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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Michelle L. Cocayne

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Jackson County Circuit Court

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

SuggestionsCourt-wide
5 pgs
Application for ContinuanceCourt-wide
3 pgs
Continuance ApplicationCourt-wide
3 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Petition

Court-wide
  • 1 copy • Upon Filing

Communication

Email
mary.little@courts.mo.gov
Email
corey.myers@courts.mo.gov
Phone
(816) 881-3606
Phone
(816) 881-3677
Cases:
Filters:

Document Format Requirements3 rules

Formatting

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

Formatting

  • In writing
  • Legibly handwritten or typewritten
  • Signed by the movant

Court's wording

In order for this motion to receive consideration by the Circuit Court, it shall be in writing (legibly handwritten or typewritten), signed by the movant, and it shall set forth in concise form the answers to each applicable question.

acknowledgement-under-24 035--form-40-word-version
|SectionINSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY
FormattingCriminal cases

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

Formatting

  • Legibly handwritten or typewritten

Court's wording

In order for this motion to receive consideration by the Circuit Court, it shall be in writing (legibly handwritten or typewritten), signed by the movant, and it shall set forth in concise form the answers to each applicable question.

acknowledgement-under-24 035--form-40-pdf · p. 3
|SectionINSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY
Formatting

The format for the parties’ exhibit lists shall be in the form available on the Court’s website.

division-6-courtroom-guidelines · May 2026 · p. 2
|SectionCOURTROOM GUIDELINES - DIVISION 6

Document Filing Requirements9 rules

Filing Requirements

When the motion is completed, the original and two copies shall be mailed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court from which the movant was sentenced.

acknowledgement-under-24 035--form-40-word-version
|SectionINSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY
Filing Requirements

The motion must be sworn to. In it you must state that you have listed all grounds for relief known to you.

Filing Requirements

The movant is required to include in this motion every claim known to him for vacating, setting aside or correcting the conviction and sentence or it will be waived or abandoned.

acknowledgement-under-24 035--form-40-word-version
|SectionINSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

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

Court's wording

If you file such motion, you must put in it every ground known to you for ===== PAGE 2 ===== vacating, setting aside or correcting the judgment and sentence. The motion must be sworn to. In it you must state that you have listed all grounds for relief known to you.

Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

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

Court's wording

In order for this motion to receive consideration by the Circuit Court, it shall be in writing (legibly handwritten or typewritten), signed by the movant, and it shall set forth in concise form the answers to each applicable question.

acknowledgement-under-24 035--form-40-pdf · p. 3
|SectionINSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

If the motion is taken in forma pauperis, it shall include an affidavit setting forth information that establishes that movant will be unable to pay costs of the proceedings.

acknowledgement-under-24 035--form-40-pdf · p. 3
|SectionINSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

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

Court's wording

The movant is required to include in this motion every claim known to him for vacating, setting aside or correcting the conviction and sentence or it will be waived or abandoned. Be sure to include every claim.

acknowledgement-under-24 035--form-40-pdf · p. 3
|SectionINSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY
Filing Requirements

Pursuant to the Court’s case management order, lists and copies of exhibits the parties anticipate offering at trial are to be exchanged prior to trial.

division-6-courtroom-guidelines · May 2026 · p. 2
|SectionCOURTROOM GUIDELINES - DIVISION 6
Filing Requirements

Prior to the introduction of evidence, counsel will provide the Court Reporter a list of the witnesses they anticipate calling at trial.

division-6-courtroom-guidelines · May 2026 · p. 2
|SectionCOURTROOM GUIDELINES - DIVISION 6

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

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

A written request for a hearing of the motion must be made on or before the date an amended motion is required to be filed. If no request for a hearing is timely made, a hearing will not be held.

Page 1 | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

If you file such motion, it must be filed with the Jackson County Circuit Court within One hundred eighty (180) days from today’s date.

If you file such motion, it must be filed with the Jackson County Circuit Court within One hundred eighty (180) days from today’s date.

Page 1 | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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.

If you file such motion, it must be filed with the Jackson County Circuit Court within One hundred eighty (180) days from today’s date. If you fail to file the motion within this time you will completely waive, that is, give up your right to proceed under this Rule.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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

The Rule allows an amended motion to be filed but it must be filed within certain strict time limits. These limits can be found in paragraph (f) of the Rule.

Criminal cases

Page 2 | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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.

A written request for a hearing of the motion must be made on or before the date an amended motion is required to be filed. If no request for a hearing is timely made, a hearing will not be held.

Criminal cases

Page 2 | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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

Dispositive motions shall be filed no later than four (4) months prior to the trials setting.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS

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.

By 14 calendar days before the pretrial conference, parties shall serve and file designations by page and line of deposition testimony that the offering party intends to read at trial.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DEPOSITION DESIGNATIONS

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

All motions for joinder of additional parties shall be made no later than ninety (90) days from the date of this order.

Civil cases

Page 1 | JOINDER OF ADDITIONAL PARTIES

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.

By 10 calendar days before the pretrial conference, each party shall serve and file any objections to the other party’s disposition designations and shall provide any counter designations of testimony proposed to be read with the other party’s designations.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DEPOSITION DESIGNATIONS

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

PROPOSED VERDICT DIRECTORS shall be filed with the Court prior to the pre-trial conference.

Civil cases

Page 2 | PROPOSED VERDICT DIRECTORS

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

No more than ===== PAGE 2 ===== 3 calendar days before the pretrial conference, the parties shall serve and file with the Court any objections to the other party’s counter designations.

