Richie ex rel. Laususe v. Laususe

GERALD M. SMITH, Judge.

This is an appeal by Kelli Richie (Kelli) from the trial court’s dismissal of her paternity petition for lack of personal jurisdiction. Because Kelli failed to join the proper party, the trial court did not have personal jurisdiction over the putative father. Where the trial court is without jurisdiction, this court lacks jurisdiction and the appeal must be dismissed.1

In March 1988, Michael Laususe (Michael) died in an automobile accident. Michael’s widow, Valiere Laususe, and their daughter, Ashley, filed a wrongful death action against Normandy Osteopathic Hospital…