Joseph R. Broussard, Et Ux. v. Ave Maria Rosary & Cenacle, Inc.

STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT

21-508

JOSEPH R. BROUSSARD AND ROSE BROUSSARD

VERSUS

AVE MARIA ROSARY & CENACLE, INC., ET AL

**********
ON APPEAL FROM THE
27TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF ST. LANDRY, NO. 15-C-0282-C
HONORABLE GERARD CASWELL, DISTRICT JUDGE

**********

JONATHAN W. PERRY
JUDGE

**********

Court composed of Elizabeth A. Pickett, Billy Howard Ezell, and Jonathan W. Perry,
Judges.

AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART;
AND REMANDED.

Gloria A. Angus
Angus Law Firm, LLC
627 E. Vine Street
Opelousas, Louisiana 70570
(337) 948-8800
COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFFS-APPELLANTS:
Joseph Broussard and Rose Broussard

Bruce Gaudin
Attorney at Law
100 West Bellevue
Opelousas, Louisiana 70570
(337) 948-3818
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES:
Ave Maria Rosary & Cenacle, Inc., et al

PERRY, Judge.

This case involves a suit originally filed by Joseph and Rose Broussard

(hereinafter “Joseph” and “Rose,” individually, and collectively “the Broussards”)

to revoke a donation of a one-acre parcel of immovable property to Ave Maria

Rosary & Cenacle, Inc. (“Ave Maria”) for ingratitude.1 Several years after filing

suit, Joseph was interdicted, and his wife, Rose, was appointed as his curatrix. Rose,

individually and as curatrix of Joseph, now appeals2 the dismissal of their claims on

Ave Maria’s motion for partial summary judgment and the trial court ruling that the

curatrix cannot maintain an action to revoke the donation made by her interdicted

husband.3 After conducting a de novo review, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and

remand.

FACTS

This case focuses on the donation of a one-acre parcel of property by Joseph

and Rose to Ave Maria on November 1, 2000. The property is described as follows:

A certain tract or parcel of land, together with all buildings and
improvements thereon, and all rights, ways, privileges, servitudes,
appurtenances, and advantages thereunto belonging or in anywise
appertaining, situated in Section 63, Township Five South (T-5-S),
Range Three East (R-3-E), St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, containing
ONE (1) ACRE, and more particularly identified as TRACT “A”, as
per Plat of Survey prepared by Nason A. LaJack, Jr., dated August 10,
2000, a copy being attached hereto. Said tract being more particularly
described as commencing at the southwest corner of a large tract owned
by Joseph R. Broussard containing 24 acres identified as Lot 1, thence
in a northeasterly direction along La. Highway 103 Right of Way a
distance of Two Hundred Seventy-seven and 46/100 (277.46') feet to
the Point of Beginning, thence continuing in a Northeasterly direction
1
In connection with her initial pleadings, Rose also sought damages from Ave Maria and
several board members. Ultimately, those claims and those other defendants were dismissed.
What remains is a suit to revoke the donation to Ave Maria and nullify it as not having been
executed as an authentic act.
2
We will later discuss Ave Maria’s objection to this appeal on procedural grounds.
3
Consolidated with this suit in the trial court is a separate action instituted by Sheila
Broussard Guidry (“Sheila”), the daughter of Joseph and Rose, against Ave Maria. In that lawsuit,
Sheila initiated an action to recover the one-acre tract which her parents donated to Ave Maria.
We will address Sheila’s appeal under Docket No. 21-508 in a separate opinion.

along said right of way a distance of One Hundred Ninety-one and
97/100 (191.97') feet to a point, thence in an easterly or southeasterly
direction a distance of Two Hundred Twenty-six and 92/100 (226.92')
feet to a point, thence in a southerly or southwesterly direction a
distance of One Hundred Ninety-one and 97/100 (191.97') feet to a
point, thence in a westerly or northwesterly direction a distance of Two
Hundred Twenty-six and 92/100 (226.92') feet to the point of
beginning. Said tract being bounded, now or formerly, as follows:
North, South and East by Joseph R. Broussard, and West by La.
Highway 103.

Being a portion of the same property that Joseph B. Broussard
acquired in part in the Estate of Renee Broussard and Mable Felix
Broussard, Probate Docket No. 95P1017B, in particular in Judgment of
Possession dated March 28, 1995, recorded under Original Act No.
790828, in Conveyance Book D-35, page 332; and that Joseph R
Broussard and Rose Kilchrist Broussard acquired from Joseph Cormier
in Act of Cash Sale dated April 12, 1995, recorded under Original Act
No. 791300, in Conveyance Book D-35, page 845, of the records of St.
Landry Parish, Louisiana.

Further stipulated in the donation is a provision stating that if the property is

“no longer used for religious purposes and this corporation is dissolved, the land

shall revert to donors, JOSEPH BROUSSARD and ROSE KILCHRIST

BROUSSARD, and/or their descendants in full ownership.” Fay Perry Smithey and

Joseph, respectively, the president and vice-president of Ave Maria, accepted this

donation on behalf of Ave Maria.

On May 8, 2009, Joseph and Rose executed an act of exchange with Ave

Maria. In the exchange, they conveyed a strip of property of 0.114 acres which

abutted the eastern side of the one-acre tract they had earlier donated to Ave Maria.

