Parties may be added at any stage of the action without leave of the court within ___ days after service of the original summons, or any time before period for responding to that summons expires, or within ___ days after service of a pleading responding to the summons.

• A. 20 days after service of the original summons
• B. Any time before period for responding to that summons expires
• C. Within 20 days after service of a pleading responding to the summons
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

The key idea is when a party can be added to an action without needing the court’s permission. In these rules, you may bring in an additional party within three different windows: within 20 days after service of the original summons; or at any time before the period for responding to that summons expires; or within 20 days after service of a pleading that responds to the summons. Each window is tied to the timing of service or service of a responsive pleading, giving a window to adjust who is a proper party before the case advances too far. Allowing additions within these periods helps ensure all necessary parties are before the court early, promoting a complete, fair adjudication and avoiding piecemeal litigation. Outside these windows, adding a party typically requires the court’s leave to protect existing parties from undue delay or prejudice. So, all of these time frames are valid for adding parties without leave, making the combined option correct.