<h1 id="when-to-use-a-postponement">When to use a Postponement:</h1>
<p>Postponements are used to change the hearing date of a trial or pretrial conference to a later date. They are sometimes called Motions to Continue. There are also different deadlines to file postponements - if you file too close to the hearing date, the court may not process your request in time. In this case, you should prepare to show up on your original hearing date.</p>
<p>In general, postponements must have case information and the reason for requesting more time. Some states have a specific form that you need to fill out, while other states simply need a request letter.</p>

## How to reschedule your small claims trial date in Alabama?


1. **Complete the required PS-18 form (see left).**
2. **Notify the defendant of your intent to postpone the trial.** 
    
    You have to notify the defendant and have evidence of service of process. You can do so via first class mail or prepaid postage. If the defendant is using legal representation, send your request to continue to the lawyer. 
    
3. **File forms to court.**
    
    Once the defendant is notified, you can fill out the “Certificate of Service” section of your Request to Continue. Then, file your Request to Continue to court.   
    
    When filing your form, you have a few options. You could file in-person at the courthouse. Or you can e-file or mail your forms. Make sure you get a copy that is stamped with the date of filing. This is also called the conformed copy. 
    
4. **Confirm your filing.**
If the court has not returned the conformed copy after you’ve filed, you should make sure they have received it. You can do so by calling the court. Have your case number and the date you filed on hand. Tell the court that you filed an Order and Motion to Continue for your small claim and you want to check the processing status.

**If the court has not accepted your Motion to Continue, you should prepare to go to trial on your original hearing date.**

Request to Continue Trial 

## How to reschedule my small claims hearing date in Arizona?

1. **Complete the required forms (see left)**
    - Motion to Continue (AOC-LJV9F-080520)
    - Order to Continue (AOC LJCV10F-080520)
2. **Notify the defendant of your intent to postpone the trial** 
    
    You have to notify the defendant and have evidence of service of process. An easy way to do this is through certified mail. 
    
3. **File forms to court**
    
    Once the defendant is notified, write the date of service on letter. Then, file your Motion to Continue and Order to Continue to court.   
    
    When filing your form, you have a few options. You could file in-person at the courthouse. Or you can e-file or mail your forms. Make sure you get a copy that is stamped with the date of filing. This is also called the conformed copy. 
    
4. **Obtain the court's approval**
If the court has not returned the conformed copy after you’ve filed, you should make sure they have received it. You can do so by calling the court. Have your case number and the date you filed on hand. Tell the court that you filed an Order and Motion to Continue for your small claim and you want to check the processing status.

**If the court has not accepted your Motion to Continue, you should prepare to go to trial on your original hearing date.**

Motion and Order to Continue

## How to reschedule your small claims court date in California?

If you want to reschedule your court date, you must ask the court for a postponement. Sometimes this is also referred to as "continuance". 

## How do I file a postponement when it is at least 10 days before my hearing date?

1. **Complete the forms (see left).** 
    - *Request to Postpone Trial* (Form SC-150)
    - *Order to Postpone Trial* (Form SC-152)
    - *Proof of Service by Mail* (Form SC-112A) - if you choose to mail
    - Proof of Service
2. **Notify the Defendant.** 
    
    You will need to mail or personally give the defendant a copy of the completed Form SC-150.
    
    If you choose to mail, have your server:
    
    - fill out *Proof of Service by Mail* (Form SC-112A)
    - mail a copy of the completed SC-150 and a copy of the filled out but not signed SC-112A to the defendant
    - complete and sign the *Proof of Service by Mail* (Form SC-112A)
3. **File your forms to the courthouse.**
    
    Once you have notified the defendant, you can file your paperwork with the courthouse. 
    
    You will need to file this forms packet to the court:
    
    - Completed SC-150
    - Partially completed SC-152
    - Completed SC-112A
    - $10 processing fee
    
    You may be able to e-file or fax file your forms. Check your courthouse’s accepted filing method
    
4. **Wait for the courthouse’s response**
    
    If your request to postpone was accepted by the court, they will return to you the court-accepted SC-152 with a new court date. The court will send this notice to all parties involved in the suit. **If you did not hear from the court, you should go to court on the scheduled trial date.**

## How do I file a postponement when it is within 10 days of my scheduled hearing date?

1. **Complete the forms (see left).** 
    - *Request to Postpone Trial* (Form SC-150)
    - *Order to Postpone Trial* (Form SC-152)
2. **Notify the Defendant.**
    
    You will need someone who is not a party to the case to mail or personally give the defendant a copy of the Form SC-150.
    
