(a) Joinder for Realignment as Appellant or Petitioner. An appellee or respondent who desires to realign as an appellant or petitioner shall serve a notice of joinder no later than the latest of the following:
(1) within 15 days of service of a timely filed notice of appeal or petition;
(2) within the time prescribed for filing a notice of appeal; or
(3) within the time prescribed in rule 9.100(c).
The notice of joinder, accompanied by any filing fees prescribed by law, shall be filed either before service or immediately thereafter. The body of the notice shall set forth the proposed new caption. Upon filing of the notice and payment of the fee, the clerk shall change the caption to reflect the realignment of the parties in the notice.
(b) Attorneys; Representatives; Guardians Ad Litem. Attorneys, representatives, and guardians ad litem in the lower tribunal shall retain their status in the court unless others are duly appointed or substituted; however, for limited representation proceedings under rule 9.440 or Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.040, representation terminates upon the filing of a notice of completion titled “Termination of Limited Appearance” pursuant to rule 9.440 or rule 12.040(c).
(c) Substitution of Parties.
(1) If substitution of a party is necessary for any reason, the court may so order on its own motion or that of a party.
(2) Public officers as parties in their official capacities may be described by their official titles rather than by name. Their successors in office shall be automatically substituted as parties.
(3) If a party dies while a proceeding is pending and that party’s rights survive, the court may order the substitution of the proper party on its own motion or that of any interested person.
(4) If a person entitled to file a notice of appeal dies before filing and that person’s rights survive, the notice may be filed by the personal representative, the person’s attorney, or, if none, by any interested person. Following filing, the proper party shall be substituted.