Opinion ID: 1991120
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Claims Against the Corporation for Unpaid Compensation and Interest

Text: [¶ 19] Edwin further contends that the court erred in denying his and Faith's claims against the corporation for unpaid compensation, and in denying his claim that he was owed principal and interest on shareholder loans. Because these claims pre-date the decedent's death, and because neither the corporation nor Faith are parties to this probate proceeding, those claims should not have been addressed by the court. [¶ 20] We review de novo whether the Probate Court has subject matter jurisdiction. In re Cyr, 2005 ME 61, ¶ 11, 873 A.2d at 359. The Probate Court's jurisdiction covers all matters relating to the settlement of the estate. Estate of Hodgkins, 2002 ME 154, ¶ 14, 807 A.2d 626, 630 (emphasis omitted); see 4 M.R.S. § 251 (2005). Subject matter jurisdiction is granted to the Probate Court over all subject matter relating to . . . estates of decedents, 18-A M.R.S. § 1-302(a) (2005), and the court has full power to make orders, judgments and decrees and take all other action necessary and proper to administer justice in the matters which come before it, 18-A M.R.S. § 1-302(b) (2005). [¶ 21] Although the Probate Court has jurisdiction over all matters relating to the settlement of an estate, see Estate of Hodgkins, 2002 ME 154, ¶ 14, 807 A.2d at 630, the claims of Edwin and Faith are being asserted as claims against the corporation rather than the estate. At issue are alleged corporate promises to pay compensation to Edwin and Faith for various services rendered between 1992 and 1998, and to repay Edwin principal and interest due on shareholder loans. The Probate Court may have concurrent jurisdiction over some claims, but because neither Faith nor the corporation were parties to the probate proceeding, and these claims are not related to the settlement of the estate, the court lacked the authority to address those issues in this case. Cf. Estate of Hodgkins, 2002 ME 154, ¶ 14, 807 A.2d at 630-31 (holding that the Probate Court had concurrent jurisdiction over a tort claim that could have been pursued in the District Court or the Superior Court). Thus, the Superior Court is the appropriate venue for addressing these claims.