Judge Dina Keever-Agrama
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
- Within 24 Hours
Notice Of Hearing
- Mail • Immediately Upon Filing
Remote Appearance Motion
- Upon Filing
Status Conference Motion
- Mail • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; successive requests and lack of due diligence do not favor relief, and the requesting party must sign absent good cause.
- A continuance motion must be set on the court’s first available UMC docket before the affected hearing or trial; if no slot is available, the judicial assistant must be contacted for an additional slot.
- A continuance will not be granted when either party fails to participate in completing the social investigation or home study.
Request must include
- Unless exigent circumstances apply, a continuance motion must be submitted at least five business days before the affected court date and must specifically state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement.
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Chambers
Phone
Court-widePhone
Court-wideClerk
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Court-wideDuty Judge
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Memoranda are limited to ten pages and must be memoranda of law rather than argument.
Memorandum shall not exceed ten pages and shall be memorandums of law not argument.
Memorandum
10 pages
Document Format Requirements3 rules
A motion to vacate must be supported by a sufficient hard-copy record furnished to the court or the motion may be denied.
You are required to provide the Court (hard copy only) with a record sufficient to support your Motion to Vacate or your motion will be denied.
Paper
Only two cases may be submitted per issue.
Limit to two cases per issue.
Submitted cases and legal authorities must be tabbed with pertinent sections highlighted.
All cases and legal authorities submitted to the court must be tabbed, with pertinent sections highlighted.
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
If the issue resolves less than 24 hours before the hearing, the moving party must appear at the scheduled hearing with a proposed agreed order or submit it electronically to the division's email.
If the issue is resolved less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hearing (excluding weekends), the moving party shall appear before the Court at the scheduled time of hearing with their proposed AGREED order or it must be submitted electronically to this division's email.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Memoranda and case authority must be submitted at least five business days before the hearing, and the transmittal document must identify the hearing date and time.
All memoranda and/or case authority must be submitted to the Court and opposing counsel at least five (5) business days before the hearing and the transmittal document must designate the date and time of the hearing for which they are submitted.
Document Type
Transmittal Document
For alimony, parental-responsibility, timesharing, or child-support matters, a certification must confirm compliance with and filing of the listed family-law documents, subject to the stated exceptions and conditions.
If involving alimony, parental responsibility, timesharing, and/or child support, certification that the following has been complied with or satisfied: Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure (unless the parties have agreed not to exchange these documents) Financial Affidavits filed by both parties (A.O. 5.212-2/17) Notice of Social Security Number filed by both parties Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act filed by either party Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (reflecting the income and timesharing information per proposed Final Judgment) (A.O. 5.212-2/17) Parenting Plan signed by both parties and filed with the Court Certificate of Completion of Parent Education Class by both parents and filed with the Court (A.O. 5.212-2/17) Birth Certificate for the minor child (in paternity cases) (A.O. 5.307-7/15) Date of Birth Form for UFC (A.O. 5.109-1/17)
Document Type
Family Law Completion Certification
The final-hearing completion checklist identifies pleadings, service of process, a UCCJEA affidavit, the answer or default, the submitted final judgment, and the submitted income deduction order as filing items to check.
PLEADINGS DOCKET ENTRY NUMBER SERVICE OF PROCESS UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION ACT (UCCJEA) AFFIDAVIT ANSWER DEFAULT FINAL JUDGMENT SUBMITTED TO COURT INCOME DEDUCTION ORDER SUBMITTED TO COURT
Document Type
Final Hearing Filing Checklist
Every proposed order must include a cover letter certifying unanimous agreement or identifying the parties’ disagreement about the proposed order.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A notice of hearing for a remote appearance must include the judge’s remote-platform credentials.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judge's remote platform credentials.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Family forms and Florida Supreme Court-approved forms must be used for all filings to which they apply.
Family forms and/or Florida Supreme Court approved forms must be used for all relevant filings.
Document Type
Relevant Filing
Every notice of hearing must certify the moving party’s compliance with Local Rule 4.
All notices of hearing must include a certification that the moving party has complied with Local Rule 4 (PDF).
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
After a CMC or status conference is granted, the moving party must file a notice of hearing once the date and time are confirmed with the judicial assistant and opposing party.
