AVANCE v. WEEKLY (2023)

MEMORANDUM DECISION

[1] Sherrie Weekly sued Aisha Avance, alleging identity deception and fraud. Avance moved for summary judgment. The trial court denied the motion, and Avance brought this appeal. Because there is no final judgment and Avance did not receive permission to bring an interlocutory appeal, we lack jurisdiction and therefore must dismiss the appeal.

[2] Our jurisdiction is generally limited to appeals from final judgments. See Ind. Appellate Rule 5(A). A judgment is final if, among other things, it disposes of all claims of all parties, leaving nothing for future determination. App. R. 2(H)(1); In re Adoption of S.L., 210 N.E.3d 1280, 1282 (Ind. 2023). An order denying a motion for summary judgment is not a final judgment because it does not dispose of any issues between the parties. Posterity Scholar House, LP v. FCCI Ins. Co., 205 N.E.3d 1018, 1024 (Ind. Ct. App. 2023), trans. denied.

[3] We also have jurisdiction over interlocutory appeals brought under Appellate Rule 14. This rule identifies four types of interlocutory appeals: (A) interlocutory appeals as of right, (B) certified discretionary interlocutory appeals, (C) appeals from interlocutory orders granting or denying class-action certification, and (D) other interlocutory appeals as provided by statute. A denial of a motion for summary judgment is not an interlocutory order that may be appealed as of right under Rule 14(A). See App. R. 14(A)(1)-(9). Nor do we have jurisdiction under (C) or (D), as this case does not involve class-action certification, and Avance does not cite any statute entitling her to an interlocutory appeal. To bring a discretionary interlocutory appeal in accordance with Rule 14(B), a party must first seek certification of the interlocutory order from the trial court. Id. at (B)(1). If the trial court certifies its order, the party must then file a motion requesting that this Court accept jurisdiction. Id. at (B)(2). Avance has done neither. Because this appeal is not authorized by Rule 14, and the denial of Avance's motion for summary judgment is not a final appealable order, we must dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

[4] Dismissed.

Vaidik, Judge.

Bradford, J., and Brown, J., concur.