(a) Persons to be joined if feasible. A person who is subject to service of process and whose joinder will not deprive the Court of jurisdiction over the subject matter of the action shall be joined as a party in the action if (1) in that person’s absence complete relief cannot be accorded among those already parties, or (2) that person claims an interest relating to the subject of the action and is so situated that the disposition of the action, in the absence of that person may (i) as a practical matter impair or impede that person’s ability to protect that interest or (ii) leave any of the persons already parties subject to a substantial risk of incurring double, multiple, or otherwise inconsistent obligations by reason of the claimed interest. If a person as described in subdivisions (a)(1)-(2) has not been so joined, the Court shall order joinder as a party. If that person should join as a petitioner but refuses to do so, that person may be made a respondent, or, in a proper case, an involuntary petitioner. If the joined party objects to venue and that joinder would render the venue of the action improper, that person shall be dismissed from the action. (b) Determination by Court whenever joinder not feasible. If a person as described in subdivision (a)(1)-(2) hereof cannot be made party, the Court shall determine whether in equity and good conscience the action should proceed among the parties before it, or should be dismissed, the absent person being thus regarded as indispensable. The factors to be considered by the Court include:
(1) to what extent a judgment rendered in the person’s absence might be prejudicial to that person or those already parties;(2) the extent to which, by protective provisions in the judgment, by the shaping of relief, or other measures, the prejudice can be lessened or avoided;(3) whether a judgment rendered in the person’s absence will be adequate; fourth, whether the petitioner will have an adequate remedy if the action is dismissed for nonjoinder.(c) Pleading reasons for nonjoinder. A pleading asserting a claim for relief shall state the names, if known to the pleader, of any persons as described in subdivision (a)(1)-(2) hereof who are not joined, and the reasons why they are not joined.
Del. Fam. Ct. R. Civ. P. 19
Amended June 14, 2020, effective September 1, 2020.