If the court grants the request for a CMC or status conference, the moving party must file the Notice of Hearing once a date and time for hearing is confirmed with the Judicial Assistant and the opposing party.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Every notice of hearing must state that a party or witness needing a language interpreter must supply their own interpreter.
All notices of hearing must include a statement that any party or witness in need of a language interpreter must supply their own interpreter for the hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A proposed final judgment or order must be uploaded first, with exhibits then attached to it.
The proposed Final Judgment or proposed Order must be uploaded first, followed by exhibits uploaded as attachments.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The court will cancel a hearing or trial only after the parties reach a written agreement and the resolving proposed order is submitted through OLS.
The Court will not cancel a scheduled hearing or trial unless a written agreement has been reached and a proposed order resolving the scheduled matter has been submitted to the Court via OLS.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The investigator's written study must provide parenting-plan recommendations and a written statement of the facts supporting them.
The investigator shall prepare a written study with recommendations regarding a parenting plan, including a written statement of facts found in the social investigation on which the recommendations are based.
Document Type
Social Investigation Report
An exhibit list must be provided to the court at the start of the hearing and numbered chronologically.
An Exhibit list shall be provided to the Court at the start of the hearing and must be numbered chronologically.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Each exhibit must bear a numbered sticker identifying the case number, offering date, and offering party.
Exhibits shall be marked by a numbered sticker on each exhibit clearly identifying the case number, date the exhibit is offered, and party who is offering the exhibit, e.g., Petitioner or Respondent.
Document Type
Exhibit
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All hearing documents, including proposed orders, must be submitted through OLS no more than 48 hours before the hearing, or the hearing may not be heard.
All documents, including proposed orders, must be uploaded and submitted via the Court's Online Services no more than 48 hours prior to the hearing. Otherwise, your hearing may not be heard.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
A motion or petition and proposed order must be uploaded through the designated system 48 hours before the hearing; emailing them through CAD email or mailing them is prohibited.
Please upload your Motion or Petition and proposed Order 48 hours prior to the hearing OR YOUR MATTER MAY NOT BE HEARD (SEE ABOVE FOR HOW TO UPLOAD THESE DOCUMENTS). PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL THESE DOCUMENTS VIA THE CAD EMAIL AND PLEASE DO NOT SEND VIA U.S. MAIL.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
This division does not currently accept documents through the e-portal.
THIS DIVISION DOES NOT USE E-PORTAL FOR ACCEPTING DOCUMENTS AT THIS TIME.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
A self-represented litigant excused from email service may submit a proposed order by U.S. mail or hand delivery to the judicial office.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court by U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All documents and proposed orders must be submitted through OLS 48 hours before a hearing or trial.
All documents, including proposed orders, must be uploaded and submitted via the Court's Online Services 48 hours prior to the hearing or trial.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All hearing materials must reach the court at least three business days before the hearing by U.S. mail, commercial courier, or hand delivery.
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing via U.S. mail, a commercial courier service, or hand delivery.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
An objection to remote appearance technology must be filed no later than three business days before the hearing.
Any objection to the use of communication technology must be filed no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | C. Remote Appearance
A request to appear remotely must be made by written motion at least five business days before the hearing.
The court maintains a hybrid virtual courtroom, allowing parties to appear either in person or remotely, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by written motion at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | C. Remote Appearance
Unless the court waives it, a hard-copy transcript of all relevant proceedings must be delivered to the judge and all other parties at least 48 hours before the motion-to-vacate hearing.
Unless waived by order of the Court prior to any hearing on the Motion to Vacate, the transcript of all relevant proceedings, if any, must be delivered to the Judge (hard copy only) and provided to all other parties at least 48 hours before the hearing.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery of signed orders and update it using Form 2.603 whenever the registered email account changes, unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A notice of cancellation must be filed and served immediately on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants generally must make and receive service by email through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The social investigator must provide a report and recommendations to the court, with copies to counsel or unrepresented parties before the hearing.
to provide a report and recommendations to the court, with copies to counsel/unrepresented parties prior to hearing.
Page 1 | ORDER APPOINTING A SOCIAL INVESTIGATOR
Unless the court orders otherwise, the investigator must furnish the written study to the court and provide copies to all parties of record at least 30 days before the hearing.
