Judge Tesha Scolaro Ballou
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
All filings
Courtesy copies
- Contemporaneously
Filings <= 10 pages
Notice Of Request For In Camera Review
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored, require good cause, and must be requested at least five days before the court date; absent good cause, the requesting party must sign the motion.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Document Format Requirements7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All proposed orders being submitted directly to the Court must be in Word format, omitting the signature and date codes (JJJJ and DDDD), providing both a date block and signature line for the Court, and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All proposed orders being filed through the Florida Courts E-filing Portal must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.docx extension), and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be submitted in paper format.
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Requests for remote appearance must be submitted at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled hearing, by filing a motion with a copy provided to the Court, along with a proposed order in Word.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Do not add additional formatting – text boxes, macros, headers, footers, etc.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Format: PDF or Word document.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The Signature and Date codes, JJJJ and DDDD, must be aligned left. There can be no characters or verbiage or use of the tab key or space bar before or after the codes.
Document Filing Requirements25 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Counsel seeking hearing time shall provide the Certificate of Compliance (at the time the hearing request is made) certifying that the meet and confer occurred (or did not occur and setting out the good faith attempts to schedule the conference)
DocumentCertificate Of Compliance
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Counsel with full authority must confer to resolve or narrow the motion’s issues and file the applicable Certificate of Compliance with the clerk, providing the court a copy when requesting a hearing.
Counsel with full authority to resolve the matter shall confer before requesting hearing time and scheduling a hearing on the motion to attempt to resolve or otherwise narrow the issues raised in the motion and file the applicable Certificate of Compliance Certificate of Compliance (see “Exhibit A” “First Option” at section J, Forms) with the Clerk of the Court (providing a copy to the Court at the time the hearing request is made) that the conference has occurred.
DocumentCertificate Of Compliance
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
After three good-faith attempts to reach opposing counsel, the Certificate of Compliance must identify the dates and times of those attempts.
If counsel who will notice the hearing is unable to reach opposing counsel to conduct the conference after three (3) good faith attempts, counsel who notices the hearing must identify in the Certificate of Compliance the dates and times of the efforts made to contact opposing counsel (see “Exhibit A” “Second Option” at section J, Forms).
DocumentCertificate Of Compliance
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
If an evidentiary hearing has been scheduled, the scheduling party MUST Notice it as such.
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, including the corresponding document #”s (not filing #’s), the date, time, length, and place of the hearing/Teams or in person.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
DocumentContinuance Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Requests for remote appearance must be submitted at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled hearing, by filing a motion with a copy provided to the Court, along with a proposed order in Word.
DocumentMotion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
DocumentMotion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All evidence needs to be exchanged between the parties and exhibits marked accordingly.
DocumentExhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
DocumentExhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed and sent to the Judicial Assistant via email: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
DocumentEmergency Hearing Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
the pages of each document listed on the amended privilege log shall be bates numbered.
DocumentAmended Privilege Log
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A party claiming privilege must expressly assert it in an adequate privilege log that includes, at minimum, the listed document information and complies with the cited authorities.
A party withholding information otherwise discoverable by claiming it is privileged shall make the claim expressly by preparing and filing an adequate privilege log compliant with Rule 1.280(b)(6), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and the 2021 Florida Handbook on Civil Discovery Practice to “include at a minimum (for documents), sender, recipients, title or type, date and subject matter”1
DocumentPrivilege Log
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Privilege-log descriptions must detail the document’s subject matter, purpose, and specific basis for privilege or immunity; generic descriptions are insufficient.
Describe the document’s subject matter, purpose for its production, and a specific explanation of why the documents a r e privileged or immune from discovery. These categories, especially this last category, must be sufficiently detailed to allow the court to determine whether the discovery\ opponent has discharged its burden of establishing the requirements expounded upon in the foregoing discussion. Accordingly, descriptions such as ‘letter re claim,’ ‘analysis of claim,’ or ‘report in anticipation of litigation’-with which we have grown all too familiar-will be insufficient.
DocumentPrivilege Log
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A party requesting in-camera review must file a notice that identifies each requested document by excerpting all information about it from the opposing party’s privilege log.
The party requesting the in-camera review of documents asserted to be privileged must file a Notice of Request for In Camera Review. The notice shall identify the documents requested for review by excerpting the complete information provided in the objecting party’s privilege log for each document.
