Mathews General District Court, Virginia
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
If you default on that plan, you must petition the Court to authorize a payment plan.
You must sign a new agreement to be granted additional time to pay.
You must sign a Payment Agreement to be granted additional time to pay.
Effective October 1, 2026, plaintiffs filing a qualifying unlawful-detainer summons must submit the specified notice and tenant-rights acknowledgment with it, unless they object, in which case the Clerk must note the objection and accept the summons.
Court's wording
THIS COURT hereby ORDERS that, effective October 1, 2026, all Plaintiff's seeking to file a Summons for Unlawful Detainer for a lease violation with regard to leases governed by the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act or by the Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act, must include with the filing a copy of the required notice and a copy of the Acknowledgement of Receipt of Statement of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities that was provided to the tenant prior to filing the unlawful detainer. The items described above are required to be submitted with each Summons for Unlawful Detainer at the time of filing. Notwithstanding this requirement, if the Plaintiff objects to providing any of these items, the Clerk shall note the objection and accept the summons for filing.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Fees and Waivers
A $10 fee applies when entering a payment agreement after default, unless it was collected on a previous agreement.
A $10.00 fee will be assessed upon entéring into a payment agreement unless it was collected on a previous agreement.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Restoration Payment Plan After Default
A $10 fee applies when entering an agreement due more than 90 days later, unless the fee was collected on a previous agreement.
A $10.00 fee will be assessed upon entering into an agreement with a due date greater than 90 days unless it was collected on a previous agreement.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Initial Deferral Agreement Guidelines
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The clerk may grant the first motion to continue; a judge may grant subsequent motions to continue.
FIRST MOTION TO CONTINUE MAY BE GRANTED BY THE CLERK. SUBSEQUENT MOTIONS TO CONTINUE MAY BE GRANTED BY THE JUDGE.
Page 1 | Continuance Policy
Chambers Communication Rules
The defendant must promptly inform the Court of any address change during the agreement.
You must inform the Court promptly of any change of address during the term of the agreement.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Restoration Payment Plan After Default
The defendant must promptly inform the Court of any address change during the agreement.
• You must inform the Court promptly of any change of address during the term of the agreement.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Initial Deferral Agreement Guidelines