The written study with recommendations shall be furnished to the court and a copy provided to all parties of record by the investigator at least 30 days before any hearing at which the court is to consider the written study and recommendations, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Page 2 | Written Study with Recommendations
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A status-conference request must be made by written motion with a mailed courtesy copy to chambers, or by calling the judicial assistant after filing the motion.
Any party may request a status conference by filing the proper written motion and providing a courtesy copy to the Judge's Chambers via U.S. mail or may call the Judicial Assistant once the proper motion has been filed.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
For every hearing or trial, courtesy copies of cited case law must be attached to the proposed order and submitted through OLS at least 48 hours beforehand.
Courtesy copies of case law must be submitted to the Court for any hearing or trial 48 hours prior to the hearing or trial as attachments to the proposed order via the Court's Online Services.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time, and a courtesy copy must be sent to the judge’s office.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time. Please forward a courtesy copy to the Judge's office.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A written remote-appearance motion must be submitted at least five business days before the hearing or trial, with courtesy copies provided to the judge’s office and opposing side.
Motions for Remote Appearance must be submitted at least 5 business days prior to the hearing or trial and must be in writing with a courtesy copy provided to the Judge's Office and opposing side.
Page 1 | C. Remote Appearance
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Unless exigent circumstances apply, a continuance motion must be submitted at least five business days before the affected court date and must specifically state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement.
Motions for continuance must be submitted at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled court date for which the continuance is sought, barring exigent circumstances, and must state with specificity:the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; whether the motion is opposed; the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A continuance motion must be set on the court’s first available UMC docket before the affected hearing or trial; if no slot is available, the judicial assistant must be contacted for an additional slot.
A motion for continuance must be set on the Court's first available UMC docket prior to the hearing/trial date. If no UMC slots are available, please call the Judicial Assistant to request an additional slot for the motion to continue.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; successive requests and lack of due diligence do not favor relief, and the requesting party must sign absent good cause.
Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance. 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).
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A continuance will not be granted when either party fails to participate in completing the social investigation or home study.
No continuances will be granted due to the failure of either party to participate in completing a social investigation/home study.
Page 2 | Cooperation with the Investigation Process
Chambers Communication Rules
A scheduled special-set hearing or trial may not be canceled without court approval, and the judicial assistant must be called immediately if settlement makes the matter unnecessary.
Special Set Hearings and trials, once scheduled, may not be canceled without court approval. Please call the Judicial Assistant immediately if a matter is settled and a hearing or trial is no longer needed.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The judicial office will not accept personal correspondence concerning a case; matters must be raised by filing the appropriate motion with the clerk.
Our office CANNOT and WILL NOT accept any personal correspondence on a case. If you have a matter to bring to the Court's attention, please file the proper Motion with the Clerk of Court.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties may not call the judicial assistant for help using Online Scheduling and should consult the court’s CourtHelp4You YouTube page for assistance.
Please DO NOT call the JA for assistance with Online Scheduling (OLS). If you have questions or issues regarding OLS, please refer to the 15th Judicial Circuit's YouTube page CourtHelp4You for assistance.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The judicial assistant may not provide legal advice.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Requests for a special-set hearing of up to 30 minutes must be made by calling the judicial assistant to obtain dates and times cleared with all interested parties.
Requests for Special Set Hearing of up to 30 Minutes (30 minute hearings will be held in person; hearings under 30 minutes may be held via Zoom): Call the Judicial Assistant at 561-694-7420 for available dates and times, to be cleared with all interested parties.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The judicial office does not communicate by email; questions not answered in the instructions should be directed by telephone to the judicial assistant.
This office does not communicate via email. If you do not find the answer to your question in the FH Divisional Instructions below, please call Judicial Assistant Johnna Hochella at (561) 694-7420.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Technical issues with the online mediation scheduling application may be reported by email to cad-web@pbcgov.org.
For technical issues with the application, please email cad-web@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | New Mediation Scheduling in Family and Juvenile Divisions
The judicial assistant seeks to respond substantively within one business day, and callers should avoid repeated calls concerning the same issue.
The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day. Please do not call multiple times on the same issue, as that may delay the response to your inquiry.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office