Opinion ID: 2314386
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Form of Pleading

Text: Finally, defendant argued that plaintiff's pleading was defective because it was not in the form of a complaint. Rule 64A(a) provides that [a] party seeking post final judgment relief shall serve a summons and complaint in the manner prescribed in subdivision (d) or (e) of Rule 4 upon the party against whom relief is sought. Insofar as plaintiff's motion sought to adjudge defendant in contempt, the form of plaintiff's request was proper. See Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations. The plaintiff's request to modify child support, however, was a request for post-final-judgment relief, a request that should have been filed in the form of a complaint. See Rules 7(a)(1) and 64A(a). This violation of the Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations was not, however, of a magnitude sufficient to warrant dismissal of the plaintiff's motion to modify. Antone v. Vickers, 610 A.2d 120, 124 (R.I. 1992) (trial justice correct in addressing substance, not form, of pleading). The purpose of Rule 64A(a) is to assure that the party against whom relief is sought is on notice of the proceeding. Reporter's Notes to Rule 64A. The defendant conceded that he did receive service of the plaintiff's motion. Moreover, the substantive portions of the plaintiff's motion complied with the requirements of a claim for relief. See Rule 8(a) of Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations. Consequently, we conclude that the trial justice erred in dismissing the plaintiff's motion on the basis of defective pleading. In summary, therefore, this Court holds, first, that the trial justice erred in dismissing the plaintiff's motion on the basis of lack of jurisdiction. Second, we hold that the trial justice erred in dismissing, on the basis of insufficiency of process, the plaintiff's motion to modify the defendant's child-support obligations and in dismissing the plaintiff's motion to adjudge in contempt. Finally, we hold that the trial justice erred in dismissing the plaintiff's motion on the basis of defective pleading. Thus, the plaintiff's appeal is sustained and the order appealed from is reversed. We remand this case and the papers therein to the Family Court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. MURRAY, J., not participating.