By JoAnn Storey
There is no right to an interlocutory appeal of an order granting or denying a special appearance in a suit brought under the Family Code. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 51.014(a)(7). The court on appeal has no jurisdiction to entertain an interlocutory appeal in such cases. CHEK Investments, L.L.C. v. L.R., 260 S.W.3d 704, 706 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008, no pet.) (dismissing interlocutory appeal challenging denial of special appearance in family-law matter).
Mandamus is the appropriate vehicle for challenging the grant or denial of a special appearance in a suit brought under the Family Code. See Knight Corp. v. Knight, 367 S.W.3d 715, 730 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no pet.); In re J.W.L., 291 S.W.3d 79, 83 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, orig. proceeding [mand. denied]).
Practice tip: If you mistakenly perfect an interlocutory appeal challenging the grant or denial of a special appearance in a family-law matter, ask the court to convert the appeal to a mandamus proceeding as opposed to dismissing the appeal. See In re J.P.L., 359 S.W.3d 695, 703 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, pet. denied).