Opinion ID: 852883
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Service of Process for Cross-Claim

Text: Penn-America contends that the cross-claim was invalid as against them in part because it was never properly filed or served. Generally citing Fifer v. Soretore-Dodds, 680 N.E.2d 889 (Ind.Ct.App.1997), and Geiger & Peters, Inc. v. American Fletcher Nat'l. Bank & Trust Co., 428 N.E.2d 1279 (Ind.Ct.App.1981), it argues that because a cross-claim asserts a new cause of action, it requires the same filing and service of process as does a new complaint. Neither of these cases, however, directly address whether a cross-claim must be accompanied by separate service of process upon the cross-defendants. Trial Rule 4(A) states that a court has jurisdiction over a party served with summons or who enters an appearance. Trial Rule 13(G) permits a pleading to state as a cross-claim any claim by one party against a co-party. This rule does not contain any requirement for new service of process for a cross-claim. Rule 13(H) allows persons other than those to the original action to be made parties to a counterclaim or cross-claim in accordance with Rule 14(A), which provides that a summons and complaint must be served upon a person not a party to the action. Where, as here, Pollerts and Penn-America were already parties to the action, and were served with copies of the cross-claim when it was filed on May 9, 2000, it was not necessary for the Gills to obtain additional service of process upon them. See Stephen E. Arthur and Jerome L. Withered, 21 Indiana Practice 102 § 6.02 (No summons is required for counterclaims or cross-claims against a person who is already a party to the action.).