Judge Christopher Wigand
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • Upon Filing
Motion For Rehearing
- 1 copy • Email • After Clerk Acceptance
Objection To Referral
- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Petition For Relocation
- 1 copy • Email • Immediately Upon Filing
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Clerk
Document Format Requirements7 rules
Proposed orders submitted by email must be in Word format and include all parties.
Please ensure the Proposed Order is in Word.Doc Format and include all parties in the email.
DOCX
Exhibits must be pre-marked with consecutive letters for identification; the Clerk will number them once admitted.
Please pre-mark exhibits with consecutive letters (i.e. A, B, C…, A2, B2, C2…, A3, B3, C3…) for identification purposes only. The Clerk will mark all exhibits once they are entered into evidence as consecutive numbers (i.e. 1, 2, 3).
Competing proposed orders must be sent in one Word document with Track Changes on; petitioner-only language underlined and respondent-only language italicized.
If the parties are sending competing orders, please send both orders in one Word document with Track Changes (red line changes) turned on. If you are unable to utilize Track Changes that language shall be set forth in different types. Language proposed only by the Plaintiff/Petitioner shall be underlined. Language proposed only by the Defendant/Respondent shall be italicized.
DOCX
Parties may bring evidence on a thumb drive in lieu of paper copies, provided they bring a computer to delete non-admitted items and rename admitted items with exhibit numbers; the thumb drive is given to the in-court Clerk.
For any hearing or trial you are able to bring a thumb drive with all of your evidence rather than having to submit paper copies. In order to participate you will need to bring a computer so that you can delete any evidence from the thumb drive that does not get admitted and you can rename each item that is admitted with the corresponding Exhibit number. The thumb drive will be turned into the in-court Clerk in lieu of paper copies.
Electronic evidence must be brought on a flash drive, and the attorney is responsible for knowing how to present it; the Court will not assist.
If you intend to use any electronic evidence, please bring all electronic evidence on a flash drive. It is the attorney's obligation to ensure he/her/they know how to present the electronic equipment; the Court will not assist.
The Court prefers (but does not require) a separate thumb drive for trials so it has its own copy of the evidence.
The Court would prefer that you bring a separate thumb drive for trials so that the Court has its own copy of the evidence but it is not mandatory.
Voluminous paper copies for the Court should preferably be provided as searchable PDFs on a USB drive.
If you have voluminous paper copies for the Court, the Court prefers to receive them on searchable PDF's on a USB drive.
Document Filing Requirements24 rules
No case may proceed to trial until a mediation impasse report is filed with the Clerk's Office.
No case shall proceed to trial unless and until a mediation impasse report is filed with the Clerk's Office.
Document Type
Mediation Impasse Report
Special set hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant after the motion is filed and accepted, and must include the stamped motion, time requested, time-sensitivity, good-faith conferral evidence, and whether the hearing is evidentiary.
After a Motion has been filed AND accepted by the Clerk's Office, please email your hearing request to the Judicial Assistant at Div44@17th.flcourts.org with the following information: A copy of the filed Motion to be special set (the motion must be stamped version showing when it was filed); The amount of time requested for the hearing; Whether the Motion is time-sensitive or entitled to statutory preference; Evidence of the parties' good faith attempt to resolve the matter. (The date of your communication with the opposing attorney or self- represented party, the manner of your communication, and the names of the individuals who participated in the communication); and An indication whether or not it will be an evidentiary hearing.
Document Type
Special Set Hearing Request
Requests for Court Mediation orders must include the Standard Mediation Order plus both parties' financial affidavits uploaded via CMS supporting documents.
If you are requesting an order for Court Mediation, please upload the Standard Mediation Order AND it must be accompanied by copies of the financial affidavits of both parties through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS for the Order of Referral to be issued by this Court.
Document Type
Mediation Referral Order
The RUCD proposed order must be titled FINAL JUDGMENT OF DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE BY AFFIDAVIT or it will be rejected.
The proposed order must contain the order title of: FINAL JUDGMENT OF DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE BY AFFIDAVIT or it will be rejected.
Document Type
Proposed Final Judgment
UMC notices of hearing must contain the prescribed good-faith conferral certification in the body of the notice.
