Why Would an Attorney Ask for a Continuance

I have requested a continuance in small claims court in the past, and am here to share my experience with you.

Sample letter

File a Request for Continuance in Small Claims or Bankruptcy Court

Every year, millions of Americans face credit-related or property-related civil lawsuits. While some will require the services of an attorney, those facing time in small claims court often elect to represent themselves. Self-representation in minor financial settlements can be a good way to save money, but what should you do if you can't appear when you are ordered to?

Scheduling conflicts are common for small claims defendants and plaintiffs alike. If you have been issued a subpoena for a court time or date that you can't possibly attend, you won't need the expensive services of an attorney to reschedule. Filing a request for continuance on your own behalf is simple, fast, and easy.

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 for your request. Make certain you cannot resolve the scheduling conflict on your own before requesting a continuance.

The court will ultimately decide whether or not your request will be granted based on the reason you have provided. Scheduling conflicts can be a valid reason to issue a continuance. However, the judge must agree that you are not able to reschedule the event that conflicts with your court date.

Examples of valid life events include:

• serious illness,
• a death in your family,
• previously scheduled court appearances,
• final exams in a formal education setting,
• or a major work event.

Examples of invalid reasons would include:

• a routine work schedule,
• leisure trips,
• 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 the first continuance is not difficult, however, the court will likely be less accommodating of subsequent requests. Also, wasting the court's time will not win you any friends when you finally arrive to defend yourself.

The information you require to file a Request for Continuance, including your docket number, can be found on the original subpoena that was issued to you. If you no longer have access to that document, the information can be accessed through the court clerk.

2. Serve the Request

In addition to submitting your request to the court, you must also deliver a copy of your request (by mail or courier) to the Plaintiff or their representative. The appropriate name and address will be contained within the subpoena that notified you of the hearing date.

It is not necessary to have this request witnessed. However, you may request delivery confirmation when mailing the copy to the Plaintiff or their representative.

3. File a Proof of Service

Not only do you need to inform the Plaintiff of your request to continue the hearing, but you'll also need to let the court know that you did so. In most cases, you will file the Proof of Service along with the request. In fact, some courts will not accept the request unless a Proof of Service is filed concurrently with the request.

Sample Letter for a Court Continuance

This is the basic format for a letter to the court requesting a continuance:

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Request for Continuance
DATE: (dd/mm/yyyy)
TO: Clerk of (Name of court)
(Court address line 1)
(Court address line 2)

FROM: (Your name), Defendant (your title, if applicable)
(Your address line 1)
(Your address line 2)

DOCKET# (The docket number exactly as it appears on your subpoena)

I am submitting this Request for Continuance as the Defendant in the small claims case named above. The Court has issued a hearing date of (hearing date as it appears on your subpoena) at (exact time as it appears on your subpoena) in Department (department number as it appears on your subpoena).

(Provide your reason. Example: I am a full-time student at University College and I have final exams scheduled for that day and time.) I am requesting a continuance until after (provide a date when your scheduling issue will be resolved), when this scheduling conflict will be resolved.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

(Your signature)

(Your name, printed)

cc: (The name of the Plaintiff's representative, if applicable), representing (the Plaintiff's name), Plaintiff

How to Continue a Hearing in Family Law 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.

Stipulation

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.

You are not guaranteed the requested court date, but often judges will accommodate these requests if you stipulate dates that are far enough in advance on dates when the department in question is in session. (For example, some departments aren't open on Fridays, so stipulating to continue a hearing to a Friday would be unsuccessful.)

A stipulation is most often used to continue a hearing when both parties are represented by an attorney.

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).
• The parties have agreed to continue mediating before presenting their cases in front of a judge.

If the parties can come to an agreement before the next hearing date, they can then drop the hearing date.

Verbal Request for Continuance

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

Have you successfully requested a continuance before?

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.

Nancy Stewart on September 02, 2019:

How long does it take to wrap up bankruptcy so I can tell the judge I need more time for continuance to do so.

Drew on December 08, 2018:

I've been jack legging around with a company that failed to protect my property and as a result was burglarized. They've been leading me along and stalling for 6 months. I finally got sick if it and filed in small claims a month ago. Today I get some papers in the mail from defendants attorney. It seems he was just now hired 4 days before court and has petitioned for a continuance so they can evaluate and prepare. Wow just another way for these a**holes to stall and strung it out. Am I able to contest a petition for continuance? Dies the judge automatically Grant the first request? They've known we have had an issue for seven months and gave known about court for 27 days and only now they need to evaluate and prepare! Ridiculous. What's the best and most rigid way to ask that a continuance be denied? Any help would be appreciated. Happy holidays... -D-

Megs on October 08, 2018:

I honestly need to get a letter sent to court commissioner and the petitioner tomorrow and i want a copy of what the letter should look like, and how do I need to send to get a continuance with such short notice.

Sonia on June 19, 2017:

I have exam so I am not able to attend hearing on court how to drafting a letter to DCP please confirm

Brent'a Faith Stand on May 22, 2017:

Not sure what to do date for hearing requested by plaintiff is here. Lawyers say wait say copy I received was only plaintiffs intent that true copy is to have signature of judge and affirmation seal. But I don't know so here I go and will hand write my continuance I have no computer nor formal documents so in The Mighty NAME OF JESUS, I will write my response and my request . My lawyers say I should've been given thus and such.

Lala candy land on August 25, 2014:

What happens if I miss a day of community service order by the court. Can I reschedule another day to make up for the hours I've lost?

fricicDat on March 08, 2013:

My spouse and i helpful to obtain on top of lifetime nevertheless these days I've truly established a new amount of resistance.

jane jane on December 11, 2012:

Thank you SO much - this REALLY helped in the nick of time!!!

ttanya on July 10, 2012:

Thanks this worked twice now just if you could find me a fantastic legal aide lawyer for my divorce and custody battle

lidlexekpifeb on June 26, 2012:

Good afternoon here

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I spent 7 hours searching in the network, until find your forum! I think, I shall stay here for a long time!

louzer on May 09, 2012:

Awesome! Worked great! I hand-wrote this up and made 2 copies ... the day of court... they granted me a continuance (in bankrupsy eminent) thank you! Nest thing in a while

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Source: https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Requesting-a-continuance-for-court-Sample-Letter

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