Supreme Court

Case: 25-0663    
25-0663
08/01/2025
Mandamus/Cause
IN RE THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES 
 
Appellate Briefs
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Description▲▼RemarksDocument
05/13/2026Brief on the MeritsRelator Relator's Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
04/28/2026Brief on the MeritsReal Parties in Interest Real Party in Interests' Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Sarah Denny, et al.
04/08/2026Brief on the MeritsRelator Relator's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
11/19/2025Response to Petition for Writ of Mandamus FiledReal Parties in Interest Response to Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed on behalf of Sarah Graziano, et al.
08/01/2025Petition for Writ of Mandamus filedRelator Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Case Events
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Disposition▲▼RemarksDocument
06/19/2026Case set for oral argumentCase set for oral argument This case has been set for oral argument at 9:00 a.m., November 4, 2026. Time allotted to argue: 20/20 minutes (Justice Devine not participating)
06/19/2026Mandamus Set to Argue 
06/19/2026Petition for Writ of Mandamus disposedCase set for oral argument
05/13/2026Brief on the Merits  Relator's Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
04/28/2026Brief on the Merits  Real Party in Interests' Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Sarah Denny, et al.
04/08/2026Brief on the Merits  Relator's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
04/07/2026Notice of Appearance  Notice of Appearance of Counsel filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
03/24/2026Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Relator's Brief on the Merits granted. Relator's Brief on the Merits is due April 8, 2026. Real Parties in Interest's Brief on the Merits is due April 28, 2026, Reply Brief is due May 13, 2026. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will not be considered.
03/24/2026Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Relator's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
02/27/2026Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Relator's Brief on the Merits is granted. Relator's Brief is due April 1, 2026. Response Brief is due April 21, 2026. Relator's Reply Brief is due May 6, 2026. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will be disfavored.
02/27/2026Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Relator's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
02/27/2026Notice received  Notice of Substitution of Lead Counsel filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
01/30/2026Brief on the Merits Ordered  Brief on the merits ordered: Relator's brief on the merits due no later than March 2, 2026; Response brief due March 23, 2026; Reply brief due April 7, 2026.
11/19/2025Response to Petition for Writ of Mandamus Filed  Response to Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed on behalf of Sarah Graziano, et al.
10/15/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Response disposedFiling granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Response to Petition for Writ of Mandamus is granted. Response is due November 19, 2025. FURTHER REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS OF TIME FOR THIS FILING WILL BE DISFAVORED.
10/15/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Response  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Response to Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed on behalf of Sarah Graziano, et al.
09/19/2025Supreme Court of Texas Requested Response  Requested response to petition for writ of mandamus due no later than October 20, 2025.
08/19/2025Case forwarded to Court 
08/12/2025Stay Order issued 
08/12/2025Motion to Stay DisposedFiling granted Relator's Emergency Motion for Temporary Relief granted
08/04/2025Motion to Stay Filed   Motion to Stay filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
08/01/2025Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed  Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed on behalf of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Calendars
Set Date▲▼Calendar Type▲▼Reason Set▲▼Remarks▲▼
08/12/2025Stay issued.Stay order issued 
11/04/2026Submission (Set to be Heard)Submission (Set to be heard) 
Parties
Party▲▼Party Type▲▼Representative▲▼
Cherry Seaton, Dependent Administrator with Will and Codicil Annexed of the Estate of Stanley L. Seaton, Deceased; Sarah Graziano: Docs Drive in Theatre. LLCReal Party in Interest Ms. Lauren Hunt
Doc’s Drive-In Theatre, LLCReal Party in Interest Mr. William B. Gammon
Texas Department of Family and Protective ServicesRelatorMr. Austin Kinghorn
Mr. Ernest C. Garcia
Ms. Leslie Capace
Ms. Karen L. Watkins  
Mr. Ralph Molina
Mr. W. Kenneth Paxton
Nathaniel A. Plemons
Mr. Brent Webster
Graziano, Sarah Real Party in Interest Mr. William B. Gammon
Court of Appeals Information:
Denied 
735 SW3d 811, 06-18-25 
3rd Court of Appeals 
Honorable Chari Kelly 
Trial Court Information
Probate Court No 1 
Travis 
Honorable Guy S. Herman 
C1-PB-22-001219