Sharon Finnell, an individual, on behalf of herself and all statutory...

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO WESTERN DIVISION

Sharon Finnell, Case No. 3:26-cv-196 an individual, on behalf of herself and all statutory beneficiaries of Douglas Finnell, deceased, Plaintiff, v. ORDER

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, et al., Defendants.

On January 23, 2026, Plaintiff Sharon Finnell filed this action, invoking the court’s original diversity jurisdiction to assert Ohio law claims against the Defendants. (Doc. Nos. 1 and 3).

For a district court to have original diversity jurisdiction over a case, complete diversity must exist between the parties to the dispute. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). To satisfy the diversity jurisdiction requirements, the dispute must be between citizens of different states. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1). The citizenship of an individual is determined by the domicile of an individual. See Certain Interested Underwriters at Llyod’s, London, England v. Layne, 26 F.3d 39, 41 (6th Cir. 1994) (citing Von Dunser v. Aronoff, 915 F.2d 1071, 1072 (6th Cir. 1990)). And “a corporation shall be deemed to be a citizen of every State and foreign state by which it has been incorporated and of the State or foreign state where it has its principal place of business.” 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1).

In the Complaint, Plaintiff states she “is an individual and resident of Muskingum County, Ohio,” (Doc. No. 1 at 2), and states nothing to suggest her residency is not also her domicile.

Plaintiff also states, “Defendant Terry Henricks Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep, Inc. is an Ohio Corporation doing business in Archbold, Ohio in the County of Fulton.” (Id. at 5).

Based on these facts stated in the Complaint, I conclude both Plaintiff and Defendant Terry Henricks Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep, Inc. are citizens of Ohio. And because complete diversity does not exist, I dismiss this case without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3).

So Ordered. s/ Jeffrey J. Helmick United States District Judge