Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.240 — Interpleader

The Rule Book — Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, by Florida Justice / Phillips, Hunt & Walker

Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.240 — Interpleader

Last verified from official source: April 30, 2026 · Source: Florida Bar — Florida Rules of Civil Procedure (eff. April 1, 2026), p. 73

Rule Text (verbatim)

Persons having claims against the plaintiff may be joined as defendants and required to interplead when their claims are such that the plaintiff is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability.

April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 73 It is not ground for objection to the joinder that the claim of the several claimants or the titles on which their claims depend do not have a common origin or are not identical but are adverse to and independent of one another, or that the plaintiff avers that the plaintiff is not liable in whole or in part to any or all of the claimants. A defendant exposed to similar liability may obtain such interpleader by way of crossclaim or counterclaim. The provisions of this rule supplement and do not in any way limit the joinder of parties otherwise permitted.

Plain-English Breakdown

Practitioner notes by John M. Phillips, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer — coming soon. Watch the video below for the plain-English breakdown.

Committee Notes

View Committee Notes (legislative history)

No Committee Notes for this rule version.

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Rule Text (verbatim from the Florida Supreme Court)

Persons having claims against the plaintiff may be joined as defendants and required to interplead when their claims are such that the plaintiff is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability.

It is not ground for objection to the joinder that the claim of the several claimants or the titles on which their claims depend do not have a common origin or are not identical but are adverse to and independent of one another, or that the plaintiff avers that the plaintiff is not liable in whole or in part to any or all of the claimants. A defendant exposed to similar liability may obtain such interpleader by way of crossclaim or counterclaim. The provisions of this rule supplement and do not in any way limit the joinder of parties otherwise permitted.

What this rule means in plain English

Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.240 — Interpleader — sets out the procedural requirements for this aspect of Florida civil practice. Persons having claims against the plaintiff may be joined as defendants and required to interplead when their claims are such that the plaintiff is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability.

Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.240 — Interpleader