DocumentNotice Of Request For In Camera Review
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Please always include RCC on the proposed order if the party is indigent.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
To help ensure that the Court files the proposed order correctly, please always include both the GA case and MH case on the Order.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Do not leave the bond amount blank in the appropriate order appointing personal representative in a formal administration (intestate or testate).
DocumentOrder Appointing Personal Representative
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff A’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A’.
DocumentExhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Any request for a CMC must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
DocumentCase Management Conference Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
If the party is not indigent, when emailing the proposed Order to the JA, state that the Party is not indigent.
DocumentProposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
No further amendments to the privileges asserted as to the documents at issue in the Notice of Request for In Camera Inspection shall be made absent the filing of a Motion to Amend the Privilege Log and a showing of good cause for the amendment.
Summary: Further privilege amendments concerning the noticed documents require a motion to amend the privilege log and a showing of good cause.
DocumentMotion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 GA 001234 Guardianship of Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
DocumentEmail To Judicial Office
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Please insert “$0” or “waived” as the amount of the bond.
DocumentOrder Appointing Personal Representative
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Self-represented litigants may submit proposed orders on paper to any Clerk of the Court location or electronically through the Portal.
Self-represented litigants must submit proposed orders to the court by either filing paper orders with the Clerk of the Court, any location, or via the order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | D. Submission of Orders
Proposed orders not related to upcoming or completed hearings must be submitted through the proposed-order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
All other proposed orders must be submitted to the court by the proposed order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 7 | D. Submission of Orders
Orders that can be reviewed without a hearing must be submitted through the portal.
These Orders are to be submitted through the portal and will be reviewed in the order they are received.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 15 | Orders That Can Be Reviewed Without a Hearing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The scheduling party must file the Notice of Hearing with the Clerk and email a copy to the Judicial Assistant within 24 hours after confirming the hearing date and time, or the hearing time will be cancelled.
Once the date and time are confirmed, with the Judicial Assistant, the Scheduling Party must file a Notice of Hearing with the Clerk, with a copy emailed to the Judicial Assistant, within 24 hours of confirming the hearing date/time. If the Notice of Hearing is not filed with the Clerk and emailed to the Judicial Assistant within the requisite period of time, the hearing time will be cancelled, and the scheduling party will need to request and coordinate a new hearing date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Materials or case law for the Court to review before a hearing must be submitted at least 10 days before the hearing, or the Court may cancel it.
Hearing Materials: Should you wish for the Court to review materials or case law prior to a hearing, it must be submitted at least 10 days prior to your hearing. If these materials or case law are not provided to the Court within the requisite time, the hearing may be CANCELLED at the Court’s discretion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
An objection to using communication technology must be filed at least 48 hours before the hearing.
Any objection to the use of communication technology must be filed no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
Remote-appearance requests must be filed by motion at least five business days before the hearing, with a copy to the Court and a proposed order in Word.
Requests for remote appearance must be submitted at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled hearing, by filing a motion with a copy provided to the Court, along with a proposed order in Word.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
Submissions for the Court’s review must be received at least 10 days before the hearing.
Deadline for Submissions: Submissions must be received by the Court at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than five days after a hearing unless the Court advises otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than 5 days after any hearing, unless the Court has advised otherwise.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | D. Submission of Orders
Amendments to previously asserted privileges must be filed and submitted within the initial 10-day submission period.
Any amendments to the privileges previously asserted shall also be filed and submitted within this initial 10-day submission period.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 13
Documents requested for in-camera review must be provided to the Court within 7 business days for requests of 25 documents or fewer, or within 10 days for requests of more than 25 documents.
3. The documents appearing in the request for in camera review shall be provided to the Court within 7 business days of receipt of a Notice of Request for In Camera Review if review of 25 documents or less is requested, and within 10 days if review of more than 25 documents is requested.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 13
The Court may cancel the hearing if the submission is not timely provided to the appropriate parties and/or the Court.
If the submission is not provided to the appropriate parties and/or the Court within the requisite time, the hearing may be CANCELLED at the Court’s discretion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The Court may cancel the hearing if the submission is not timely provided to the appropriate parties and/or the Court.
