Judge James F. Kanatzar
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Dispositive Motion
Dispositive Motion Response
Pleading
- Within Two Weeks Of Hearing Or Trial
Pleadings
- Within Two Weeks Of Hearing Or Trial
Communication
Chambers4 contacts
- div5.cir16@courts.mo.gov
- (816) 881-4486
- (816) 881-4405
- (816) 881-4692
Other Contacts2 contacts
- (816) 881-3920
- Judge: Kansas City (816) 881-3759, Independence (816) 881-1732; Commissioner: Kansas City (816) 881-3761, Independence (816) 881-1732; Deputy Commissioner: Kansas City (816) 881-3753, Independence (816) 881-1732
Duty Judge1 contacts
- 1-408-418-9388
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every dispositive motion must be emailed to the Division Law Clerk in Word format.
Electronic versions of all dispositive motions are to be emailed to the Division Law Clerk in Word format.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The electronic proposed judgment must be submitted in Word format on a disk.
Each party shall submit a proposed judgment to the Court the day of trial in both hard copy and electronically in Word format on a disk.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Proposed orders and judgments must use Word format.
All proposed orders or judgments shall be delivered electronically, using Word format, via email to the Judicial Administrative Assistant of Division 5.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All proposed orders and judgments shall be delivered electronically, using Word format, via email to the Division Law Clerk.
Summary: All proposed orders and judgments must be emailed to the Division Law Clerk in Word format.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each party must designate a lead attorney of record by filing a separate pleading.
It provides that a lead attorney of record must be designated for each party by filing a separate pleading.
Document Type
Lead Attorney Designation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each party must designate a lead attorney of record.
Pursuant to Local Rule 3.5.1., a lead attorney of record must be designated for each party.
Document Type
Lead Attorney Designation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each party must file a separate pleading designating its lead attorney of record.
A separate pleading designating the lead attorney of record shall be filed by each party as described in Local Rule 3.5.2.
Document Type
Lead Attorney Designation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
If settlement by affidavit is permitted, the affidavit must include all information listed in Form 1499 in the same numerical order as that form.
In the event this case is settled and the parties are granted leave to submit this case by affidavit, the affidavit shall include all information listed in Form 1499 of Local Rule 68.3.1 in THE SAME NUMERICAL ORDER found in said form.
Document Type
Settlement Affidavit
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each party must disclose to opposing counsel all intended expert reports and statements, subject to the stated deadline.
No later than ________________, the parties will disclose to opposing counsel any and all reports or statements of experts made in connection with this case, including results of physical or mental examination and of scientific tests, experiments, or comparisons which either party intends to introduce into evidence at a pretrial hearing or trial.
Document Type
Expert Report Or Statement Disclosure
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The parties must provide opposing counsel the names and addresses of all experts they intend to produce at a pretrial hearing or trial, in writing and filed with the Court, by the stated deadline.
No later than ________________, the parties will provide and disclose to opposing counsel the names and addresses of any and all experts which the parties intend to produce at a pretrial hearing or trial. Disclosure shall be made in writing and filed with the Court.
Document Type
Expert Witness Disclosure
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
All proposed jury instructions, including MAI citations, must be emailed to the Division Law Clerk by the Friday before trial.
All proposed jury instructions (with MAI citations) must be emailed to the Division Law Clerk the Friday before the trial date.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Counsel must check in with the Division Law Clerk upon arrival and obtain a blank scheduling order.
Upon arrival in the Division, counsel must check in with the Division Law Clerk and obtain a blank scheduling Order.
Document Type
Scheduling Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
In addition, both parties shall file a Form 1402.
Summary: Both parties must file Form 1402 when submitting the case by affidavit.
Requirement
Document requirement
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Parties shall provide the Court with proposed jury instructions on or before ________________.
Summary: Parties must provide proposed jury instructions to the Court by the scheduling-order deadline.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All proposed orders and judgments must be delivered electronically by email to the Judicial Administrative Assistant of Division 5.
All proposed orders or judgments shall be delivered electronically, using Word format, via email to the Judicial Administrative Assistant of Division 5.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
All proposed orders and judgments must be delivered electronically by email to the Division Law Clerk.
All proposed orders and judgments shall be delivered electronically, using Word format, via email to the Division Law Clerk.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | PROPOSED JUDGMENTS/ORDERS
A motion for continuance must be filed with the Division's Judicial Administrative Assistant or Law Clerk by fax, email, or hand delivery.
