:13PM And that account was changed, and this account was opened. And this -- Q. How much -- how much was the money in that account?
10 A. In the previous account, I cannot remember. But 02:13PM it was definitely between 5 and 6 lakhs.
12 MR. VASUDEVAN: Your Honor, I want to show an exhibit.
14 THE COURT: Okay.
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: It's Exhibit Number -- 02:14PM Number 5 in the deposition that she had.
17 THE COURT: Her exhibit or your exhibit?
18 MR. VASUDEVAN: My exhibit.
19 THE COURT: Your exhibit?
20 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes. 02:14PM 21 THE COURT: All right. Do you want to show Mr. Brownstein, so that he can figure out if he's going to object or not?
24 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor -- well, I don't know if anything is being offered. So, if he wants to 02:14PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 ask questions about something -- I don't know how to respond. Nothing has been offered at this moment, Your Honor.
4 THE COURT: All right. Are you going to offer that as an exhibit -- 02:14PM 6 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
7 THE COURT: -- or are you just going to read from it?
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, I'm going to offer this as an Exhibit Number 5. Or the entire thing, I 02:15PM want to give it. This is the deposition exhibits. So, I want to give them to the Court.
13 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to object if Mr. Alavoor wants to offer an exhibit to a non-certified copy of a deposition of my client. 02:15PM Nothing has been filed with the Court. I'm going to object to it in its entirety.
18 THE COURT: Do you have a certified copy?
19 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah. This was signed by -- this was a deposition that was taken on -- 02:16PM 21 THE COURT: Do you have a signed copy?
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Right. It's signed by the court reporter.
24 THE COURT: Okay. Do you want to show it to Mr. Brownstein? 02:16PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 (Discussion off the record between Mr. Brownstein and Mr. Vasudevan.)
3 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Judge, this is not a certified copy of a deposition that opposing counsel is tendering to offer, nor is it the written -- the 02:16PM original. It's evidently something file stamped, a copy unsigned by my client. And I object to its introduction.
9 THE COURT: I'll sustain the objection.
10 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, this is Number 5. 02:17PM What's among -- it shows here -- 12 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I thought you had sustained my objection. So, for counsel to use what you just sustained my objection, I'm going to further object that he not approach my client with it. 02:17PM 16 THE COURT: Sustained.
17 Do you understand what the objection was?
18 The objection was that it was not a certified copy of a deposition. So, he's made an objection to you offering it as an exhibit, which I sustained, being that you 02:17PM cannot use it as an exhibit. If you have some questions that you want to ask, you're welcome to ask those questions.
24 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, I have a question to ask. I need to show it to her. This is a statement -- 02:18PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 this is a bank statement. It was showing amount of -- 2 THE COURT: And that bank statement is in the same document that I sustained the objection, so that you can't use it as an exhibit.
5 MR. VASUDEVAN: The reason is, I want to 02:18PM prove that this amount -- 7 THE COURT: You can ask questions. Don't tell me what's in the document.
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: The document, it says the balance is about -- more than $100,000. 02:18PM 11 THE COURT: If you have a question, you can ask the witness.
13 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes. But she was saying that -- 15 THE COURT: Don't ask me. Don't make a 02:18PM statement. Ask a question.
17 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, the statement here says that having more than 100,000.
19 A. I don't know what -- 20 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to 02:18PM object. Again, there's no evidence previously testified to my client regarding these issues. So, I'm going to object as to being questioned about evidence that hasn't been introduced before this Court.
25 THE COURT: Sustained. 02:19PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. VASUDEVAN: Can I ask her the question?
2 THE COURT: Sure.
3 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) Yeah. The statement here says -- 5 THE COURT: Not about that. That's just the 02:19PM objection I just sustained.
7 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
8 THE COURT: Okay?
9 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) The next question I have is about the Entry Number 2, the DLR Interest. Here it 02:20PM says $51,000 as being your part interest. How did you get this money?
13 A. That was money that I got through the sale of the property in India, which my mother inherited from her mother. And that's what I invested, because that 02:20PM was her desire that it go as a gift to her granddaughter.
18 Q. But you got it in India rupees. How did you transfer it?
20 A. I got it -- I converted it from India rupees. 02:20PM It was done with friends and family. So, I gave them in Indian rupees. I gave them the value of that $50,000 in rupees.
24 Q. And how did they give you the dollar? Where is that? Did they deposit? 02:21PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. The property was purchased, yes.
2 Q. Where was it deposited?
3 A. Into the account. They paid the money for that.
4 I gave them the rupees, they got the dollars, and it was paid into that -- paid for the sale of that property. 02:21PM Q. Where is the receipt for that? Receipts?
7 A. The receipts for?
8 Q. For the payments.
9 A. They paid. There are receipts. The property is bought; so, the amount is there. And this was done in 02:21PM 2004. Exactly around the time when I got the cash, it was given to the family, and they paid the amount. And if you want that -- at that point, yes, there are probably receipts. But it was purchased -- the land was purchased for that amount. The land is the receipt. 02:21PM 16 MR. VASUDEVAN: Your Honor, this is not the separate property. This is a -- it should come out of the community property, these two.
19 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I'm going to object.
20 Again, we're under cross. 02:22PM 21 THE COURT: Sustained.
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: The next question I have is regarding the Item Number 3 where she's saying it is -- there's $5,000. I want to submit these Exhibits 12, 13, 14, and 15. 02:22PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to object. I'm not certain the purpose, but there appears to be blurry photographs along with somebody's notes, perhaps notes of Mr. Vasudevan since he is offering that in the form of his analysis or description of what that 02:23PM photo represents. To the extent that it contains things beyond the blurry photo, I'm going to object as it being hearsay.
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: Your Honor, I wish to show you these. 02:23PM 11 THE COURT: This is what you're offering?
12 MR. VASUDEVAN: Uh-huh, yes.
13 THE COURT: 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16?
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: Uh-huh.
15 THE COURT: Okay. 02:24PM 16 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I didn't go through all of them. If there's things beyond the photo, then I may have other objections, Your Honor. I didn't know he was trying to tender 15 or 20 pages of things.
20 THE COURT: There are several. 02:24PM 21 MR. BROWNSTEIN: If I could take a look, I might offer additional objections, Your Honor.
