Judge Kristina Paulter
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- 2 copies • No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Hearing
Notice Of Hearing
Amended Notice Of Hearing, Cross Notice Of Hearing
Court-wideMotion
Court-wide- Within 10 Days After Service
Adjournments
Court-wideRequest must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Additionally, please email the Judicial Assistant all pre-marked exhibits in PDF format for documents or JPEG for photos.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
If your hearing is evidentiary, you must pre-mark all exhibits for identification with letters (i.e., “Plaintiff’s Ex. A” or “Respondent’s Ex. B”) on the bottom right corner of the exhibit.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Motions, supporting memoranda, and case law must be received by email to CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org at least three business days before the hearing, in PDF or Word format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
A proposed Report and Recommendation submitted by email must be in Word format.
If the General Magistrate requests a party to prepare a Report and Recommendation after the hearing, the party may submit a Proposed Report and Recommendation by emailing the document in word format to CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
The Proposed Final Judgment should be submitted via Word Format and emailed to the General Magistrate’s Assistant at CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Note
Bates Numbering of exhibits is preferred, but not required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Video and audio recordings should be sent on a USB drive.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
In the email identify each exhibit by name and marking in the email (i.e., “Plaintiff’s Ex A - Insurance Policy” or “Respondent’s Ex B - Wife’s Financial Affidavit”).
DocumentExhibit Email
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A Notice of Hearing that states “All Pending Motions” is a nullity.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Include an index with a list and brief description of each exhibit.
DocumentExhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The scheduling party must include the Virtual Hearing Instructions, courtroom link, and QR code in the Notice of Hearing.
The party scheduling the hearing shall be responsible for including the Virtual Hearing Instructions in the Notice of Hearing which shall also include the link and the QR code for the parties to access the virtual courtroom.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A Notice of Hearing must specifically state the matter(s) to be heard.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The moving party shall provide a written notice of hearing to all parties that shall indicate the motion(s) being addressed, the date/time the hearing shall occur, email addresses for all the parties who will be attending the hearing. This includes any Pro-Se parties, witnesses, and court reporters.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Each Order of Referral to the Civil General Magistrate must state with specificity the matter (or category of matters) being referred.
DocumentOrder Of Referral
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The party scheduling the hearing shall be responsible for including the Virtual Hearing Instructions in the Notice of Hearing which will include a link and a QR code for the parties to access the virtual courtroom.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
If counsel wishes to submit a proposed Report and Recommendation before a hearing, the order must be included with the email containing the hearing materials.
DocumentHearing Materials
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Backup Telephone Line: +1 386-310-1754 Conference ID: 199 138 62#
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
IF YOU WISH TO SEEK REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE MAGISTRATE, YOU MUST FILE EXCEPTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 1.490(i).
DocumentExceptions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH A RECORD SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT YOUR EXCEPTIONS OR YOUR EXCEPTIONS WILL BE DENIED. A RECORD ORDINARILY INCLUDES A WRITTEN TRANSCRIPT OF ALL RELEVANT PROCEEDINGS. THE PERSON SEEKING REVIEW MUST HAVE THE TRANSCRIPT PREPARED IF NECESSARY FOR THE COURT'S REVIEW.
DocumentExceptions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
The exhibit email subject line should identify the case name and number, hearing date and time, motion, and whose exhibits are attached.
In the subject line of the email, please include the case name, case number, date of hearing, time of hearing, motion to be heard, and whose exhibits are attached (i.e., plaintiff / petitioner or defendant / respondent’s exhibits).
DocumentExhibit Email
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.Mandatory?
NOTE: YOU MAY NOT CROSS-NOTICE ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO THE CIVIL GENERAL MAGISTRATE.
Machine summary and details
DocumentCross Notice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Pursuant to Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.530 (b), a party may file an objection in writing to the use of communication technology within 10 days after service of the motion or notice or within such other period as may be directed by the court official. A party waives objections to the use of communication technology by failing to timely object to the motion or notice unless, before the date of the proceeding, the party establishes good cause for the failure to timely object.
Summary: The notice of hearing must state the written-objection deadline and that untimely objections are waived unless good cause is established before the proceeding.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
On the appointed day and time, the parties (and attorneys) shall contact the Court by typing the Court’s dedicated link https://fl18.org/civil-gm into Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome web browser or by scanning the QR code below:
Summary: The notice of hearing must include instructions for joining the virtual courtroom through the dedicated link or QR code.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Please include full citations for case law on which you intend to rely.
DocumentHearing Materials
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The Notice of Hearing must be e-filed in the court file, and an emailed courtesy copy must be sent to the Civil General Magistrate’s Assistant.
You must e-file the Notice of Hearing in the court file and provide a courtesy copy by email to the Civil General Magistrate’s Assistant (CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | 5. NOTICE OF HEARING
Motions, supporting memoranda, and case law must be emailed to the specified address at least three business days before the hearing; hard copies must not be sent to chambers.
