Judge Luis Delgado
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- Mail • Upon Filing
Motion
- Chambers Drop Off • Before Hearing
Notice Of Motion, Motion
- Email • Upon Filing
Petition, Motion
Adjournments
- Parties must timely upload proposed orders to cancel through OLS, stating good cause or accompanying them with an Agreed Order resolving the matter.
- A domestic-violence continuance request must be timely made by obtaining the other party's consent, filing a continuance motion, and uploading a proposed order through OLS.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideDuty Judge
Document Format Requirements6 rules
All exhibits must be clearly marked before the hearing begins using numbered stickers identifying the case number and offering party.
All exhibits must be clearly marked before the hearing is set to begin. Exhibits shall be marked by a numbered sticker on each exhibit clearly identifying the case number and party who is offering the exhibit, e.g., Petitioner or Respondent.
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.
Every final judgment must reserve a three-by-three-inch space in its upper-right corner, and the clerk will reject it without that space.
All Final Judgments must have a 3X3 inch space on the top-right-hand corner for recording purposes. The Clerk will not docket or record the Final Judgment without this space.
Every exhibit must be premarked with the party designation, case number, and exhibit number.
All exhibits must be pre-marked Petitioner or Respondent, case number, and exhibit number.
Proposed final judgments and orders must be submitted through OLS within 48 hours after the hearing in Word format, with attachments in PDF format.
Proposed Final Judgments (other than specified below) and/or Orders should be submitted via the OLS (Online Services), in Word format and PDF format for Attachments, within 48 hours following the hearing.
DOCX
Proposed orders and final judgments must use 12-point Times New Roman, include a cover letter, and be submitted through OLS within 48 hours after the hearing.
Please send all proposed orders and final judgments (see further specific instructions below) in Font New Times Roman Size 12 WITH A COVER LETTER via OLS within 48 hours after the hearing.
Document Filing Requirements54 rules
Both parties must file notarized Family Law Financial Affidavits with the Clerk of the Courts at least 10 days before mediation.
Both parties shall complete and file a notarized Family Law Financial Affidavit with the Clerk of the Courts at least 10 days prior to mediation.
Document Type
Family Law Financial Affidavit
A needed mediation-cancellation motion must be filed with notarized financial affidavits for both parties, with a copy provided to every party involved.
If needed, this motion must be filed with the Clerk of the Courts, along with notarized Family Law Financial Affidavit Forms for both parties, providing a copy to all parties involved in the case.
Document Type
Mediation Cancellation Motion
If the case settles before mediation, the parties must file the settlement agreement and, for cases involving minors, a parenting plan and child support guidelines worksheet.
If the case is settled prior to mediation, parties MUST file with the Clerk of the Courts, the settlement agreement along with Parenting Plan and Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, if the case involves minor children.
Document Type
Settlement Filing
Each party must bring a copy of the filed affidavit and supporting income-and-expense documents to mediation.
Each party shall bring to mediation a copy of their filed Family Law Financial Affidavit AND proof of all income and expenses, including but not limited to, paycheck stubs, income tax return for the most recent year, W-2 forms or 1099 forms, medical expenses, child care and any other related documents.
Document Type
Mediation Supporting Documents
The parties are responsible for ensuring that a court order ratifying the mediated agreement is entered.
It is the responsibility of the parties to make sure that a court order is entered ratifying the agreement.
Document Type
Court Order
The mediator must file a report stating whether the parties attended mediation and whether an agreement was reached.
However, the mediator shall file a report with the court advising whether the parties attended mediation, and whether an agreement was reached.
Document Type
Mediation Report
A mediated agreement must immediately be reduced to writing and signed by both parties and their attorneys.
When a mediated agreement is reached, the agreement shall immediately be reduced to writing, signed by both parties and their attorneys.
Document Type
Mediated Agreement
The mediator must prepare a Child Support Guidelines worksheet.
7. The Mediator shall prepare a Child Support Guidelines worksheet.
Document Type
Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
If proposed child support differs from the ordered guidelines amount by more than 5%, the parties must state the factors justifying the deviation.