Motions for continuance must be filed (faxed, emailed or hand delivered) in the Division with either the Judicial Administrative Assistant or the Law Clerk..
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | FILING PLEADINGS
All pleadings must be filed with Civil Records, except motions for continuance.
Pursuant to local rule, ALL pleadings must be filed with Civil Records EXCEPT motions for continuance.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | FILING PLEADINGS
Each party must submit a proposed judgment through both hard-copy and electronic channels.
Each party shall submit a proposed judgment to the Court the day of trial in both hard copy and electronically in Word format on a disk.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | SCHEDULING ORDER
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All motions in limine and other pretrial motions must be filed two weeks before trial.
All Motions in Limine or other pretrial motions must be filed two weeks before the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | JURY TRIALS
A party may submit its proposed judgment after all trial evidence concludes on the trial date.
Parties may submit their proposed judgments after the conclusion of all evidence on the day of trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | SCHEDULING ORDER
The parties must immediately file notice of the mediator's name with the court after selecting the mediator.
The mediator shall be selected by the parties within _______ days of the date of this order and the parties shall immediately file with the Court notice of the name of the mediator.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDER
Each party must file their Form 15 with Family Court Resource Services at the stated address within five (5) days of this order.
The parties are ordered to file their respective Form 15 with Family Court Resource Services located on 3100 Main, Suite 204, Kansas City, Missouri 64111, within five (5) days of this order.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDER
Motions must be filed promptly after the basis is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, and no motion may be filed after the discovery closure date absent cause arising after that date.
All motions shall be filed promptly after counsel discovers, or should have discovered, the basis for such motion. No motion may be filed after the closure date set in this order except for cause occurring subsequent to the closure date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | SCHEDULING ORDER
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Proposed jury instructions, both with and without MAI citations, must be emailed to the Law Clerk on the Friday before trial.
All proposed jury instructions (both with MAI citations and without) must be emailed to the Law Clerk the Friday before the trial date.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | JURY TRIALS
All proposed judgments and orders must also be delivered to opposing counsel.
All proposed Judgments and Orders shall also be delivered to opposing counsel.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | PROPOSED JUDGMENTS/ORDERS
All pretrial motions must be filed with the court and served on opposing counsel by the scheduling-order deadline.
Parties shall file any and all pretrial motions with the court, including but not limited to motions to suppress evidence, and serve same on opposing counsel no later than ________________.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Order
Case management conference continuance requests should be faxed to the Division and provided to opposing counsel by the Wednesday of the conference week.
Continuance Requests for CMCs should be faxed to the Division (816-881-4692) and provided to opposing counsel no later than the Wednesday the week of the conference.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE (“CMC”)
Courtesy Copy Requirements
All parties must provide chambers copies of pleadings within two weeks of a hearing or trial, and the Division will not accept copies of pleadings filed more than two weeks before the hearing or trial.
All parties shall provide the Division with chambers copies of all pleadings filed within two weeks of any hearing or trial. The Division will not accept chambers copies of pleadings filed more than two weeks before any hearing or trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | CHAMBERS COPIES
All parties must provide chambers copies of pleadings filed within two weeks of a hearing or trial.
All parties shall provide the Division with chambers copies of all pleadings that are filed within two weeks of any hearing or trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | CHAMBERS COPIES
Chambers copies of every dispositive motion must be delivered to the Division Law Clerk in both hard-copy and electronic form.
Division 5 requires that chambers copies of all dispositive motions be delivered to the Division Law Clerk in both hard copy and electronically.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | CHAMBERS COPIES
Responses to dispositive motions must also be delivered to the Division Law Clerk in hard-copy and electronic form, with the electronic version emailed in Word format.
Responses to the dispositive motions shall also be delivered to the Division Law Clerk as outlined above.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | CHAMBERS COPIES
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties should contact the Court before filing written pleadings concerning discovery disputes.
Counsel is reminded that pursuant to the Division’s Scheduling Order, the parties should contact the Court prior to filing any written pleadings regarding discovery disputes.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | DISCOVERY DISPUTES
A request for a hearing should be stated in the motion and is subject to the availability of the Court's schedule.