To comply with the above good faith certification, every party scheduling a motion for a uniform motion calendar hearing shall execute the following certification in the body of the notice of hearing: I hereby certify that A) the movant has conferred or attempted to confer with all parties or self-represented parties who may be affected by the relief sought in the motion in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised in the motion; and B) the issues in the motion may be heard and resolved by the court within five (5) minutes.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Withdrawal orders must include the client's name and current contact information and advise the client of the right to retain new counsel or proceed pro se and the duty to keep contact information updated.
The proposed order granting withdrawal must include: (1) the client's name; (2) the client's most recent physical and mailing addresses, e-mail address, and phone number; (3) advise the client they may retain new counsel at any time or proceed pro se; and advise the client they have a continuing obligation to keep their contact information up to date with the Clerk of Court.
Document Type
Withdrawal Of Counsel Order
Proposed orders must include the hearing date, the full name of the motion, and the motion's filing date or risk rejection.
All proposed orders should include the date of the hearing before this Court (and any other pertinent dates), the full name of the motion, and the date such motion was filed. Failure to include such information may result in this Court rejecting the proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Agreed proposed orders must include verification of the opposing party's review and agreement or they will be rejected.
All AGREED proposed orders must include a verification that the proposed agreed order has been reviewed by the opposing party and the opposing party agrees with the proposed order or the proposed order shall be rejected. The verification may be in the body of the proposed order or attached through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. Failure to include such verification will result in a rejection of the proposed agreed order.
Document Type
Agreed Proposed Order
Special set notices of hearing must contain the Local Rule 10A good-faith conferral certification in the body of the notice.
Per Local Rule 10A all special set hearings shall contain the following language in the body of the notice of hearing: I hereby certify that I have made a good faith attempt to resolve this matter by having direct communication about the matter with all parties, prior to my noticing this motion for hearing. Direct communication means by oral or written communication, including by telephone, in person, email, or text messaging.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Courtesy copies provided to the Court must be accompanied by a certification that the pleading was simultaneously provided to the opposing party.
You must certify that any pleading provided to the Court as a courtesy was also simultaneously provided to the opposing party.
Document Type
Courtesy Copy Pleading
The client's verification of written consent to withdrawal must be uploaded through the CMS portal under supporting documents.
The client's verification of consent must be uploaded through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
Document Type
Withdrawal Of Counsel Order
Parties in family cases involving child support, alimony, or equitable distribution must file a financial affidavit (short form under $50,000/year income; long form over $50,000/year).
Anyone involved in a family law case where child support, alimony, or equitable distribution is at issue must file a financial affidavit. This includes cases involving dissolution of marriage, paternity, or support.
Document Type
Financial Affidavit
Filings containing AI-generated content must disclose the AI use on the face of the document and include a certification of personal review and verification of accuracy, or face sanctions.
If any attorney or pro se party submits to the court any filing or submission containing AI-generated content, that attorney or pro se party must disclose the use of artificial intelligence on the face of the document and also must include a certification that the attorney or pro se party has personally reviewed and verified the content's accuracy. Failure to include this certification or comply with this verification requirement will be grounds for sanctions, as permitted by law.
Document Type
Filing
The RUCD supplemental affidavit must be signed and notarized; failure to follow the procedures may cause rejection and a required final hearing.
This AFFIDAVIT must be signed and notarized. Failure to follow these procedures for Dissolution by Affidavit will result in the proposed order being rejected by the Court AND may result in the requirement of a final hearing.
Document Type
Supplemental Sworn Affidavit Rucd
Notices of hearing must state the date, time, and hearing location instructions and be filed with the Clerk of Courts.
All notices of hearing shall set forth the date and time of the hearing and the hearing location instructions and shall be filed with the Clerk of Courts.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Before requesting a dissolution by affidavit (RUCD), a specified list of documents must be submitted through the CMS portal under supporting documents.
Prior to requesting dissolution by affidavit, the following documents must be submitted to the Court through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
Document Type
Rucd Request
Emergency motions must include a certification that the motion meets an emergency definition and is brought in good faith.
All emergency motions MUST include a certification by counsel or the party pro se that the motion qualifies under one of the above definitions AND is brought in good faith.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
Substitution of counsel orders must name the incoming counsel, the party, and the withdrawing counsel, and the stipulation of counsel must be uploaded via CMS supporting documents.
The proposed order must include: (1) the name of the law firm and/or attorney that is to be substituted as counsel of record, (2) the name of the party (Plaintiff/Defendant), and (3) the name of the law firm and/or attorney that is to be withdrawn as counsel and shall bear no further responsibility in the matter. The stipulation of counsel must be uploaded through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
Document Type
Substitution Of Counsel Order
The parties' financial affidavits must be uploaded through the CMS portal under supporting documents for temporary relief hearings.