If the child support to be paid varies by more than 5% from the guidelines amount ordered, the Mediator shall require the parties to state the factors justifying the deviation.
Document Type
Child Support Deviation Statement
The transmittal document must identify the hearing date and time for which the memoranda or authorities are submitted.
the transmittal document must designate the date and time of the hearing for which they are submitted.
Document Type
Transmittal Document
If the issue is resolved fewer than 24 hours before the hearing, parties must appear at the scheduled hearing time with a proposed order.
If the issue is resolved less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hearing (excluding weekends), the parties shall appear before the Court at the scheduled time of hearing with their proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A chronologically numbered exhibit list must be provided to the court at the start of the hearing.
An Exhibit list shall be provided to the Court at the start of the hearing and must be numbered chronologically.
Document Type
Exhibit List
A temporary or final custody petition must have the completed checklist uploaded with a proposed final order through OLS before the hearing is set.
All Petitions for Temporary and Final Custody must complete the Checklist on the Forms linked and uploaded with a proposed final Order to OLS prior to setting it for a hearing.
Document Type
Custody Petition
After the plan administrator issues a written preapproval, the proposed QDRO must be submitted to the court with a representation of preapproval and a copy of the approval letter.
Once the Plan Administrator states the QDRO is pre-approved in letter form, submit the proposed QDRO to the court for signature, represent that it was pre-approved and attach a copy of the pre-approval letter.
Document Type
Proposed Qdro
Postjudgment relief other than child support requires an order referring the matter to the magistrate.
Other than those dealing with child support, any other Post Judgment relief requires an Order of Referral to Magistrate.
Document Type
Order Of Referral To Magistrate
The cover letter or note must state specifically that the proposed order was first provided to opposing counsel and whether its language is agreed upon or disputed.
The cover letter or note must indicate with specificity that the proposed order was provided to the opposing counsel first and the language was agreed upon or is disputed.
Document Type
Cover Letter
A special-set hearing requires a court order, identification of the matter by docket-entry number, a proposed setting order submitted through OLS, and scheduling through OLS.
All special set hearings must be noticed by Court Order. The Order must indicate by Docket Entry Number the matter to be addressed. The Parties will submit a proposed Order Setting Special Set Hearing via OLS and schedule their hearing via OLS – they must do BOTH.
Document Type
Order Setting Special Set Hearing
Name-change, temporary-custody, dissolution, and paternity matters must upload a completed checklist and proposed form of order through OLS with supporting documents attached as exhibits.
Minor and Adult name changes, Temporary Custody, Dissolution of Marriage and Paternity cases must upload a completed checklist with the proposed form and order by OLS with supporting documentation attached as Exhibits.
Document Type
Proposed Form And Order
A TPR final-hearing request must be made in writing to the judge and may be set by the judicial assistant after all requirements are met.
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Final Hearing requests must be put in writing to the Judge and are set by the Judicial Assistant once all requirements have been met.
Document Type
Tpr Final Hearing Request
A copy of the qualification letter must be filed with the court.
File a copy of the "qualification" letter with the Court.
Document Type
Qualification Letter
The emergency designation may be used only for matters of utmost urgency that ordinary processing cannot address without irreparable harm.
Please do not entitle your motion "Emergency" unless it is of the utmost urgency and cannot be handled in the ordinary course without irreparable harm.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
When an emergency motion is filed, a proposed order must be uploaded through OLS with the motion attached as an exhibit.
A proposed form of order must be uploaded by OLS upon filing of the Emergency with the motion attached as an Exhibit.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A reconsideration motion must clearly assert mistake, inadvertence, excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, or fraud.
The motion for reconsideration must clearly state a mistake, inadvertence, excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, or fraud under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.540(b)(1).
Document Type
Motion For Reconsideration
A special-set hearing may be canceled only by court order.
Special set hearings cannot be cancelled except by order of the Court.
Document Type
Hearing Cancellation
Discovery motions and proposed orders must describe specific efforts to avoid court intervention, including telephone calls and emails.
