How can I postpone a trial date for several months?
Full Question:
Answer:
We cannot give legal advice, and are not forming an attorney-client relationship with you. The following is not a substitute for the advice of a local attorney. But we hope the information will be useful.
1.) How do I move the trial date forward?
You petition the court for a "continuance," meaning a postponement to a future date. This would be done through a Motion for Continuance.
2.) What form do I use to do this?
You could file a piece of paper with the same heading as the other paperwork in the case, including names of parties, court name and case number, then titled, Motion for Continuance. You also mail one to the gov't attorney. You then have to have a hearing date set, where the court decides whether to grant your motion (the court doesn't have to, but will likely do so if the gov't attorney agrees, so it is wise to consult her first.) If you hire a lawyer quickly, he can request the continuance and it will almost surely be granted.
3.) Can I talk with the IRS counsel handling the case and work with her to move the trial date into the future?
Yes, this would be the most useful thing to try. But she may not agree.
4.) How many months into the future can I move the trial date - what is standard?
There is no standard, it is whatever is agreed by the parties or whatever the court allows.
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You should get a Tax Attorney in the next week or so, and he/she will request the continuance. Doing it on your own doesn't make sense. Just go get an attorney, you still have time.