And, in return, Ave Maria conveyed to Joseph and Rose a strip of property of 0.114

acres which was within and along the southern side of the one-acre tract earlier

donated to it. These properties were more fully described in a plat of survey by John

A. Miller, PLS, dated May 8, 2009, and was attached to the act of exchange.4

4
In their amended and supplemental petition dated November 15, 2015, Joseph and Rose
admit that they were only usufructuaries of the exchanged property. In its brief to this court and
in argument in the trial court, Ave Maria acknowledges this fact. Because of this, Ave Maria sued
2

On November 5, 2013, Joseph and Rose unilaterally revoked the donation

they had made to Ave Maria and recorded the act of revocation in the conveyance

records of St. Landry Parish. Ingratitude was the reason stated in the act of

revocation. In response, Ave Maria filed suit, contesting the act of revocation.

Joseph and Rose then filed suit seeking to evict Ave Maria from the donated

property. The two lawsuits were consolidated.5

As shown in the judgment dated October 22, 2014, Ave Maria moved for

summary judgment in the suit which sought to nullify the act of revocation filed by

the Broussards. After considering the motion for summary judgment, the evidence,

and the argument of counsel, the trial court granted Ave Maria’s motion. In its

judgment, the trial court nullified the act of revocation, and recognized Ave Maria

as the owner of the one-acre tract of land, together with all buildings and

improvements thereon situated. Joseph and Rose also withdrew their eviction suit.

No motion for new trial was filed and no appeal was sought.

Subsequently, on January 20, 2015, Joseph and Rose filed a petition to nullify

and revoke the 2000 donation they made to Ave Maria. Among other things,6 Joseph

and Rose asked that their donation be revoked for Ave Maria’s ingratitude.7 In

Joseph and Rose for damages and attorney fees. Ultimately, Ave Maria withdrew its claim for
damages but its claim for attorney fees survives.
5
These lawsuits are more particularly identified as having been filed in the 27th Judicial
District Court, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. They are as follows: Docket No. 14-C-0177-B, Ave
Maria Rosary & Cenacle v. Joseph R. Broussard and Rose Kilchrist Broussard; and Docket No.
14-C-0190-A, Joseph R. Broussard and Rose Kilchrist Broussard v. Ave Maria Rosary & Cenacle.
The act of revocation and the judgment are part of the record now before us. However, the record
of these lawsuits was not entered into the record of this matter.
6
The Broussards also sought an award of monetary damages, attorney fees, and the
assessment of costs to Ave Maria. None of these matters are before us.
7
Their allegations of ingratitude included: (1) on January 19, 2014, Ave Maria had Sheila,
the Broussards’ daughter, arrested for criminal mischief and this arrest occurred in their presence;
(2) in early March 2014, Ave Maria installed gutters on structures on the donated property that
increased water flow onto the Broussards’ adjoining property; (3) in late March 2014, the increased
flow of water onto their property caused the Broussards to clean their private ditch and dam it to
block the increased water flow; (4) on April 1, 2014, corporate counsel for Ave Maria sent a letter
to them demanding that they remove the dam that blocked their private ditch; (4) Ave Maria
3

supplemental and amending petitions filed on November 17, 2015, and June 7, 2018,

Joseph and Rose amplified the allegations made in their original petition, made more

detailed allegations of purported ingratitude exhibited by various members of Ave

Maria, and further asserted that the ownership of the property they donated in 2000

should be returned to them because undue influence made upon them affected their

donative intent.

On April 5, 2019, during the pendency of this litigation, Joseph developed

dementia and a judgment of full interdiction was entered. Rose was appointed

curatrix and Joseph’s daughters, Sheila and Vanessa, were appointed undercurators.

Subsequently, Rose, as Joseph’s curatrix, sought permission from the trial court to

be substituted as plaintiff in Joseph’s stead.

In addition to having answered the Broussards’ original and supplemental and

amending petitions, Ave Maria filed peremptory exceptions of no cause of action,

no right of action, prescription, and further filed a motion for partial summary

judgment on the issue of the validity of the donation inter vivos executed by Joseph

and Rose to Ave Maria. After hearing oral argument and considering various

evidentiary filings, the trial court: (1) denied the peremptory exception of no cause

installed surveillance cameras on the donated property which were placed so as to invade the
privacy of the Broussards; and (5) Ave Maria complained to the St. Landry Parish Code
Enforcement Division regarding overgrown grass on the Broussards’ property.

The Broussards also asked that Ave Maria’s acceptance of the 2000 donation inter vivos
be nullified because the corporation failed to provide a resolution authorizing its acceptance of the
donation. However, a judgment dated February 22, 2016, states as follows:

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the
Exceptions of No Right of Action and Prescription of the claim by the Plaintiffs
[Joseph R. Broussard and Rose K. Broussard] that the Intervivos Donation of the
property upon which the Ave Maria shrine sits was not validly accepted by the
Board of Directors of Ave Maria are GRANTED, based upon the Stipulation of the
parties.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the
Exception of No Right of Action for the Plaintiffs [Joseph R. Broussard and Rose
K. Broussard] to assert any claims that are strictly personal to their daughter, Sheila
Guidry, is GRANTED, based upon the Stipulation of the parties.
4

of action filed by the Broussards,8 excepting to the motion for partial summary

judgment filed by Ave Maria as not being a proper procedural response to the

motion; (2) granted Ave Maria’s motion for partial summary judgment, finding no

genuine issue of material fact relative to the validity of the one-acre donation to Ave

Maria made on November 1, 2000, as said donation was valid and involved the

separate property of Joseph; (3) rejected the claim made by Rose to revoke the

donation to Ave Maria as there was no genuine issue of material fact that the property

in question was the separate property of her husband at the time of the donation to

Ave Maria; (4) due to the interdiction of Joseph on April 5, 2019, and pursuant to