All discovery motions and proposed orders must indicate the specific effort made to avoid Court intervention including telephone calls and emails.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
An amendment order must state that the amended pleading will be filed within 10 days and that the opponent will have 20 days after filing to respond.
The proposed order must indicate that the amended pleading will be filed within ten (10) days of the filed order and the opposing party has twenty (20) days to respond to the same once it is filed.
Document Type
Proposed Order Motion To Amend
The motion and proposed amended pleading must be attached as exhibits to the proposed order uploaded through OLS.
Please attach the motion and proposed amended pleading as an exhibit to the proposed form of order by OLS.
Document Type
Proposed Order Motion To Amend
A hearing may not be scheduled unless all parties agree, notice has been filed, and the motion, response, and memorandum of law are attached to the proposed order through OLS.
Please do not book/schedule the hearing unless: your hearing has been agreed to by all parties (please do not unilaterally set or cancel hearings); a notice of the hearing was filed; you have attached the motion, response, and memorandum of law citing case law as an exhibit to the proposed order (please do not attach case law); and
Document Type
Hearing Booking
Remote appearance requires a written and filed motion followed by a UMC hearing and court permission.
Permission to appear remotely may only be granted by the Court after a written/filed motion and UMC hearing.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Motion
A hearing notice must identify the motion by title, be served on all parties, and be filed in the docket; the court will not sign it.
All notices must clearly state the title of Motion being heard by the Court, must be served on all parties and filed in the case docket. The Court does not sign the same.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
All statutory requirements must be met and written court approval obtained before an adoption or name-change final hearing is scheduled.
All adoption and name change statutory requirements must be met before a final hearing will be set. DO NOT SCHEDULE A FINAL HEARING WITHOUT WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE COURT.
Document Type
Final Hearing Approval
Every proposed order must include a cover letter.
Proposed orders MUST have a cover letter
Document Type
Proposed Order
The parties must attend mediation before a temporary-relief hearing is scheduled.
Temporary Relief Hearings require the parties to attend mediation prior to the hearing being scheduled.
Document Type
Temporary Relief Hearing Request
An evidentiary special-set hearing must be identified as such in the proposed order with supporting case, statutory, or rule authority.
If the hearing is evidentiary, please indicate the same on the proposed Order on Special Set Hearing and cite to the appropriate authority (case, statute and/or rule).
Document Type
Proposed Order Special Set Hearing
Proposed orders and final judgments must state the case status and history, proposed factual findings, cited legal authority, Local Rule 4 compliance, and the most recent mediation attendance date.
Please include in all proposed orders and final judgments the following: status of the case and case history, proposed findings of facts, legal authority cited, confirmation of compliance with Local Rule 4 and the last time the parties attended mediation.
Document Type
Proposed Order Or Final Judgment
The motion and proposed order must specifically identify the date, time, and manner of each conference effort.
The motion and proposed order must indicate with specificity the efforts made including the date, time, and manner of each effort.
Document Type
Motion
Requests to the court must be made by filing a proper motion with notice to all parties.
Any request from the Court must be in the form of filing a proper motion with proper notice to all parties.
Document Type
Motion
A motion to vacate must be submitted with a request to schedule a hearing.
Pursuant to Rule 12.490(e)(5), the party seeking review must seek to schedule a hearing at the same time that the motion to vacate is filed with the court and failure may result in the denial of the same.
Document Type
Motion To Vacate
Every motion must have notice and reserved hearing time.
All Motions must be noticed and time must be reserved for each motion.
Document Type
Motion
All procedural prerequisites, including the date of the parties' last mediation attendance, must be completed before a hearing is requested or set.
All procedural prerequisites must be completed before a hearing is sought/set. Indicate the date the parties last attended mediation.
Document Type
Hearing Request
Every motion must include the required certifications.
All motions must have proper certifications.
Document Type
Motion
Dissolution and paternity final-judgment proposed orders must be submitted with the listed exhibits no later than 24 hours before the hearing.
