A motion for appellate attorney fees in actions where such fees may be allowable must comply with the following requirements:
(1) The motion must be accompanied by a verified, itemized statement of legal services rendered, said statement to be exclusive of costs allowable under § 15-30-6;
(2) The motion must be served and filed prior to submission of the action on its merits; and
(3) The motion and itemized statement, together with proof of service thereof, must be submitted for filing.
Consideration of a motion for attorney fees will be held in abeyance until such time as the action is considered on its merits.