§ 32-24-1-8 — Objections to proceedings; appeals; attorney's fees

Indiana § 32-24-1-8

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Title 32: PROPERTY
• Art. 24: EMINENT DOMAIN
• Ch. 1: General Procedures

Text

(a) A defendant may object to the proceedings:
(1) because the court does not have jurisdiction either of the
subject matter or of the person;
(2) because the plaintiff does not have the right to exercise the
power of eminent domain for the use sought; or
(3) for any other reason disclosed in the complaint or set up in the
objections.
(b) Objections under subsection (a) must be:
(1) in writing;
(2) separately stated and numbered; and
(3) filed not later than thirty (30) days after the date the notice
required in section 6 of this chapter is served on the defendant.
However, the court may extend the period for filing objections by
not more than thirty (30) days upon written motion of the
defendant.
(c) The court may not allow pleadings in the cause other than the
complaint, any objections, and the written exceptions provided for in
section 11 of this chapter. However, the court may permit amendments
to the pleadings.
(d) If an objection is sustained, the plaintiff may amend the
complaint or may appeal from the decision in the manner that appeals
are taken from final judgments in civil actions. All the parties shall take
notice and are bound by the judgment in an appeal.
(e) If the objections are overruled, the court shall appoint appraisers
as provided for in this chapter. Any defendant may appeal the
interlocutory order overruling the objections and appointing appraisers
in the manner that appeals are taken from final judgments in civil
actions.
(f) All the parties shall take notice of and be bound by the judgment
in the appeal.
(g) The transcript must be filed in the office of the clerk of the
supreme court not later than thirty (30) days after the notice of the
defendant's appeal is filed. The appeal does not stay proceedings in the
cause.
(h) This subsection does not apply to a condemnation action brought
by a public utility (as defined in section 5.9(a) of this chapter) or by a
pipeline company. Notwithstanding section 14 of this chapter, if an
objection:
(1) is sustained, and no appeal is filed; or
(2) is sustained in the judgment in the appeal;
the court shall award the defendant the reasonable costs and attorney's
fees incurred for the objection, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five
thousand dollars ($25,000).
[Pre-2002 Recodification Citation: 32-11-1-5.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.2-2002, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.163-2006, SEC.10; P.L.146-2017, SEC.12; P.L.80-2020, SEC.3.