    If you choose to mail, have your server:
    
    - fill out *Proof of Service by Mail* ([Form SC-112A](https://dev.greenfiling.com/cadoc/data/CA-forms-unlocked/sc112a.pdf))
    - mail a copy of the completed SC-150 and a copy of the filled out but not signed SC-112A to the defendant
    - complete and sign the *Proof of Service by Mail* ([Form SC-112A](https://dev.greenfiling.com/cadoc/data/CA-forms-unlocked/sc112a.pdf))
3. **Walk your forms to the courthouse.**
    
    Personally take the following forms to the court:
    
    - Completed SC-150
    - Partially completed SC-152
    - Completed SC-112A
    - $10 processing fee
    
    When you arrive at the courthouse, ask the clerk to file the postponement. Sometimes the clerk may instruct you to simply go to your trial and ask the judge for a postponement or continuance directly. Be prepared to present a good reason for why you are requesting a postponement so late. 
    
4. **Wait for the courthouse’s response**
    
    If your request to postpone was accepted by the court, they will return to you the court-accepted SC-152 with a new court date. The court will send this notice to all parties involved in the suit. **If you did not hear from the court, you should go to court on the scheduled trial date.**

Request and Order to Postpone Trial

## How to reschedule my small claims hearing date in Illinois?

1. **Fill out the request form**
First, you’ll have to fill out a Notice of Motion (see left). This is a state-provided form. Make sure you write the case number on your form. The instructions in the left column will give you more guidance on how to fill out the form. Make sure you sign the document at the end.
2. **Next, you’ll need to notify the defendant**
You can do this through mail. And some courts handle defendant service on your behalf. So ask your courthouse what they do so you don’t serve the defendant twice. 
Once you have arranged defendant service, you can fill out the “Proof of Delivery” section of the Notice of Motion. You will need to sign your name again. 
3. **File To the Court**
Once you’ve notified the defendant and completed the Notice of Motion, you need to file with the court. Different courthouses accept different filing methods, so make sure you file properly.
If you’re confused on what to do, call the court clerk. While they can’t offer legal advice, they can tell you procedural steps to complete when filing a document. 
4. **Obtain Court Approval**
Once the court approves your paperwork, they should return a conformed copy to you. This will likely be the same method that you filed in. For instance, if you mail-filed your Notice of Motion, the court will likely mail their file-marked copy back to you. 
If you haven’t heard back from the court, it is a good idea to call and check the processing status of your paperwork and confirm that you have a new hearing date. 

**If the court does not approve your Notice of Motion or they fail to record it, plan to go to your originally scheduled hearing date.**

Motion to Continue or Extend Time

## How to reschedule your court date in Maryland?

1. **Complete the required form (see left)**
    - *Motion for Continuance / Postponement (CC-DC-070)*
2. **Notify the defendant of your intent to postpone the trial**
    
    You have to notify the defendant and have evidence of service of process. You can do so via first class mail or prepaid postage.
    
3. **File forms to court**
    
    Once the defendant is notified, you can fill out the “Certificate of Service” section of your Motion for Continuance/Postponement. Then, file your Motion to Continue and Order to Continue to court.   
    
    When filing your form, you have a few options. You could file in-person at the courthouse. Or you can e-file or mail your forms. Make sure you get a copy that is stamped with the date of filing. This is also called the conformed copy. 
    
4. **Confirm your filing**
If the court has not returned the conformed copy after you’ve filed, you should make sure they have received it. You can do so by calling the court. Have your case number and the date you filed on hand. Tell the court that you filed an Order and Motion to Continue for your small claim and you want to check the processing status.

**If the court has not accepted your Motion to Continue, you should prepare to go to trial on your original hearing date.**

Motion for Continuance

## Getting a court date in North Carolina

Usually, courts assign a court date within 30 days of the filing date. If it is an eviction case, the new date is within 10-15 days. The clerk of the court will schedule the date, and you can find it on your summons form. 

The summons needs to be served to the defendant. If you are unable to serve the defendant in time, you may want to file a continuance. If it is accepted, you will have more time to complete service of process. 

If you are unable to make the court date, you can file a continuance.