23 Well, my goodness. Okay. As to the objections as to things called Exhibit 12, which contain photos and additional typewritten language -- basically, 02:24PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 the typewritten language contained on Exhibit 12 appears to be testimonial in nature. I object that it's hearsay.
4 The same objection to -- I can't tell where Exhibit 12 and where others continue. 13 appears to be 02:25PM a typewritten description of what appears to be handwritten. There's been no predicate. It's testimonial in nature. I object that it's hearsay.
9 Along with Exhibit Number 13, a description of what this purportedly represents. Again, no predicate. It's 02:25PM hearsay, Your Honor.
12 Exhibit Number 14 -- 13 So, if I could, could I ask the Judge to rule on my objections to at least 12 through 13 before we go to 14? That's a little bit different in nature. 02:25PM 16 THE COURT: Sustained.
17 MR. BROWNSTEIN: By the way, Your Honor, if I could, I have what is marked as Respondent's Fourth Amended Inventory that I marked as Exhibit 5. And quite frankly, I don't know if I just premarked that 02:26PM inappropriately.
22 THE COURT: I admitted that.
23 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Item 5, the inventory.
24 THE COURT: Oh, wait a minute. I thought you marked -- 02:26PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I may have inadvertently marked this on my own.
3 THE COURT: The proposed division is what I have as five.
5 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Okay. 02:26PM 6 THE COURT: But I don't have five.
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: You don't have Exhibit Number 5?
9 THE COURT: No. 10 MR. BROWNSTEIN: The proposed division? 02:26PM 11 THE COURT: No. You were asking questions.
12 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Oh. Oh, I guess this is the proposed division.
14 THE COURT: So it is.
15 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Thank you. I tender that 02:26PM back.
17 THE COURT: Thank you.
18 MR. BROWNSTEIN: As to Exhibit Number 14, appears to be documents regarding a safety deposit box of the parties, some rental dating back from August 02:27PM of 2001 to maybe some in 2013. To the extent they're offered to prove that my client had a safety deposit box, which we have the photos, I have no objections to Exhibit 14, 6 through 7, Your Honor.
25 THE COURT: You have no objection to those? 02:27PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I have no objections to 14 entitled Pages 1 -- 1 through 7, all the way through 6 through 7. There is part of Exhibit Number 14 that is 7 of 7 that I will offer objections to.
5 Regarding Exhibit 14, 7 of 7, again, 02:28PM absolutely no predicate. I have no idea what it is, Your Honor.
8 Exhibit Number -- 9 MR. VASUDEVAN: Oh, I can explain what it is. 02:28PM 11 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Well, the remainder of these exhibits appear to be descriptions of some handwritten notes. There's been no predicate. I'm going to object.
15 And finally, the last page, Exhibit 16, 02:28PM appears to be a copy of something from a Internet regarding Indian fraud. And again, no predicate, no relevance.
19 I'm going to object to the remainder of Exhibit 14, 15, and 16, Your Honor, for those reasons. 02:28PM 21 THE COURT: 14, Pages 1 through 6 are admitted; Page 7 is not admitted.
23 15 and 16 are not admitted.
24 MR. VASUDEVAN: I can't ask any questions on this one? 02:29PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: You can ask questions, but they're not admitted as exhibits.
3 MR. VASUDEVAN: Can I show it to her as to what it is? No, I can't?
5 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) Okay. During the deposition 02:30PM on 24th, there was exhibit -- an Exhibit 4. It was saying there are 14 gold bars, all bought by me. 8 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to object. He's referring to an unsworn, uncertified deposition, exhibits to that, that you have already 02:30PM sustained my objection. So, I'm going to object that he's -- 13 THE COURT: I sustained the objection.
14 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Well, I object that he's referring to a specific exhibit that is not before this 02:31PM Court.
17 THE COURT: I don't know what he's referring to. Those -- the documents in his hands were not that deposition. So, I don't know if he's asking a -- 20 I'm going to let you ask the question. Just 02:31PM make sure you don't -- 22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Oh, well, this document is in reference to the deposition she already had.
24 THE COURT: I have no idea what document you're referring to. I just know it's not the 02:31PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 deposition that you set down over here on counsel table.
2 But you can ask that question.
3 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, that's what I'm asking.
5 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, there were some -- there 02:31PM were handwritten notes, and then there were typewritten, like 14 gold bars all bought by me. Were they bought by you?
9 A. I don't even know who wrote it, typewritten, typed. I don't have any idea. I did not write it. 02:31PM 11 MR. VASUDEVAN: Can I show it to her if she says -- 13 THE COURT: If it's on that exhibit, you can't.
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes. 02:31PM 16 THE COURT: You cannot.
17 MR. VASUDEVAN: Then I can't prove further what it is.
19 THE COURT: Mr. Vasudevan, I cannot tell you how to present your case. You are representing 02:32PM yourself. There are certain rules of evidence and rules of procedure that apply to any case presented in the state of Texas. Representing yourself, you are bound to abide by those same rules of evidence and rules of procedure. 02:32PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 The objections that are being made are proper. I can't tell you what to do with the exhibits that you did not get admitted. But let's move along.
4 MR. VASUDEVAN: Well, what I want to prove was that Item Number 3 is not just 5,000. It's more 02:32PM than -- it's about $900,000.
7 THE COURT: All right. Let me ask you this question. Do you object that they are being claimed as your wife's separate property gifts?
10 MR. VASUDEVAN: I do raise objection on 02:33PM that, and I say it is a community estate. It was given to both -- both of us. And the value is also wrong.
13 The value is not 5,000.
14 THE COURT: Okay.
15 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) The Item Number 4 in 02:33PM inventory, I don't know what it is. So, do you know what it is, the Item Number 4, the India property, Plot Number 16?
19 MR. BROWNSTEIN: May I go ahead and tender the inventory since my client is not -- 02:33PM 21 THE COURT: Sure.
22 MR. BROWNSTEIN: -- able to remember everything by memory?
24 A. I'm sorry. What was the question?
25 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) Who gave you this one? 02:34PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 A. So, this was received as a mail. It came as a mail to our home address.
