Section 34 Necessary Parties

• Library: Mechanics Liens 2015

4. (§34) Necessary Parties

Parties to the contract for the performance of the work or the furnishing of the materials must be made parties to the suit. Section 429.190, RSMo 2000; Vasquez v. Vill. Ctr., Inc., 362 S.W.2d 588 (Mo. 1962). Other entities that may have an interest in the property are “nominally permissive, but equally necessary for the efficacy of judgment.” J.H. Berra Paving Co. v. City of Eureka, 50 S.W.3d 358, 360–61 (Mo. App. E.D. 2001) (quoting Glasco Elec. Co. v. Best Elec. Co., 751 S.W.2d 104, 112 (Mo. App. E.D. 1988)). In addition, a lien will be effective and enforceable against only those parties who are made defendants within the six-month period of time for filing suit to enforce a lien. If a lien claimant amends its petition outside the six-month period, new parties will not be subject to the lien proceedings. J.H. Berra Paving, 50 S.W.3d at 361.

In a subcontractor’s suit, the general contractor is a necessary party. Kinnear Mfg. Co. v. Myers, 452 S.W.2d 599 (Mo. App. E.D. 1970); see also Sachs Elec. Co. v. HS Constr. Co., 86 S.W.3d 445 (Mo. App. E.D. 2002) (the time for filing an action is tolled by virtue of the general contractor’s bankruptcy...