If the submission is not provided to the appropriate parties and/or Court within the requisite time, the hearing may be CANCELLED at the Court’s discretion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The proof-of-payment requirement applies only to private-pay cases.
Proof of payment will only pertain to private pay cases.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 14 | EXAMINING COMMITTEE ORDERS
Exhibit submissions must be received by the Court at least 10 days before the hearing or trial.
Any submission must be received by the Court at least 10 days prior to the hearing or trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 8 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The party asserting privilege may file a reply or rebuttal within 5 days after service of the discovery-seeking party’s submission.
The party asserting the privileges raised may then file a reply or rebuttal submission to the submission within 5 days of service of the discovery seeking party’s submission.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 13
The party seeking discovery may submit a memorandum addressing the asserted privileges within 10 days after the privilege-asserting party’s submission.
Within 10 days of any submission by the party asserting the privileges raised, the party seeking discovery may make a submission to the Court also in the form of a memorandum directed to the applicability of the privileges asserted.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 13
The party asserting privilege may submit a memorandum addressing the documents and asserted privileges within 10 days after service of the in-camera review notice.
Within 10 days of the party seeking discovery serving a “Notice of Request for In Camera Review,” the party asserting the privileges raised may make a submission in the form of a memorandum addressing the documents to be reviewed under the Notice of Request for In Camera Review and the applicability of any of the privileges raised.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 13
An order compensating the examining committee must be filed within 15 days after the GEC members’ reports are filed.
the court will now require that an order compensating examining committee be filed with the court within 15 days of the filing of the GEC members' reports.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 14 | EXAMINING COMMITTEE ORDERS
Proof of payment must be filed within 15 days after entry of the compensation order, or a Status Hearing may be set.
In addition, proof of payment to the Examining Committee Members will need to be filed with the court no later than 15 days from entry of the order to compensate, or a Status Hearing may be set.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 14 | EXAMINING COMMITTEE ORDERS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Evidence must be exchanged between the parties, exhibits marked, and a copy provided to the Court at least 10 days before the hearing, or the Court may cancel it.
Evidence: All evidence needs to be exchanged between the parties, with exhibits marked accordingly, and a copy to the Court at least 10 days prior to the hearing. If the submission is not provided to the appropriate parties and/or Court within the requisite time, the hearing may be CANCELLED at the Court’s discretion.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders filed through the Florida Courts E-filing Portal must be provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All proposed orders being filed through the Florida Courts E-filing Portal must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.docx extension), and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Proposed orders submitted directly to the Court must be provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All proposed orders being submitted directly to the Court must be in Word format, omitting the signature and date codes (JJJJ and DDDD), providing both a date block and signature line for the Court, and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email account changes.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 anytime there is a change in the e- mail account registered for electronic service.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the communication is authorized ex parte by law.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Provide the Court’s Judicial Assistant an email courtesy copy of the Notice of Request for In Camera Review.
A courtesy copy of the Notice of Request for In Camera Review shall be provided to the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 12 | In Camera Review
A copy of the cover letter, without the enclosed records, must be provided to all parties’ counsel contemporaneously.
A courtesy copy of the entire cover letter (without the enclosed records) shall be provided contemporaneously to all parties’ counsel.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 13
A courtesy copy of the in-camera review notice and privilege memorandum must be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant.
A courtesy copy of the Notice of Request for In Camera Review and memorandum addressing the documents to be reviewed shall be provided to the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 13
A courtesy copy of any privilege amendments must be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant.
A courtesy copy of any amendments to the privileges shall be provided to the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 13
Materials intended for the Court’s review before a hearing or trial must be submitted to the Court.
When Required: In any instance you have materials you wish the court to review prior to a hearing or trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A courtesy copy of the discovery-seeking party’s memorandum must be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant.
A courtesy copy of the memorandum shall be provided to the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 13
A courtesy copy of the reply or rebuttal submission must be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant.
A courtesy copy of the reply or rebuttal submission shall be provided to the Court’s Judicial Assistant by email.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.
Page 13
Materials or case law of 10 pages or less may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Submission Method: If the materials or case law are 10 pages or less, it can be emailed to the JA.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Materials or case law exceeding 10 pages must be sent to the Court by courier, FedEx, UPS, or U.S. Mail.
