Judge Wendy Morton
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • Prior To Hearing
Adjournments
- If fingerprint clearances cannot be submitted at least 72 hours before the hearing, a Motion to Continue must be filed.
Communication
Chambers
Document Filing Requirements14 rules
Guardians must file an annual report and a medical report every year on the health and well-being of the child(ren).
All guardians are required to file an annual report AND a medical report EVERY YEAR reporting on the health and well-being of the child(ren).
Document Type
Annual Report
The Court will not accept stipulations to vacate hearings on Orders of Protection; the Plaintiff must personally appear to request dismissal.
I will not accept a stipulation to vacate the hearing. Please note that if neither party appears for the hearing, the Order will remain in place until the Plaintiff personally appears to request a dismissal.
Document Type
Order Of Protection
Requests for court action must be made in writing as a motion filed with the Clerk, with service on all parties; email alone is insufficient.
If you need the Court take action in your case (Continuances, Motions, Rulings: Requests, Modifications or Amendments), these requests must be made in writing in the form of a motion. Motions must be filed with the Clerk of the Court. An email without a filed motion will not result taking action on your request. If your case includes multiple parties (others involved in your case), your motion indicate that it has been sent to all parties.
Document Type
Motion
The Court will mark a maximum of five exhibits per hearing date and will not take hearing time to mark exhibits.
The Court will limit the number of exhibits to be marked on the date of the hearing to five (5), and will not take time from the hearing to mark exhibits.
Document Type
Exhibits
Failure to timely file the annual report may result in a hearing, and failure to appear and file may result in termination of the guardianship.
If you do not file your annual report in a timely manner, it may necessitate a hearing being set and you will need to appear in court. Failure to appear and file the annual report may result in the guardianship being terminated.
Document Type
Annual Report
Adoption petitions must satisfy all legal requirements or the Court will request an amended petition.
When filing an adoption petition, please make sure that all of the legal requirements have been met. If a required element is missing, the Court will request an amended petition and give you time to file it.
Document Type
Adoption Petition
Proposed Adoption Orders must be reviewed for correctness before submission.
Please make sure that all proposed Adoption Orders are correct.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Motions must be addressed to the attention of Commissioner Morton's Division.
Please make sure that motions are addressed to the attention of Commissioner Morton's Division
Document Type
Motion
Guardians must notify the court of any change of address.
Guardians are required to advise the court of any change of address.
Document Type
Notice Of Address Change
Publication requires court permission and must include the Court date, time, location, and Court Connect information.
Publication: Publication requires permission of the Court. If publication is authorized, please make sure to include the Court date, time and location and, if applicable during COVID, the Court Connect information and tiny URL within the publication.
Document Type
Publication
Guardianships may not be changed without a court order; parties may file a Petition for Termination of Guardianship.
Parties cannot just end a guardianship themselves. Guardianships MAY NOT be changed without further order of the court BEFORE any change is made. Parties can file a Petition for Termination of Guardianship if they wish to end the guardianship.
Document Type
Petition For Termination
Court reporters and interpreters must be requested in advance; failure to appear for a hearing with a secured interpreter may result in sanctions.
Proceedings are recorded on the courtroom's FTR system. As a result court reporters and/or interpreters must be requested in advance of a hearing. Interpreter proceedings will be given priority. If a party does not appear for a hearing in which an interpreter has been secured, sanctions may be imposed.
Document Type
Interpreter Request
Evidence from personal electronic devices must be printed in hard copy; personal electronics will not be accepted into evidence.
The Court will not accept personal electronics (e.g. cell phones, digital cameras) into evidence. Anything that is captured on a personal electronic device must be printed in hard copy, and submitted to Court as an exhibit.
Document Type
Exhibits
Audio recordings may be played via the courtroom sound system, and a saved copy should be provided to the Court as an exhibit to preserve the record.
If the Court is able to play and capture an audio recording of good sound quality via the courtroom's sound system, it may be added to the record. However, if parties wish to preserve the record further, then a saved copy of the recording should be provided to the Court as an exhibit.
Document Type
Exhibits
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motions may be filed electronically.
Motions may be filed electronically.
Page 1 | Specific Comments or Advice for Litigants
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Exhibits must be marked with the courtroom clerk before the hearing and counsel must provide a courtesy copy to the other side.
Exhibits must be marked with the courtroom clerk prior to the hearing, and counsel shall provide a courtesy copy to the other side.
Page 1 | Trial Practice and Protocol
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
If fingerprint clearances cannot be submitted at least 72 hours before the hearing, a Motion to Continue must be filed.
If fingerprint information is required and not able to be submitted to the Court not less than 72 hours prior to the hearing, please file a Motion to Continue, as the Court will need to reset the hearing.
Page 1 | Specific Comments or Advice for Litigants
Chambers Communication Rules
All communication with the Court must go through the judicial assistant; direct email to the judge and ex parte communications are prohibited.
Communication between the Court and parties or counsel will occur through my judicial assistant. I will not communicate directly with parties via email; ex parte communications are prohibited between parties and judicial officers.
Page 1 | Specific Comments or Advice for Litigants
Parties experiencing technical issues during remote hearings should try to reconnect and may contact the Division by email or phone for assistance.
If you have any technical issues that cause disconnection during a hearing, please try to reconnect. Please contact the Division by email or phone if you need assistance.
Page 1 | Courtroom Etiquette