Trial Continuance Policy Family Law Division

Effective January 20, 2026 the Clark County Superior Court Family Law Division has adopted a Trial Continuance Policy. The policy can be viewed as a PDF here: Family Law Division Trial Continuance Policy

Purpose and Policy

The Court is committed to the fair, prompt, and efficient resolution of family law matters. Trial dates are firm. Continuances are strongly disfavored because delay can negatively affect children, prolong temporary orders, and increase burdens on families.

No trial date will be stricken, reset, or continued except by written order of the Court.

Requirements for All Trial Continuance Requests

All requests to continue a trial must comply with LCR 40(b)(6). A party seeking a continuance must:

  1. File a written motion supported by one or more declarations;
  2. Note the motion for hearing in full compliance with the applicable noticing requirements under the Local Rules;
  3. Include the written acknowledgment of the party (client, if represented) on the motion or supporting declaration; and
  4. File within all deadlines set in your Case Scheduling Order.

The Court will not consider a continuance request that does not include the required client acknowledgment.

Standard for Granting a Continuance: Good Cause

A continuance will be granted only when good cause is shown.

Good cause means a significant, unanticipated event that could not have been reasonably prevented, anticipated, or addressed with diligence.

Factors considered include:

  • Parties’ diligence;
  • Reason for the request;
  • Prior continuances;
  • Compliance with deadlines;
  • Impact of delay on the children, the case, and the court calendar.

Circumstances That Generally Do Not Constitute Good Cause

The following circumstances, standing alone, rarely justify continuing a family law trial:

  1. Agreement of the parties or counsel.
  2. No prior continuances.
  3. Hopes that additional ADR or settlement discussions will be productive.
  4. Incomplete or late-started discovery.
  5. Appearance of new counsel or plans to retain new counsel.
  6. Lack of preparation due to poor communication.
  7. Requesting a third or later trial date.
  8. Requests filed after scheduling deadlines.
  9. Personal or work conflicts that could have been planned around.
  10. Preference for a different judicial officer.

These factors may be considered but seldom justify altering a firm trial date on their own.

Special Considerations in Family Law Cases

The Court must consider the best interests of children and the impact of delay on family stability. A continuance may be denied if postponing the trial would:

  • Prolong temporary orders beyond their intended purpose;
  • Create instability for children;
  • Delay resolution of parenting, relocation, domestic violence, or financial issues; or
  • Affect the child’s safety or welfare.

A continuance may be denied even when some good cause exists if it would negatively impact children or family stability.

Trial Deadlines Following a Continuance

Unless specifically modified by Court order, all existing deadlines—including

  • Witness list deadlines,
  • Exhibit exchanges,
  • Discovery deadlines,
  • Trial readiness requirements, and
  • Deadlines under temporary orders

remain in effect even after a continuance. Requests to change these deadlines must be made by separate motion showing good cause.

Court-Initiated Continuances

The Court may continue a trial on its own when necessary due to:

  • Criminal case priority under LCR 40(d);
  • Domestic Relations case priorities;
  • Judicial illness or unavailability,
  • Another trial running longer than expected,
  • Interpreter or resource constraints, or
  • Other factors affecting the administration of justice.

Parties will be notified as soon as practicable.