Otherwise, it will need to be sent to the Court via courier, FedEx, UPS, or U.S. Mail.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Documents submitted for in-camera review must be enclosed in a sealed envelope marked “FOR IN CAMERA REVIEW/NOT TO BE FILED” and sent with a cover letter to chambers.
For all documents submitted for in camera review pursuant to this Order, counsel for the party asserting the privileges raised shall send a cover letter to the Court’s chambers, enclosing documents for in camera inspection in a sealed envelope marked FOR IN CAMERA REVIEW/NOT TO BE FILED.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 13
Materials provided to the Court will remain in camera through the end of the case and may be filed under seal for appellate review.
The materials provided to the Court will be maintained in camera until the conclusion of this case and may be filed under seal for purposes of appellate review.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 14
Filing Bundling Requirements
Parties are encouraged to submit in-camera review requests in manageable batches rather than in one grouping.
2. The party requesting the in-camera review is encouraged to spread out the requests in batches for in camera review and otherwise make the work for the Court more manageable to the extent possible and need not request review of all documents in a single grouping.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 13
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A required conference must be a substantive, good-faith in-person or telephone conversation; exchanges of ultimatums by fax, email, or letter, and mere attempts to confer, do not satisfy the requirement.
The term “confer” requires a substantive conversation in person or by telephone in a good faith effort to resolve the motion without the need to schedule a hearing and does not envision an exchange of ultimatums by fax, e-mail or letter. Counsel who merely attempt to confer have not conferred for purposes of this Order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must attend all case management conferences unless excused by the Court in advance.
Unless excused by the court in advance, all CMCs are mandatory for attorneys and self-represented litigants.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
If the Court determines an emergency exists, it will schedule the hearing unilaterally.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Only the Court may set a status conference.
Only the Court can set a status conference.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
A status conference will not be set to facilitate scheduling a pending petition or motion for hearing.
Please note that a status conference will never be set in order to facilitate setting a pending petition/motion for hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Parties represented by counsel are not required to appear at a case management conference.
Parties represented by counsel are not required to appear at a CMC.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
A party may request a case management conference when the case requires one or after a Notice for Trial has been filed.
Any party may request a case management conference (CMC) when a case requires such a conference or when a Notice for Trial has been filed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Before requesting hearing time for a contested motion or issue, the parties—including when the opposing side is self-represented—must meet and confer in an attempt to resolve it.
Prior to contacting the judicial assistant to obtain hearing time, the parties must meet and confer in an attempt to resolve the contested issue. A mandatory meet and confer process is hereby established as set forth below, for all contested motions/issues to be set for hearing in the Probate/Guardianship Division and to occur before scheduling the hearing. This also applies in cases where the opposing side is pro se.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored, require good cause, and must be requested at least five days before the court date; absent good cause, the requesting party must sign the motion.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
After conferring, parties must email the Judicial Assistant a certificate of compliance, the Petition or Motion’s Document ID, and the requested hearing length to obtain available dates.
Once the parties have had a meet and confer, they shall email the Judicial Assistant (providing a copy of the appropriate certificate of compliance (as stated above) to obtain available dates and times for hearing. The emailed request must reference the Petition or Motion (including the Document ID #), and how much time the parties are requesting. The Judicial Assistant will provide available dates.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
When coordinating with a pro se opposing party, the scheduling party must follow the specified two-day call procedure, and the hearing date must allow the stated notice period.
Pro Se Parties Only: If the opposing party is pro se and a telephone number is listed on any of their pleadings, the scheduling party must make two attempts on two different days to coordinate. A message must be left on both days requesting a return call by the end of that business day to coordinate the hearing. If, at the end of the second business day, the scheduling party does not receive a call-back, then the hearing may be set at least fourteen (14) days from the current date. If no phone number is listed in the Court file, then a hearing cannot be scheduled sooner than 30 days prior to the hearing date to allow sufficient time for notice.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Only the scheduling party may cancel a hearing; if a hearing is continued or cancelled, the scheduling attorney must file an emergency Notice of Cancellation and email the Judicial Assistant so the hearing is removed from the docket.
