Source: http://courts.alaska.gov/shc/family/motions.htm
Timestamp: 2017-03-26 14:50:22
Document Index: 133511258

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Motions Part 1: How to Ask the Court For Something Motions Part 2: How to File an Opposition to a Motion Motions Part 3: Preparing a Reply Motions Part 4: Mailings and Deadlines Filing Documents by Mail What is a motion? What is motion practice? How do I file a motion? How do I serve the motion on the other party? How do I oppose a motion? How do I serve the opposition on the other party?
How do I reply to an opposition?
How do I calculate the filing deadlines?
Is there a different deadline to respond to a motion that is served before the answer to a complaint is due?
Can I file by mail? Will there be a hearing on the motion? When will the judge decide my motion? When can I file a motion?
What if I need an order before my final hearing or before receiving a judgment?
How do I respond to a motion for interim orders?
What if there is an emergency? Forms
Examples What is a motion?
A motion is the paper you must file to ask a judge to make a ruling or take some other action. A motion is the first step in the three-step process called motion practice, which is controlled by Civil Rule 77 .
What is motion practice?
Motion practice is the three-step process to ask the judge to order something in the case. First, the moving party, i.e. the person who is asking for a court order, files a motion, asking the court to order something specific. Second, the other party files a response or opposition. Third, the moving party can reply to the opposition. Summary of Motion Practice Step #
1 The moving party (the person who needs a court order)
- Affidavit - Proposed Order File when you need a court order
2 The opposing party
- Affidavit - Proposed Order These are due 13 days after the motion was mailed, or 10 days if it was hand delivered 3 The moving party
This is due 8 days after the Opposition was mailed, or 5 days if it was hand delivered
Return to top How do I file a motion?
View video: Motions Part 1: How to Ask the Court For Something To file a motion you must fill out three forms: 1. Motion, SHC-1300 Word | PDF This form is like a cover page and tells the judge what you want and why you want it in a sentence or two. It also tells the judge:
what documents are attached
whether you want a hearing on this motion
how you served the other party see Service Reminder Word | PDF 2. Affidavit & Memorandum, SHC-1301 Word | PDF This form is where you tell the judge the whole story and why you should get what you say you want. Be sure to: tell the judge all the important and relevant facts make any argument that helps support your request. Since this is a sworn statement, you must sign it in front of a notary, which includes court clerks and postal officials. You will need picture I.D. when you sign. Sometimes, depending on what you are asking for, you may use a specialized affidavit such as the Best Interests Affidavit, SHC-1125 (Word | PDF), which is designed for use as part of a Motion for Custody.
3. Order on Motion, SHC-1302 Word | PDF The order is the document you are asking the judge to sign. It tells anyone who reads it exactly what the judge has ordered in very simple, clear terms. Do NOT sign and date the proposed order. If the judge agrees with your Motion, he/she may sign your proposed order, or may change it or sign a different order. These forms can also be found in the Generic Motion Packet, SHC-PAC6 (this includes forms for both the party who wants to file a motion and the party who wants to respond or oppose a motion).
After you fill out the forms, make 2 copies. Keep 1 copy for your records. Mail or hand-deliver a copy to the opposing party (or their lawyer if represented). Fill out the certificate of service on the bottom of the original Motion, stating how you provided the opposing party with a copy. File the original at the courthouse.
How do I serve the motion on the other party?
Send or hand deliver a copy of all these documents to the other person, or lawyer if they have one. The law says the other person must have a chance to tell their side of the story. Send your copies by first class mail or deliver them in person. Please read the information about serving the opposing party.
The other person has 13 days from the time you mailed the motion to tell the judge his/her side. If you hand delivered the motion, the other side has 10 days to respond. He or she will file her response by filing an Opposition, Affidavit & Memorandum and an Order.
Service Reminder Word | PDF
How do I oppose a motion?
