Inexcusable Neglect

A law firm sued a former client seeking approximately $1,000 in unpaid fees. The defendant filed an out-of-time answer that counterclaimed for over $200,000 in damages as a result of allegedly deficient services. The untimely answer was treated as a nullity and the defendant appealed. The Maine Supreme Court held that the defendant failed to demonstrate that the untimely answer was a result of excusable neglect as the reasons offered were "other business and resuming a vacation." (Mike Frisch)