What is typically the result of failing to join an indispensable party?

When an indispensable party is not joined in a lawsuit, the court may determine that the case cannot proceed without that party's presence. This is because the indispensable party has an interest in the subject matter of the litigation that is so central that their absence would impair the court's ability to provide complete relief to the existing parties or would expose the existing parties to substantial risk of incurring inconsistent obligations. Therefore, if a necessary party is not joined, the case may be dismissed to ensure that the legal rights of all parties are adequately protected and the court can render a definitive decision.

In contrast, overlooking the failure to join an indispensable party would undermine the integrity of the judicial process, and imposing a monetary penalty does not typically relate to procedural failures regarding joinder. Additionally, the need for a separate suit would be secondary and largely irrelevant if the court finds that the case cannot move forward without the indispensable party. Hence, the dismissal serves as a more direct and appropriate response to the absence of such an essential party in the litigation.