The parties' Financial Affidavits must be uploaded through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
Document Type
Financial Affidavit
A UCCJEA affidavit must be filed and a copy provided to the divisional judge with emergency motions.
A UCCJEA affidavit shall be filed and a copy of the affidavit shall be provided to the divisional judge.
Document Type
Uccjea Affidavit
Notices of hearing for Zoom hearings must include the Zoom instructions.
If your hearing is by Zoom, you must include the Zoom instructions in your Notice of Hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Proposed orders uploaded to the CMS Workbench must be accompanied by the motion and supporting documents uploaded under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
When uploading proposed orders to the CMS Workbench, please attach the motion and supporting documents through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
Document Type
Proposed Order
When requesting temporary support or time-sharing hearings, the parties must advise the Court whether mediation occurred and led to an impasse.
When requesting a hearing for temporary support and temporary time-sharing matters, the parties must advise the Court if mediation has occurred and led to an impasse.
Document Type
Temporary Relief Hearing Request
If opposing counsel does not respond within two full business days, the movant may set the hearing unilaterally and must note 'Set Unilaterally Pursuant to Judge Wigand's Procedures' on the Notice of Hearing.
If you have tried in good faith to coordinate a hearing and have not received a response from opposing counsel within two (2) full business days of your contact, you may set the hearing unilaterally. Please note on your Notice of Hearing: 'Set Unilaterally Pursuant to Judge Wigand's Procedures.'
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motions for rehearing/reconsideration must be e-filed and accepted by the Clerk within the time prescribed by rule, statute, or law.
Any motion for rehearing/reconsideration must be e-filed and accepted by the Clerk's Office within the time prescribed by Rules, Statute, or Law.
Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR REHEARING/RECONSIDERATION
Emergency motions must be e-filed and accepted by the Clerk's Office before submission to Judge Wigand's office.
All emergency motions must be e-filed and accepted by the Clerk's Office prior to submitting to Judge Wigand's office.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - EMERGENCY HEARINGS
Agreed Orders must be submitted online through the CMS Portal; other proposed orders may only go to the CMS Workbench when directed by the Court.
Division 44 accepts Agreed Orders through online submission on the CMS Portal. All other proposed orders may only be submitted to the CMS Workbench when directed by the Court.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS - AGREED ORDERS
Income Deduction/Income Withholding orders must be submitted by email rather than through the CMS portal.
Income Deduction Orders/Income Withholding orders must be submitted by e-mail because those orders become distorted and illegible when uploaded through the CMS portal.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS - AGREED ORDERS
Do not mail or email copies of Agreed Orders to the Court; they must go through the CMS Portal.
Do not mail or e-mail copies of Agreed Orders to the Court.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS - AGREED ORDERS
Pro se parties not registered with CMS must request hearings by email or in writing with self-addressed stamped envelopes and send the request with the motion to the Clerk.
Self-represented (or pro se) parties not registered with CMS must file a request for a hearing either via email or in writing along with self-addressed stamped envelopes for all parties and send a copy of the request with the Motion to be heard to the Clerk of Courts.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - GENERALLY
Duplicate proposed orders must not be submitted by mail or email unless the Court directs otherwise.
Please do not submit duplicate orders by mail or e-mail unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS - GENERALLY
DIY Florida documents may be filed electronically through the E-Portal or by hand at the clerk of court office.
Those legal documents can then be filed electronically through the E-Portal or by hand at the clerk of court office to start a new court case or respond to an existing court case.
Page 1 | SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE LITIGANTS)
Pro se litigants may register for a free Florida Courts E-Filing Portal account to file and receive pleadings by email.
To register for a free Florida Courts E-Filing Portal account to file and receive court pleadings by email click HERE
Page 1 | SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE LITIGANTS)
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
After a UMC hearing, the proposed order (run by the opposing party) must be uploaded to the CMS Workbench within 48 hours.
Once the motion calendar hearing has concluded, please upload the proposed order (after conferring with the opposing party) to the Court's CMS Workbench within 48 hours from the date of the hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR (UMC)
In DV matters, attorneys must file a Notice of Appearance immediately upon being retained.
Attorneys must file a Notice of Appearance immediately upon being retained.
Page 1 | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
After a special set hearing, the proposed order (run by the opposing party) must be uploaded to the CMS Workbench within two days of the hearing unless otherwise ordered.
