[WSBARP] Cross-claim necessary in interpleader action for EM only?

[Eric Nelsen]

Civil Procedure exam here-

Earnest Money is paid via interpleader to the Court. Buyer and Seller are both defendants fighting about the EM, and let's assume that is the sole fight-who gets the EM. No possible claim for specific performance or additional damages beyond the EM.

In order to get complete joinder between the parties, since the Complaint really says nothing about the nature of the claim between the Buyer and Seller, is it necessary for the Buyer and Seller to allege cross-claims against each other in their Answers to the Complaint? (And so incur an additional $240 filing fee each, at least in King County.)

I think yes, based on general civil pleading rules? But it seems crazy that there needs to be three filing fees paid for every interpleader action.

Sincerely,

Eric

Eric C. Nelsen
Sayre Law Offices, PLLC
1417 31st Ave South
Seattle WA 98144-3909
206-625-0092
eric at sayrelawoffices.com<mailto:eric at sayrelawoffices.com>

Covid-19 Update - All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone; please call the Seattle office. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis; please call the Seattle office.

MAIL AND DELIVERIES can be received at the Seattle office. For any other needed arrangements, please call the Seattle office.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbarp/attachments/20200622/7fdaad23/attachment.html>