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Motion for Continuance

Before filing

  1. 1

    Read the division's continuance policy before anything else

    Many judges publish strict continuance standards; some circuits add AO-level requirements on top of the rule.

  2. 2

    Confer with opposing counsel and record their position

    An agreed motion still requires court approval — a stipulation alone does not move a court date.

    Rule: Conferral Required Before Filing Non-Dispositive Motions — Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.202 →

Filing

  1. 3

    The motion is in writing and states the specific good cause and when it arose

    Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460 (as amended) requires a written motion setting out the good cause with specificity; the rule itself provides that trial continuances are disfavored.

  2. 4

    Have the named party sign where the rule requires

    Rule 1.460 requires the requesting party's own signature on trial-continuance motions unless the court excuses it.

Scheduling

  1. 5

    Set or submit the motion per the division's instructions

    Some divisions hear continuances on motion calendar; others decide on the papers.

After the hearing

  1. 6

    If granted, get the new date in the order and recalendar every dependent deadline

    Recompute under Rule 2.514.

    Rule: Computing Time — Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.514 →

Steps marked “check the division's instructions” vary by judge — that variance is exactly what BenchPath tracks. Search your county and division for the specific requirements before relying on the generic sequence. Not legal advice.