Once the special set hearing has concluded, please upload the proposed order (after running it by the opposing party) to the Court's CMS Workbench within two (2) days from the date of the hearing. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - SPECIAL SET HEARINGS
Within 24 hours of a matter being set on the docket, the notice of hearing and the motion must be uploaded through the CMS portal or the hearing will be cancelled.
Once a matter has been set on the Court's docket, the notice of hearing and the motion being heard MUST be uploaded through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS within 24 hours or the hearing will be cancelled. AT A MINIMUM THIS MEANS THE MOTION BEING HEARD AND THE NOTICE OF HEARING. Absent exigent circumstances, failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - GENERALLY
All parties must file a Joint Pre-Trial Stipulation within five business days before trial or risk cancellation of the trial.
In accordance with the Trial Order, all parties, whether represented by counsel or appearing pro se, are REQUIRED to file a Joint Pre-Trial Stipulation within five (5) business days prior to trial.. Failure to file the Joint Pre-Trial Stipulation or Unilateral Pre-Trial Stipulation explaining why a Joint Stipulation could not be filed may result in a CANCELLATION of the trial.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - TRIALS
Court-requested proposed orders following deferred rulings must be emailed to Div44 no more than 2 days after a hearing and no more than 5 days after a trial.
If the Court has deferred issuing a ruling and requests the parties to submit proposed order, it should be e-mailed to Div44@17th.flcourts.org. Orders should be sent no more than 2 days following a hearing and no more than 5 days following a trial.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS - GENERALLY
Proposed orders uploaded before the hearing will be rejected.
PROPOSED ORDERS UPLOADED PRIOR TO THE HEARING WILL BE REJECTED.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS - GENERALLY
Responses to a motion must be uploaded at least two business days before the hearing or the Judge will not read them.
Any response to the motion you would like for Judge Wigand to review must be uploaded at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing or it will not be read before the hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - GENERALLY
The Notice of Hearing must not be filed until the Judicial Assistant has confirmed the agreed date/time on the docket.
Once the parties agree on a date and time and confirm the date/time with the Judicial Assistant, the movant shall file a Notice of Hearing. The Notice of Hearing should not be filed until the Judicial Assistant has confirmed the agreed date/time is confirmed on the docket.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - SPECIAL SET HEARINGS
Motion calendar hearings must be set at least five days in advance per Local Rule 10A.
Per Local Rule 10A any person scheduling a motion calendar shall set same a minimum of five (5) days in advance of the hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR (UMC)
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Pro se parties must include the opposing party in all email correspondence to the Case Management office.
If emailing this office, you must include the opposing party in all e-mail correspondence to this office.
Page 1 | SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE LITIGANTS)
Within two days of a withdrawal order being signed, the attorney must register the client's email with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for e-service.
The attorney must register the client's email with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in order to receive notices, orders, and e-mail notifications and be included on the e-Service List within two (2) days of the Order being signed.
Page 1 | SUBSTITUTION OR WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL
A copy of the written verified emergency motion must be provided to the opposing party and the divisional judge.
A copy of the written verified motion shall be provided to the opposing party and the divisional judge.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - EMERGENCY HEARINGS
Filing Fees and Waivers
Family law forms are available in Room WW4-130 of the Clerk's Office for a fee.
Forms are also available in Room WW4-130 of the Clerk's Office for a fee.
Page 1 | FREE FAMILY LAW FORMS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Copies of all filed Petitions for Relocation must be immediately emailed to the Division or the right to a priority hearing is waived.
As such, in order to comply with § 61.13001(10), Florida Statutes, a copy of all properly filed Petitions for Relocation must be IMMEDIATELY provided to the Court through the Divisional e-mail. Failure to provide a copy and comply with this requirement will result in a waiver of your right to a priority hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - RELOCATION HEARINGS
After the Clerk accepts a rehearing motion, a copy must be emailed to Judge Wigand for consideration.
Once the Clerk has accepted the motion, a copy of the motion must be sent to Judge Wigand by email for consideration.
Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR REHEARING/RECONSIDERATION
When seeking relief, file the petition or motion with the Clerk, copy the opposing party, and send a courtesy copy to the Court.
Should you seek relief, please file the appropriate petition or motion with the Clerk of Courts, copy the opposing party, and send a courtesy copy to the Court.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
A timely objection to referral to the General Magistrate, with the filed motion and hearing request, must be submitted to the Court via the divisional email.
