Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 824 rules apply across Jackson County Circuit Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 385
  • Applies to
    Financial statements

    In dissolution or legal-separation actions, each party must complete and file sworn Forms 1402A and 1402B and serve them on the opposing party within sixty days after service of the petition.

  • Applies to
    Financial statements

    In child-support, alimony, or maintenance modification motions, each party must complete and file sworn Forms 1402B and 1402E and serve them on the opposing party within sixty days after service of the motion.

  • Applies to
    Iv d income withholding notice

    In IV-D cases, written notice must be submitted by Circuit Court Form 1408 or letter to the specified Department of Civil Records contact and must state the circuit case number, identify the case as IV-D, identify the obligor's employer and address, state the arrearage amount, and state the order's entry or modification date.

Filing Timing

All 126
  • Within 60 days after notice approving the final settlement and distribution order, the personal representative must distribute the estate assets and file receipts and a proposed discharge order.

  • The Request for Final Court Costs Estimate must be filed at least two weeks before the final settlement.

  • An application for exempt property must be filed by verified petition within a reasonable time and before the property is distributed or sold.

Service

All 106
  • Every withdrawal pleading and termination of limited appearance must include the client’s full address and be served on the client in addition to all other required recipients.

  • Absent the client’s written consent, the withdrawal motion must be served with hearing details, and withdrawal cannot occur until the client receives written notice and has reasonable time to retain or obtain another attorney.

  • Service
    Mail

    When the client cannot be located, the attorney may serve the required notice by mail to the client’s last address on file with the court and any additional address provided to the attorney; withdrawal remains subject to Rule 21.4.4.

Fees

All 89
  • Applies to
    In forma pauperis application

    When in forma pauperis status is granted, Jackson County must pay filing and publication costs unless the order granting leave specifically excepts them.

  • Applies to
    Proceedings

    Filing fees and cost deposits are set by schedules approved by the Presiding Judge, published on the Court’s website, and deposited when proceedings are instituted or requested.

  • Applies to
    In forma pauperis application

    A confined applicant seeking in forma pauperis status in a civil proceeding must submit the required motion and affidavit, except for specified Supreme Court proceedings and habeas corpus proceedings.

About Judge Michelle L. Cocayne

Circuit judge for Division 6. **Appointed to the bench:** 2026 **Current assignment:** Civil, Domestic & Criminal **Division email:** Div6.cir16@courts.mo.gov

Jackson County Public Safety Campus, 7008 E 31st Street, Kansas City, MO 64129 Phone: (816) 881-3606 Fax: (816) 881-3390 **Judicial Administrative Assistant:** Mary Little, (816) 881-3606, mary.little@courts.mo.gov **Law Clerk:** Corey Myers, (816) 881-3677, corey.myers@courts.mo.gov **Court Reporter:** Amy McCombs, (816) 881-3706, amy.mccombs@courts.mo.gov **Appearances by WebEx:** the page approves WebEx appearances only for civil case management conferences, or with the advance permission of the court for good cause. It states that all other matters, including motion hearings, evidentiary hearings, pretrial conferences, and all criminal and domestic settings, are held in person at 415 E. 12th St., 6th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64106.

Common questions about Judge Michelle L. Cocayne's rules

What must be included with motion to vacate set aside or correct judgment or sentence filings before Judge Michelle L. Cocayne?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The motion must include every claim known to the movant; omitted claims are waived or abandoned.

View ruleSource: page 1, section INSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY

What must be included with post judgment motion filings before Judge Michelle L. Cocayne?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The motion must include every known ground for relief, be sworn to, and state that all known grounds have been listed.

View ruleSource: page 2, section ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

How may parties contact Judge Michelle L. Cocayne's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications. The rule lists email mary.little@courts.mo.gov and phone (816) 881-3606. For questions about criminal and probation cases, contact Mary Little by phone at (816) 881-3606 or by email at mary.little@courts.mo.gov.

View ruleSource: page 1, section For questions regarding criminal cases, including probation cases

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Michelle L. Cocayne?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Extensions will not be granted for a sur-reply filed fewer than 30 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS

Are filing fees or waivers addressed before Judge Michelle L. Cocayne?

The rule identifies fee waiver availability. A motion filed in forma pauperis must include an affidavit establishing that the movant cannot pay the costs of the proceedings.

View ruleSource: page 1, section INSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Michelle L. Cocayne?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. The motion must be filed with the Jackson County Circuit Court within 180 days from the defendant’s current date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

What rule applies to e-service before Judge Michelle L. Cocayne?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: e-service. The scheduling order was automatically served on attorneys of record through the court’s electronic filing system on the stated date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Certificate of Service
Complete rules summary for Judge Michelle L. Cocayne

The motion may be filed without paying a cost deposit.

The motion must be filed with the Jackson County Circuit Court within 180 days from the defendant’s current date.

A written hearing request must be made by the amended-motion filing deadline; absent a timely request, no hearing will be held.

For the Circuit Court to consider the motion, it must be written, signed by the movant, and concisely answer each applicable question.

The motion must include every claim known to the movant; omitted claims are waived or abandoned.

The motion must be sworn to and state that all grounds for relief known to the movant have been listed.

A motion filed in forma pauperis must include an affidavit establishing that the movant cannot pay the costs of the proceedings.

The completed motion’s original and two copies must be mailed to the clerk of the sentencing court.

A motion to vacate, set aside, or correct the judgment or sentence must be filed within 180 days of the date shown, and failure to file within that period waives the right to proceed under the rule.

An amended motion is permitted but must be filed within the strict time limits stated in paragraph (f) of the Rule.

A written request for a hearing must be filed no later than the deadline for an amended motion, and no hearing will be held if the request is not timely made.

The motion must include every known ground for relief, be sworn to, and state that all known grounds have been listed.

No cost deposit is required to file the motion.

The motion must be legibly handwritten or typewritten, signed by the movant, and concisely answer every applicable question.

The movant must sign the motion and provide concise answers to each applicable question.

The motion must include every claim known to the movant for vacating, setting aside, or correcting the conviction or sentence.

A motion filed in forma pauperis must include an affidavit establishing that the movant cannot pay the costs of the proceedings.

Parties must exchange lists and copies of anticipated trial exhibits before trial.

The parties’ trial exhibit lists must use the exhibit-list form available on the Court’s website.

Before evidence is introduced, counsel must provide the Court Reporter with a list of anticipated trial witnesses.

Motions to join additional parties must be made no later than 90 days after the scheduling order's date.

Dispositive motions must be filed no later than four months before trial.

No sur-reply extension will be granted if the sur-reply is filed fewer than 30 days before trial.

At least 14 calendar days before the pretrial conference, each party must serve and file page-and-line designations of deposition testimony intended for trial.

At least 10 calendar days before the pretrial conference, each party must serve and file objections and counter-designations concerning the other party's deposition designations.

Objections to counter-designations must be served and filed with the court no more than three calendar days before the pretrial conference.

Motions in limine must be filed no more than three calendar days before the pretrial conference.

Proposed verdict directors must be filed with the court before the pretrial conference.

Witness and exhibit lists must be filed on the Wednesday before trial.

For questions about criminal and probation cases, contact Mary Little by phone at (816) 881-3606 or by email at mary.little@courts.mo.gov.

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