Irma J. Leal v. Daniel Lopez
Irma J. Leal appealed the denial of her motion for a new trial following a default divorce judgment in favor of Daniel Lopez. The trial court entered a default judgment after Leal and her counsel failed to appear at a rescheduled final hearing. Leal contended that neither she nor her counsel received proper notice of the hearing, and that she satisfied all three Craddock prongs for setting aside a default judgment. The appellate court found that the lack of proper notice and counsel's misunderstanding constituted an accident or mistake, satisfying the first Craddock prong. Additionally, Leal presented a meritorious defense regarding child conservatorship and support, and demonstrated that a new trial would not cause undue delay, thereby fulfilling the remaining Craddock factors. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the trial court's judgment and remanded the case for a new trial, concluding that the trial court abused its discretion.