View video: Motions Part 2: How to File an Opposition to a Motion If you were served with a motion, you have the right to respond and tell the judge whether you agree or disagree with the moving party's request. You are called the non-moving party. You will also fill out three forms: 1. Opposition, SHC-1303 Word | PDF This form is like a cover page and tells the judge what you disagree with, what you want and why in a sentence or two. It also tells the judge:
whether you want a hearing
how you served the other party; see Service Reminder Word | PDF 2. Affidavit & Memorandum, SHC-1301 Word | PDF This form is where you tell the judge the details of why you disagree and what you want. Be sure to: tell the judge all the important and relevant facts
make any argument that helps support your position.
Since this is a sworn statement, you must sign it in front of a notary, which includes court clerks or postal officials. You will need picture I.D. when you sign. 3. Order on Opposition, SHC-1304 Word | PDF The order is the document you are asking the judge to sign. It tells anyone who reads it exactly what the judge has ordered in very simple, clear terms. Do NOT sign and date the proposed order. If the judge agrees with your Opposition, he/she may sign your proposed order, change it or sign a different order. If you oppose everything about the motion, your order will say something like, "motion denied."
These forms can also be found in the Generic Motion Packet, SHC-PAC6 (this includes forms for both the party who wants to file a motion and the party who wants to respond or oppose a motion).
You have 13 days from the time the motion was mailed to you, or 10 days from the time the motion was hand delivered to you, to file your opposition. Once you have filled out the forms, along with the certificate of service, you must file them at the courthouse.
How do I serve the opposition on the other party?
You must send or hand deliver a copy of all these documents to the other person, or their lawyer if they have one. The law says the other person must have a chance to tell their side of the story. After you fill out the forms, make 2 copies. Keep 1 copy for your records. Mail or hand-deliver a copy to the opposing party (or their lawyer if represented). Fill out the certificate of service on the bottom of the original Opposition, stating how you provided the opposing party with a copy. File the original at the courthouse. Please read the information about serving the opposing party.
The moving party has 8 days to reply to your opposition if you mailed it. If you hand-delivered the opposition, then they only have 5 days. Then the paperwork will go to the judge, who will make the decision. If the judge thinks a hearing is needed, you will receive a notice telling you when and where to appear.
View video: Motions Part 3: Preparing a Reply If you filed the motion, you can reply to the opposition if you think it is necessary. But, it is not required. If you decide to reply, you must file it within 8 days of when the opposition was mailed to you. If it was hand delivered, you have 5 days to reply. You must serve the opposing party with a copy of the reply and fill out the certificate of service stating how you served the other party. Please read the information about serving the opposing party. Reply, SHC-1305 Word | PDF
View video: Motions Part 4: Mailings and Deadlines For motions and opposition, count every day except the first day. If you land on a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday, go to the next business day. For replies, do not count the first day, and then count only business days. See Civil Rule 6(a) .
Return to Top Is there a different deadline to respond to a motion that is served before the answer to a complaint is due?
Yes. If someone files a motion before the date an answer to a complaint is due, the timeline to respond to the motion is:
10 days from the date of service of the motion, OR the date the defendant’s answer is due (20 days from the date the complaint was served), whichever is later.
Add 3 more days if the motion was mailed to you.
For example, if the plaintiff serves the defendant with a complaint and a motion for interim orders on May 4, the response/opposition to the motion is determined by the answer due date which is 20 days later. That means the response/opposition is due on May 24 (if the plaintiff served the motion documents by a process server or hand delivery) or May 27 (if the plaintiff served the motion documents by certified mail because the rule adds 3 more days for mail delivery). In another example, the plaintiff serves the defendant with a complaint on May 4 by mail and later serves the motion for interim orders on May 20. The response/opposition is due 10 days + 3 days for mailing on June 2, because that is later than the date the defendant’s answer is due on May 24. Return to top
Can I file by mail? View video: Filing Documents by Mail Yes, you can mail your motion papers to the court for filing by 1st class US mail. You need to include all of the forms you have filled out, signed and had notarized where indicated. Make 2 copies of all papers before you mail the originals to the court. Keep 1 copy for your records. You will need 1 copy to serve the defendant. Return to top
Will there be a hearing on the motion?
