Ind. Trial Rule 7

Effective January 1, 2025

(A) Pleadings.

The only pleadings allowed are

(1) a complaint and an answer;

(2) a counterclaim and a reply to a counterclaim;

(3) a cross-claim and an answer to a cross-claim; and

(4) a third-party complaint, if a person not an original party is summoned under Rule 14,

and a third-party answer.

(B) Motions.

Unless made during a hearing or trial, or otherwise ordered by the court, an application to

the court for an order must be made by written motion. The motion must state the grounds

therefor and the relief or order sought and be accompanied by a separate proposed order.

(C) Requests for hearings.

A party requesting a hearing on any motion must file a written request by separate motion.

Unless otherwise required, a court has the discretion to set any motion for hearing.

(D) Written motions for continuance.

(1) A party must file a motion for continuance as soon after the cause for continuance or

delay is discovered by the party seeking the same.

(2) Any written motion to continue a matter must be filed pursuant to subdivision (B) and

must include:

(a) A statement that the opposing party has no objection;

(b) A statement that the opposing party objects; or

(c) A statement that the opposing party’s position is unknown, and the date, time, and

method by which the moving party filing the motion attempted to obtain agreement and

the result, or why such outreach was not possible.

(3) If a party did not comply with subdivision (D)(2), a court may grant a motion for continuance only if the moving party certifies to the court, in writing, the efforts made to give

notice and the reasons supporting the moving party’s claim that actual notice should not be

required.

(4) A party’s motion must include:

(a) the approximate amount of time needed to elapse before the matter can be heard,

and,

(b) a good faith estimate of the time needed for the rescheduled hearing or trial.

(5) Any local rules related to motions to continue are abrogated.