how to file a motion for continuance in kentucky without a lawyer

by Elmo Legros 3 min read

What is a motion for continuance in a divorce?

Rule 204 Motion Practice. Currentness. (1) Deadline for filing motions. The Clerk in each county shall keep a motion docket in which there shall be docketed all motions filed with that Clerk, not later than 4:00 p.m. at least seven (7) calendar days before the scheduled Motion Day. (For example, a motion in Lyon County must be filed by 4:00 p.m. on the Monday immediately …

How to ask for a continuance in a civil case?

Benefits of a Motion for Continuance. A continuance gives you and your divorce attorney more time to prepare for your hearing. This would include time to consult experts and possibly retain expert witnesses; obtain a professional appraisal on property or an evaluation on custody or parenting time issues; conduct a deposition for the opposing ...

How do I get a trial continuance for a motion?

May 20, 2015 · Before filing a motion in court without an attorney, check the court's website for a fill-in-the-blank form. If they don't offer blank forms, you'll have to draft your own. Once drafted, make 2-3 copies of your motion and supporting materials. Then, take the original motion and attachments to the court clerk to have it filed.

How do I file a motion in court without an attorney?

Mar 17, 2015 · When filing a motion for continuance, a smart lawyer will pull out a rule book and read the rules. They are written with a view towards courts denying them. 12377 Merit Drive, Suite 880, Dallas, Texas 75251, 214.741.6260 ... All of us are forced to file a motion for continuance from time to time. We are also all encouraged by the Lawyer’s ...

How do I file a motion in Kentucky?

Contact your local Kentucky district clerk of court to obtain motion forms. The clerk will provide you with a general form that you must complete. Ask for the “general motion form for use by pro se litigants in civil cases.” Insert the caption on the motion form.Jul 21, 2017

How long does a judge have to rule on a motion in Kentucky?

On any motions submitted to the Court for decision, the Court is to make all reasonable efforts to enter a decision on the motion within thirty (30) days after date of submission.

What is motion hour in Kentucky court?

Motion Hour shall begin on Rule Days for civil actions at 9:15 a.m. for Division II and 8:30 a.m. for Division III. 6.03.

How do you talk to a judge in family court?

Here are some tips for speaking in court: If in doubt, ask how they would like to be referred to. Try to remain calm, speak clearly. Speak in the way you would normally, slowly and clearly. Put your points to the Judge rather than to the other party.

How do I modify a custody agreement in Kentucky?

Kentucky statutes dictate how this may be done. First of all a motion for the modification of a custody order cannot be entered into hastily. In general, parents must wait at least two years since the creation of the order before they can move the court to modify it, unless one of two situations exists.Jan 24, 2015

How long does a judge have to rule on a motion in Ohio?

Once a court holds a hearing on a motion, the court has thirty (30) days to rule of the motion.

What is a Fhdra hearing?

A First Hearing and Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) is the first court hearing after an application has been made to court in private family law. It is held to assist the court in identifying issues between the parties at an early stage and to see if it is possible for the parties to reach an agreement.Jun 15, 2020

How do I make an urgent application for family court?

When seeking an urgent order you should, generally, tell the other party that you are making an application. You can do this informally, by writing to them, phoning them, texting them or e-mailing them. In certain circumstances, you can ask the court to hear your application without the other parent knowing about it.

What happens if the defendant fails to appear in Family Court?

Conclusion. The appearance and non-appearance of parties have an effect on the case and whether it will be carried on for the next hearing, dismissed or an ex-parte decree will be given. When none of the parties appears then the suit can be dismissed by the court.Jul 4, 2019

What is a continuance in divorce?

A continuance gives you and your divorce attorney more time to prepare for your hearing . This would include time to consult experts and possibly retain expert witnesses; obtain a professional appraisal on property or an evaluation on custody or parenting time issues; conduct a deposition for the opposing party or their experts; or simply have more time to develop your strategy and testimony.

What to do if you object to a continuance?

If you strongly object to the continuance and have unique reasons for objecting (i.e., the school example above or you allege a continuance would endanger your children for a specific reason), you can file a written Objection to the Motion to Continue, and file it with the court.

Can a continuance damage your case?

How a Continuance Could Damage Your Case. While both of the above circumstances can be used to gain benefit from a continuance, in some circumstances, continuing your hearing could be detrimental to your case. For instance, if you are requesting a hearing on which school your child will attend in the fall, you don’t want to risk your hearing taking ...

Can you control the court on a motion to continue?

While you cannot always control how the court will rule on a Motion to Continue, the above information outlines your options for letting the court know your feelings on the Motion, and also provides you with information on making the best of a continuance if it is granted. To arrange an initial consultation to discuss divorce rights ...

Can a court hearing be pushed to a later date?

This will usually result in a later hearing date than the one presently reserved, as the court’s calendar continues to fill up after your hearing was scheduled. While having your hearing pushed to a later date can be frustrating, it could actually benefit your case in some circumstances.

Can you request a continuance hearing after school starts?

For instance, if you are requesting a hearing on which school your child will attend in the fall, you don’t want to risk your hearing taking place after the school year starts if you can avoid it. Some states’ courts require the party requesting the continuance to check if the other party objects to rescheduling the hearing.

How to file a motion in court without an attorney?

Before filing a motion in court without an attorney, check the court's website for a fill-in-the-blank form. If they don't offer blank forms, you'll have to draft your own. Once drafted, make 2-3 copies of your motion and supporting materials.

How to check if a court has a blank motion?

1. Check if the court has blank motion forms. Some courts have "check the boxes" or "fill in the blank" motion forms. Look for these forms on the court's website, or contact the clerk of the court where your case has been assigned. If your court does not have blank motion forms, don't use a blank form from another state.

What is a motion in court?

A motion is a request for a court to do something in a case that is currently open in that court. Therefore, a motion can be filed only in a case that is open and still in progress.

What is the heading of a court case?

The heading information is called the caption . Typically, the caption includes the name of the court, the name of the parties, and the case number. This information should always remain in the same form in all documents filed in your case, both in content and format.

When should a motion for continuance be filed?

The filing of a motion for continuance should, however, never be routine or taken lightly. They should never be filed the week before the trial setting, when denial of the motion leaves us no opportunity to cure. The days when the granting of a motion for continuance could be taken for granted are gone. And the consequences of filing a motion ...

What does the rule say about motion for continuance?

So, here are some of the things the rules say about motions for continuance under these circumstances:• The motion for continuance shall be not granted unless it shows “sufficient cause” and is supported by an affidavit; If the “sufficient cause” is a lack of certain testimony, the affidavit must show: the missing testimony is material;

What is an affidavit supporting a motion for summary judgment?

And the affidavit supporting a motion for summary judgment is almost always from the lawyer handling the case.

Can you go to trial if you believe your affidavit?

You are now going to trial under circumstances where justice cannot be done, if one believes your affidavit. When you lose that case because of a lack of preparation and the lack of evidence, the resulting judgment against your client is the product of a lack of justice, if one believes your affidavit.

Is there an older case on the docket?

After all, there are older cases ahead of it on the docket, including one with a special setting. Besides, the opposing lawyer is just as unprepared as you are and he has two other cases set that same week in other courts, both of which are older than this case.

Is there a judge in the docket after a strike?

Oh yeah, and the judge is at a judicial conference and his docket has been assigned to a series of three visiting judges so that, even after a strike by both sides, there will still be a judge to try the cases and clear the docket. Well, what we do is file a motion for continuance.

How to request a continuance?

Steps to Requesting a Continuance. 1. Have a Good Reason. The first thing you will need to request a continuance is a valid reason. This reason could be scheduling conflicts or the inability to acquire necessary documents before the assigned date. You will be required to explain your reason in your request.

How to continue a hearing?

Another way to continue a hearing is to make a verbal request to the judge, which usually occur s at the beginning of the court session. Obviously, this will only work if you are able to physically attend the hearing, at least briefly.

Why would a continuation be granted?

Reasons the continuation would be granted include: One of the attorneys had a scheduling conflict, such as an ex parte (emergency) hearing in another county. The parties have decided to wait to go before the judge (because they were waiting for the results of a home appraisal or custody evaluation, for example).

What is a stipulation in family law?

Particularly in family law matters, hearings can be continued via stipulation. This means both parties sign an agreement to continue the hearing to a specific date. This request is then reviewed and signed by the judge, and filed by the court.

Why do people go to family court?

People can go to family law court for a variety of reasons, such as: settling property issues in divorce cases, disputing custody schedules, or determining proper spousal or child support arrangements.

When did Babs24 ask for a continuance?

Babs24 on December 31, 2019: Never asked for a continuance before. I need to write a letter by Jan 2nd to the prothonary requesting a continuance because I can no longer afford my current council. I need to find someone with lower hourly fees.

Can you request a continuance for child care?

or child care. For your own sake, never request a continuance unless you are certain rescheduling your own schedule is impossible. You may find that acquiring a first continuance is not difficult, however, the court will likely be less accommodating for subsequent requests.

What to do before a continuance hearing?

If you have time before the hearing and can make it to the courthouse, you should: File a declaration with the court asking for a continuance. It should say why you need the continuance. Explain how you can better present evidence in your case if you have more time.

What to do if you can't file a written response?

Local court rules say what your deadline to file and serve your written response is. Try to talk to a lawyer. If you cannot, try the court clerk, family law facilitator or law librarian.

What to do when a judge calls your name?

When the judge calls your name, say you are there and you are asking for a continuance. The judge may ask you why. A judge who agrees to grant a continuance will usually also set (schedule) a new hearing date at that hearing. If you only have a few days before the next hearing, ask the judge when your response is due.

How many days before a hearing should you be served?

Example: You should have been served seven days before a hearing. But you were only served three days before. You should tell the judge that and ask for a continuance. How much notice you should get of your hearing depends on the type of case and county where the case is filed.

What is a written order for the judge to sign?

You or the other party should fill out a written order for the judge to sign that says when the next hearing is, when your response is due, and anything else the judge orders. ( Examples: a parent will visit with a child, one of the parties can live in the family home, and so on.)

Can you go to court to ask for a continuance?

If the things are reasonable (or a judge would think so), you can agree. If you do not agree to the other party's conditions or the new proposed hearing date, you must go to court to ask for a continuance.

Can you get a continuance for a motion?

It is easier to get a continuance for a hearing on a motion than for a trial. Talk with a lawyer before filing a motion for a trial continuance. Most counties have their own rules about when and how you can get a trial continuance.