Judge Karen M. Miller
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- Mail • Before Hearing
Memorandum, Case Authority
- Before Hearing
Notice For Final Hearing
- Email • Upon Filing
Notice For Trial, Notice Of Unavailability
- Email • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Trials, special-set hearings, and evidentiary hearings may be cancelled only by court order, supported by a proper motion filed and set for UMC.
- A continuance motion may be granted only for good cause, and lack of due diligence is not a sufficient basis.
- Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
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Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Court-widePhone
Court-wideDuty Judge
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Exhibits must display the prescribed party role, case number, date, exhibit number, objection status, admitted status, and receipt by Judge Karen M. Miller.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Petitioner (Wife / Husband) or Respondent (Wife / Husband) Case Number: Date: Exhibit Number: Objection: Yes / No Admitted: Yes / No Received by Judge Karen M. Miller
Proposed final judgments must be submitted in Word with supporting documents attached; those supporting documents may be attached in PDF format.
Proposed Final Judgements' must be in Word format with supporting documents (Marital Settlement Agreement, Parenting Plan, Child Support Guidelines, etc.) attached to the Proposed Final Judgement. Supporting documents may be attached in PDF format.
DOCX
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.
DOCX
Each exhibit must bear a numbered sticker in the upper-right corner identifying the case number and offering party before the hearing begins.
All exhibits must be clearly marked before the hearing is set to begin. Exhibits shall be marked by a numbered sticker on the top right-hand corner of the front of each exhibit clearly identifying the case number and party who is offering the exhibit, e.g., Petitioner or Respondent.
Cases and legal authorities submitted to the court must be tabbed and have pertinent sections highlighted.
All cases and legal authorities submitted to the court must be tabbed, with pertinent sections highlighted.
Document Filing Requirements15 rules
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A proposed order must include a cover letter or notes/comments identifying either unanimous agreement or any disagreement.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter or in the notes/comments section that 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
Every notice and motion submitted for a UMC matter must include a proper certificate of service identifying the party served and the service method.
In order for the Court to consider any UMC motion, all notices and motions must contain a proper certificate of service listing the party and method of service.
Document Type
Notice And Motion
A UMC hearing may be cancelled only by filing a Notice of Cancellation and removing the OLS event; the judicial assistant must be notified immediately, and the notice must be immediately filed and served.
UMC hearings may only be cancelled by a Notice of Cancellation and removal of the event from the OLS System. Please immediately notify the judicial assistant. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Document Type
Notice Of Cancellation
A party seeking court action must file a petition or motion, serve the opposition, and provide a courtesy copy to the court; informal letters, notes, and emails will not be acted upon.
The Court does not act on letters, notes or emails sent by either party. The Court acts on petitions or motions properly filed with the Clerk of the Court. File the appropriate petition or motion with the Clerk of the Court, send a copy to the opposing side and a courtesy copy to the Court in order for requests to be addressed by the Court.
Document Type
Petition Or Motion
A Notice for Trial must be accompanied by a Notice of Unavailability and state the amount of trial time requested.
A Notice for Trial must be filed along with the Notice of Unavailability. Please be sure to include how much time is needed.
Document Type
Notice For Trial
A request for a case-management or status conference must explain why the conference is necessary.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Document Type
Conference Request
A legible scanned copy of the petitioner's photo ID, and the respondent's when applicable, must be submitted as proof of six months' Florida residency.
In addition to the foregoing and in compliance with Florida law, you must provide a legible scanned copy of the Petitioner's photo I.D. (and the Respondent's if a Simplified Dissolution Petition was filed) demonstrating proof of Florida residency for at least six months prior to the filing of the Petition.
Document Type
Photo Identification
A Notice for Final Hearing may be filed with a courtesy copy to the division email only after all requirements are met, and a final hearing must not be scheduled without written court approval.
Parties may file a Notice for Final Hearing once all requirements have been met and provide a courtesy copy to the divisional e-mail and the Court will review the case. Do not schedule a final hearing without written approval of the Court.
Document Type
Notice For Final Hearing
A post-scheduling remote-appearance request must be filed with the clerk and copied to the division email with all parties included.
Requests for remote appearance once a hearing has been scheduled must be filed with the Clerk of Court with a courtesy copy provided to the divisional e-mail with all parties copied.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Request
After scheduling a UMC hearing in OLS, the Notice of Hearing must be filed and a copy emailed to the court.
A Notice of Hearing must then be filed and a copy provided to the Court via the same email.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A request to appear remotely using communication technology must be made by motion.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Document Type
Motion
Division forms must be used for all filings to which they apply.
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
Document Type
Division Forms
Every notice of hearing must contain the required ADA notification.
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
Mediation must be completed and the mediation report filed before requesting a temporary-relief hearing.
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 5.207 Mediation must be completed and the mediation report filed prior to requesting a hearing.
Document Type
Mediation Report
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A continuance motion must be set for a UMC hearing, unless the parties agree and counsel submits an agreed order through OLS with the motion attached.
Motions for continuance must be set for a UMC hearing. However if all parties are in agreement to a request for continuance the moving party’s counsel may submit a proposed agreed order via the OLS System with the motion attached for the Court’s review.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
All proposed orders must be submitted through the 15th Circuit's OLS system and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All proposed orders must be submitted via the OLS System on the 15th Circuit Website and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
All proposed orders and their attachments must be submitted through OLS rather than by e-courtesy.
You must upload via OLS all proposed orders. If there are attachments, you must submit the proposed order with the attachment (s) via OLS. DO NOT USE E-COURTESY.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Remote-hearing exhibits not timely and properly delivered will not be considered, and emailed exhibits are not accepted.