Civil cases

Page 2 | DEPOSITION DESIGNATIONS

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

WITNESS AND EXHIBIT LISTS shall be filed the Wednesday before trial.

Civil cases

Page 2 | WITNESS AND EXHIBIT LISTS

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

MOTIONS IN LIMINE shall be filed no more than 3 calendar days before the pretrial conference

Civil cases

Page 2 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE

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

WITNESS AND EXHIBIT LISTS shall be filed the Wednesday before trial.

Civil cases

Page 1 | WITNESS AND EXHIBIT LISTS

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

Dispositive motions shall be filed no later than four (4) months prior to the trials setting.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS

Parties must serve and file objections and counter-designations regarding deposition designations 10 calendar days before the pretrial conference.

By 10 calendar days before the pretrial conference, each party shall serve and file any objections to the other party’s disposition designations and shall provide any counter designations of testimony proposed to be read with the other party’s designations.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DEPOSITION DESIGNATIONS

Parties must serve and file page-and-line designations of deposition testimony intended for trial at least 14 calendar days before the pretrial conference.

By 14 calendar days before the pretrial conference, parties shall serve and file designations by page and line of deposition testimony that the offering party intends to read at trial.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DEPOSITION DESIGNATIONS

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

PROPOSED VERDICT DIRECTORS shall be filed with the Court prior to the pre-trial conference.

Civil cases

Page 1 | PROPOSED VERDICT DIRECTORS

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

MOTIONS IN LIMINE shall be filed no more than 3 calendar days before the pretrial conference

Civil cases

Page 1 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE

Parties must serve and file objections to counter-designations no more than three calendar days before the pretrial conference.

No more than 3 calendar days before the pretrial conference, the parties shall serve and file with the Court any objections to the other party’s counter designations.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DEPOSITION DESIGNATIONS

Service and Proof of Service Rules

The scheduling order was automatically served on attorneys of record through the court’s electronic filing system on the stated date.

This is to certify that the foregoing was automatically forwarded to the attorneys of record through the Court's eFiling system at the date stated above.

Civil cases

Page 1 | Certificate of Service

Filing Fees and Waivers

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

If the motion is taken in forma pauperis, it shall include an affidavit setting forth information that establishes that movant will be unable to pay costs of the proceedings.

Page 1 | INSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY

No cost deposit is required to file the motion.

You can file this motion without paying a cost deposit.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The motion may be filed without paying a cost deposit.

You can file this motion without paying a cost deposit.

Page 1 | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Extensions will not be granted for a sur-reply filed fewer than 30 days before trial.

No extensions will be granted for sur‑reply filed less than 30 days prior to trial.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS

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

No extensions will be granted for sur-reply filed less than 30 days prior to trial.

Civil cases

Page 1 | DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS

Chambers Communication Rules

For questions about civil and domestic cases, contact Corey Myers by phone at (816) 881-3677 or by email at corey.myers@courts.mo.gov.

For questions regarding civil and domestic cases contact: Corey Myers, Law Clerk, (816) 881-3677 corey.myers@courts.mo.gov

Page 1 | For questions regarding civil and domestic cases

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.

For questions regarding criminal cases, including probation cases, contact: Mary Little, JAA, (816) 881-3606 mary.little@courts.mo.gov

Page 1 | For questions regarding criminal cases, including probation cases

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
    Reimbursement claim

    A request for reimbursement of advanced funds must be supported by proper vouchers.

  • Applies to
    Request for nfp

    To place an adult protectee's estate on NFP where all assets are restricted or held in trust with a corporate trustee, the conservator must file the eight listed forms, ledger, account verification, trust instrument, and NFP order.

  • Applies to
    Petition and proposed order

    The conservator may annually file a petition and proposed order to pay specified taxes, bond premiums, tax-return-preparer fees, and related attorney fees without changing the estate's non-final account probable classification.

Filing Timing

All 126
  • The Clerk must provide at least 40 days' notice that a settlement is due, but failure to receive notice does not excuse timely filing.

  • A settlement is due on the anniversary date of the issuance of letters.

  • If a settlement is not timely filed, the court will issue a continuance giving two weeks to file before an order for citation may issue.

Service

All 106
  • Applies to
    Notice of hearing

    For the specified VA-benefit estates, a support-and-maintenance order requires notice to the Veterans Administration unless the agency has waived hearing notice.

  • Service
    Publication

    Notice of filing the final settlement must be published and mailed unless waivers have been obtained, and this requirement does not apply to minors' estates.

  • Service
    Publication

    If the property exceeds $15,000 and less than one year has elapsed since the decedent's death, notice to creditors must be published.

Fees

All 89
  • Applies to
    Show cause order

    Payment of the show cause order's costs is required for dismissal after the exception letter is cleared.

  • Applies to
    Show cause order

    The costs of a show cause order may not be paid from estate assets.

  • Applies to
    Order of nfp

    Outstanding court costs and previously allowed fees must be paid before the court enters an order placing an estate on no further process.

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 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 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 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?

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

What filing deadlines does Judge Michelle L. Cocayne set?

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

View ruleSource: page 1, section ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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

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

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

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

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

If you file such motion, it must be filed with the Jackson County Circuit Court within One hundred eighty (180) days from today’s date.

The motion may be filed without paying a cost deposit.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

No cost deposit is required to file the motion.

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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