All proposed Final Judgements (FJ) for the Dissolution of Marriage with Children or without Children and Final Judgments of Paternity must attach the proposed order NO MORE THAN 24 HOURS before the hearing with applicable exhibits: Child Support Calculations Parenting Plan with consent for mental health treatment for the child pursuant to Florida Statute Section 61.13(2)(b)3 Certificates of Completion of the Parenting class for both Parties the Final Agreement/MSA Testimony at Final Hearing sheet Final Disposition form must be completed pursuant to Fla. Fam. L.R.P. 12.440 and Fla. Stat. §61.19, and (vii) proof of residency pursuant to Fla. Stat. §61.052(2) and the the Court checklist.
Document Type
Proposed Final Judgment
To cancel a UMC hearing, the scheduling attorney's office must file and email a Notice of Cancellation and also cancel the hearing through the circuit's Online Scheduling System.
To cancel a hearing scheduled for UMC, the scheduling attorney's office must file a Notice of Cancellation and submit it to the Court via CAD-DivisionFZ@pbcgov.org. In addition, that attorney's office must log in to the 15th Judicial Circuit's Online Scheduling System, select "Uniform Motion Calendar 'UMC' Scheduling;" select "Cancel Hearings" and follow the directions on the screen.
Document Type
Notice Of Cancellation
A self-represented litigant must file an email designation form with the clerk.
Self-represented litigants, please file an email designation. It is important for litigants not represented by counsel to fill out and file with the Clerk an email designation form.
Document Type
Email Designation Form
The certificate of service must identify each party served rather than stating only “all parties.”
Please list each party served not "all parties".
Document Type
Certificate Of Service
A proposed order or final judgment must be accompanied by a cover letter when submitted through OLS.
Please send all proposed orders and final judgments (see further specific instructions below) in Font New Times Roman Size 12 WITH A COVER LETTER via OLS within 48 hours after the hearing.
Document Type
Proposed Order Or Final Judgment
For a name change, counsel must upload through OLS a proposed order setting the case for hearing with the division checklist attached as Exhibit A and confirming completion of requirements.
For Name Changes, Counsel must upload a proposed form of order to set the case for hearing with the division checklist attached as exhibit A indicating all requirement have been met for Court review.
Document Type
Proposed Order Name Change
Parties must attend mediation before a case can be set for trial.
Parties are to attend mediation prior to setting a case for trial.
Document Type
Case For Trial
The parties must simultaneously set a status conference for a motion to withdraw, and all litigants must attend.
All motions to withdraw require the parties to set simultaneously a Status Conference that all litigants must attend.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
A domestic-violence Zoom appearance motion must state good cause, document conferral, and include a proposed order uploaded through OLS.
A motion to appear by zoom or for a witness to appear by zoom must indicate good cause for the same, conferral with the other party and an uploaded proposed form of order by OLS;
Document Type
Motion For Zoom Appearance
The Family Mediation Questionnaire must be completed and returned in the self-addressed stamped envelope as soon as possible.
Please complete this Questionnaire and return it in the self-addressed stamped envelope as soon as possible.
Document Type
Family Mediation Questionnaire
Child-support postjudgment matters are heard by the magistrate and do not require an order of referral.
Please note that child support post-judgment matters are heard by the Magistrate and no Order of Referral for post-judgment child support matters are required.
Document Type
Order Of Referral To Magistrate
After mediation, a final hearing may be requested by filing a proper Notice for Trial or Request for Final Hearing.
After mediation, a final hearing can be set by filing a proper "Notice for Trial" or Request for Final Hearing.
Document Type
Final Hearing Request
Either party may move to cancel court mediation when the parties' combined annual income exceeds $100,000.
Either party may file a motion with the Clerk of the Courts to cancel Mediation, in the event the parties have a combined annual income of over $100,000.
Document Type
Mediation Cancellation Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All evidence and exhibits must be uploaded through the E-evidence feature in OLS.
All evidence/exhibits must be uploaded via the E-evidence feature located in the OLS (Online Services).
Page 1 | Evidence
An emergency motion must be filed through the clerk's e-portal using the Emergency Filing box.
Emergency Motions are filed with the Clerk via e-portal and click the Emergency Filing box that states, "Check This Box to Specify That This is an Emergency Filing."
