Opinion ID: 2593527
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: denial of motion to enlarge time

Text: ¶ 21 As noted above, on April 1, 1999, defendant's law firm filed a motion to dismiss plaintiff's complaint because plaintiff had not moved for substitution within ninety days after the suggestion of death was filed. On April 12, 1999, plaintiff filed a motion to enlarge the time for filing its motion for substitution and also moved to appoint a substitute for the deceased defendant. In dismissing plaintiff's complaint, the district court also denied plaintiff's motion to enlarge time. Plaintiff also appeals this ruling. ¶ 22 Under rule 6 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, the district court has the discretion to grant a motion to enlarge time after the time for doing the act has expired, where the failure to act was the result of excusable neglect. Utah R. Civ. P. 6(b)(2). Accordingly, absent an abuse of discretion, we will affirm the district court's order denying plaintiff's motion to extend the time for filing its motion for substitution. ¶ 23 Plaintiff argues that his failure to file a motion for substitution within ninety days after defendant's law firm filed the suggestion of death was excusable neglect because during that time plaintiff's attorney was preparing for and moving his office to another location. Therefore, plaintiff claims, the district court abused its discretion in denying his motion for an extension of time. ¶ 24 In considering plaintiff's motion, the trial court weighed the following four factors: (1) whether plaintiff acted in good faith; (2) the danger of prejudice to the non-moving party; (3) the reason for plaintiff's delay; and (4) the length of the delay and its potential impact on judicial proceedings. [6] The district court specifically found that although there has been no showing of prejudice to the non-moving party, the length of the delay, the absence of a showing of good faith, and most importantly the lack of a satisfactory reason for the delay all combine to require the Court to rule in favor of Defendant. ¶ 25 The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying plaintiff's motion to extend the time for filing a motion for substitution. After weighing the relevant factors, the district court found that plaintiff had not demonstrated excusable neglect to warrant an extension of time. Based on this finding, there is nothing to suggest that the district court abused its discretion in denying plaintiff's motion.