A motion to compel asks the court to order a party or third party to provide required disclosure, respond to discovery requests, produce documents, or answer deposition questions that they have failed or refused to provide without adequate justification.

Before filing a motion to compel the moving party must typically make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute informally. A written follow-up letter identifying the deficiencies and requesting a response within a specified time establishes the record of good faith effort.

The cost of a motion to compel must be weighed against the value of what is being sought. Filing a motion to compel for documents that do not significantly affect the outcome is expensive. Filing one for financial records that reveal hidden assets is exactly the right investment. Read the rules and the courts rules before filing such a motion.