State is TN
Civil case - Divorce/Custody
I was not able to be at my hearing *for reasons I cannot share as this is an active case. I did everything I could to get there but was still late and the court defaulted my side of the case as I was acting pro se.
I filed a motion to set aside judgment within the allowed time. A date to have the motion heard was agreed to but was set months down the docket.
Even though I was as best prepared as I could be for the first hearing, I used the new time to learn even more and as a result wanted to take action on that new knowledge if the motion to set aside was ruled in my favor.
After the motion date was set, the court surprised me with a letter telling me a court date for the divorce had been set. As the motion to set aside had not been heard I objected, but was ignored.
This put me in a situation where I could either keep spending what little resources I had pursuing a case that may not even be heard or allow valuable time to tick off the clock and give an advantage to the opposing party. I feel the court is wrong in placing me in such a dilemma.
I am preparing a motion for an extension of time but I am being told, somewhat unofficially, that since the court viewed the case as “active” that this request will be denied. I know the system is not always about being fair but this seems an unreasonable burden to place on me as the motion to set aside was granted but now I have lost very valuable time and as such will not be able to accomplish what may now be my case's most important task.
If anyone has any suggestions or advice it would be greatly welcomed.

