Opinion ID: 874300
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Is the Lopezes' Attorney the Real Party in Interest?

Text: Farm Bureau contends that the Lopezes' attorney, not the Lopezes, is the real party in interest in this case. They contend that the only recovery being sought is attorney fees allegedly owed by Farm Bureau to the attorney, not to the Lopezes. Farm Bureau alleged as an affirmative defense in its answer, Plaintiffs are not the real parties in interest pursuant to IDAHO R. CIV. P. 17 with regard to all or a portion of the damages they allege and seek to recover within the Complaint. However, Farm Bureau never asked the district court to rule on that issue, and the district court did not. Where Farm Bureau did not seek a ruling on this issue in the district court, we will not consider it when it is raised for the first time on appeal. Houston v. Whittier, 147 Idaho 900, 911, 216 P.3d 1272, 1283 (2009).