Opinion ID: 1893692
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Timeliness of Motion for Change of Venue

Text: The school district also argues in its briefs that plaintiffs' motion for change of venue was untimely because it was not filed within 10 days of when Lebanon's answer originally was due. But, Rule 51.03 does not require that a motion for change of venue be filed within 10 days of when an answer hypothetically would have been due if no motions to dismiss had been filed or extensions of time sought. It provides that written application for a change of venue shall be made, not later than ten days after answer is due to be filed; ... Under Rule 55.25(c), if a defendant files a motion to dismiss or other motion provided for in Rule 55.27, this alters the time fixed for filing any required responsive pleadings. In the case of a motion to dismiss, the responsive pleading shall be filed within ten days after notice of the court's action. Rule 55.25(c). Defendant Lackey filed a motion to dismiss; his answer was not due to be filed until 10 days after that motion was ruled on. The answer had not yet been filed at the time plaintiffs filed their motion for change of venue. Their motion, therefore, was timely under Rule 51.03.