If a party timely objects to referral to the General Magistrate, a copy of the Objection, along with the filed motion, and hearing request, shall be submitted to the Court via the divisional e-mail.
Page 1 | REFERRALS TO GENERAL MAGISTRATE OR HEARING OFFICER
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must attend mediation before setting any temporary relief matter for an evidentiary hearing.
The parties must attend mediation before setting any temporary relief matter for an evidentiary hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - TEMPORARY RELIEF HEARINGS
Before setting a matter on the UMC, the movant must attempt to resolve the matter by direct communication with all parties and certify the good-faith attempt.
Per Local Rule 10A prior to setting any matter on uniform motion calendar, the party or parties noticing the motion shall attempt to resolve the matter by direct communication with all parties, and shall also certify a good faith attempt to resolve or narrow the issues contained in the motion. Direct communication means by oral or written communication, including by telephone, in person, email, or text messaging.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR (UMC)
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
UMC hearings must be canceled through CMS by the attorney/party who set them; filing a notice of cancellation alone does not cancel the hearing.
UMC hearings must be canceled through CMS by the attorney/party who set the hearing. Filing a notice of cancellation does not automatically cancel the hearing.
Page 1 | CANCELLATIONS/CONTINUANCES OF HEARINGS
UMC hearings must be cancelled online through CMS by the attorney who set them, with email or call to Ms. DelPonte for same or next-day cancellations.
If you are canceling a hearing on the UMC docket, please cancel it online on CMS. Filing a Notice of Cancellation does not automatically cancel a hearing online. If you are canceling a hearing that is scheduled for the same or next day, please email or call Ms. DelPonte, as well. The UMC hearing can only be canceled by the attorney who set the hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR (UMC)
Parties cannot unilaterally cancel emergency hearings set by the Court.
Emergency Hearings set by the Court cannot be unilaterally canceled by the parties.
Page 1 | CANCELLATIONS/CONTINUANCES OF HEARINGS
Court-scheduled case management conferences may not be canceled or rescheduled without a prior Court Order.
A case management conference scheduled by the Court may not be canceled or rescheduled without prior Court Order.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
Special set hearings may only be canceled by the Court, by party agreement with a proposed order, by joint motion for continuance, or by good cause/exigent circumstances shown in a motion to be heard on UMC.
Special Set hearings may only be canceled by: the Court; by agreement of the parties of the underlying issue set for hearing and submission of a proposed order (the Judicial Assistant must be notified if an order has been entered so that she can cancel the hearing); by agreement of the parties in a joint motion for continuance; or a showing of good cause or exigent circumstances in a properly filed motion for continuance to be heard on UMC.
Page 1 | CANCELLATIONS/CONTINUANCES OF HEARINGS
Trials may be canceled upon case resolution once a Final Judgment is uploaded through CMS with notice to the Court via the divisional email.
Trials may be canceled upon resolution of the case and a Final Judgment being uploaded through CMS with notice to the Court through the divisional e-mail. Please cancel as soon as is reasonably possible to allow other litigants to use that time.
Page 1 | CANCELLATIONS/CONTINUANCES OF HEARINGS
Chambers Communication Rules
For DV cases, the Judicial Assistant must be notified by phone or email of the need for an interpreter at least seven days before the hearing.
For Domestic Violence cases, please notify the Judicial Assistant by phone or email you require the services of an interpreter at least seven (7) days prior to your hearing.
Page 1 | INTERPRETERS
When parties disagree on order language, neither may upload to CMS; each party must email their order to Div44 advising the Court of the disagreement.
If the opposing counsel disagrees with the language, do not upload the order to CMS, EACH PARTY must submit the Order by email to DIV44@17TH.FLCOURTS.ORG advising the Court that the parties DO NOT AGREE.
Page 1 | PROPOSED ORDERS AND PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS - GENERALLY
If a trial matter settles, the Judicial Assistant must be emailed immediately.
If the matter set for trial settles, please email the Judicial Assistant IMMEDIATELY.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - TRIALS
Parties may not call chambers to schedule hearings; hearing requests must be made by email.
Please do not call the Court's chambers to schedule a hearing as you will be directed to make your request via email.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
All correspondence with the Court must be in writing via the division email Div44@17th.flcourts.org.
ALL correspondence with the Court shall be done in writing via the division e-mail: Div44@17th.flcourts.org
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
Emails to the Division regarding emergency motions must include the case number, party names, and the word EMERGENCY in the subject line.