3 Q. To whose home address?
4 A. As of now, our home address.
5 Q. So, who received it? You received it? You 02:34PM opened it?
7 A. It was in the mailbox.
8 Q. It was in the mailbox.
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. And then did you open it? 02:34PM 11 A. I did not open it.
12 Q. If you did not open it, then -- 13 A. So, the mail is also -- 14 Q. -- how did you read the contents inside of it?
15 A. The mail was also picked up by Pallavi and gets 02:34PM picked up by my housekeeper, Maria. So, she opens the edges of the letter sometimes. And this one was opened by Pallavi. She did not read the name. She opened the envelope, and that's how that was -- how we got that.
20 So, I'm not the only one who opens the envelope, is the 02:34PM answer.
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: I object, Your Honor.
23 Somewhere -- either she has opened it or I have questions for Mr. Brownstein, if I can ask questions.
25 THE COURT: This is the witness on the stand 02:35PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 right here. I think she's answered your question.
2 MR. VASUDEVAN: The question was I want to ask if Mr. Brownstein has opened that mail.
4 THE COURT: He's not on the stand. You see who's on the stand right now. 02:35PM Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) So, this particular item should be ignored on Item Number 4. It's wrong.
8 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Objection. No question, Your Honor.
10 THE COURT: Sustained. 02:35PM 11 Are you claiming that you don't own a piece of property at Plot Number 16?
13 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, I don't own.
14 THE COURT: You don't own it?
15 MR. VASUDEVAN: No. 02:36PM 16 THE COURT: So, I can award that to her if it's owned by someone in the marriage? You're okay with that?
19 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes. Uh-huh.
20 THE COURT: Okay. I just wanted to know 02:36PM what you wanted me to do with it.
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes.
23 THE COURT: Go ahead. Do you have any more questions?
25 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, Your Honor. I have 02:38PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 some questions.
2 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) On Item Number 27, the IRA plan, you have withdrawn some $10,000 from there. Why?
4 Why did you withdraw?
5 A. There are a couple of withdrawals. If you see, 02:38PM that is one, in answer to that question. And then also the subsequent ones, we had to replace the HVAC of our house since the entire system broke down. So, that cost me about $25,000 that I had to pay. That was one. I also have to pay the taxes April 15th, 2014, so. 02:39PM 11 MR. VASUDEVAN: That's all I have now. I can -- I can ask later, right, if I want to?
13 THE COURT: I don't know.
14 Mr. Brownstein, do you have any more questions? 02:40PM 16 MR. VASUDEVAN: Can I ask questions later?
17 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Just a few follow-up, Your Honor.
19 THE COURT: Okay.
20 REDIRECT EXAMINATION 02:40PM BY MR. BROWNSTEIN, 22 Q. Deepa, in your petition you requested that your name be changed. What name do you wish?
24 A. Deepa Iyengar.
25 Q. And you are not seeking -- is that your maiden 02:40PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 name?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. All right. And you're not seeking a name change to avoid criminal prosecution or repayment of creditors; is that correct? 02:40PM A. Yes.
7 THE COURT: Yes, it is correct?
8 THE WITNESS: I mean, I -- I am not taking it for criminal court.
10 THE COURT: It was a bad question. 02:40PM 11 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Also, Deepa, you and your husband at the second mediation reached an agreement regarding the sale of the house; is that correct?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. That's set out in the Mediated Settlement 02:40PM Agreement, which has been filed with the Court.
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. And on your proposed division of property regarding the residence, you just put on your proposal the division per the Mediated Settlement Agreement. 02:40PM 21 A. Yes.
22 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I pass the witness again, Your Honor.
24 THE COURT: Any more questions?
25 MR. VASUDEVAN: Not questions, Your Honor. 02:41PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 I have the Second Amended Inventory of mine.
2 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, we're in the middle of -- if he has no further questions, I have another witness to call upon, Your Honor.
5 THE COURT: All right. Call your next 02:41PM witness.
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I call myself. Do you want me to -- 9 Deepa, you can go ahead and sit down.
10 (Discussion off the record between 02:41PM Mr. Brownstein and Mr. Vasudevan.)
12 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, I do have objections.
13 THE COURT: A proper one?
14 MR. BROWNSTEIN: May I testify in a narrative form, Your Honor? 02:42PM 16 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
17 RONALD ALLEN BROWNSTEIN, and having been first duly sworn, testified as follows: 19 DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. BROWNSTEIN: 02:42PM 21 Q. Your Honor, my name is Ron Brownstein. I'm an attorney licensed in the state of Texas, having been -- having been licensed since 1978, I believe, which I know is hard for you to believe considering how youthful I look. I was -- 02:43PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: Remember, you're under oath.
2 Q. (BY MR. BROWNSTEIN) Since I'm under oath, I'll retract that last comment.
4 I was retained by Mrs. Deepa Vasudevan to continue on in her representation in this divorce 02:43PM action. Her previous attorney, through Scott Brown's office, had -- I either substituted or they were allowed to withdraw.
9 I am familiar with the customary and normal attorney's fees in Brazoria County for cases involving 02:43PM divorces. And the issues involved in this case initially were related to the child since the child was only 15 when -- or 15 and a half when we started but is now, for all practical purposes, an adult.
15 I am charging my client $350 an hour, which 02:44PM is, in my opinion, a reasonable fee considering the issues involved in this case. This has been a particularly difficult case, as the Respondent has had two separate attorneys that I have had dealings with, as well as himself, at two separate times, including now. 02:44PM A fee of $350 an hour for attorney's fees in this county is customary, is reasonable.
23 And the fees that I have charged my client are set out in Respondent's Exhibit Number 8, which is a summary of those fees and services that I have performed 02:44PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 for my client, detailing the date the service was performed, a brief description of same, and the amount of time devoted to that.
4 My attorney's fees, including trial, have totalled 102.70 hours at $350 an hour, which my client 02:45PM is seeking reimbursement. That is $35,945. In addition to that, there have been costs of $1,169.27. My total bill, which has been paid by my client, is $37,114.27.
9 I tender again Respondent's Number -- Exhibit Number 8 as a shorthand summary of my time 02:45PM devoted on this case.
12 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Do you have any objection, sir?
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, I do have objections.
15 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Well -- 02:45PM 16 THE COURT: What's the objection?
17 MR. VASUDEVAN: The objection is it should not be listed under the -- this inventory. It is something even I -- even I do pay attorney's fees.
20 THE COURT: What is the objection? 02:46PM 21 MR. VASUDEVAN: Oh, the objection is this should not be included in the inventory.
23 THE COURT: Okay.
24 MR. VASUDEVAN: If it is included, then even I have to include my attorney fees, too. 02:46PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: Do you have any objection to this document being offered?
3 MR. VASUDEVAN: Oh, this document which is offered? Yeah, no. No objection.
5 THE COURT: No objection. Eight is 02:46PM admitted.
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I pass the witness.
8 THE COURT: Do you have any questions of Mr. Brownstein?
10 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, I do have some 02:46PM questions; but it's not related to that, the questions I do have.
13 THE COURT: I don't care what they're related to. As long as they're relevant, you can ask them. 02:46PM 16 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
17 CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. VASUDEVAN: 19 Q. This is regarding the Item Number -- the 4 in the inventory. Can I show you? The Item Number 4 on 02:46PM the inventory, Deepa was saying the India property, so and so. And then you have sent me a letter of this, right, the demand notice and all that. Who -- who gave it to you?
25 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I'm sorry. I don't 02:47PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 understand the question, Your Honor.
2 Q. (BY MR. VASUDEVAN) The question was: Did Deepa give it to you, that one, or -- A. I -- I prepared that inventory based on information provided by my client and by your attorneys, 02:47PM when you had attorneys, and yourself when you did not have an attorney.
8 Q. No. There was a demand notice, and I have the letters. Wait. Let me show it to you. These were the two, Articles 8 and Article 9 and 17, which are related 02:48PM to the Item Number 4 in that inventory.
12 A. All right. Sir, do you have a question?
13 Q. Yes. Who gave this document to you?
14 A. I'm sure this was provided by my client.
15 Q. Was it opened when it was given like that, or 02:49PM was it in an envelope?
17 A. Oh, I have no recollection whether it was in an envelope, in a box, or in the form delivered to you in a -- in a supplement to our production. I don't remember. 02:49PM 21 Q. So, you don't know who opened that mail; right?
22 A. I don't know how it came into anybody else's possession except mine. I don't know if it came through the mail or not.
25 Q. So, this can be incorrect, too; right? So, it 02:49PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 can be a fake. It's not a real document maybe. It can be a fake document.
3 A. I guess anything is possible, sir.
4 Q. Okay.
5 MR. VASUDEVAN: That's all I have. 02:49PM 6 THE COURT: Your next witness?
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I have no further witnesses, Your Honor.
9 THE COURT: Rest?
10 MR. BROWNSTEIN: We rest. 02:50PM 11 THE COURT: Mr. Vasudevan, do you have any witnesses?
13 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, Your Honor.
14 THE COURT: No witnesses? All right. You rest? Do you rest? 02:50PM 16 MR. VASUDEVAN: Huh?
17 THE COURT: Do you rest, meaning are you done?
19 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, not yet, Your Honor. I have this second amended -- 02:50PM 21 THE COURT: That's what I just asked you: Do you have any witnesses? You don't have any witnesses?
24 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, no witnesses; but I just want to submit this Second Amended Inventory. 02:50PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: Okay. Is that your inventory?
2 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, this is my inventory.
3 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm -- 4 MR. VASUDEVAN: I gave you a copy of this.
5 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I was handed a 02:50PM copy of an unsworn-to document entitled Second Amended Inventory. I'm going to object as to its lateness, the fact that it is not sworn as required by the scheduling order and your local rules. I have not had adequate time to study or vet that document since it was -- well, 02:51PM it's being tendered to you for some purpose. I don't know if it's for filing with the Court or for evidence.
13 Those are my objections.
14 THE COURT: All right. Mr. Vasudevan, you are under oath; so, let me ask you -- 02:51PM 16 MR. VASUDEVAN: Uh-huh.
17 THE COURT: -- are you stating that all the information contained in this document is true and correct?
20 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, true. 02:51PM 21 THE COURT: All the values are accurate?
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, Your Honor.
23 THE COURT: This is all the property that you believe to exist?
25 MR. VASUDEVAN: That's correct. 02:51PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: Is that your testimony?
2 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yeah, that's my testimony.
3 THE COURT: All right. I will let you file it and admit it.
5 MR. VASUDEVAN: Thank you. 02:52PM 6 THE COURT: You don't have it marked.
7 Petitioner's 1 will be admitted.
8 Anything else?
9 MR. VASUDEVAN: One more document.
10 (Discussion off the record between 02:52PM Mr. Brownstein and Mr. Vasudevan.)
12 MR. VASUDEVAN: Your Honor, this is objections to the inventory which he has filed.
14 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Your Honor, I'm going to object that it is a document purportedly testimonial in 02:52PM nature. It's hearsay. And for those reasons, I'm going to object to the Court's consideration of that document.
18 THE COURT: I'll sustain your objection.
19 And we'll mark this as Petitioner's Exhibit 2, but I will sustain the objection. 02:53PM 21 Anything else?
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: These are the copies of the deposition that she had taken. Do I need to -- shall I certify this and then submit? Or what do you want?
25 What do you do? 02:54PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 MR. BROWNSTEIN: I think you've already -- 2 THE COURT: I can't tell you what to do with it. If it's the same exhibit that you offered previously, I've already sustained the objection. I think it was Number 5? 02:54PM 6 MR. VASUDEVAN: No, no. These are the -- yeah, these are the exhibits in the deposition that she has done. I want to submit a copy to the Court.
9 THE COURT: I'm not looking at it if it's not certified. 02:54PM 11 MR. VASUDEVAN: So, shall I get it certified and then submit to you?
13 THE COURT: Can you do that right now?
14 MR. VASUDEVAN: I need time for that.
15 THE COURT: Today is the only day that's 02:54PM going to happen. Did you realize that today was your final trial date, Mr. Vasudevan?
18 MR. VASUDEVAN: Yes, uh-huh.
19 THE COURT: Okay. So, you got to be prepared. If it's not certified, then I'm not -- I'm 02:54PM not allowing it as an exhibit.
