How to write a family court motion Introduction: State your argument and what you're asking for. Body: Specify the relevant facts and the evidence you have to support them. Conclusion: Formally ask the court to grant your motion for relief.
Writing your motion The language of the motion should be clear and concise. This means avoiding extreme claims or hyperbole while quickly getting to the meat of your arguments. There is a time for humor and poetic prose, and that time rarely comes when you are writing a motion.
For example, before disgraced comedian Bill Cosby's retrial, his defense team filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the sexual assault alleged in the criminal complaint had happened outside of the statute of limitations.
Begin with a concise and neutral statement of the relevant facts of the case. Present the facts in a way that supports your motion. Be sure to cite to the record or evidence when necessary. This is the heart of your brief and should contain your legal arguments supporting the motion.
Motion to Strike Example Plaintiff supermarket alleges it has a contract with its subtenant (say, a bank or a coffee shop), the landlord knew of the contract and induced the subtenant to breach its sublease with plaintiff to take open retail space owned by the landlord in the same shopping center as the supermarket.
General format - each motion generally consists of a case caption, a title that briefly identifies the relief sought, a series of numbered paragraphs that explains -- in a logical way -- why you are entitled to that relief, a prayer for relief, a signature block, a certification that a copy of the motion was sent to ...
A motion is a paper you can file in your case. It asks the court to decide something in your case. For example, if you need more time to answer a complaint against you, you can file a motion to extend the time to answer. If you do not have a case, you cannot file a motion.
Write a short and clear introduction. Draft a factually accurate narrative. Know the standard that must be met and craft an explanation of the standard. Use the most persuasive components of the relevant law. Apply the law to the facts in a convincing and credible manner. Conclusion.
A “motion to dismiss” is typically filed in response to a complaint and is made in lieu of filing an “answer.” Technically, a plaintiff can move to “strike” a defense that a defendant has pled, given that defenses are subject to the same pleading requirements as are the plaintiff's claims.