Page 1 | Motions: Emergency Motions
Special-set hearings must be booked through OLS and held in person.
Special set hearings booked via OLS and are held in person – not remote appearance.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Documents may not be submitted through E-Courtesy.
Please do not submit any documents via "E-Courtesy."
Page 1 | Self-represented Litigants and Attorneys
All Uniform Motion Calendar hearings must be scheduled through OLS.
All Uniform Motion Calendar hearings will be scheduled by: OLS (Online Services).
Page 1 | Online Scheduling
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The appropriate motion to cancel mediation must be filed no later than seven full business days before mediation.
Parties MUST file the appropriate motion to cancel mediation with the Clerk of the Courts, no later than seven (7) full business days prior to mediation.
Page 2 | Order and Referral to Family Mediation
A hearing may not be unilaterally set, a motion may not be added without reserved time, and notice may not be 24 hours or less.
Unilateral setting of a hearing, adding a motion to a previously scheduled hearing on the same case with no time to address the same, or providing 24 hours or less notice is not permitted.
Page 1 | Online Scheduling
Absent good cause, a temporary-relocation hearing must be set no later than 30 days after the motion is filed.
If a motion seeking a temporary relocation is filed, absent good cause, the hearing will be set no later than 30 days after the motion for a temporary relocation is filed.
Page 1 | Motions: Relocation
A temporary-relief proposed order with a specific cover letter identifying disagreements must be uploaded within 24 hours after the hearing.
One proposed order must be uploaded within 24 hours after of the hearing with the required Cover Letter noting any disagreements with specificity.
Page 1 | Temporary Relief Hearings
After an order sustaining a referral objection is docketed, the parties must set a UMC status conference through OLS within 30 days and attach the pleading and sustaining order as exhibits.
A party may file an objection to the referral. After an Order Sustaining Objection is docketed, the parties within 30 days of the same must set a status conference on the UMC via OLS (Administrative Order 5.206), and attach a copy of the pleading and the order sustaining the objection as exhibits.
Page 1 | General Magistrate Referrals
The moving party must upload through OLS a proposed order reflecting the court's ruling within 24 hours after a special-set hearing.
The Moving Party must upload a proposed order reflecting the ruling of the Court, within 24 hours after the hearing.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Proposed orders and final judgments must be submitted through OLS within 48 hours after the hearing.
Please send all proposed orders and final judgments (see further specific instructions below) in Font New Times Roman Size 12 WITH A COVER LETTER via OLS within 48 hours after the hearing.
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
Parties ordinarily must give five days' notice to opposing counsel or a pro se litigant unless the parties agree to shorter notice.
Parties must give five (5) days notice to opposing counsel or pro se litigant, unless short notice is agreed by parties.
Page 1 | Online Scheduling
Orders setting, motions, responses, materials, and memoranda must be emailed to the court at least 96 hours before the hearing for the judge's review.
All Orders Setting, Motions, Responses, materials, and memorandums will need to be provided 96 hours prior to the hearing for the Judge to review, via email to CAD-DivisionFZ@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
A reconsideration, rehearing, or new-trial motion must be attached to the proposed order and uploaded to the division queue on the filing day.
All motions must be attached as an exhibit to the proposed order and uploaded to the division queue the day the motion is filed.
Page 1 | Motions: Motions for Clarification, Reconsideration or Rehearing
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A copy of the mediation-cancellation motion and both parties' notarized financial affidavits must be provided to all parties involved in the case.
If needed, this motion must be filed with the Clerk of the Courts, along with notarized Family Law Financial Affidavit Forms for both parties, providing a copy to all parties involved in the case.
Page 2 | Order and Referral to Family Mediation
Memoranda and case authority must be submitted to the court and opposing counsel at least five business days before the hearing.
All memoranda and/or case authority must be submitted to the Court and opposing counsel at least five (5) business days before the hearing
Page 1 | ORDER SPECIALLY SETTING HEARING
Any document emailed to the Court must be copied to the opposing side in the same email and must state that it was so sent.
All 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 and may be filed in the Court docket.