La.Civ.Code art. 1482, Joseph was prohibited from revoking the donation made to

Ave Maria on November 1, 2000, and dismissed that claim; and, (5) decreed that as

a result of Joseph’s interdiction, Rose as curatrix cannot maintain an action to revoke

a donation made by Joseph, and accordingly, any such claim by the curatrix was

dismissed.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

The Broussards contend that the trial court erred: (1) as a matter of law in

finding that Rose, the curatrix of Joseph, cannot substitute as party-plaintiff on

behalf of her husband who filed suit to revoke the donation to Ave Maria five years

before he was interdicted; (2) in making a finding of fact in a partial summary

judgment proceeding that the one-acre parcel of property donated to Ave Maria by

Rose and Joseph was Joseph’s separate property; (3) in making a fact finding as to

the validity of the donation of the one-acre tract of land as there are material issues

8
We observe that although the trial court judgment would later reference this as a
peremptory exception of no cause of action, the Broussards actually filed a peremptory exception
of no right of action excepting to Ave Maria’s motion for partial summary judgment. The parties
argued it as such in the hearing, and the trial court likewise referenced it as such in the transcript
of the hearing.
5

of fact as to whether the donation was done by authentic act before a notary and two

witnesses; and (4) in issuing a mutual preliminary injunction without consent of the

parties and without a hearing on the motion.

OBJECTION TO THE APPEAL

In its brief to this court, Ave Maria contends the trial court should not have

signed the order designating the record. It contends that the motion to designate the

record was untimely and Joseph and Rose failed to include a concise statement of

the points upon which they intended to rely as required by La.Code Civ.P. art. 2129.

Designation of the record is addressed in La.Code Civ.P. arts. 2128, 2129, and

2132, and Uniform Rules—Courts of Appeal, Rule 2–1.17.9 Louisiana Code of Civil

Procedure Article 2128 provides, in pertinent part (emphasis added):

The form and content of the record on appeal shall be in
accordance with the rules of the appellate court, except as provided in
the constitution and as provided in Article 2128.1. However, within
three days, exclusive of holidays, after taking the appeal the appellant
may designate in a writing filed with the trial court such portions of the
record which he desires to constitute the record on appeal. Within five
days, exclusive of holidays, after service of a copy of this designation
on the other party, that party may also designate in a writing filed with
the trial court such other portions of the record as he considers
necessary. . . . [A] party or the trial court may cause to be filed
thereafter any omitted portion of the record as a supplemental record.
When no designation is made, the record shall be a transcript of all the
proceedings as well as all documents filed in the trial court.

Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 2129 states:

An assignment of errors is not necessary in any appeal. Where
the appellant designates only portions of the record as the record on
appeal, he must serve with his designation a concise statement of the
points on which he intends to rely, and the appeal shall be limited to
those points.

Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 2132 states:

9
Uniform Rules—Courts of Appeal, Rule 2–1.17 simply states, “Notwithstanding the
foregoing requirements, the parties may designate, in writing, portions of the record to constitute
the record in a Court of Appeal.”

6

A record on appeal which is incorrect or contains misstatements,
irregularities or information, or which omits a material part of the trial
record, may be corrected even after the record is transmitted to the
appellate court, by the parties by stipulation, by the trial court or by the
order of the appellate court. All other questions as to the content and
form of the record shall be presented to the appellate court.

In the present case, the record shows that Rose, individually and as Joseph’s

curatrix, was granted an appeal on June 16, 2021, and she did not first seek to

designate the record until July 13, 2021.10 Our examination of the record also shows

that she did not designate the record until July 20, 2021, and at that time she did not

provide a concise statement of the points on which she intended to rely. On these

facts alone it is clear that Rose failed to comply with La.Code Civ.P. arts. 2128 and

2129.

In our review of Ave Maria’s objections, we do not find that it has shown that

Rose’s failures have prejudiced it or that the appellate record is insufficient to

address the assignments of error delineated in her brief to this court, or that

transcription of the entire record is warranted. It is also evident that Rose’s appeal

has been limited to those assignments of error, that her brief was provided to Ave

Maria, that the points relied upon are addressed in the brief, and that the designated

record is sufficient for us to review them. See Shop Rite, Inc. v. Gardiner, 21-172

(La.App. 3 Cir. 4/14/21) (unpublished opinion)(holding that service of a concise

statement of point or assignment of error moots the necessity to dismiss the appeal);

10
The record shows that the trial court extended the time within which Rose could
designate the record; it is also shown that Rose’s designation of the record was made within the
time limitations set by the trial court. Our review of La.Code Civ.P. art. 2088, which addresses
the divestiture of the trial court of jurisdiction, does not enumerate that the trial court has authority
to extend the time within which Rose had to request the designation of the record. Likewise, we
observe that the trial court granted two motions to extend the return day of the appeal. Louisiana
Code of Civil Procedure Article 2125 states, that “the trial court may grant only one extension of
the return day” and “[s]ubsequent extensions of the return day may be granted by the appellate
court for sufficient cause or at the request of the court reporter as provided in Article 2127.2.”
However, because of our resolution of the issues involving Rose’s failure to follow the rules of
procedure regarding the designation of the record, these two additional problems do not affect our
disposition of this matter.
7

compare Bonner v. Goldberg, 11-768 (La.App. 4 Cir. 11/2/11), 76 So.3d 1284 (the

exceptions complained of on appeal were not included in the designated record; thus,

the appellate court had no evidentiary record to review). “The effect to be given to

an appellant’s failure to comply with the procedure taking a limited appeal is within

the sound discretion of the Court of Appeal.” Martin v. G & A Ltd., 583 So.2d 611,

613 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1991) (quoting Miller v. Miller, 405 So.2d 534, 535 (La.App. 3

Cir. 1981)). Thus, based upon the facts now before us, we find no merit to Ave

Maria’s objection to Rose’s appeal.

