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Mandatory Motion Screening

A Motion is a paper you serve on the other party and file with the court, asking the Judge or Referee to decide an issue.

By Court Order, in Hennepin County all family court motions prepared by a person not represented by an attorney must be screened by a Family Law Facilitator before a court date is set. If your motion is reviewed and approved, it does not mean you will get what you requested in your motion. The Judge will grant or deny your motion based on the law, the evidence, and the legal arguments of the parties.

HOW TO GET YOUR MOTION SCREENED

STEP 1

Get these papers together:

1. The forms for your motion (or response to a motion sent to you).  These must be filled-out, to the best of your ability.  If you have questions that keep you from finishing the forms, you should choose the appointment option for getting your motion screened.
2. A copy of the latest court order(s) that you want to change or enforce through your motion.
3. If you are responding to a Motion served on you; bring all the papers you received from the other person.

STEP 2

Decide which option for screening you wish to use.  The options are described below.  If your forms are for divorce, paternity, or third party custody you must choose option 1. Appointment.

SCREENING OPTIONS

1.  Appointment

You are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment to have your papers reviewed. Call (612)596-8519 to schedule your 1-hour appointment (or 2-hour appointment for third party custody cases as these are more complicated.) The facilitator will sit with you and explain any problems with your forms and answer your questions, but cannot give you legal advice.  The next steps in the process will be explained.  If you are having trouble with the forms, do not understand the written instructions you received, or if the forms do not seem to fit your situation, an appointment is the best option for you.  Please allow extra time for traffic and parking to avoid being late for your appointment.  We will only hold appointments for 10 minutes.

2.  Walk-in

Appointments are encouraged, but staff will try to review completed forms on a walk-in basis. Please make sure that your papers are filled out before coming to the Center. Bring copies of any recent court orders regarding your case. If your papers are not completed, or you do not have all the needed information or orders, you may have to return another day for an appointment. Staff help customers who have appointments first. If you come to the Center without an appointment, you may have to wait 30 minutes or longer before staff can help you. Third party custody papers cannot be screened on a walk-in basis; you must schedule an appointment.

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