If you or the other side want to ask the court to do something in a case, you must ask in written court papers called a Motion.
If you file a motion, you are called the movant. The other side then has a chance to write court papers, too, called a response. The judge then rules on the pleadings.
You can’t call the court to ask for something. There are different rules for making motions. Some motions cost money and others are free. There are numerous motions available online at www.courts.state.co.us for free.
If you cannot find the motion you are looking for, there are also blank motion templates available. The original motions must be filed with the Court and copies be sent to all the parties to the case. Some motions need notarized and will indicate it on the bottom of the motion. The Court can notarize your Court documents for free.
A motion can be used for many reasons, like:
- Making one side do what he or she agreed to do;
- Asking for more time to do what you agreed to do;
- Fixing mistakes in a Stipulation;
- Explaining why you missed your court date or didn’t file an Answer;
- Changing the terms of a court order;
- Asking the court to dismiss the case;
- Forcing the other side to give you discovery information; or
- Bringing the case back to court for any reason.
If you need any further information on filing a motion, you can contact your local Self-Represented Litigant Coordinator (Sherlock) for assistance in finding a particular motion form or to see if there is a filing fee for the motion you are filing.
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