Opinion ID: 2101661
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: In her petition to transfer, Sudis argues that the Court of Appeals improperly held that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction. Sudis asserts that subject matter jurisdiction pertains to the general class of cases and not to a particular case. Consequently, argues Sudis, the trial court properly exercised its jurisdiction over the case because the trial court, as a court with probate jurisdiction, had authority to hear adoption matters. Sudis argues that the juvenile court did not have exclusive original jurisdiction over all juvenile matters and, in fact, lacked jurisdiction to hear adoption matters because exclusive jurisdiction had been given to courts with probate jurisdiction. In response, FCS asserts that the Court of Appeals correctly held that, upon commencement of the CHINS proceeding, exclusive jurisdiction vested with the juvenile court so that no other court could entertain an action which conflicted with the CHINS proceeding. FCS concedes that the juvenile court does not have authority to revoke an adoption, but argues that the action to revoke an adoption must be stayed pending the outcome of the CHINS proceeding involving the same parties. Additionally, FCS asserts that the juvenile court could have addressed the merits of Sudis' petition in conjunction with the CHINS proceeding through an action to terminate the parent-child relationship. Ind. Code Ann. § 31-3-1-1 through § 31-3-1-12 (West Supp. 1992) establishes the procedure for the adoption of children in Indiana. Jurisdiction for adoption procedures is provided in Ind. Code § 31-3-1-1(a) which states: Any resident of Indiana desirous of adopting any child less than eighteen (18) years of age, may by attorney of record file a petition with the clerk of the court having probate jurisdiction in the county where the petitioner resides or in which is located any licensed child placing agency or governmental agency having custody of the child, or in the county where the child resides. In any county where there is or may be established a separate probate court, that court has exclusive jurisdiction in all adoption matters. As a result, a court with probate jurisdiction has the power to enter an order granting an adoption. An order granting an adoption is similar to other judgments in that the rules of law which govern other judgments and decrees also control decrees of adoption. See, M.R. by Ratliff v. Meltzer (1986), Ind. App., 487 N.E.2d 836, 840. Consequently, the trial court retained power over its earlier decree of adoption. Because a CHINS proceeding was brought on behalf of T.B., the question is raised as to whether the trial court had the authority to act on the petition to revoke adoption while the CHINS proceeding was pending. The juvenile court, pursuant to Ind. Code Ann. § 31-6-2-1.1(a)(2) (West Supp. 1992), has exclusive original jurisdiction over a CHINS proceeding. FCS argues that as a result of the commencement of the CHINS proceeding, a court with probate jurisdiction does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the adoption matter. An action for adoption and a CHINS proceeding, however, are separate actions which affect different rights. The CHINS proceeding is directed at helping the child directly by assuring that the child receives necessary assistance. See Ind. Code § 31-6-4-3. Adoption, on the other hand, establishes a family unit. An adoption severs the child entirely from its own family tree and engrafts it upon that of another. Matter of Adoption of Thomas (1982), Ind. App., 431 N.E.2d 506, 513. As a result of the adoption, the adopted child becomes the legal child of the adoptive parent. In re Visitation of Menzie (1984), Ind. App., 469 N.E.2d 1225, 1227. The legislature established the jurisdiction of juvenile courts and probate courts. The juvenile court was expressly given jurisdiction over CHINS proceedings and, similarly, a court with probate jurisdiction was expressly given jurisdiction over adoption matters. The power to adjudicate either matter does not divest the other court of its respective jurisdiction. Consequently, a court with probate jurisdiction may adjudicate an adoption matter simultaneously with the juvenile court's adjudication of a CHINS proceeding. A court with probate jurisdiction has jurisdiction in adoption matters. Ind. Code § 31-3-1-1(a). In Lake County, the circuit court and superior court have concurrent jurisdiction over probate matters. Ind. Code Ann. § 33-4-4-3(a) and § 33-5-29.5-4(a)(1) (West Supp. 1992). The superior court of Lake County is divided into four divisions, civil (including probate), criminal, county, and juvenile. Ind. Code § 33-5-29.5-21(a). The juvenile division does not have jurisdiction in probate matters and, thus, cannot assert jurisdiction in an adoption proceeding. Either the civil division of the superior court or the circuit court could hear the adoption matter. As a result, the Lake County Circuit Court properly exercised its jurisdiction when hearing the petition to revoke adoption.