How do courts determine who the parties to an action are?

To determine who the parties to an action are, courts consider the allegations of the complaint. (Plumlee v. Poag (1984) 150 Cal.App.3d 541, 547.) As set forth above, all appellants alleged every cause of action against every respondent. After trial, respondents provided the court with a detailed chart setting forth the parties to the litigation, the allegations to enforce the governing documents and those to enforce the contractual obligations, and the claims appellants asserted in their posttrial briefs. The allegations and evidence supported the conclusion that all appellants made claims to enforce the governing documents of the homeowners association.