Any e-mail to the Division must include the case number, party names, and EMERGENCY in the subject line.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - EMERGENCY HEARINGS
Pro se litigants must not contact the Judicial Assistant and should instead contact the Case Management Unit by email or phone for assistance.
If you are a pro se litigant please do not contact the Judicial Assistant. Instead, all self-represented parties may seek assistance by contacting our Case Management Unit via e-mail at ufchelp@17th.flcourts.org or by phone at 954-831-8532 for all questions and guidance regarding your case.
Page 1 | SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES (PRO SE LITIGANTS)
Ex parte or one-sided communications to the Judge's office are prohibited and will be returned; staff may not relay messages to the Judge.
Judge Wigand's office MUST NOT be the recipient of any ex parte or one-sided communications. If Judge Wigand's office receives an ex parte communication or is inappropriately or improperly copied on communications, the correspondence or document will be returned. Please do not ask any of the Court's staff to communicate any message to Judge Wigand.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
The Court cannot act on letters, emails, or notes; relief must be sought through petitions or motions e-filed with the Clerk.
DO NOT SEND LETTERS, E-MAILS, OR NOTES TO THE COURT. The Court acts on petitions and motions which have been properly e-filed and accepted by the Clerk's Office. The Court cannot act on letters, e-mails, or notes sent to the Court.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
Emails transmitting rehearing motions to the Judge must include the case number, party names, and REHEARING/RELOCATION in the subject line.
The e-mail must include the case number, party names, and REHEARING/RELOCATION in the subject line.
Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR REHEARING/RECONSIDERATION
All emails to the division email must include the case number and case style in the subject line.
All e-mails to the division e-mail must have the CASE NUMBER and CASE STYLE in the SUBJECT LINE.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
Do not include the Division in emails between the parties discussing scheduling, as it delays setting the hearing.
DO NOT INCLUDE THE DIVISION IN E-MAILS BETWEEN THE PARTIES DISCUSSING SCHEDULING. This will result in delay in setting the hearing.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - SPECIAL SET HEARINGS
Emails providing relocation petitions to the Division must include the case number, party names, and RELOCATION in the subject line.
The e-mail must include the case number, party names, and RELOCATION in the subject line.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - RELOCATION HEARINGS
Do not copy the Court on emails unrelated to scheduling, including inter-party disputes.
Please do not copy the Court with any e-mails that are not related to scheduling. These include, but are not limited to, e-mails where attorneys are litigating with each other or disagreeing on dates/times.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
When a special set hearing is canceled, a Notice of Cancellation must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant as soon as reasonably possible.
If your special set is canceled, please email the Judicial Assistant a Notice of Cancellation to div44@17th.flcourts.org Please cancel as soon as is reasonably possible to allow other litigants to use that time.
Page 1 | CANCELLATIONS/CONTINUANCES OF HEARINGS
Zoom or login technical difficulties must be reported to chambers immediately by email or phone.
If you have any connection issues or issues logging into the Virtual Courtroom, please Contact the Court's chambers immediately (via email or phone).
Page 1 | ZOOM PROCEDURES
All parties must be included on emails to the Court, and hearing requests must state the time needed and attach the date-stamped motion.
Please ensure all parties are included in any e-mail communications with the Court. When requesting a hearing, the email should include the amount of time needed and a copy of the relevant motion date-stamped by the Clerk's Office.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
Do not send multiple emails on the same matter; respond within the same email thread or your request will be delayed.
DO NOT send multiple emails regarding the same matter and please respond to the e-mails within the same email thread. Emails are sorted by when they are sent starting with the oldest first. Sending a second email request on the same matter results in the system automatically moving your first message to the end of the line which results in a delayed response to your original request.
Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
Do not send multiple emails about the same hearing; duplicate emails delay the setting of the hearing.
DO NOT SEND MULTIPLE EMAILS REGARDING THE SAME HEARING. This will result in delay in setting the hearing. Sending a second email request on the same matter results in the system automatically moving your first message to the end of the line which results in a delayed response to your original request.
Page 1 | HEARINGS - SPECIAL SET HEARINGS
Technical questions about the CMS Online Scheduling System or e-order submissions should be emailed to the JIS Department at calendar@17th.flcourts.org.
If you have technical questions or need assistance with the CMS Online Scheduling System or with the submission of e-orders, please email the JIS Department at: calendar@17th.flcourts.org
Page 1 | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION