Length of time to hear a motion

Hello -

I was hoping you could answer a few legal questions for me

  1. When a motion to dismissed is filed in response to a motion, when is it heard? The same time as the original motion?

  2. What is the difference between a motion to dismiss and an answer to a motion?

  3. If one files a motion, attends mediation with no resolution, and hasn’t made any effort to calendar the hearing, how long is the motion valid? Does it stay open, able to be scheduled, indefinitely? In the case of custody, would the motion automatically be dismissed once the child is no longer considered a minor?

Thanks for your time and knowledge!