Parents sought an extension of time to file their Answer/Plan of Care in a child protection proceeding under Part III of the Child and Family Services Act.
The application was served on the parents on June 10, 2017, seeking a finding that the children were in need of protection due to excessive school absences.
The parents were initially granted an extension to September 25, 2017, but failed to file by that date.
Five months after service, they retained counsel and brought a motion for a further extension.
The court dismissed the motion, finding that the parents' stated objectives could be achieved without filing pleadings, that no genuine issue for trial existed given the parents' agreement with the society's recommendations, and that the children's right to timely disposition outweighed the parents' right to participate through late-filed pleadings.