If Exhibits are not received by the Court at least three business days prior to the hearing in compliance with the above requirements, they will not be accepted or considered. Emailed exhibits will not be accepted or considered.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Case-law and courtesy-copy items are accepted only by mail or drop box; emailed items will not be considered.
Please be advised that items are only accepted via mail or drop box. Emailed items will not be accepted or considered.
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
This division does not use e-courtesy or the electronic evidence portal.
Please note: This Division does not use E-Courtesy or the electronic evidence portal.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
A self-represented litigant excused from email service may submit proposed orders 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 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
The court must receive all hearing materials at least three business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than insert three (3) business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The court must receive all hearing materials no later than three business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Service of the notice of hearing must occur immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
The notice of cancellation must be immediately filed and served 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 | Scheduling Procedures
Copies of proposed orders submitted to the court must also be provided to the opposing side or counsel.
Copies of any proposed orders submitted to the Court must also be provided to the opposing side and/or opposing counsel.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of a properly filed petition or motion must be provided to the court for the request to be addressed.
File the appropriate petition or motion with the Clerk of the Court, send a copy to the opposing side and a courtesy copy to the Court in order for requests to be addressed by the Court.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
One courtesy copy of the Notice of Hearing must be provided to the court by the same email used to request the Zoom information.
A Notice of Hearing must then be filed and a copy provided to the Court via the same email.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of every exhibit for the court and each party.
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.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Memoranda and case authorities must reach the court and opposing counsel at least five business days before the hearing, with the hearing date and time identified in the transmittal.
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.
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A courtesy copy of the Notice for Trial, Notice of Unavailability, and requested trial duration must be emailed to the division.
Please email a copy of Notice for Trial to the divisional e-mail (CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org) along with the Notice of Unavailability and how much time is needed.
Page 1 | Setting Case for Trial
For remote hearings, proposed exhibits must be premarked with the specified information and delivered to the court by mail or drop box at least three business days before the hearing.
FOR ALL REMOTE HEARINGS: All proposed Exhibits must be PREMARKED (including Exhibit Number, Case Style and Number, Date of Hearing, Judge's Name) and provided to the Court AT LEAST THREE BUSINESS DAYS prior to the hearing via U.S. mail or the Main County Courthouse drop box.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
One courtesy copy of a post-scheduling remote-appearance request must be emailed to the division with all parties copied.
Requests for remote appearance once a hearing has been scheduled must be filed with the Clerk of Court with a courtesy copy provided to the divisional e-mail with all parties copied.
Page 1 | Remote Appearance
A courtesy copy of the Notice for Final Hearing must be sent to the division email for court review.
Parties may file a Notice for Final Hearing once all requirements have been met and provide a courtesy copy to the divisional e-mail and the Court will review the case.
Page 1 | Adoptions, Annulments, Disestablishments, TPR, Name Changes and Temporary Custody Cases
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion may be granted only for good cause, and lack of due diligence is not a sufficient basis.
Motions for continuance will be granted only upon good cause shown. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Trials, special-set hearings, and evidentiary hearings may be cancelled only by court order, supported by a proper motion filed and set for UMC.
Matters set by order of the Court (trials, special set hearings, and evidentiary hearings) can only be cancelled by order of the court. The proper motion must be filed with the Clerk of Court and set for a UMC hearing.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
A continuance motion must specifically state the need and when discovered, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and whether all parties agree.
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) 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 (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Special-set hearings and trials may be cancelled or reset only by further court order, and the judicial assistant cannot change their dates or times.
Special set hearings and trials cannot be cancelled or reset except by further order of the Court. The judicial assistant cannot cancel or change hearing dates/times.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
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 | Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
After scheduling a UMC hearing in OLS, counsel must email the judicial assistant for Zoom information and include the case number, case name, hearing date and time, and pleadings, with all parties copied.
Once you have scheduled in OLS please contact the judicial assistant via email: CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org to request the Zoom information. Please be sure to include the case number, case name, date and time of the hearing, and the pleadings that will be heard. All parties MUST be copied in any emails and correspondence sent to the Court. Ex-parte communication WILL NOT be considered.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
A special-set request must identify the case, parties, and hearing type in the subject line and include the motion and requested hearing duration.
When emailing the subject line should include the case number, parties' names, and what type of hearing you are requesting. Please be sure to include a copy of the Motion that you wish to set and indicate how much time is being requested for the hearing. The JA will respond by providing three dates and times.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office, and unauthorized ex parte communications will not be considered.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, ex-parte communication will not be considered unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
An email to the court must state that the communication or documents were emailed to the opposing side in the same email.
All communication and/or documents emailed to the Court must state that they were emailed to the opposing side in the same email or they will be returned as ex parte communication.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
A UMC hearing must first be scheduled in OLS before the judicial assistant is contacted.
UMC hearings must be scheduled in OLS prior to contacting the judicial assistant.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Requests for special-set hearing availability must be emailed to the judicial assistant with all parties copied.
Email the Judicial Assistant at CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org for available dates and times. All parties should be copied in the email, ex-parte communication will not be considered.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the division account and include the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
A self-represented party without an attorney must contact the Family Court Case Manager at the stated telephone number.
If you are a self-represented pro se party (with no attorney), you must contact the Family Court Case Manager: Connie Thomas at (561) 355-4656.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
The judicial office will not accept personal correspondence; matters must be raised by a properly filed motion or petition.
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 or petition with the Clerk of Court.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Remote participants must contact the judicial assistant to obtain Zoom meeting credentials.
Contact the judicial assistant to obtain the platform (Zoom) meeting credentials.
Page 1 | Remote Appearance