Motions, supporting memoranda, and case law must be received by email to CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org at least three business days before the hearing, in PDF or Word format. Do NOT send hard copies of materials to chambers.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 6 | F. HEARING MATERIALS
The proposed Final Judgment should be submitted in Word format by email to the General Magistrate’s Assistant.
The Proposed Final Judgment should be submitted via Word Format and emailed to the General Magistrate’s Assistant at CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | D. PROPOSED REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION/ FINAL JUDGMENT
If requested after a hearing, a party may email a proposed Report and Recommendation in Word format to the specified address and should not submit it through the e-portal.
If the General Magistrate requests a party to prepare a Report and Recommendation after the hearing, the party may submit a Proposed Report and Recommendation by emailing the document in word format to CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org. (Template provided under section I.) Please do not submit them to the presiding judge through the e-portal system.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | D. PROPOSED REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION/ FINAL JUDGMENT
Self-represented litigants are encouraged to register and file case documents through the Florida E-filing Portal.
If you are self-represented, you should register and file documents in your case through the Florida E-filing Portal https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | C. SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS (Pro Se)
Amended Notices and/or Cross-Notices of Hearings must be filed with the Clerk.
Make sure Amended Notices and/or Cross-Notice of Hearings are filed with the Clerk.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | 4. CROSS-NOTICING
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions, supporting memoranda, and case law must be received at least three business days before the hearing.
Motions, supporting memoranda, and case law must be received by email to CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org at least three business days before the hearing, in PDF or Word format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 6 | F. HEARING MATERIALS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A party scheduling a hearing must notify the other parties even when the Court has defaulted on the matter.
Any party scheduling a hearing MUST provide notice to the other parties, even if it was defaulted on by the Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | 5. NOTICE OF HEARING
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The Notice of Hearing must be e-filed in the court file, and an emailed courtesy copy must be sent to the Civil General Magistrate’s Assistant.
You must e-file the Notice of Hearing in the court file and provide a courtesy copy by email to the Civil General Magistrate’s Assistant (CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | 5. NOTICE OF HEARING
Two physical copies of all exhibits must be delivered to chambers no later than three business days before the hearing.
Two physical (2) copies of all exhibits must be delivered no later than three (3) business days prior to your hearing to the Court’s chambers.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | 6. EVIDENCE FOR HEARINGS AND TRIAL
Chambers Communication Rules
When sending email messages or correspondence to the Magistrate’s Assistant, you must copy the opposing party or attorney.
You must copy the opposing party or attorney when sending email messages or correspondence to the Magistrate’s Assistant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | A. GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR THE CIVIL GENERAL MAGISTRATE’S DIVISION — 3. COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT
Ex parte communication with the Civil General Magistrate is strictly prohibited.
Ex parte communication (any communication to the Civil General Magistrate without the other party’s presence or knowledge) is strictly prohibited.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | A. GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR THE CIVIL GENERAL MAGISTRATE’S DIVISION — 3. COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT
If a hearing is cancelled less than 24 hours before it is scheduled, the scheduling party or attorney’s office must both email and call the Magistrate’s Assistant.
Should a hearing be cancelled less than 24 hours prior to the hearing, the scheduling party and/or attorney’s office must email and call the Magistrate’s Assistant to advise the court of the cancellation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | 3. CANCELLING HEARING ON JACS
The scheduling attorney or party must immediately notify the Magistrate’s Assistant when a hearing is continued or cancelled so it can be removed from the docket.
If a hearing is continued or cancelled, it is the responsibility of the scheduling attorney/party to immediately advise the Magistrate’s Assistant that the scheduled hearing is continued or cancelled so that it is removed from the court’s docket.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | 3. CANCELLING HEARING ON JACS
Pre-marked exhibits must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant as PDFs for documents and JPEGs for photographs.
Additionally, please email the Judicial Assistant all pre-marked exhibits in PDF format for documents or JPEG for photos.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | 6. EVIDENCE FOR HEARINGS AND TRIAL
If additional hearing time is needed, you may email the Magistrate’s Assistant for new dates or have the original scheduling party cancel and reschedule for a longer slot.
If you need additional time, you may either obtain new dates by emailing the Magistrate’s Assistant (CivilGMDept@flcourts18.org) or have the party who set the original hearing cancel theirs and reschedule for a timeslot with enough time for both hearings.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | 4. CROSS-NOTICING
Contact the presiding judge’s Judicial Assistant for scheduling needs.
Contact the presiding judge’s Judicial Assistant for your scheduling needs.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | How to sign up for a JACS Account
To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing without needing more time, you must obtain permission from the party who scheduled it to share their hearing time.
If you wish to add a motion to a previously set hearing and you do not need more time, you must contact the party who scheduled the hearing and obtain permission to share their time.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | 4. CROSS-NOTICING
Contact the Judicial Assistant if the desired docket is not listed in JACs.
If you don’t see the docket you are looking for within the JACs list, please get in touch with the Judicial Assistant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Hearings