(1) Prior to or simultaneously with the filing of the response to a petition, the respondent may file a third-party petition with the court naming anyone not already a party to the action who may be liable to any named party for any or all of the claims asserted in the petition.

(a) The third-party petition must contain a short, plain statement of the party's contentions with regard to the third party's liability and may incorporate allegations of the petition and/or the response to the petition.

(b) The third-party petition must be filed in accordance with ARM 24.5.303 and ARM 24.5.320.

(c) The third-party petition must be served in accordance with ARM 24.5.303.

(2) After the response to a petition has been filed, any attempt to join a third party into a pending case must be through noticed motion in accordance with ARM 24.5.308.

(3) Within the time set forth in ARM 24.5.320, the third-party respondent shall serve upon all parties, and file with the court, a response which complies with ARM 24.5.302.