Motion to Continue Hearing Template: Good Cause Request

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Motion to Continue Hearing Template

[Attorney Name or Party Name]

[Law Firm Name, if applicable]

[Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

IN THE [NAME OF COURT]

FOR [COUNTY / DISTRICT / JURISDICTION]

[Plaintiff / Petitioner Name],

Plaintiff / Petitioner,

[Defendant / Respondent Name],

Defendant / Respondent.

Case No.: [Case Number]

1. Title of Motion

MOTION TO CONTINUE HEARING

[Name of Moving Party] respectfully moves this Court for an order continuing the hearing currently set for [Current Hearing Date and Time].

This motion is based on the grounds stated below, the records in this matter, and any attached declaration, affidavit, stipulation, or proposed order.

2. Moving Party Information

Moving Party: [Full Name or Entity Name]

Role in Case: [Plaintiff / Defendant / Petitioner / Respondent / Other]

Counsel for Moving Party, if applicable:

[Attorney Name]

[Law Firm Name]

[Address]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

3. Hearing Information

Current hearing date: [Date]

Current hearing time: [Time]

Department / Judge, if known: [Department / Judge]

Matter to be heard: [Describe motion, status conference, discovery matter, or other hearing]

4. Request for Continuance

The Moving Party requests that the hearing be continued to:

[Requested New Date and Time]

If the court prefers another date, the Moving Party requests a continuance of approximately:

[Number] days or weeks

5. Grounds for Continuance

Good cause exists for the requested continuance because:

[Describe the reason for the request]

Examples may include:

[newly discovered facts]

[need for additional time to prepare]

[scheduling conflict]

[illness or emergency]

[ongoing settlement discussions]

[pending document production or discovery]

[unavailability of counsel, party, or witness]

[other reason]

6. Timing of Request

This request is made:

☐ as soon as reasonably practicable after the need for continuance was discovered

☐ before the current hearing date

☐ after the original deadline for the following reason: [Describe]

Date the need for continuance became known: [Date]

7. Position of Other Party or Parties

The Moving Party has conferred or attempted to confer with the other party or parties regarding this request.

The position of the other party or parties is:

☐ agrees

☐ does not oppose

☐ opposes

☐ position unknown at this time

Additional details:

[Insert details]

8. Prior Continuances

Prior continuances relating to this hearing are:

☐ none

☐ the following prior continuance or continuances: [Describe]

If prior continuances were granted, state the dates and reasons here:

9. Effect on Case Schedule

The Moving Party believes the requested continuance will affect the case schedule as follows:

☐ no material effect

☐ may affect briefing deadlines

☐ may affect discovery deadlines

☐ may affect trial or pretrial dates

☐ other: [Describe]

Additional scheduling details:

10. Supporting Declaration or Evidence

This motion is supported by:

☐ declaration of counsel

☐ declaration of party

☐ stipulation, if any

☐ attached exhibits

☐ other supporting material: [Describe]

11. Request for Relief

The Moving Party respectfully requests that the Court:

continue the hearing now set for [Current Hearing Date];

reset the hearing for [Requested New Date], or for another date the Court deems appropriate;

adjust any related deadlines if necessary;

grant any other relief the Court considers proper.

12. Conclusion

For the reasons stated above, the Moving Party respectfully asks the Court to grant this Motion to Continue Hearing.

13. Signature

Dated: [Date]

Signature: __________________________

Name: [Attorney Name or Party Name]

Title: [Attorney for Moving Party / Self-Represented Party / Other]

Bar Number: [Bar Number, if applicable]

14. Certificate of Service

I certify that on [Date], I served a copy of this Motion to Continue Hearing on the following person(s) or party(ies):

[Name] – [Address / Email]

Method of Service:

☐ email

☐ electronic filing system

☐ mail

☐ hand delivery

☐ other: [Specify]

Signature: __________________________

Name: [Attorney Name or Party Name]

Date: [Date]

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Motion to Continue Hearing Template: Good Cause Request

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Motion to Continue Hearing Template — quick answers

Reviewed July 2026 Free download, PDF & DOCX

What is a motion to continue hearing?

A motion to continue hearing is a court filing that asks the court to move a scheduled hearing to a later date. In federal civil practice, continuance requests are often handled through motion practice and Rule 6(b) can govern extensions of time, while local court rules may set additional continuance procedures.

Why do you need a motion to continue hearing?

You need a motion to continue hearing when a party cannot reasonably proceed on the currently scheduled hearing date and needs court approval for more time. Courts commonly expect the request to identify good cause, explain the need for the continuance, and state whether the other side agrees or objects. Some local rules expressly require the motion to reflect the views of opposing counsel.

When should you use a motion to continue hearing?

Use a motion to continue hearing as soon as the need for a continuance becomes known. Federal Rule 6(b) distinguishes between requests made before the original deadline expires and those made afterward, and local rules may require that continuance motions be filed reasonably in advance of the hearing date or by a specific deadline.

How to write a motion to continue hearing?

Start with the court caption, case number, and the current hearing date. Then explain the reason the hearing should be continued, state the amount of additional time requested, identify whether the other side consents or opposes, and include any declaration or supporting facts required by local rule or practice. In some courts, whether opposition has already been filed can affect the continuance procedure.

Can AI Lawyer help if counsel, staff, and clients all need to review?

AI Lawyer can help by organizing the motion into clear sections so each reviewer can find the hearing details, good-cause explanation, and requested new date quickly. It can also add internal reference fields, scheduling notes, and placeholders that make revisions easier to track. A consistent structure helps reduce repeated edits and lowers the chance of missing key details like the current hearing date, the reason for the request, or the opposing party’s position before filing.

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