Page 1 | Do Not Send Letters, Emails or Notes To The Court
A copy of each filed petition or motion must be sent to the opposing side.
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 | Do Not Send Letters, Emails or Notes To The Court
The parties must exchange all intended exhibits at least five days before the hearing.
No less than five days prior to each hearing, the parties must exchange all proposed exhibits, which they intend to reference during the hearing.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Anything uploaded through OLS must be provided to all parties and identify whether the proposed order is agreed upon.
Anything uploaded by OLS must be provided to all parties and indicate if the proposed order is agreed upon.
Page 1 | Checklist
Filing Fees and Waivers
Parties must pay mediation fees within 10 days after the order and present the receipt to the ADR office at the mediation session.
A. Parties MUST pay the mediation fees within ten (10) days of the date of this order, and the receipt shall be presented to the ADR office at the mediation session.
Page 1 | FEES
Parties with combined annual income over $100,000 must use private mediation.
G. If the parties have a combined annual income greater than $100,000.00, parties must utilize private mediation. Please refer to paragraph 4 of this order for additional instructions.
Page 2 | Fees
Each party must pay $120 when the parties' combined annual income is greater than $50,000 but less than $100,000.
E. If the parties have a combined annual income greater than $50,000 but less than $100,000.00, each of the parties shall pay the sum of $120.00.
Page 2 | Fees
If both parties fail to appear, each must pay the applicable $60 or $120 fee to the Clerk of the Court within 15 days after the mediator's report is filed.
If both parties fail to appear, each shall pay the $60.00 or $120.00 to the Clerk of the Court within 15 days of the filing of the mediators report.
Page 2 | Order and Referral to Family Mediation
A party who fails to appear must pay the applicable $60 or $120 fee to the Clerk of the Court within 15 days after the mediator's report is filed.
The party who failed to appear shall pay the required fee of $60.00 or $120.00 to the Clerk of the Court within 15 days of the filing of the mediator’s report.
Page 2 | Order and Referral to Family Mediation
Each party must pay $60 when the parties' combined annual income is less than $50,000.
D. If the parties have a combined annual income of less than $50,000, each of the parties shall pay the sum of $60.00.
Page 2 | Fees
An indigent party must bring proof of indigence to the ADR office, and that party's fee will be waived.
F. If a party has been found to be indigent, that party shall bring a copy of the Determination of Indigence Status or appropriate court order to the ADR office, in which case the fee will be waived for that party.
Page 2 | Fees
Mediation fees may be paid by cash, money order, check, or Master Card/Visa credit card at courthouse locations.
B. Payment must be made by cash, money order, check or Master Card/Visa credit card to the Clerk of the Courts, at each of the courthouse locations.
Page 2 | Fees
A party who has not paid will not receive a family mediation session unless the party is indigent or has been excused from payment.
C. No family mediation session will be held for any party who fails to make the required payment unless the party has been found indigent or excused from payment.
Page 2 | Fees
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A party filing a petition or motion must send a copy to the opposing side and a courtesy copy to 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.
Page 1 | Do Not Send Letters, Emails or Notes To The Court
A courtesy copy of the motion must be sent to the court through OLS at least 24 hours before the UMC hearing.
The Court must receive a courtesy copy of the Motion/s by OLS 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.
Page 1 | Online Scheduling
A courtesy copy of the evidence or exhibits must be mailed to chambers, but this does not replace required E-portal or OLS upload.
A courtesy copy must be mailed to chambers, but the same does not excuse the requirement to use the E-portal.
Page 1 | Evidence
Each party must give proper motion notice and send opposing counsel a courtesy copy of the motion and notice.
All parties must give proper notice of the motion with a courtesy copy of the motion and notice to the opposing counsel.
Filing Bundling Requirements
After mediation, the parties must schedule the temporary-relief or final hearing in a 30-minute special-set slot.
After mediation, the parties must set the temporary relief or final hearing on a 30-minute Special Set time slot.
Page 1 | Temporary Relief Hearings
Special-set hearings use 15- or 30-minute increments, with only one time slot per case per day.
