Opinion ID: 889812
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Julie and William's motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction was timely because such challenges may be raised at any time in the proceeding.

Text: ¶ 23 As a preliminary matter, motions to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction may be raised at any time by any party or by the court, and once a court determines that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, it must dismiss the action. M.R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3); Wippert v. Blackfeet Tribe, 260 Mont. 93, 102, 859 P.2d 420, 425 (1993). Further, it is well established that a party cannot waive or confer jurisdiction by consent when there is no basis for jurisdiction in law. Indian Health Bd. of Billings, Inc. v. Mont. Dept. of Labor & Indus., 2008 MT 48, ¶ 20, 341 Mont. 411, 177 P.3d 1029 (citing Thompson v. State, 2007 MT 185, ¶ 28, 338 Mont. 511, 167 P.3d 867). Therefore, despite the District Court's intimation in its order that William and Julie somehow consented to the court's exercise of jurisdiction by not objecting to it earlier in the proceedings, we conclude that William and Julie have properly raised the issue of subject matter jurisdiction.