If either party wants a hearing on the motion, that party must file a motion for a hearing within 5 days after the opposition or reply was filed. Sometimes even if the parties do not ask for a hearing, the judge may schedule one to better understand the issues. If there will be a hearing, the court will send a Notice of Hearing that includes the date, time and location. Return to top
When will the judge decide my motion?
Generally, the motion paperwork will not be sent to the judge's chambers until after the entire motion practice cycle has run - usually about 3 weeks.
If a hearing is scheduled, there will be no decision until after the hearing, and it may take many weeks to get one scheduled.
If there is no hearing, the judge will make a decision in due course. Usually, this is within a few weeks, but it could take months. There are many factors affecting the time, such as the complexities of your motion, other motions that may be pending in your case, and the judge's overall schedule. Return to top When can I file a motion?
When you need a court order. Before trial Motion for Interim Orders: when you need a court order before the trial.
After your case is over
To modify: if there has been a change in circumstances, you may file a Motion to Modify for custody or support.
To enforce: if the other party is not following the final order or decree, there are a number of options depending on the situation. Return to top What if I need an order before my final hearing or before receiving a judgment?
If you need the judge to decide on a specific issue prior to your final hearing or before you receive a judgment, you will need to make the request to the judge by filing a Motion for Interim Orders, along with an affidavit and a proposed order. If you have children, you can file a:
Motion and Affidavit for Interim Orders - With Children (SHC-1100, Word | PDF) and
Order on Interim Orders - With Children (SHC-1102, Word | PDF)
NOTE: if you are filing a motion with your Complaint or filing a motion after the decree has been signed, you must also file:
Notice of Motion, SHC-1630 Word | PDF
If you do not have children, you can file a:
Motion and Affidavit for Interim Orders - No Children (SHC-1105, Word | PDF) and
Order on Interim Orders - No Children (SHC-1107, Word | PDF)
Return to top How do I respond to a motion for interim orders?
If you receive a motion for interim orders for custody, child support or something else, you have 13 days from the date it was mailed to file a response, or 10 days if you received the motion by hand delivery. You can respond by filing the same 3 forms used to oppose any other motion: the Opposition, Affidavit & Memorandum, and Order on Opposition. Opposition, SHC-1303 Word | PDF
Affidavit & Memorandum, SHC-1301 Word | PDF
Order on Opposition, SHC-1304 Word | PDF
Return to top What if there is an emergency?
If you feel that you have an emergency that justifies speeding up the motion process, you may consider filing an additional motion asking for expedited consideration of your main motion. Civil Rule 77(g) is the special court rule controlling these requests. Requests for expedited consideration are rarely granted, and should only be used in a real emergency. You may call the Family Law Self-Help Center Helpline for more information and the special form, or you may consult with an attorney. There are special requirements to serve a motion for expedited consideration. Return to top Forms
A complete set of general forms is provided in
The Generic Motion Packet, SHC-PAC6 (this includes forms for both the party who wants to file a motion and the party who wants to respond or oppose a motion)
Service Reminder Word | PDF There are a number of specialized motions available, such as: Motion for Expedited Consideration
Motion and Affidavit for Interim Orders - No Children, SHC-1105 Word | PDF Order on Interim Orders - No Children, SHC-1107 Word | PDF
Motion and Affidavit for Interim Orders - With Children, SHC-1100 Word | PDF
Order on Interim Orders - With Children (3 pages - includes other interim orders), SHC-1102 Word | PDF Custody Order (1 page - for custody ONLY), SHC-1103 Word | PDF
For more information or to request a form, please call the Self-Help Center Helpline. Return to top Examples
The following examples may be helpful: Sample Motion for Return of Boat Sample Affidavit & Memorandum in Support of Motion for Return of Boat Sample Order for Return of Boat Return to top Rev. 6 January 2014