## How to reschedule your small claims court date in North Carolina?

1. **Create a written request (see template above)**
When filing a continuance, make sure to notify the court of the
    1. Case name
    2. Case number
    3. Court Division
    4. Reason for the continuance
    5. Assigned hearing date
    6. Proposed hearing date
    7. Method of defendant service (fax, email, hand delivery, mail) 
    8. Remember to sign the request
2. **Notify the defendant of your intent to postpone the trial**
You have a few ways you can notify the defendant. Whether you choose via fax, mail, email, or hand delivery, it is a good idea to document that the defendant received the notice. Keep track of what day you notified the defendant, as they must be notified before you file the Motion to Continue. 
3. **File forms to court**
    
    Once the defendant is notified, write the date of service on your Motion to Continue. Now that the form is complete, you can file.  
    
    When filing your form, you have a few options. You could file in-person at the courthouse. Or your can e-file or mail in your forms. Make sure you get a copy that is stamped with the date of filing. This is also called the conformed copy. 
    
4. **Obtain court approval**
If the court has not returned the conformed copy after you’ve filed, you should make sure they have received it. You can do so by calling the court. Have your case number and the date you filed on hand. Tell the court that you filed a Motion to Continue for your small claim and you want to check the processing status.

**If the court has not accepted your Motion to Continue, you should prepare to go to trial on your original hearing date.**

Request for Continuance

## How to reschedule your small claims hearing date in New Jersey

1. **Create a written request (see template on left)**
When filing a continuance, make sure to notify the court of the
    1. Case name
    2. Case number
    3. Court Division
    4. Reason for the continuance
    5. Assigned hearing date
    6. Proposed hearing date
    7. Method of defendant service (fax, email, hand delivery, mail)
    
    Remember to sign your request.
    
2. **Notify the defendant of your intent to postpone the trial**
    
    You have to notify the defendant via a process server. You can either hire one or ask someone who is not a party in the case. They will need to sign an official proof of service. 
    
3. **File forms to court**
    
    Once the defendant is notified, write the date of service on letter. Then, file your Proof of Service and Request for Motion to Continue to court.   
    
    When filing your form, you have a few options. You could file in-person at the courthouse. Or your can e-file or mail your forms. Make sure you get a copy that is stamped with the date of filing. This is also called the conformed copy. 
    
4. **Obtain court approval**
    
    If the court has not returned the conformed copy after you’ve filed, you should make sure they have received it. You can do so by calling the court. Have your case number and the date you filed on hand. Tell the court that you filed a Motion to Continue for your small claim and you want to check the processing status.
    

**If the court has not accepted your Motion to Continue, you should prepare to go to trial on your original hearing date.**

## How to reschedule your small claims hearing date in Minnesota?

1. **Create a written request (see template on left)**
When filing a continuance, make sure to notify the court of the
    1. Case name
    2. Case number
    3. Court Division
    4. Reason for the continuance
    5. Assigned hearing date
    6. Proposed hearing date
    7. Method of defendant service (fax, email, hand delivery, mail)
    
    Remember to sign your request.
    
2. **Notify the defendant of your intent to postpone the trial**
    
    You have to notify the defendant via a process server. You can either hire one or ask someone who is not a party in the case. They will need to sign an official proof of service. 
    
3. **File forms to court**
    
    Once the defendant is notified, write the date of service on letter. Then, file your Proof of Service and Request for Motion to Continue to court.   
    
    When filing your form, you have a few options. You could file in-person at the courthouse. Or your can e-file or mail your forms. Make sure you get a copy that is stamped with the date of filing. This is also called the conformed copy. 
    
4. **Obtain court approval**
    
    If the court has not returned the conformed copy after you’ve filed, you should make sure they have received it. You can do so by calling the court. Have your case number and the date you filed on hand. Tell the court that you filed a Motion to Continue for your small claim and you want to check the processing status.
    

**If the court has not accepted your Motion to Continue, you should prepare to go to trial on your original hearing date.**

## What is an agreed continuance?

An agreed continuance can be used when both parties (the plaintiff and the defendant) agree to reschedule the trial date. A judge in Texas is much more likely to grant an agreed continuance than a contested continuance. 

If the defendant has not agreed to the rescheduling, you’ll need to file a contested continuance. Although the forms may look similar, agreed and contested continuances are used at different times and have different filing processes.

## How to reschedule your small claims hearing date in Texas using an agreed continuance

**Step 1: Call the court to get a new date**

Call the court clerk to obtain an available date.

**Step 2: Fill out the Motion and Order form (see above)**

The **Agreed Motion for Continuance** form tells the judge you need a continuance, and the other side has agreed. Fill it out completely in blue or black ink and sign it.

