Opinion ID: 2679933
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Standard/Scope of Review

Text: [¶19] Ligor appeals from a partial denial of his Rule 60(b)(4) motion. Relief from judgment is appropriate pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 60(b)(4) when a judgment is void due to a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. See Provencher v. 3 On appeal, Ligor also presents arguments regarding the Probate Court’s authority to entertain tort actions seeking damages and the siblings’ standing to bring the tort claims in Probate Court. Because the Probate Court adjudicated the tort claims without reaching the merits of those claims, we need not address these issues. 8 Provencher, 2008 ME 12, ¶ 7, 938 A.2d 821. A challenge to the subject matter jurisdiction of the court is a question of law reviewed de novo, and is not subject to the discretion of the trial court. Cummings v. Bean, 2004 ME 93, ¶ 7, 853 A.2d 221. A Rule 60(b) motion “cannot be used as a substitute for a direct appeal of the court’s decision.” In re Estate of Shapiro, 1999 ME 25, ¶ 13 n.12, 723 A.2d 886.