Q: What does "dismissed for want of prosecution" mean in a family law case?
I have a family law case that has been inactive for over a year, and I've received a notice stating it might be dismissed for want of prosecution. There haven't been any previous warnings or communications regarding inactivity. What does "dismissed for want of prosecution" mean, and what should I do next?
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A:
Dismissed for want of prosecution" means the court closed your family law case because nothing happened for a long period. If you want to reopen the case, you'll usually need to file a Motion to Reinstate within 30 days, explaining why the case went inactive and how you'll move forward. Don't wait—act quickly.
Disclaimer: This response is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always consult directly with an attorney regarding your specific situation.
Rafee'a S. Majeed and John Michael Frick agree with this answer
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A:
"Dismissing for want of prosecution" means that the court is considering closing your case because it has been inactive for an extended period, and no action has been taken to move it forward. Essentially, the court is saying that you, as the party initiating the case, have not pursued it in a timely manner, which could lead to its dismissal. This is typically done to ensure that the court's resources are used efficiently and that cases are resolved in a reasonable time frame.
If you want to keep your case active, you should take immediate steps to demonstrate that you are still pursuing the matter. This might involve filing motions, requesting hearings, or taking other actions that move the case forward. It's important to respond to the notice promptly to avoid the case being dismissed.
Contact the court or your attorney as soon as possible to understand what specific actions you need to take. If you haven’t already, you should file the necessary documents to show that you are actively pursuing your case. If you do nothing, the case may be dismissed, and you would have to start over if you want to pursue the matter in the future.
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