Moreover, to the extent that Ave Maria’s argument may be considered an

attempt to have this court dismiss the appeal, we hereby deny the motion to dismiss

as untimely filed. Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 2161 states that a

motion to dismiss an appeal because of “any irregularity, error, or defect which is

imputable to the appellant must be filed within three days, exclusive of holidays, of

the return day or the date on which the record on appeal is lodged in the appellant

court, whichever is later.” The appeal record was lodged on August 11, 2021. Thus,

we find Ave Maria’s argument contained in its appellate brief filed on November

12, 2021, is considered untimely.

INTERDICTION AND REVOCATION

When this matter was argued in the trial court, the parties were allowed

additional time to brief and argue whether Joseph’s claim to revoke the donation

could proceed after he was fully interdicted. Relying on La.Civ.Code art. 1482(B),

the trial court dismissed Joseph’s claim, finding that “[a] full interdict lacks capacity

to make or revoke a donation inter vivos[.]” Rose, as Joseph’s curatrix, has appealed,

contending the trial court erred as a matter of law in reaching this conclusion. We

agree with Rose’s argument that the trial court erred in this regard.

8

The issue presented is solely a question of law, requiring the interpretation of

a statute. Thus, our review is de novo. Louisiana Mun. Ass’n v. State, 04-227 (La.

1/19/05), 893 So.2d 809; Hartman v. St. Bernard Par. Fire Dep’t & Fara, 20-693

(La. 3/24/21), 315 So.3d 823.

“The starting point for interpretation of any statute is the language of the

statute itself.” State v. Williams, 10-1514, p. 6 (La. 3/15/11), 60 So.3d 1189, 1192

(quoting Cat’s Meow v. City of New Orleans, 98-601, p. 15 (La. 10/20/98), 720 So.2d

1186, 1198). “[A] fundamental principle of statutory interpretation is that when a

‘law is clear and unambiguous and its application does not lead to absurd

consequences, the law shall be applied as written, and no further interpretation may

be made in search of the intent of the legislature.’ La.Civ.Code art. 9.” Harrah’s

Bossier City Inv. Co., LLC v. Bridges, 09-1916, p. 11 (La. 5/11/10), 41 So.3d 438,

446-47.

As explained in M.J. Farms, Ltd. v. Exxon Mobil Corp., 07-2371, pp. 12-13

(La. 7/1/08), 998 So.2d 16, 26-27 (internal citations omitted):

The function of statutory interpretation and the construction
given to legislative acts rests with the judicial branch of the
government. The rules of statutory construction are designed to
ascertain and enforce the intent of the Legislature. Legislation is the
solemn expression of legislative will and, thus, the interpretation of
legislation is primarily the search for the legislative intent. We have
often noted the paramount consideration in statutory interpretation is
ascertainment of the legislative intent and the reason or reasons which
prompted the Legislature to enact the law.

The starting point in the interpretation of any statute is the
language of the statute itself. “When a law is clear and unambiguous
and its application does not lead to absurd consequences, the law shall
be applied as written and no further interpretation may be made in
search of the intent of the legislature.” La.Civ.Code art. 9.

Moreover, “[t]he words of a law must be given their generally prevailing meaning.”

La.Civ.Code art. 11.

9

When, on the other hand, a statute is not clear and unambiguous, or its
application leads to absurd consequences, we rely on secondary rules
of statutory interpretation to discern the meaning of the statute at issue.
See Red Stick Studio Dev., L.L.C. v. State ex rel. Dep’t of Econ. Dev.,
10-0193, p. 10 (La. 1/19/11), 56 So.3d 181, 187-88 (quotation omitted).
In such cases, the statute “must be interpreted as having the meaning
that best conforms to the purpose of the law. Moreover, when the words
of a law are ambiguous, their meaning must be sought by examining
the context in which they occur and the text of the law as a whole.” Id.
Borcik v. Crosby Tugs, L.L.C., 16-1372, pp. 4-5 (La. 5/3/17), 222 So.3d 672, 675.

Furthermore, the laws of statutory construction require that “laws on the same

subject matter be interpreted in reference to each other. La.Civ.Code art. 13.”

Louisiana Mun. Ass’n, 893 So.2d at 837. “[W]here it is possible, courts have a duty

in the interpretation of a statute to adopt a construction which harmonizes and

reconciles it with other provisions dealing with the same subject matter.”

Hollingsworth v. City of Minden, 01-2658, p. 4 (La. 6/21/02), 828 So.2d 514, 517.

From the outset, we note that the trial court and Ave Maria focus on

La.Civ.Code art. 1482(B). Although we agree that it plays a part in our

determination, we find it equally important to consider it in conjunction with other

related codal provisions.

Louisiana Civil Code Article 1470 provides that “[a]ll persons have capacity

to make and receive donations inter vivos, . . . except as expressly provided by law.”

Addressing capacity more particularly, La.Civ.Code art. 1482(B) states, “A full

interdict lacks capacity to make or revoke a donation inter vivos or disposition mortis

causa.” The question now before us is whether a donor, who is not interdicted when

he commences an action for revocation, loses that capacity if he is subsequently

interdicted. For the following reasons, we find that under the facts now before us

Joseph’s action for revocation did not terminate with his interdiction.

Louisiana Civil Code Article 1556 establishes revocation as an exception to

the general rule established in La.Civ.Code art. 1468 that in a donation inter vivos
10

the donor “gratuitously divests himself, at present and irrevocably, of the thing

given” to the donee. How a donation inter vivos is revoked, though not specifically

delineated, may be discerned by reading La.Civ.Code art. 1558 (emphasis added)

which states, in part, that “[a]n action of revocation for ingratitude shall be brought

within one year from the day the donor knew or should have known of the act of

ingratitude.” Compare Scudder v. Howe, 11 So.2d 824 (La.1892) and Atkins v.

Johnson, 35 So.2d 16 (La.1948) (recognizing that the donor and donee have the

authority to rescind or modify the donation by mutual consent). Louisiana Code of

Civil Procedure Article 421 states that “[a] civil action is a demand for the

enforcement of a legal right[,] and “[i]t is commenced by the filing of a pleading

presenting the demand to a court of competent jurisdiction.” Thus, it may be

deduced that an action for revocation for ingratitude is commenced when a donor

files a petition for revocation of the donation inter vivos.

“Capacity to donate inter vivos must exist at the time the donor makes the

donation.” La.Civ.Code art. 1471. As noted in Revision Comment (b) to

La.Civ.Code art. 1471, it is stated that “the determination of capacity of the donor is

as of when he ‘makes’ the donation, and if he subsequently becomes incapacitated

before the donee accepts, that will not prevent the donation from being effective.”

We find the same analysis of donor capacity operative at the time of donation is

equally applicable to donor capacity at the time of revocation. It is undisputed that

Joseph was not interdicted when he commenced this action for revocation. Thus,

we find that Joseph had the capacity to seek revocation of the donation to Ave Maria

when he commenced his revocation action. Therefore, it logically follows that Rose,

11

the curatrix of the interdict, may pursue the action for revocation on Joseph’s

behalf.11

In reaching that conclusion, we further find analogous support from the

provisions of La.Civ.Code art. 1558, which provides as follows:

An action of revocation for ingratitude shall be brought within
one year from the day the donor knew or should have known of the act
of ingratitude.

If the donor dies before the expiration of that time, the action for
revocation may be brought by the successors of the donor, but only
within the time remaining, or if the donor died without knowing or
having reason to know of the act, then within one year of the death of
the donor.

If the action has already been brought by the donor, his
successors may pursue it.

If the donee is deceased, the action for revocation may be brought
against his successors.

Under these provisions, the action for revocation may be instituted by the donor’s

successors, if the donor had not yet filed suit, or the donor’s successors may pursue

it if the donor had filed suit. Clearly, this supports our conclusion that Rose, the

curatrix of Joseph, can pursue the revocation of the donation to Ave Maria on behalf

of the interdict, Joseph.12

For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the judgment of the trial court which

held that Rose as curatrix could not maintain an action to revoke a donation made

by her husband, Joseph, to Ave Maria on the grounds that Joseph was prohibited

11
The relationship between an interdict and his curator or continuing tutor is the same as
that between a minor and his tutor, with respect to the person and property of the interdict. La.R.S.
9:1032. A curatrix may institute and prosecute an action to enforce judicially a right of the
interdict. See La.Code Civ.P. art. 4073(1). More particularly, a curatrix may file an action to
annul a donation inter vivos made by an interdict. Leveige v. Greenhouse, 194 So.2d 475 (La.App.
3 Cir. 1967).
12
In its brief to this court, Ave Maria argues that Rose never sought permission to pursue
Joseph’s claim of revocation. Such contention would have best been presented as a dilatory
exception. Not having found such an exception in the record, we find Ave Maria has waived this
dilatory exception.
12

from revoking the donation under the provisions of La.Civ.Code art. 1482. Having

resolved this preliminary matter, we now turn to the assignments of error raised by

Rose, individually and as Joseph’s curatrix.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT

In their second and third assignments of error, the Broussards argue the trial

court erred in granting a partial summary judgment when it determined that the

property donated to Ave Maria was the separate property of Joseph; and the 2000

act of donation to Ave Maria was an authentic act properly signed before two

witnesses.

“A motion for summary judgment is a procedural device used to avoid a

full-scale trial when there is no genuine issue of material fact[.]” N. Am. Fire & Cas.

Co. v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 03-300, p. 3 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/1/03), 856

So.2d 1233, 1235, writ denied, 03-3334 (La. 2/13/04), 867 So.2d 694. “A summary

judgment may be rendered dispositive of a particular issue, theory of recovery, cause

of action, or defense, in favor of one or more parties, even though the granting of the

summary judgment does not dispose of the entire case as to that party or parties.”

La.Code Civ.P. art. 966(E). Appellate courts review motions for summary judgment

de novo, using the same criteria as the trial court to determine whether summary

judgment is appropriate. Dunn v. City of Kenner, 15-1175 (La. 1/27/16), 187 So.3d

404. “The summary judgment procedure is designed to secure the just, speedy, and

inexpensive determination of every action[.]” La.Code Civ.P. art. 966(A)(2). “The

procedure is favored and shall be construed to accomplish these ends.” Id. Pursuant

to La.Code Civ.P. art. 966(A)(3), a court will grant a motion for summary judgment

“if the motion, memorandum, and supporting documents show that there is no

genuine issue as to material fact and that the mover is entitled to judgment as a matter

of law.” See also Samaha v. Rau, 07-1726 (La. 2/26/08), 977 So.2d 880.

13

In Smith v. Our Lady of the Lake Hosp., Inc., 93-2512, p. 27 (La. 7/5/94), 639

So.2d 730, 751 (citations omitted), the Louisiana Supreme Court explained:

A fact is “material” when its existence or nonexistence may be
essential to plaintiff’s cause of action under the applicable theory of
recovery. “[F]acts are material if they potentially insure or preclude
recovery, affect a litigant’s ultimate success, or determine the outcome
of the legal dispute.” Simply put, a “material” fact is one that would
matter on the trial on the merits. Any doubt as to a dispute regarding a
material issue of fact must be resolved against granting the motion and
in favor of a trial on the merits.

From the outset, the Broussards argue that in Ave Maria’s motion for partial

summary judgment, it did not ask the trial court to determine that the donated

property to Ave Maria was Joseph’s separate property. Accordingly, they contend

the trial court’s ruling on this issue was improper.

Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 966(F) makes clear that “[a]

summary judgment may be rendered or affirmed only as to those issues set forth in

the motion under consideration by the court at that time.” See also Leet v. Hosp.

Serv. Dist. No. 1 of E. Baton Rouge Par., 18-1148 (La.App. 1 Cir. 2/28/19), 274

So.3d 583. As held by the Louisiana Supreme Court, a “court cannot render a motion

for summary judgment dismissing a claim which has not been challenged by the

pleading.” Hoover v Hoover, 01-2200, p. 8 (La. 4/3/02), 813 So.2d 329, 334.

Under La.Code Civ.P. art. 966(D)(2), “[a]ny objection to a document shall be

raised in a timely filed opposition or reply memorandum.” Comment (k) of the

Revision Comments 2015 to Article 966 states that this “provision changes prior law

by specifically removing the motion to strike as a means of raising an objection to a

document offered by an adverse party in support of or in opposition to a motion for

summary judgment and does not allow a party to file that motion.” “The intent of

[La.Code Civ.P.] art. 966(D)(2) was to make it mandatory that any objection to a

document filed in support of or in opposition to a motion for summary judgment

14

must be objected to in a timely filed opposition or reply memorandum and not in a

‘motion to strike’ or other pleadings.” Ramus v. KCJS Trucking, LLC, 19-041 p. 5

(La.App. 1 Cir. 9/27/19), 288 So.3d 869, 874; Adolph v. Lighthouse Prop. Ins. Corp.,

16-1275 (La.App. 1 Cir. 9/8/17), 227 So.3d 316.

The purpose of requiring that an opposition memorandum be served on the

mover not less than fifteen days before the hearing on a motion for summary

judgment is to allow both the court and the mover sufficient time to narrow the issues

in dispute and prepare for argument at the hearing. Blackwell v. Waste Mgmt. of

Louisiana, LLC, 14-560 (La.App. 3 Cir. 11/5/14), 150 So.3d 664; Mahoney v. East

Carroll Par. Police Jury, 47,494 (La.App. 2 Cir. 9/26/12), 105 So.3d 144, writ

denied, 12-2684 (La.2/8/13), 108 So.3d 88.

In the present case, the record shows that although there is no mention in the

motion for partial summary judgment addressing whether the donated property was

Joseph’s separate property, Ave Maria’s memorandum clearly raises that issue and

discusses it at length. Our review of the Broussards’ memorandum in opposition to

Ave Maria’s motion for partial summary judgment indicates no objection to the

inclusion of this argument on the part of Ave Maria for the first time in Ave Maria’s

supporting memorandum. Furthermore, the Broussards’ opposition memorandum

provides a detailed argument as to why the trial court issue should reject this

contention because there were genuine issues of material fact sufficient to deny on

this question.

At the hearing on the motion, the trial court was presented arguments from

Ave Maria as to why it thought there was no genuine issue of material fact that the

property was Joseph’s separate property and the Broussards, particularly relying on

Rose’s affidavit, contended otherwise. Having found no opposition in conformity

with the procedure specified in La.Code Civ.P. art. 966(D)(2) to Ave Maria’s failure

15

to include this issue in its motion, we find the Broussards waived their right to

challenge Ave Maria’s presentation of this issue in its motion for partial summary

judgment. Therefore, we find the trial court did not err when it considered it.

Notwithstanding, in our de novo review we must determine whether the trial

court erred in finding there were no genuine issues of material fact that the property

donated to Ave Maria was Joseph’s separate property. For reasons which follow,

we find there are genuine issues of material fact which preclude the issuance of a

partial summary judgment on this question.

Relying on the chain of title, Ave Maria contends the record establishes that

the one-acre tract donated to it was Joseph’s separate property. Referencing the

chain of title and Rose’s affidavit, the Broussards argue there are genuine issues of

material fact that preclude the issuance of a partial summary judgment as to this

issue.

Without detailing the full property descriptions and all elements of the chain

of title,13 Ave Maria points out that the one-acre parcel donated to it was acquired

by Joseph as part of a larger twenty-five acre tract, in the following manner: (1) the

donation of a one-acre tract to Joseph by his parents, René Broussard (“René”) and

Mable Felix Broussard (“Mable”), on September 12, 1968;14 (2) the sale of the same

one-acre parcel to Joseph and Rose by René and Mable on May 27, 1969, for the

sum of $557.00; (3) a three-fourths interest in twenty-five acres by judgment of

possession dated March 24, 1995, in the Successions of René and Mable; and (4) a

one-quarter interest in the twenty-five acres by cash sale dated April 12, 1995, from

13
For a more complete recitation of the property descriptions, reference may be made to
the companion opinion rendered this date in No. 21-507, Sheila Broussard Guidry v. Ave Maria
Rosary & Cenacle, Inc.
14
Joseph’s marital status was not provided in this donation, and Joseph did not appear
accepting the donation of the immovable property.

16

Joseph’s half-brother, Joseph Cormier (“Cormier”), as Joseph’s separate property15

for the sum of $8,700.00.

