Time Shortened by Court or Motion. Any time after the notice of appeal is filed with the clerk of the trial court, the trial court, on its own motion, or on the motion of any party, for good cause shown, may shorten the 30-day period provided for in Rule 75.01. The motion shall be supported by an affidavit stating reasons why the party would be prejudiced by the 30-day period before the judgment would be final for purposes of appeal under Rule 75.01. If the trial court overrules the motion, the party seeking to shorten the 30-day period may file a similar motion in the appropriate appellate court, which shall decide the matter without deference to the trial court's denial. The provisions of this rule do not apply to judgments resolving fewer than all the remaining claims or parties as provided for in Rule 74.01(b).
Rule 81.045.Appeals, When and How Taken -- Expedited.
Part I · Rule 81: Appeals · Last amended July 1, 2025 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 81.045 lets a trial court, or the appellate court if the trial court says no, shorten the usual 30-day period before a judgment becomes final for appeal, but only on a motion backed by an affidavit showing good cause and prejudice from the delay.
Full Text of Rule 81.045
Amendment History
Amended Oct. 1, 2024, eff. July 1, 2025.
Plain-English Summary
Under Rule 75.01, a judgment normally sits for 30 days before it becomes final for purposes of appeal, giving the trial court time to change its mind. Rule 81.045 lets that 30-day period be shortened once a notice of appeal has already been filed. Either the trial court on its own motion, or any party on motion, can ask for the period to be cut short for good cause. The motion has to be supported by an affidavit explaining why the party would be prejudiced by waiting out the full 30 days.
If the trial court turns the motion down, the party is not stuck. It can file the same motion in the appropriate appellate court, and that court decides the question fresh, without deferring to the trial court's denial.
The rule has a limit. It does not apply to judgments that resolve fewer than all the remaining claims or parties in a case, as described in Rule 74.01(b). Those partial judgments follow their own rules for finality and certification, separate from the ordinary 30-day clock this rule shortens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Missouri trial court speed up when a judgment becomes final for appeal?
Yes. Rule 81.045 lets the trial court, on its own motion or a party's motion, shorten the 30-day finality period set by Rule 75.01 for good cause.
What do I have to show to get the 30-day period shortened?
An affidavit stating the reasons the party would be prejudiced by waiting for the full 30-day period before the judgment becomes final.
What if the trial court denies my motion to shorten the period?
You can file a similar motion in the appropriate appellate court.
Does the appellate court defer to the trial court's denial?
No. The appellate court decides the matter without deference to the trial court's ruling.
Does Rule 81.045 apply to partial judgments?
No. It does not apply to judgments resolving fewer than all the remaining claims or parties under Rule 74.01(b).
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: expedited appeal missourishorten finality periodspeed up appeal deadline