The Texas Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal filed by Martha and Carlos Huerta regarding their eviction from a property managed by Port SA MT, LLC. The court ruled that the Huertas' notice of appeal was not filed on time, which means they could not challenge the eviction decision. This ruling impacts the Huertas significantly, as it leaves them with limited options following their eviction.

The case, identified by docket number 04-26-00631-CV, originated from a forcible detainer judgment issued by the County Court at Law No. 3 in Bexar County, Texas. The court's decision to dismiss the appeal was delivered on October 21, 2026, and it underscores the importance of adhering to procedural timelines in legal matters.

Background

The parties involved in this case are Martha Huerta and Carlos Huerta, the appellants, and Port SA MT, LLC, the appellee. The dispute arose over the Huertas' eviction from a property managed by Port SA MT. The eviction process began when the trial court issued a forcible detainer judgment against the Huertas, which is a legal action that allows a landlord to regain possession of a property.

The Huertas filed their notice of appeal on July 9, 2026, after they were evicted on January 27, 2025. However, the appeal was complicated by the fact that the court record did not include a final judgment signed by the trial court. This missing document was crucial because it is required to establish the timeline for filing an appeal.

The Ruling

The Texas Court of Appeals ruled that the Huertas' appeal was dismissed for want of jurisdiction. The court stated, "Because we conclude that Martha and Carlos Huerta’s notice of appeal is untimely, we dismiss this appeal for want of jurisdiction." The judges involved in this decision were Rebeca C. Martinez, Irene Rios, and Velia J. Meza.

The court explained that the deadline for filing a notice of appeal begins when the trial court signs a final judgment. In this case, the trial court signed a final, appealable judgment on December 5, 2024. Therefore, the Huertas were required to file their notice of appeal by January 6, 2025. Since they filed their notice of appeal more than six months later, the court had no choice but to dismiss the case.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for the Huertas. By dismissing their appeal, the court effectively upholds the eviction judgment against them. The decision highlights the importance of following legal timelines and procedures, especially in eviction cases. For individuals facing similar situations, this case serves as a reminder that missing deadlines can result in losing the right to appeal.

Furthermore, the dismissal sets a precedent regarding the necessity of having a final judgment in the record when appealing a case. It emphasizes that courts require strict adherence to procedural rules to maintain order and efficiency in the legal system.

What's Next

Given the court's dismissal, it is unclear what options the Huertas may have moving forward. They could potentially seek to address their situation through other legal avenues, but the dismissal of their appeal limits their immediate recourse. There is no indication in the court filing that they plan to appeal this decision further, nor are there related cases pending at this time.