- Fill in the original hearing date and time, the agreed new hearing date and time, and the physical address of the courthouse.
- Check **box A** on the order form. (**Box A** must be checked **before** you ask the other side and the judge to sign the order form.)
- If you and the other party have agreed to reset the hearing or trial date to another date, you must also check **Box B** and **Box C**.

**Step 3: Ask the other side to sign both forms**

- If the other side has a lawyer, ask the lawyer to sign.
    
    **Note:** If the other side (or the other side’s lawyer) will not sign both forms, the continuance is not agreed.
    

**Step 4: Turn in your motion form**

- Turn in your completed Agreed Motion for Continuance form at the clerk’s office and get a file-stamped copy.
- Ask the clerk when you can present your Order on Motion for Continuance to a judge. Tell the clerk the continuance is agreed.

**Step 5: Ask the judge to sign your order form**

- If the judge signs your Order on Motion for Continuance, take the signed order back to the clerk’s office.
    - Turn it in and ask for a file-stamped copy.
    - Ask the clerk whether you need to let anyone else at the courthouse know that the continuance has been granted.
    - You may need to let the court administrator know of the change so the court’s calendar can be updated.

**Step 6: Serve the other side**

- Send a file-stamped copy of the signed Order on Motion for Continuance to the other side by email, fax, or commercial delivery.
- Keep proof that you sent it. You must bring proof when you go to court on your new hearing date.

If you e-file the motion, the other party will likely be served with your order electronically, but it might be a good idea to follow up and make sure they received the motion.

Motion for Agreed Continuance

## What is a contested continuance?

If the defendant has not agreed to the rescheduling of the hearing, you’ll need to file a contested continuance. Although some of the papers you file are the same, agreed and contested continuances have different filing processes. 

## How to File a Contested Continuance in Texas:

**Step 1: Call the court to get a new date**

Call the court clerk to obtain an available date.

**Step 2: Fill out the Motion and Order form (see left)**

Fill out the **Motion for Continuance** and **Notice for Hearing**. 

Remember that you need to fill out the case info from the your original court paperwork. You should prepare a good reason for your continuance so your case has the best chance of getting a new court date. 

**Step 3: File your forms to the court**

After completing the Motion for Continuance and Notice for Hearing, y## What is a contested continuance?

If the defendant has not agreed to the rescheduling of the hearing, you’ll need to file a contested continuance. Although some of the papers you file are the same, agreed and contested continuances have different filing processes. 

## How to File a Contested Continuance in Texas:

**Step 1: Call the court to get a new date**

Call the court clerk to obtain an available date.

**Step 2: Fill out the Motion and Order form (see left)**

Fill out the **Motion for Continuance** and **Notice for Hearing**. 

Remember that you need to fill out the case info from the your original court paperwork. You should prepare a good reason for your continuance so your case has the best chance of getting a new court date. 

**Step 3: File your forms to the court**

After completing the Motion for Continuance and Notice for Hearing, you turn-in the forms at the clerks office. A clerk will file-stamp your forms and return the copies to you. 
Make sure you have a copy for yourself and the defendant. 

**Step 4: Arrange for the defendant to be served**

Once your documents were filed with the court, the defendant needs to be notified of the continuance. So you’ll need to arrange defendant service. This can be done by mail, fax, email, or personal delivery. 
Remember to notify the lawyer for the other side if they are using representation. It is important for you to keep evidence that you notified the defendant. 

If you filed your documents with the court through an e-filing system, it’s helpful to have the defendant’s email address. The court may serve the defendant for you electronically. Check your courthouse’s rules to see what is required of you.ou turn-in the forms at the clerks office. A clerk will file-stamp your forms and return the copies to you. 
Make sure you have a copy for yourself and the defendant. 

**Step 4: Arrange for the defendant to be served**

Once your documents were filed with the court, the defendant needs to be notified of the continuance. So you’ll need to arrange defendant service. This can be done by mail, fax, email, or personal delivery. 
Remember to notify the lawyer for the other side if they are using representation. It is important for you to keep evidence that you notified the defendant. 

If you filed your documents with the court through an e-filing system, it’s helpful to have the defendant’s email address. The court may serve the defendant for you electronically. Check your courthouse’s rules to see what is required of you.

Motion for Contested Continuance

<h2 id="important">Important:</h2>
<p>When requesting a postponement, it is important that the defendant is notified if the date is changed. Courthouses have different requirements for notifying the defendant, and some courthouses will notify the defendant on your behalf.</p>

Small Claims Postponement Forms

Important:

All Small Claims Postponement Forms

See All

When to use a Postponement: