In re K.U.-S.G., 208 N.C.App. 128, 131, 702 S.E.2d 103, 105 (2010) (quoting In re T.R.P., 360 N.C. 588, 595, 636 S.E.2d 787, 793 (2006)). "We review the issue of subject matter jurisdiction de novo[.]" In re M.C., 244 N.C.App. 410, 413, 781 S.E.2d 70, 73 (2015).
In re M.R.J., 378 N.C. 648, 654, 862 S.E.2d 639, 643 (2021). When a court decides a matter in the absence of jurisdiction, "then the whole proceeding is null and void, i.e., as if it had never happened." In re M.C., 244 N.C.App. 410, 413, 781 S.E.2d 70, 73 (2015) (quoting Rodriguez v. Rodriguez, 211 N.C.App. 267, 270, 710 S.E.2d 235, 238 (2011) (citation omitted)). "In matters arising under the Juvenile Code, the court's subject matter jurisdiction is established by statute." In re K.J.L., 363 N.C. at 345, 677 S.E.2d at 837 (citing N.C. Gen. Stat. ยงยง 7B-200, -1101).
Thus the trial court's subject-matter jurisdiction may be challenged at any stage of the proceedings.In re M.C., ___ N.C. App. ___, ___, 781 S.E.2d 70, 73 (2015) (citation omitted). "Although the North Carolina Juvenile Code grants the district courts of North Carolina exclusive, original jurisdiction over any case involving a juvenile who is alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent[,] the jurisdictional requirements of the UCCJEA . . . must also be satisfied for a court to have authority to adjudicate petitions filed pursuant to our juvenile code."