Opinion ID: 2314386
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sufficiency of Process

Text: The defendant next argued that process was insufficient because plaintiff failed to serve, along with the motion to modify child-support obligations, a supporting affidavit detailing her current assets, liabilities, income, and expenses, as required by Rule 64A(b) of the Family Court Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations. The plaintiff conceded that she failed to serve the affidavit but argued that defendant has demonstrated no prejudice resulting from this failure. Rule 64A, Post final judgment relief, provides in part: (a) Service. 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. (b) Statement of Needs. Complaints for modification of alimony or support obligations made pursuant to this rule shall be accompanied by a supporting affidavit containing a statement of the applicant's current assets, liabilities, income and expenses. A party who opposes the complaint shall file an affidavit containing a statement of his or her current assets, liabilities, income and expenses. This rule is mandatory and applies to complaints for modification of support obligations. The Reporter's Notes to the essentially identical provision found in Rule 64 of the Family Court Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations, entitled Temporary support, custody, legal fees  Expedited hearings, set forth the purpose of the requirement of an affidavit: This provision will prove useful by placing before the Court in written form the basic information needed to dispose of the application. It also provides the parties with the data they need in order to participate with maximum effectiveness in a hearing on the motion. Moreover, it provides a form of early discovery to the parties that might prove helpful in working out a settlement agreement. Although plaintiff failed to serve the affidavit required by Rule 64A(b), such failure should not defeat her motion to modify. Rather, the trial justice should direct plaintiff to file the affidavit before the Family Court addresses her motion to modify defendant's child-support obligations. See Form 20, Appendix of Forms, Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations. We note, in any case, that Rule 64A(b) is not applicable to motions to adjudge in contempt. Consequently, we are of the opinion that this aspect of plaintiff's motion should have survived defendant's motion to dismiss on the basis of insufficiency of process, and we hold that the trial justice erred in dismissing plaintiff's motion to adjudge defendant in contempt for failing to carry out his obligations under the court order.