Only the party who scheduled a hearing may cancel a hearing. IF A HEARING IS CONTINUED OR CANCELLED, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SCHEDULING ATTORNEY TO FILE A NOTICE OF CANCELLATION AND ADVISE THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT THAT THE SCHEDULED HEARING IS CONTINUED OR CANCELLED SO THAT IT IS REMOVED FROM THE COURT’S DOCKET. Notices of Cancellation must be filed as an emergency pleading and emailed directly to the Judicial Assistant helen.cope@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders relating to upcoming or completed hearings must be emailed to the Court at the specified address.
All proposed orders pertaining to upcoming hearings or as a result of a hearing that was held must be submitted to the Court by email to helen.cope@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | D. Submission of Orders
A party seeking an emergency hearing must email the motion to the Judicial Assistant.
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed and sent to the Judicial Assistant via email: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
These orders must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant in Microsoft Word.
These Orders are to be e-mailed in Microsoft Word to the Judicial Assistant at helen.cope@flcourts18.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 14 | ORDER APPOINTING ATTORNEY AND COURT APPOINTED ELISOR
If the parties cannot agree on a date offered for a court-set hearing, they must email the Judicial Assistant, copy all parties, and request additional dates.
If, for some reason, the parties are unable to agree on one of the provided dates, an email must be sent to the Judicial Assistant, with all parties copied, and a request for additional dates.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
After additional dates are provided, the parties must make a good-faith effort to agree; if they still cannot agree after the Judicial Assistant’s second attempt, the Court will select the hearing date.
Upon receipt of the additional dates, the parties must make a good faith effort to choose an agreed-upon date. If the parties cannot agree on a date after the second attempt by the Judicial Assistant to provide dates, the Court will select the hearing date and the matter will be heard.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Materials or case law of 10 pages or less may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Submission Method: If the materials or case law are 10 pages or less, it can be emailed to the JA.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Evidence of 10 pages or less may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
If the evidence is 10 pages or less, it can be emailed to the JA.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 8 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Contact the judicial assistant by email for scheduling.
Court Schedule: Contact the judicial assistant at helen.cope@flcourts18.org for scheduling.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If unable to connect to the virtual courtroom, contact the Judicial Assistant by phone at 321-603-2510.
If you cannot connect, please contact the Judicial Assistant, Erin Veronesi, at 321-603-2510.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
Questions about the status of submitted orders may be directed to the Case Managers by phone.
If you have questions regarding the status of your submitted orders, please contact the Case Managers at 321-637-5304.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 15 | Orders That Can Be Reviewed Without a Hearing
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the judicial assistant.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to helen.cope@flcourts18.org.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties may contact the judicial office only under these procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non- parties will not be considered by the court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Counsel must promptly respond to opposing counsel who is trying to schedule the required conference and will notice the hearing.
Counsel must respond promptly to inquiries and communications from opposing counsel who will notice the hearing and is attempting to schedule the conference.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Before requesting to add a motion to an available hearing slot, confirm with opposing counsel or the party and then email the Judicial Assistant.
If you would like to “add on” or “piggyback” a motion time permitting, please confirm with opposing counsel/party first and then contact the Judicial Assistant via email helen.cope@flcourts18.org.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If the Court agrees a CMC is required, the parties must coordinate dates and the moving party must confirm them to the JA before the Court prepares the notice.
Scheduling: If the court agrees that a CMC is required, the Court will provide dates and, upon coordination by the parties and confirmation to the JA by the moving party, will prepare the Notice of CMC.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 9
After filing a motion for rehearing or reconsideration, email a copy to the Judicial Assistant for the Judge’s review.
Once you have filed your Motion for Rehearing/Reconsideration, please email a copy to the Judicial Assistant so that the Judge can review and determine whether a hearing is necessary.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 11 | MOTIONS FOR REHEARING/RECONSIDERATION/NEW TRIAL/DISQUALIFY JUDGE
Correspondence about the motion must include opposing counsel and the motion.
Please include opposing counsel on correspondence and include the motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 11 | MOTIONS FOR REHEARING/RECONSIDERATION/NEW TRIAL/DISQUALIFY JUDGE
Questions may be directed to the Case Managers by phone at 321-637-5304.
If you have any questions, please contact the Case Managers at 321-637-5304.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 14 | EXAMINING COMMITTEE ORDERS