In addition to those facts, the record also shows other recorded property

transfers that relate to the property from which the one-acre parcel donated to Ave

Maria is derived. In 1988, after Joseph’s father, René, died, his mother, Mable,

executed a remunerative and onerous donation to Joseph of her interest in the

remaining twenty-four acres. Lastly, on May 8, 1995, Joseph donated eighteen acres

from the original twenty-five acres16 to his daughters, Sheila and Vanessa Ann

Broussard Walker (“Vanessa”). Ultimately, Vanessa would divest her interest in

favor of Sheila.

After considering the record evidence, we conclude that partial summary

judgment was not appropriate. Rose’s affidavit references the cash sale to her and

Joseph from René and Mable in 1969 and the 1995 acquisition from Cormier,

stating:

My husband and I were both employed for many years, before,
during and after our property purchases in 1969 and in April 1995 and
we have always shared a joint checking account and shared joint
savings accounts. We did not have separate funds accounts for paying
bills or making purchases. Everything was together, decisions were
made together, funds were together and we have remained married
together for nearly 60 years.

The cash sale of April 1995 was purchased with community
funds as community property, as indicated on my Last Will and
Testament signed on May 8, 1995 and as indicated on my husband’s
Last Will and Testament also signed on May 8, 1995 referencing our
purchase of an interest in the 6 undivided acres of community property
in both wills, which were filed and recorded in St. Landry Parish public
records on May 9, 1995.

15
At the time of this sale, Joseph is identified as being “married to and living with ROSE
KILCHRIST BROUSSARD[.]” No mention was made in the cash sale of the source of the funds
used for the purchase, and Rose did not join as a signatory to acknowledge the acquisition was
made by the separate estate of Joseph.
16
The property description of the donated eighteen acres references the original plat of
survey which depicted a twenty-five acre tract, and describes the donated property as having the
identical boundaries as that of the twenty-five acre tract.
17

In her recorded notarized last will and testament (emphasis added),17 Rose

made the following bequest:

I will and/or confirm to by [sic] beloved husband JOSEPH R.
BROUSSARD, the use and usufruct of all property of which I may
possess at the time of my death, and to be enjoyed by him during his
lifetime and widowhood and without necessity of furnishing bond or
security therefore, more particularly the following described property,
to-wit:

1. A certain tract or parcel of land, together with all
buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the
Plaisance Neighborhood, St. Landry Parish,
Louisiana, containing six (6) acres, more or less,
located in Section 63, T-5-S, R-3-E, La. Mer., and
bounded, now or formerly as follows: Northeast by
Andre[.] H. David; southeast and southwest by
Malvera Kidder; and Northwest by Public Road. Said
tract being more particularly identified as part of Lot
No. One (1) of Plat of survey made by F. S. Robert,
C.E., dated August 22, 1949, and recorded in Plat
Book 3, Page 33 of the records of the Recorder’s
Office of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

Being the same property Rene Broussard and
Mable Felix Broussard acquired from Jeffery
L. David, Sr., on January 15, 1953, under
Original Act No. 327633 in Conveyance Book
Y-9, page 385 of the records of the Recorder’s
Office of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

Being the same property that was acquired as
community property by Joseph R. Broussard
by act of Cash Sale dated April 12, 1995
recorded in Conveyance Book D-35, page 845
thru 846, in the office of the Recorder, St.
Landry Parish, Louisiana.

2. One (1) acre of land situated in Section, Sixty-
Three, Township Five South, Range Three-East (Sec. 63,
T-5-S, R-3-E), St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

This is part of the community of acquets and gains
of Vendors. Said property measures One Hundred
Ninety-One and Ninety One Hundredths (191.91) in
width and Two Hundred Twenty-seven (227')feet in
17
Joseph made a similar last will and testament. However, we note the following
differences: (a) he only referenced the property described as (1) in Rose’s last will and testament;
and (b) his description of (1) did not include language indicating that it had been acquired by him
as community property.
18

length. Said property is more fully described by the map
of survey attached hereto and made a part hereof. This
property is bounded now or formerly as follows: On the
North, South and East by the property of Vendors and on
the West by Louisiana Highway Number 103. Being the
same property acquired by act of Cash Sale on the 27 th
day of May, 1969 of the records of the Recorder’s Office
of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

These supporting documents question whether the property was separate or

community, and this becomes especially so when we consider that Rose did not join

in the sale from Cormier to acknowledge that this purchase was made as Joseph’s

separate property. At this point, it is equally possible that Joseph and Rose own one

acre, and Joseph himself owns twenty-four acres or Joseph owns an undivided three-

fourths of the twenty-four acres as separate property and Joseph and Rose own the

remaining one-fourth in community. For these reasons and on de novo review, we

reverse the trial court’s grant of partial summary judgment as to the legal

characterization of the property.

The Broussards next contend that the trial court erred when it found the act of

donation to Ave Maria was validly perfected before a notary and two witnesses. For

the following reasons, we find there are genuine issues of material fact that should

have precluded the issuance of a partial motion for summary judgment.

The record includes the deposition testimony of Charles F. Boagni, III, the

attorney who notarized the donation from Joseph and Rose to Ave Maria in 2000.

Although he had no independent recollection of the transaction, he stated, “I can tell

you that the donation would have been signed by Joseph and Rose Broussard in my

presence and in the presence of two witnesses. I only do donations that way.” Mr.

Boagni stated that as part of his usual procedure he would have explained the

document and answered any questions, and then he would have watched them sign

the document. He further stated that the two witnesses to the donation were Judy

19

Reiners and Velma Fontenot. Later, in an affidavit dated September 5, 2019, Mr.

