If the other party sets a hearing date and you need more time to prepare for the hearing you may ask for a continuance. If you feel you are unable to make it to your pre-trial hearing, you may request for a continuance.How to ask that your hearing be rescheduled to a later date. Good for use in all civil cases. 1. Fill out the Motion for Continuance form in this packet. It should say why you need the continuance. You will be given a maximum of 30 days extension from the original court date. Understand the Court Rules: Each court may have its own rules and procedures for requesting a continuance. Hearing date, you must go to court to ask for a continuance. Counsel will be required to complete a form in which the appearance date will be fixed.