"Jurisdiction of the subject matter involves the POWER of the court to hear and determine a general class of cases to which the proceedings belong." Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc. v. Indiana Dep't of State Revenue (1991), Ind.Tax, 583 N.E.2d 214, 216 (quoting In Re Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780) (emphasis in original) (footnote omitted). The State Board also asserts the Landowners have failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted within the meaning of T.R. 12(B)(6).
[ยถ8] Subject matter jurisdiction involves the power of the court to hear and determine a general class of cases to which the proceedings belong. Matter of Adoption of H.S., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780 (Ind.Ct.App. 1985). The question of subject matter jurisdiction may be raised at any time, in any manner, even on appeal.
According to Indiana's well-settled standard, subject matter jurisdiction is the power of a court to hear and determine the general class of cases to which the proceedings before it belong. State ex rel. Hight v. Marion Superior Court (1989), Ind., 547 N.E.2d 267, 269; Matter of Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780; State ex rel. Young v. Noble Circuit Court (1975), 263 Ind. 353, 356, 332 N.E.2d 99, 101; State ex rel. Indianapolis v. Brennan (1952), 231 Ind. 492, 497, 109 N.E.2d 409, 411 (citing Rhode Island v. Massachusetts (1838), 37 U.S. (12 Pet.) 657, 717, 9 L.Ed. 1233). "The only relevant inquiry in determining whether the court has subject matter jurisdiction is to ask whether th[e] kind of claim the plaintiff advances falls within the general scope of authority conferred upon such court by the constitution or statute."
A court without subject matter jurisdiction cannot render a valid judgment. In Matter of Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780, reh. denied, Judge Neal, speaking for the First District, discussed jurisdiction: Jurisdiction of the subject matter involves the power of the court to hear and determine a general class of cases to which the proceedings belong.
Accord, Singleton v. Wulff (1976), 428 U.S. 106, 120, 98 S.Ct. 2868, 2877, 48 L.Ed.2d 826. However, a court without subject matter jurisdiction cannot render a valid judgment and the question of subject matter jurisdiction can be raised at any time. E.g. Matter of Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780, reh. denied. In Adoption of H.S. Judge Neal, speaking for the First District, discussed jurisdiction and the application of state law.
However the trial judge has no jurisdiction to accept amendments or supplements after the 60 day time limit has elapsed. Matter of Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 779-780. In this case, the trial court rendered its final judgment on September 10, 1985.
Indeed, the only relevant inquiry in determining whether a court has subject matter jurisdiction is "whether th[e] kind of claim the plaintiff advances falls within the general scope of authority conferred upon such court by the constitution or statute." Matter of Adoption of H.S., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780 (Ind. Ct. App. 1985) (emphases added) (citation omitted). Subject matter jurisdiction is the power of a court to hear and determine a particular class of cases.
According to Indiana's well-settled standard: "Jurisdiction of the subject matter involves the POWER of the court to hear and determine a general class of cases to which the proceedings belong." In re Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780. Regardless of whether the court is one of limited or general jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction is not simply jurisdiction over the particular case occupying the court, but is jurisdiction over the class of cases to which the particular case belongs.
P.S. by Harbin v. W.S. (1983), Ind., 452 N.E.2d 969, 976. Subject matter jurisdiction concerns the power of a court to decide particular kinds of cases and depends neither on the "the intricacies of pleading," Young, 263 Ind. at 356-57, 332 N.E.2d at 101, nor on the correctness of any decision made by a court. State ex. rel. Hight v. Marion Super. Ct. (1989), Ind., 547 N.E.2d 267, 269; In re Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780. The Starke Circuit Court's jurisdiction over the subject matter involved in this case does not depend, then, on the correctness vel non either of NIPSCO's decision to file a third-party complaint against Appellants or of its own decisions concerning the pleadings in the case.
"It does not depend upon the regularity of the proceedings or the correctness of the decision." Matter of Adoption of H.S. (1985), Ind. App., 483 N.E.2d 777, 780. Ind. Code ยง 31-1-11.5-3(a) and (b) empower a trial court to hear causes of action for dissolution and for child support.