In re K.J.L.

NEWBY, Justice.

This case presents the question of whether a trial court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an action when the summons in the case has not been signed by a statutorily designated member of the clerk of court’s office and thus has not been legally issued. Because we hold that the lack of a proper summons implicates personal jurisdiction rather than subject matter jurisdiction, we reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.

On 28 March 2006, the Davidson County Department of Social Services (“DSS”) filed a juvenile petition alleging that the juvenile K.J.L. was neglected and…