22 MR. VASUDEVAN: Okay.
23 THE COURT: Anything else?
24 MR. VASUDEVAN: That's all I have, Your Honor. 02:55PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 THE COURT: That's it?
2 MR. VASUDEVAN: Uh-huh.
3 THE COURT: Both sides rest?
4 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Yes, Your Honor.
5 THE COURT: All right. The evidence is 02:55PM closed. Give me until about 3:15, and I'll come back and give you my ruling. We'll be in recess until 3:15.
8 MR. BROWNSTEIN: Thank you, Your Honor.
9 (Recess was taken.)
10 THE COURT: All right. Let's go back on the 04:28PM record in Vasudevan. I will make the following findings.
13 I will find the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities and find that there's no reasonable 04:28PM expectation of reconciliation.
17 I will further find fault in the breakup of the marriage; and based upon the testimony and evidence with regard to family violence, will find the cruelty fault to be true. 04:29PM 21 I will grant the divorce, terminate the marriage relationship as of today, pronouncing and rendering today, and give you an entry date of June 13 for the decree.
25 I will grant the name change that was 04:29PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 requested.
2 With regard to conservatorship, find that the child is now 18 and graduating. With regard -- therefore, no other orders will need to be issued with regard to the child. 04:29PM 6 Relative to the prior Court's order on the Motion to Compel, those orders are orders that are subject to being enforced and may be enforced following the entry of a decree, specifically with regard to the payment of the $600 and the costs of 150 for the 04:30PM deposition cost.
12 I will find that the division of property, as I will outline for you in the Court's division, is a fair and equitable division; and considering the fault of the breakup of the marriage, results in a 60-40 04:30PM division. I have the division -- thank you, Ed -- that I will hand out; and as soon as you have that copy, I will go over this with you and let you know what I have found to be fair and equitable.
20 At the top of the page, I will confirm as 04:30PM Mrs. Vasudevan's separate property those three items -- 1, 2, and 3 -- finding that they are a result of inheritance on Items 1 and 2 and gift for wedding on Number 3.
25 With regard to Item Number 4, there's no 04:31PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 value assigned to it. And if that doesn't exist, then it doesn't exist. But if it does exist, then it's awarded to Mr. Vasudevan. But I've assigned no value; so, it doesn't impact the overall division of the property. 04:31PM 6 I've confirmed the parties' agreement relative to the residence located at 3402 Castle Pond Court, Pearland, Texas, and just confirming that that is to be dealt with pursuant to the Mediated Settlement Agreement. 04:32PM 11 Where the items have a typed value, I am confirming that and accepting that as the value to be assigned to it. Where you see an item crossed out and a new value placed on that, that's where I have made a change. 04:32PM 16 Item Number 6, I changed that value from 5,000 to 3,500. Item 13, I changed that from 11,931 to 7,924. Over on Page 2, Item 29, I changed those -- that value; and Items 32 and 33, I changed those items.
20 Turning over to Page 4 at the bottom, I have 04:32PM adjusted the overall division of the community property.
22 And where you see the columns "Husband" and "Wife", those items that are awarded to the husband are listed in that column throughout this document and those items listed to wife are listed in that column throughout. 04:32PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 Page 5, I have also added the attorney's fees that Mr. Vasudevan is paying, pursuant to his inventory, of $8,000, to net out the value. And that's what you see at the bottom, Net CP, meaning Net Community Property. 358,779 to Mr. Vasudevan. 523,672 04:33PM to Mrs. Vasudevan. And I've also included her attorney's fees. Each party will pay their own attorney's fees. And that division results in a 60-40 division. It's actually like 59.3 in favor of wife.
10 I will find this to be a fair and reasonable 04:33PM division of the parties' property.
12 Any of these items that are in this document that are awarded to a party and they are in the other party's possession, those will be turned over by the entry date, June 13. If those items are in your 04:34PM possession, nothing needs to be turned over. But if an item is awarded to you, it's to be turned over to you by June 13th, 2014.
19 If you don't see an item listed on this, I didn't find sufficient evidence to find that it existed. 04:34PM And if you don't see a value other than the items where you see values, I don't find that there is sufficient evidence to change the values, other than what has been set out.
25 On the last page, which is actually Page 6, 04:34PM
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 it's titled Child's Property, those items are awarded to the child, Pallavi, and are to be awarded to her. And again, by June 13, 2014, those items are to be turned over to her.
5 And that will conclude our business. 04:35PM 6 Any questions, Mr. Brownstein?
7 MR. BROWNSTEIN: None, Your Honor. I'll prepare the draft.
9 THE COURT: All right. Any questions, Mr. Vasudevan? 04:35PM 11 If none, we'll be adjourned.
12 (Court was adjourned.)
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 OFFICIAL REPORTER'S RECORD 2 CERTIFICATION PAGE
4 THE STATE OF TEXAS) COUNTY OF BRAZORIA)
7 I, Renee Rape, Official Court Reporter in and for the 300th District Court of Brazoria County, State of Texas, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing contains a true and correct transcription of all portions of evidence and other proceedings requested in writing by counsel for the parties to be included in this volume of the Reporter's Record, in the above-styled and numbered cause, all of which occurred in open court or in chambers and were reported by me. I further certify that this Reporter's Record of the proceedings truly and correctly reflects the exhibits, if any, admitted by the respective parties.
14 I further certify that the total cost for the preparation of this Reporter's Record is $576.00 and was paid/will be paid by Petitioner, Mr. Alavoor Vasudevan.
16 WITNESS MY OFFICIAL HAND this the 17th day of November, 2014.
19 /s/Renée Rape ____________ Renée Rape, Texas CSR# 4031 Expiration Date: 12-31-16 Official Court Reporter, 300th District Court Brazoria County, Texas East Locust, RM 402 Angleton, Texas 77515 979-864-1229
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT Appendix C Final Decree of Divorce (Trial Court) The trial courts final decree is given here (next page).
Appendix D Inventory filed by Husband Inventory filed by Husband is given here (next page) Cagse # 63935: Third Amended Inventory & Appraisement of Alavoor Vasudevan' July 2014 Cause No. 63935 IN THE MATTER OF s tN THE DTSTR|CT COURT THE MARRIAGE OF s s ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN s AND s 3oorH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DEEPA VASUDEVAN s s AND IN THE INTEREST OF s PALLAVI DEV VASUDEVAN, A CHILD s BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS
Wife---
oI450pooaof-oo,ooo oo s"e Exhibit B 18may2o14 O-Oi---- 00 I O0 00 OqD*.
