State Court Motion for Extension of Time
0. ATTORNEY VALIDATION CERTIFICATE
I, [Attorney Name], certify that I have reviewed the current statutes, statewide procedural rules, and local rules governing deadline modifications in this matter on [REVIEW_DATE]; that the factual statements in this motion are accurate to the best of my knowledge; that applicable notice or conferral requirements have been satisfied or will be satisfied as represented below; and that I approve this motion for filing on behalf of [Client Name].
Signature: ________________________________ Date: __________________
Printed Name: _____________________________ Bar No.: ________________
MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME
(In the Circuit Court of [COUNTY_NAME] County, Wisconsin)
1. CAPTION
STATE OF WISCONSIN
CIRCUIT COURT
[COUNTY_NAME] COUNTY
Case No. [CASE_NUMBER]
Branch [BRANCH]
[PLAINTIFF_NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT_NAME],
Defendant.
2. MOTION
[Movant] respectfully moves pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 801.15(2) to extend the deadline for [describe act] from [CURRENT_DEADLINE] to [PROPOSED_NEW_DEADLINE].
3. FACTUAL BASIS
- The Court’s [order/scheduling order] dated [ORDER_DATE] established the deadline at issue.
- [Movant] has diligently [describe actions], including [FACT_DETAIL].
- Additional time is necessary because [REASONS], despite diligent efforts.
- Counsel conferred with [Opposing Counsel] on [DATE]; [Opposing Party] [does not oppose / opposes / takes no position].
4. LEGAL STANDARD
Wis. Stat. § 801.15(2) authorizes the Court to enlarge time for cause shown; after the expiration of the specified period, relief requires excusable neglect. Courts consider diligence, prejudice, and the interests of justice.
5. ARGUMENT
- Cause Shown/Excusable Neglect. [Explain supporting circumstances].
- Diligence. [Detail steps taken promptly to comply].
- No Prejudice. The requested extension will not prejudice [Non-Movant] and will not affect the trial date of [TRIAL_DATE].
6. REQUESTED RELIEF
WHEREFORE, [Movant] requests that the Court extend the deadline for [describe act] to [PROPOSED_NEW_DEADLINE] and grant such other relief as is just.
7. PROPOSED ORDER
STATE OF WISCONSIN
CIRCUIT COURT
[COUNTY_NAME] COUNTY
Case No. [CASE_NUMBER]
[PLAINTIFF_NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT_NAME],
Defendant.
ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME
Upon consideration of [Movant]'s Motion for Extension of Time and good cause appearing, IT IS ORDERED that the deadline for [describe act] is extended to [PROPOSED_NEW_DEADLINE]. All other deadlines remain in effect.
DATED this ___ day of __________, [YEAR].
BY THE COURT:
__________________________________
[JUDGE_NAME]
Circuit Court Judge
8. SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
[LAW_FIRM_NAME]
[STREET_ADDRESS]
[City], Wisconsin [ZIP]
Telephone: [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL]
By: __________________________________
[ATTORNEY_NAME]
State Bar No. [BAR_NUMBER]
Attorney for [MOVING_PARTY_NAME]
Date: ____________, [YEAR]
9. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on [SERVICE_DATE] the foregoing was filed via the Wisconsin eFiling system and served on all registered counsel pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 801.14. Service by [method] was also made upon:
| Name | Address/Email | Method |
|---|---|---|
| [RECIPIENT_NAME] | [CONTACT_INFORMATION] | [SERVICE_METHOD] |
__________________________________
[ATTORNEY_NAME]
11. SAMPLE GOOD CAUSE NARRATIVE (TAILOR BEFORE FILING)
On March 12, 2024, [Movant] received 3,400 pages of supplemental records from a third-party provider. The materials revealed new witnesses and data points requiring expert analysis. [Movant] immediately retained the appropriate expert, who was first available on [EXPERT_MEETING_DATE], and coordinated with opposing counsel to schedule any follow-up discovery. Absent a short extension of the current [CURRENT_DEADLINE] to [PROPOSED_NEW_DEADLINE], [Movant] cannot incorporate the new information into required submissions. Opposing counsel was contacted on [CONFERRAL_DATE] but declined to stipulate, identifying no concrete prejudice beyond a preference to maintain the existing schedule.
12. MITIGATION COMMITMENT TEMPLATE
- Maintain the existing trial or dispositive motion dates unless the Court directs otherwise.
- Produce all outstanding discovery or supplemental disclosures no later than [COMMITMENT_DATE].
- Offer supplemental deposition or interview availability for affected witnesses during [DATE_RANGE] at [LOCATION].
- Provide a status update letter to the Court and opposing counsel within [STATUS_UPDATE_WINDOW] days of the new deadline.
About This Template
These are the filings that drive a lawsuit through the system: complaints, answers, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, and post-judgment papers. Each has its own format requirements under federal and state procedural rules, and each has a deadline that cannot be missed without consequences. Clean, procedurally correct filings move a case forward; sloppy ones invite motions to strike, amended responses, and avoidable delays.
Important Notice
This template is provided for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Last updated: November 2025