Rule 14.Third-Party Practice.

Current through July 1, 2026 · Last verified September 11, 2026

In one sentenceRule 14 lets a party bring in a third party only where that person property rights are affected or they have an interest in custody or visitation of a child.

Full Text of Rule 14

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) (a) When parties may bring in third-party. A party to the action may cause a third-party to be brought in only in the event that property rights of such third-party may be affected or such third-party has or may have an interest in the custody or visitation of a minor child of a party to the action. The party seeking to bring in a third-party defendant shall file a motion for leave to file a third-party complaint together with an affidavit or declaration and notice in accordance with Rule 10 of these Rules. The person served with the summons and third-party complaint, hereinafter called the third-party defendant, shall make any defenses to the third-party complaint as provided in Rule 12 of these Rules. The third-party defendant may also assert any claim against the plaintiff or defendant arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the complaint.

(b) (b) Reserved.

End

Amendment History

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s compiled text of this rule carries no amendment order for this rule. For the adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s rules page.

Plain-English Summary

Third-party practice in family court is narrower than in ordinary civil litigation, and the rule says so in its first line. A party may bring in a third party only where the third party property rights may be affected, or where the third party has or may have an interest in the custody or visitation of a minor child of a party. Those are the only two gateways.

The procedure is a motion, not a filing as of right. The party seeking to bring in a third-party defendant files a motion for leave to file a third-party complaint, with an affidavit or declaration and notice under Rule 10.

Once served, the third-party defendant makes defences under Rule 12 in the usual way, and may assert a claim of its own against the plaintiff or the defendant arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the complaint. Subdivision (b) is reserved.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can a third party be brought into a Hawaii family court case?

Only where the third party property rights may be affected, or where the third party has or may have an interest in the custody or visitation of a minor child of a party.

Do I need permission to file a third-party complaint?

Yes. A motion for leave is required, with an affidavit or declaration and notice under Rule 10.

How does a third-party defendant respond?

By making defences to the third-party complaint as provided in Rule 12.

Can a third-party defendant sue back?

Yes, against the plaintiff or defendant, on a claim arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the complaint.

Can a grandparent be brought in under this rule?

Only through one of the two gateways: an effect on property rights, or an interest in custody or visitation of a minor child of a party.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Hawaii Family Court Rules (Haw. Fam. Ct. R. 14). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 11, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: third party complaint hawaii family courtadding a party hawaii family courtgrandparent custody interest hawaiihawaii family court rule 14