0 00 ooes not exist Mail r'-,d Mril fraud ""*""t -
i 8a l2olo Volvo 12010 c3o votvo C30 lw i
g n.*rnt AOf K Wells Fargo Ito l[""*nt - s29 Plr. Fid--807 LPLMa JO,COO.J/ I JO,COO.J/ lWife 11 32,294 54 o 2^^ ^^ Lwife VVIIE __ Husband. As ol 25mav2}14 --.
Hqfg !9!. qq1!9-4 iH i i I 0.00 value miniscule - atc dead l, _17 ]!,99ount _ -* I
18 Account - Merrill Edge ac xx14S04 , sJB+s - gSS oo ,!9 qrya oo-fyt:-- - -- :- ' 19 tnccount pavpaf - af avoor lff I - OO - -- 385-OO Jrr;; -
)28 r___._ 4,124 01 4124.41 as of 25may?O14
Page I of5 Cquse # 63935 Cause # 63935: Third Amended Inventory & Appraisement of Alavoor Vasudevan' July 2014 ,t-l6ount - WeG Fargo saving x7461 H 1,281.64 1,281 64 N;.- Husband Wife Net Value Notes -sollarm clockdo*.r B"d."," - W 000 Bro ken ,Almirah in dining room W 1,000 00 '1,000 00 Expensive wood, architect lBed master bedroom W 600 00 600 00 lncludes headboard wood 33 lCabinets (in small dine, up office) W 50 00 50 00 50.00 50 00 50.00 50.00 ?A Chairq Chairs in rrn up aame game ronm & offiee room R lW 000 Not there anv more. Sold ?? |
37 Chairs & Tables in side living room 1,600 00 Luxury wood & architect Child items(laptop, piano,kindle,apple) lW 1,600.00 see ExhibitA of deepa4thAm Coat Hanger in big dine room 30.00l Coat Hanger in small dine room Coffee machine in kitchen __fW _l 20 00i -- l contents upsta;" B[frt""D;adr;P1, l - Contents upstairs BR table,TV, bed 00 150.00 computers 00 50.00 50 00 00 3,000.00 Luxury wood & architect Dining room table in small dine 180 00 180.00 Dolls in entry and side room expensive wood dolls Electric cooker large (kitchen) 40 00 Electric cooker small (kitchen) 25 00 Exercise bike in BR 50.00 Exercise equip (treadmill wts etc) 300 00 External hard drive 000 000 56 F&G Life insurance 0.00 Wife also has F&G account 57 Furniture in poss of husband 0.00 Garage items (bike, wires, plastics) 50.00 50 00 Glass chess in side living room 60.00 60.00 60 lEofo pfateo Cofs,sifver in dine room IW See Exhibit D 18May20l4letter 161 Health saving ac Fidelity xxx9315 H 479 17 479.17 62 Key standboard in main living 40.00 40 00 rrood expensive 60.00 63 Lamp in side living __ 60_.00 lLife insurance NorthwesternM xx0804 W 20,684.60 48,684.60 69,369.19 Life insurance NWMutualX1672 pallavi iH i 14,792.97 14,792.97 Life insurance NWMut x1741 61,435.83 r-rrJrnsurance NWlrt ut it aa t 41,182 18 41,182.18 came with the house t ___ i6e t- Monitor upstairs office 50 00 )70 Paintings in entryway lw. ] Phone, wireless down Bedroom 50 00 -i PotsiPan in Kitchen 3Oo.Oo 3oo.o0 ]
Page 2 of5 Cattse i+ 63935 Cause # 63935: Third Amended Inventory & Appraisement of Alavoor Vasudevan' July 2014 73 lRefrigerator in garage W 100 00 100.00 No. ]Commnunity Personal Property Posr Husband Wife Net Value Notes 74 lRefrigerator in kitchen W 800.00 800 00 75 Shelves, two wooden in master BR W 70.00 70.00 76 Silk Sarees (cloths) silver,gold metal W 500.00 500 00 Has gold, silver wires in cloth '', !9i99O W 500 00 500.00 78 lSony camcorder - 50.00 50.00 Zg lsorint<tel.
Sprinkler system fv"nOt (yard ) 0.00 0 00 part of the house i =vsten, Surround sound speak living, game rms 300 00i 3oo.oo Table (located upstairs otfice) 100 001 100.00 Glass TV table Tea table in living room 40 00 40.00 )l ]f!q!g Televisions (BR,dine living rooms) 1,500.00 Toaster, bread in kitchen zooo 20 00 Toaster oven in kitchen Vase (in entry way) Wall poster paint in living room all poster paint in side living room UTMA LPLxx0721 56,021 00 56,021 00 95 UTMA LPL xx'1549 Am *Fxx0367 41,288.29 41,288.29 96 F&G Life insurance olo Both W, H have F&G insurance -0.00 Dresser set mirror master BR 98 Account - Nabard bank 50,000 00 Rs36,000,00 in year 2004.Now mor 99 Account - I ndia banks(vt1,syn, corp, ici) Wife needs to provide details
-- -+ Commnunity eersonat eroperty I
Page 3 of5 Cause # 63935 Cause # 63935: Third Amended Inventory & Appraisement of Alavoor Vasudevan, July 2014 No. Commnunity Unsecured Debt Husband Wife Net Value Notes 89 Bank of America ac xx7493 0.00 2,218.87 -2,218 87 90 Capital One ac xx7063 W 0.00 6,560.00 -6,560 00 91 Discover acxx6482 W 0.00 8,434 45 -8,434 45 92 Discover ac xx8851 H 1 1,500.00 -11,500 00 93 State Bank of lndia House loan xx286 H 0.00 0.00 000 not exist 94 Education Loan Alavoor lndia banks H 10,000.00 -10,000 00 95 Money owed to brother, sisters lndia H 10,000.00 -10,000 00 96 Money owed to friends H 5,000,00 -5,000.00 97 Attorney fees owed H 8,000.00 37,114.00 -45.114 00 Commnunity Unsecured Debt 44,500.00 54,327.32 -98,827.32
No. Separate Real Property Posr Husband Wife Net Value Notes 97 House Gandhinagar lndia, 1/6th share H 5500.00 000 5,500.00 Alavoor 1 0,000 - 4500 debts
Page 4 of 5 Cause # 63935 Cause # 639352 Third Amended Inventory & Appraisement of Alavoor Vasudevan, July 2014 DIVISION ANALYSIS
Combined Total Husband,s Total Wife's Total Community neal Estatel rtlt.ai""o ""ionr*rr,." I 0g __ __l
60 4Ol Separate Real Estate S,5O0i 5,500 0] separate personat , vrrvrrqrr property rv1lsrr)' oi Ul _ _ -___- o U ;l O, l Separate Unsecured Debt O- O - - al T^+al O^^^-^r^ Total Separate Estate r-r-r- c,cuu _ _ s,q00 o TotalCommunity and Separate 2.1ggtgot 1p24,30O aZZSgOl
d. ?-,,Jr -+4 (L:vt r.t .t" .#.e *-n-F \ -7 k'"-^ru* \ -I[^L b"* h,r tc .lt'(,L t, u-$o,trtt{ ,icl^e [r kra'cz-1 lt*" "t(n L:q u"t o{tt
( X-uv,c-dL v)+s t)EVtfr(t