Boagni stated:

Appearer is aware that the Broussards have questioned whether
the [donation inter vivos] is an authentic act and I herein testify that all
donations in this office are done in the presence of two (2) witnesses
and a notary. All the parties do not have to sign together, but when they
do sign it would be in the presence of two witnesses and a notary.

The record also contains the affidavit of Rose who paints a different picture.

In her affidavit, Rose stated:

Joseph Broussard and I signed documents together at the
Attorney Charles F. Boagni III’s office in front of him and in front of
Fay Smithey, and this was the very first time on November 1, 2000, that
Joseph and I had ever met this attorney, to sign the land donation
document, where only the 4 of us (Charles F. Boagni III, Fay Perry
Smithey, Joseph Broussard and myself, Rose Broussard) were present.
There were no other people present in the room with us.

The location was at the Charles F. Boagni III law office when
signing the November 1st 2000 Act of Donation, donating the 1 acre
when Joseph and I both signed the document as donors and at the same
time, Joseph Broussard signed as Ave Maria Rosary and Cenacle
Incorporated’s duly elected Vice President, jointly authorized agent of
the corporation, who jointly signed the document with the duly elected
President and jointly authorized agent of the corporation, Fay Perry
Smithey[,] as donee accepting the 1 acre land donation for the Ave
Maria Rosary and Cenacle Inc.

No other witnesses were present when I signed the November 1st
2000 document regarding the 1 acre[.]

In Tillman v. Eldridge, 44,460, pp. 13-14 (La.App. 2 Cir. 7/15/09), 17 So.3d

69, 78 (citation omitted), the court stated:

Even though [the] summary judgment [procedure] is now
favored, it is not a substitute for trial on the merits, and it is
inappropriate for judicial determination of subjective facts, such as
motive, intent, good faith or knowledge that call for credibility
evaluations and the weighing of the testimony. In deciding a motion
for summary judgment, the court must assume that all of the affiants
are credible.
Moreover, in Smith, 639 So.2d at 752, the court stated:

[S]ummary judgment may be granted when reasonable minds must
inevitably conclude that the mover is entitled to judgment on the facts
before the court. Sanders [v. Hercules Sheet Metal, Inc.], 385 So.2d

20

[772] at 775 [La.1980]; Chaisson v. Domingue, 372 So.2d 1225, 1227
(La.1979); Cates v. Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc., 328 So.2d
367, 370 (La.1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 833, 97 S.Ct. 97, 50 L.Ed.2d
98 (1976); see also Johnson v. Edmonston, 383 So.2d 1277, 1281
(La.App. 1st Cir.1980). Likewise, summary judgment is appropriate
when all the relevant facts are marshalled before the court, the
marshalled facts are undisputed, and the only issue is the ultimate
conclusion to be drawn from those facts.

Applying the well-established jurisprudence shown above, we find upon de

novo review that Ave Maria’s motion for summary judgment should have been

denied. The evidence detailed above involved disputed facts, call for credibility

evaluations, and the weighing of testimony. As such, summary judgment is not

appropriate.

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

Rose next takes issue with the trial court’s issuance of mutual preliminary

injunctions.18 She contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it failed to

hold a hearing before it issued the mutual preliminary injunctions. For reasons that

follow, we find that we do not have jurisdiction to consider this assignment of error.

On January 23, 2018, Ave Maria filed a rule for preliminary injunction,

naming Joseph, Rose, and their daughter as defendants-in-rule.19 In a subsequent

reconventional demand, Joseph and Rose’s daughter also requested the issuance of

a preliminary injunction. A hearing was held on September 19, 2018, and a

judgment was signed on October 10, 2018, granting mutual preliminary injunctions

which affected all the parties.

18
Sheila, the plaintiff in the companion case, did not appeal the issuance of the mutual
preliminary injunctions. Likewise, Ave Maria has not appealed the issuance of the mutual
preliminary injunctions.
19
Sheila filed a multitude of exceptions to Ave Maria’s rule for preliminary injunction. In
oral argument at the hearing on the rule for preliminary injunction, the Broussards argued that
they, too, filed exceptions. Whether because we were presented with a designated record or
otherwise, those exceptions do not appear in the record and counsel for the Broussards has not
specified those exceptions in her brief.
21

Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 3612(C) provides for a fifteen-day

period “from the date of the order or judgment” to appeal the issuance of the

preliminary injunction. Further, “[a]n appeal is taken by obtaining an order therefor,

within the delay allowed, from the court which rendered judgment.” La.Code Civ.P.

art. 2121 (emphasis added). The trial court granted the preliminary injunction on

September 19, 2018, in open court and signed a formal judgment on October 10,

2018. The Broussard had fifteen days from that latter date to file a motion for appeal

under the express provisions of La.Code Civ.P. art. 3612. No appeal of that order

was taken within that period of time. Thus, we are without jurisdiction to consider

the trial court’s granting of the preliminary injunction. Billedeaux Hearing Ctr.,

L.L.C. v. Urban-Kingston, 15-653 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1/13/16), 182 So.3d 1280.

DISPOSITION

For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the judgment of the trial court which

held that Rose K. Broussard as curatrix could not maintain an action to revoke a

donation made by her husband, Joseph Broussard, to Ave Maria on the grounds that

Joseph was prohibited from revoking the donation under the provisions of

La.Civ.Code art. 1482. We reverse the trial court’s grant of partial summary

judgment that the November 1, 2000, donation to Ave Maria was valid and that the

donation involved Joseph Broussard’s separate property. Lastly, we lack jurisdiction

to review the trial court’s grant of the mutual preliminary injunctions. Costs of this

appeal are assessed one-half to Ave Maria and one-half to Rose Broussard,

individually and as curatrix of Joseph Broussard.

AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; AND REMANDED.

22