Special set hearing times are set in 15 and 30 minute increments. ONE TIME SLOT per case per day.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
A motion to withdraw filed within 90 days of trial must be set on the UMC docket.
Any Motion filed within 90 days of the trial must be set for hearing on the UMC docket.
Page 1 | Motions: Motions to Withdraw
No more than two motions in one case may be scheduled for UMC hearing on a single day.
The Court will only allow the parties to schedule a maximum of TWO (2) motions in one case to be set per day.
Page 1 | Online Scheduling
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
All counsel and self-represented litigants must make a good-faith conference effort before filing a motion.
The Court requires that all parties comply with the division instructions and make a good faith effort to confer prior to filing motions, which applies to all counsel and self-represented litigants.
Page 1 | Motions: Ex-Parte Motions to Compel Discovery
Before filing a reconsideration, rehearing, or new-trial motion, all parties must confer in good faith, and the motion and proposed order must so indicate.
All parties must make a good faith effort to confer to resolve matters in whole or in part prior to filing the motion, which must be indicated in the motion and proposed form of order.
Page 1 | Motions: Motions for Clarification, Reconsideration or Rehearing
Before setting a special-set hearing, the requesting party must comply with Local Rule 4, confirm availability, and confer with the opposing party.
The Parties must comply with Local Rule 4. The party requesting a hearing must confirm availability and confer before setting the Special Set hearing with the opposing party.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
The UMC is reserved for motions of 5–10 minutes or less and requires the party to confer under Local Rule 4 before filing.
Reserved for short motions that are 5-10 minutes or less, which can be set by a party that has complied with Local Rule 4 that requires parties to confer prior to filing a motion.
Page 1 | Online Scheduling
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A domestic-violence continuance request must be timely made by obtaining the other party's consent, filing a continuance motion, and uploading a proposed order through OLS.
If you seek a continuance you are required to do so timely by contacting the other party to obtain their consent and file a motion for the same with a proposed form of order uploaded by OLS.
Page 1 | Domestic Violence Hearings
Parties must timely upload proposed orders to cancel through OLS, stating good cause or accompanying them with an Agreed Order resolving the matter.
Proposed Orders to cancel must be TIMELY uploaded through OLS specifically stating the good cause for the cancellation, or accompanied by an Agreed Order resolving the matter.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Chambers Communication Rules
Parties must not send letters, notes, or emails directly to the Court for action and must instead properly file a petition or motion with the Clerk.
Do Not Send Letters, Emails or Notes To The Court 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.
Page 1 | Do Not Send Letters, Emails or Notes To The Court
Proposed orders, exhibits, and filings must not be sent to the court's email address.
Please do not provide proposed orders, exhibits, or filings to the Court email.
Page 1 | Self-represented Litigants and Attorneys
Parties must not call the judicial assistant to obtain hearing time.
Please do not call the judicial assistant for hearing time.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Email communications with the judicial assistant are limited to scheduling, must copy all parties, and may not be ex parte.
Email communications with the Judicial Assistant are limited to scheduling matters. You must copy all parties on communications with the Court; no ex-parte communications will be considered.
Page 1 | Self-represented Litigants and Attorneys
A person concerned about physical safety during mediation must call the Mediation Office at (561) 355-2739 or discuss the concern with the mediator before mediation.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL SAFETY DURING MEDIATION, PLEASE CALL THE MEDIATION OFFICE AT (561) 355-2739 OR DISCUSS WITH THE MEDIATOR PRIOR TO THE MEDIATION.
Page 6 | Order and Referral to Family Mediation
A person needing a disability accommodation must contact the ADA coordinator by telephone at least seven days before the court appearance, or immediately if fewer than seven days remain.
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Tammy Anton, Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, Florida 33401; telephone number (561) 355-4380 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Page 5 | Order and Referral to Family Mediation
Case-specific questions should be submitted to the Judicial Assistant by email at CAD-DivisionFZ@pbcgov.org.
Most general questions can be answered by reading the Divisional Instructions herein. For case-specific questions the best way to contact the Judicial Assistant is via email at CAD-DivisionFZ@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | Time Standards