Where can I find a form for the motion I need to file in civil court?
The form that I need is not available on the MN Judicial Branch website. Is there a basic/generic civil motion form?
Answer
The Minnesota Judicial Branch does not publish motion forms for every situation. You may need to create your own, using other motions as a guide and editing them to fit your situation.
The court does publish a generic motion packet for this purpose. The packet instructions explain that a motion is a way to ask the court to do something in a case that is already open. You will also need an affidavit for your motion, where you state why the court should give you what you have asked for. (To start a new case in civil court, see the forms packet: Starting a Civil Case in District Court).
Don’t hesitate to call or email us if you need a form that is not offered on the Courts’ website. We can help locate informative materials that explain the purpose and requirements of what you are filing. Many of our publications also offer form samples and templates for your drafting needs.
We also encourage you to consult an attorney if you need to draft or modify a form for your situation. You may want to start with the Minnesota Unbundled Law Project, which is a directory of lawyers who offer customizable services. You can also search for lawyers using the Minnesota State Bar Association's Find a Lawyer Directory or by calling the Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service at (612) 752-6699.