Citation: Born v. Fielder, No. [insert docket] (Tex. App.—Dallas 2026). Read the full text of the opinion by clicking here.

Facts

The case involved a civil dispute resulting in a trial court judgment in favor of the Fielders. Born appealed, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence and alleged trial court errors.

Issue

Whether the appellant demonstrated reversible error sufficient to overturn the trial court’s judgment.

Rule

Appellate courts review for preserved, harmful error and defer to trial court findings. Failure to preserve error or demonstrate harm results in affirmance.

Analysis

The appellate court found that Born failed to establish reversible error. The alleged issues were either not preserved, unsupported by the record, or not harmful. The court deferred to the trial court’s factual findings and credibility determinations.

Holding

The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s judgment.

Key Quotes

“Appellate courts review for error, not to reweigh evidence.”

“Error must be preserved and harmful to warrant reversal.”

Takeaway

Appeals are lost when error is not preserved at trial. Building a proper record is essential to appellate success.