Any requests for hearings should be stated in the motion to the Court. The Court will make every effort to accommodate said request contingent upon availability of the Court’s schedule.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | HEARINGS ON MOTIONS
When a hearing is not required by statute or court rule, the Court ordinarily intends to rule on the motion pleadings without a hearing.
Unless a hearing is required by statute or court rule, the Court intends to rule on the pleadings of any motion without a hearing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | HEARINGS ON MOTIONS
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Any motion for a continuance or extension of a deadline must be supported by good cause.
The Court grants the parties great latitude in choosing deadlines and a trial date. As such, motions for continuance or extensions of deadlines must be supported by good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE (“CMC”)
The specially set trial date will not support a continuance absent a showing of undue hardship and good cause.
Parties were given input as to the trial date, thus the Court considers this to be the equivalent of a special setting and will not entertain a continuance motion absent a showing of undue hardship and good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Order
After entry of the Scheduling Order, the trial date may be changed only upon a showing of good cause based on exceptional circumstances.
Counsel should be aware that once this Scheduling Order is entered the trial date shall not be changed absent a showing of good cause based on exceptional circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Introduction
The scheduled trial date may not be changed without a showing of good cause based on exceptional circumstances.
once this Scheduling Order is entered the trial date shall not be changed absent a showing of good cause based on exceptional circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Introduction
The notice provides a deadline for requesting continuances of case management conferences.
It provides a deadline for filing continuance requests for case management conferences
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | NEW CASES
Failure to complete discovery as required by the scheduling order does not justify a continuance.
Failure to complete Discovery consistent with this Order shall not be a basis for continuance.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Introduction
Parties' agreements to deviate from the scheduling order should be documented.
In the event the parties choose to deviate from the Scheduling Order, such agreements should be documented by the parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Introduction
A party seeking to change a scheduling deadline without the other party's agreement must obtain leave of court.
Any desire to make changes without the agreement of the parties will require leave of Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Introduction
Chambers Communication Rules
Proposed jury instructions must be emailed to the Division Law Clerk by the Friday before the trial date.
All proposed jury instructions (with MAI citations) must be emailed to the Division Law Clerk the Friday before the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Introduction
Division 5 staff contact information is provided for Paul Angles and Laura Iosua.
Paul Angles Division 5, Law Clerk Phone: (816) 881-4486 E-mail: Paul.Angles@courts.mo.gov Laura Iosua Division 5, Judicial Administrative Assistant Phone: (816) 881-4405 Email: laura.iosua@courts.mo.gov
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Court notice
Page 2 | WEBEX INSTRUCTIONS
The Division 5 judge's chambers may be contacted by email at Div5.cir16@courts.mo.gov.
Division E-Mail: Div5.cir16@courts.mo.gov
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Biography
Chambers contact hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Business Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Biography
The Division 5 judge's chambers may be contacted by phone at (816) 881-4405 or by fax at (816) 881-4692.
Phone: (816) 881-4405 Fax: (816) 881-4692
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Biography
Attorneys with clients or witnesses lacking internet access, and unrepresented parties lacking internet access, must immediately contact Division 5 staff after receiving the notice.
Attorneys whose clients or witnesses do not have access to the internet should contact the ===== PAGE 2 ===== Division 5 staff members listed below immediately upon receipt of this notice. Parties unrepresented by counsel (pro se) who do not have access to the internet should also contact the Division 5 staff members listed below immediately upon receipt of this notice.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Court notice
Page 2 | Attorneys whose clients or witnesses do not have access to the internet
If WebEx cannot be accessed or technical difficulties occur, participants may join the hearing by telephone using the listed number and access code.
In the event you, your client or witnesses cannot make a connection as described above or have technical difficulties you may join the meeting by phone with the following phone number (1-408-418-9388) and access code (965115362).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Court notice
Page 1 | WEBEX INSTRUCTIONS
Court correspondence will be sent only to each party's lead attorney of record, who is responsible for distributing it to the other attorneys of record.
Court staff will only send correspondence from the Court (judgments, orders, notices, communications, etc) to the lead attorney of record for each party in the case. Lead attorneys are responsible for disseminating said correspondence to any other attorneys of record.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | DESIGNATION OF LEAD ATTORNEY
Questions may be submitted to the listed Division 5 staff members by phone or email.
Please call or email with any questions.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Court notice
Page 2 | Attorneys whose clients or witnesses do not have access to the internet