Page 5 of5 Cause # 63935 Appendix E Inventory filed by Wife Inventory filed by Wife is given here (next page) Appendix F Proof filed by Husband for Community Estates Proof filed by Husband is given here (next page) Appendix G Proof filed by Husband for hidden gold bars of wife Proof filed by Husband is given here (next page) EXHIBIT 1: Missing Items in Inventory: Wife's Handwriting 14 Gold Bars Cause No. 63935 DEEPA VASUDEVAN § IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND § 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN § BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS This “Exhibit” says in last paragraph Item (6) as handwritten by wife (Deepa): “14 Gold Bars” (marked by red arrow). This is for inventory number 3 which includes 14 Gold Bars and 30 Gold Coins.
Appendix H Court reporters copy filed Court reports report is filed directly to 14th Appeals Court for 27 May 2014 hearing and 08 Oct 2014 hearing.
1 EXHIBIT INDEX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS NO. DESCRIPTION OFFERED ADMITTED VOL 1 Second Amended Inventory and 88 90 2 5 Appraisement of Alavoor 6 Vasudevan 2 Objections to Inventory Filed 90 X 2 8 By Wife on 9 May 2014 5 Citibank Account Statement for 67 X 2 10 April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 12 Wedding Photographs Showing 71 X 2 12 Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry 13 Handwriting Diary of Wife 71 X 2 14 1. Bank of America Payment 71 75 2 15 Notice, 7-1-13 to 6-30-14 16 2. Bank of America Payment 17 Notice, 7-1-08 to 6-30-09 18 3. Bank of America Account Statement 19 August, 2001 - Pages 1 and 2 of 13 20 4. Bank of America Account Statement 21 August, 2001 - Pages 7 and 8 of 13 22 5. Bank of America Account Statement 23 July, 2002 - Pages 1 and 2 of 13 24 6. Bank of America Account Statement 25 July, 2002 - Pages 3 and 4 of 13
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT
1 EXHIBIT INDEX CONTINUED PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS NO. DESCRIPTION OFFERED ADMITTED VOL 14 7. Handwritten Notes 71 X 2 15 Handwritten Notes 71 X 2 16 Samples of Identity Thefts and 72 X 2 7 Article from Odisha Sun Times
9 RESPONDENT/COUNTER-PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS NO. DESCRIPTION OFFERED ADMITTED VOL 1 Bank of America Account 31 32 2 12 Activity as of 10-28-13 2 Letters between Petitioner 33 33 2 14 and Mr. Ron Brownstein 3 Deepa Vasudevan's Motion to 36 38 2 16 Compel Discovery and for 17 Sanctions and Protective Order 4 Affidavit for Business Records 41 42 2 19 For Deepa Vasudevan 5 Fourth Amended Inventory and 43/50 50 2 21 Appraisement of Deepa Vasudevan 6 Photograph 49 49 2 7 Photograph 52 52 2 8 Attorney's Fees for Ronald 85 86 2 25 Allen Brownstein
RENEE E. RAPE, CSR, RPR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 300TH DISTRICT COURT Appendix I The Record Below All the documents filed with the Trial court are given here (next page).
Appendix J Texas Family Code 3.003 - Community Estates Texas Family Code for Marital Property Rights http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/?link=FA Code = Family Code Chapter 3 Marital Property Rights and Liabilities Sec.3.003. Presumption of community property Sec. 3.003. PRESUMPTION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY. (a) Property possessed by either spouse during or on dissolution of marriage is presumed to be community property. (b) The degree of proof necessary to establish that property is separate property is clear and convincing evidence.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.
Appendix K Texas Penal Code 2.01 - Cruelty by Husband Texas Penal Code for Proof Beyond a reasonable doubt http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.2.htm#2.01 Code = Penal Code CHAPTER 2. BURDEN OF PROOF Sec. 2.01. PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. All persons are presumed to be innocent and no person may be convicted of an offense unless each element of the offense is proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The fact that he has been arrested, confined, or indicted for, or otherwise charged with, the offense gives rise to no inference of guilt at his trial.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
Appendix L Felony Charge on Wife's Attorney filed by Husband Husband filed felony charge on wife's attorney for postal mail thefts is given here (next page) Oct 13, 2014 ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN § IN THE DISTRICT COURT v/s § JUDICIAL DISTRICT RON BROWNSTEIN § TEXAS Dear Ron Brownstein: Please find below the “Notice of Intention to Petition”. Please show causes as to why this lawsuit should not be filed against your firm.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO PETITION LAWSUIT This is an intention to file petition with the court for the following violations by your Law Firm (and you): a) Federal Privacy Law on mail and personal information b) Texas Privacy Laws (various and general) c) Federal Privacy Laws (various and general) Background Information Mr Ron Brownstein, attorney at law and his Law Firm was hired by my ex-wife Deepa in divorce Cause #63935 in Brazoria 300th District Court. That case had trial on 27 May 2014. And for that case Mr. Ron Browstein (and his Law Firm) had illegally intercepted and opened all my postal mails which was addressed to my home address at 3402 Castle Pond Court, Pearland, TX. Mr Ron Brownstein took advantage that I was not living in that home but was living in an apartment situated at 8701 Gustine Lane, #5918, Houston, TX 77031. In that home at Castle Pond, my ex-wife Deepa was living. Mr Ron Brownstein not only opened all my mails but also sent those to me via Registered Postal Mail with RFP#5,8,10,17(second supplement). Also these have been filed with District Court. Attached are the copies of the mail and RFPs.
