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Order to Show Cause Instructions

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Filling Out and Submitting an Order to Show Cause

Follow the instructions on this page and use the sample forms to fill out and submit an Order to Show Cause.

You must fill out the Order to Show Cause along with an Affidavit in Support.

If there is not already a pending or active case in court, you most likely will have to include a separate petition to start a case.

Once you are done, you can submit these forms through the court’s Electronic Document Delivery System (“EDDS”). For instructions on using EDDS, visit: https://familylegalcare.org/guide/edds-instructions/.

How to Fill Out an Order to Show Cause

  1. Write the county name. The county name is where you will be filing the case or the case is already filed.
  2. Write the Article for your case type:
    • Child support cases, write article 4.
    • Paternity cases, write article 5.
    • Custody, visitation or guardianship cases, write article 6.
    • Family offense cases (Order of Protection), write article 8.
    • If what you are filing includes more than one of these case types, write all that apply.
  3. Write the name(s) of the petitioner(s). If you filed the petition or are submitting a petition with the Order to Show Cause, write your name. If the other party filed the petition, write their name(s).
  4. Write the name(s) of the respondent(s). The respondent is the one who did not file the petition, the person who is responding to the petition. If you did not file the petition, write your name here.
  5. Write the docket number, if it exists. A case will have a docket number if the case is pending or active and the court has provided one. If you have a file number, write it below the docket number.
  6. Write your name.
  7. Write the date you signed the affidavit. For example, “23rd”.
  8. Write the month you signed the affidavit.
  9. Write the year you signed the affidavit.
  10. Write the name(s) of the other party(ies) in the case. The other party is the person or people on the other side of the case.
  11. Write what you want the Court to do to address your immediate or emergency concerns. This is most likely different than what you want the overall outcome of your case to be.

    For example, you may use an Order to Show Cause to request something temporary while your case is pending. You can also ask the court to do something before the hearing is held. Remember, the Order to Show Cause is different than the Affidavit in Support. The Affidavit in Support is where you explain why you want the Court to do what you are asking.
Leave the rest of the document blank. The Court will fill the rest out.

How to Fill Out an Affidavit in Support

  1. Write “Family”
  2. Write “State”
  3. Write the county name. The county name is where you will be filing the case or the case is already filed.
  4. Write the name(s) of the petitioner(s). If you filed the petition or are submitting a petition with the Order to Show Cause, write your name. If the other party filed the petition, write their name(s).
  5. Write the name(s) of the respondent(s). The respondent is the one who did not file the petition, the person who is responding to the petition. If you did not file the petition, write your name here.
  6. Write the docket number, if it exists. A case will have a docket number if the case is pending or active and the court has provided one. If you have a file number, write it below the docket number.
  7. Write your name.
  8. Write an explanation of your situation or the facts of your case, what efforts you have taken to try to address the situation, and why you need the Court to order what you requested in your Order to Show Cause.

    Organize your information and number each sentence. Be specific about names, relationships, and dates. Explain any prior court orders or judgments relevant to your situation and include a copy. You can also include documents as evidence that support your request.

  9. Sign this document in the presence of a notary. The notary will confirm your identity (be sure to have a photo ID), have you sign the document, and then the notary will sign and stamp the document.

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