An oral deposition of Alavoor Vasudevan had been taken by Mr Ron Brownstein on April 10, 2014 and several questions regarding these RFP#5,8,10,17 (second supplement) had been asked. The “Choice Reporting” did the recording and is also the witness for this oral deposition. As a proof, deposition pages from 131 thru 142 describe the contents of the RFPs 5,8,10,17 (second supplement).
Note that as per US laws – Title 18 U.S. Code § 1708 - Whoever steals, takes, or abstracts, or by fraud or deception obtains, or attempts so to obtain, from or out of any mail, post office, or station thereof, letter box, mail receptacle, or any mail route or other authorized depository for mail matter, or from a letter or mail carrier, any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or abstracts or removes from any such letter, package, bag, or mail, any article or thing contained therein, or secretes, embezzles, or destroys any such letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein; or Whoever steals, takes, or abstracts, or by fraud or deception obtains any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein which has been left for collection upon or adjacent to a collection box or other authorized depository of mail matter; or Whoever buys, receives, or conceals, or unlawfully has in his possession, any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein, which has been so stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted, as herein described, knowing the same to have been stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted— Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
Page 1 of 2 Oct 13, 2014 Amendments: 1952—Act July 1, 1952, made any thefts or receipt of stolen mail a felony regardless of the monetary value of the thing stolen.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2011-title18/USCODE-2011-title18-partI-chap83-sec1708 http://ww.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title18/pdf/USCODE-2011-title18-partI-chap83-sec1708.pdf
Attached is the copy of the Title 18 US code 1708.
Also Mr Ron Brownstein (and his Law Firm) had violated my privacy and violated general laws of privacy, intrusion, trespassing my “information-data”, identity theft and various others. These will cause me immense economic damages for a very long time. And there are other economic damages due to these actions.
Damage Claim I request the court to do following: i) Impose court fine (US dollars) on Mr Ron Browstein (and/or on his Law firm) and other penalties.
ii) Award me $200,000 in damages. It should be charged to mal-practice-insurance of Mr Ron Browstein (or law firm) or if no insurance coverage is available then from the personal assets of Mr Ron Browstein.
iii) Impose all the court fees, admin fees, judge fees (US dollars) on Mr Ron Browstein (and/or on his Law firm) iv) Pay my attorney fees and other costs which I may incur.
Sincerely,
___________________________________ ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN Alavoor Vasudevan P.O. BOX 710163 Houston, TX 77271 Ph: (832) 244-1927
Page 2 of 2 Oct 13, 2014 Appendix M Health Reports of Husband Health reports of Husband is attached here (next page) Appendix N Objections to Inventory filed by Wife See next page EXHIBIT 1: Missing Items in Inventory: Wife's Handwriting 14 Gold Bars Cause No. 63935 DEEPA VASUDEVAN § IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND § 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN § BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS This “Exhibit” says in last paragraph Item (6) as handwritten by wife (Deepa): “14 Gold Bars” (marked by red arrow). This is for inventory number 3 which includes 14 Gold Bars and 30 Gold Coins.
Cause No. 63935 DEEPA VASUDEVAN § IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND § 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN § BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS Cause No. 63935: In the Matter of the Marriage of A1avoor Vasudevan and Deepa Vasudevan and in the Interest of Pallavi Dev, A Child; In the 300th Judicial District Court of Brazoria County, Texas Wedding Photos showing Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry
photo 1: Diamond finger rings and gold bangles photo 2: Diamond finger rings and gold bangles photo 3: Diamond finger rings
photo 4: Diamond finger rings husband EXHIBIT 13: Handwriting Diary Showing word ONLY written by Wife pg 1 of 3
Cause No. 63935 DEEPA VASUDEVAN § IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND § 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN § BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS This “Exhibit 13” has handwritings of Wife's Diary and proves that handwriting of word “ONLY” in “Deposition Exhibit 4” is written by wife Deepa.
See also inventory number 3 $900,000.00 In “Deposition Exhibit 4” and there the last paragraph in “Exhibit 4” says this: “Several sets of jewellery and everything is given to be my mother except a ring and a chain with my mangalyam which al had given and he can get that; the rest goes to pallavi. There are 14 gold bars all bought by me and some given to me by amma and pati from what they had collected in the past. 400 dollar us savings bonds and that is for pallavi”.
And in first paragraph is handwriting of Deepa which says “only”. The handwriting of “only” is a proof that this document exhibit 4 was indeed prepared by Wife (Deepa).
See also page 9 of the deposition of Deepa Vasudevan taken on 24 April 2014.
Page 1 of 3 EXHIBIT 13: Handwriting Diary Showing word ONLY written by Wife pg 2 of 3
Page 2 of 3 EXHIBIT 13: Handwriting Diary Showing word ONLY written by Wife pg 3 of 3
Page 3 of 3 EXHIBIT 15 Handwriting 14 Gold Bars pg 1 of 1 Cause No. 63935 DEEPA VASUDEVAN § IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND § 300TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN § BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS “Exhibit 15” says this in last paragraph Item (6) as handwritten by wife (Deepa): “14 Gold Bars”.
See also inventory number 3 $900,000.00
Page 1 of 1 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing “Brief of Appellant” was directed to Appellee Deepa Vasudevan, by and through their attorney Kelly McClendon, SBN: 13407200, P O Box 3457, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566 email: [email protected] phone: 979-299-0755, via email on this 06 December 2014.
________________________ ALAVOOR VASUDEVAN Pro Se PO Box 710163 Houston TX 77271 Email: [email protected] Phone: 832-244-1927
18 Case No. 14-14-00765- CV
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.