Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 77 rules apply across Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter). Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Formatting

All 34
  • Format
    DOCX

    Proposed orders must be created in the latest version of Microsoft Word in .docx format.

  • Do not place spaces before the JJJJ, GGGG, or AAAA codes, and use the Right Alignment button to position signature fields.

  • Proposed orders must not contain page breaks or section breaks.

Filing Requirements

All 30
  • Applies to
    Proposed order
    Must include
    proposed order

    Proposed orders must use the specified signature-field code pairs, including DDDD/JJJJ, MMMM/AAAA, RRRR/GGGG, and CCCC.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    Each electronic-signature code must contain all four capital letters and may appear only once per line.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order
    Must include
    case number

    Every proposed order must include the Unified Case Number.

Communication

All 4
  • Non-lawyer personnel may communicate with judges, judicial officers, or other court personnel only about scheduling and other ministerial matters.

  • A lawyer must avoid substantive ex-parte communications with the presiding judge in a pending case.

  • A lawyer must notify opposing counsel of communications with the court or tribunal unless the communication concerns only scheduling or clerical matters.

E-Filing

All 3
  • Applies to
    Cover letter

    A cover letter is optional, but if submitted it must be an Adobe PDF containing relevant details and must be uploaded separately from the proposed order.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    When multiple proposed orders are submitted in one filing, each order must be uploaded separately to the E-Portal.

  • Applies to
    Foreclosure packet

    All foreclosure packet documents must be e-filed with the clerk when hearing time is reserved.

About Judge Michael Takac

Michael Takac, Circuit Judge, Lake County Circuit Court. Judicial assistant: Stephanie Sutton. Office: (352) 742-4285.

- Lake County Judicial Center P.O. Box 7800 550 W. Main Street Tavares, FL 32778

Common questions about Judge Michael Takac's rules

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Michael Takac?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The Notice of Hearing must include one contact email address for the filing party, which will receive the lone Zoom invitation.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CONTACTING THE JUDGE’S OFFICE

What must be included with order filings before Judge Michael Takac?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. An order submitted without a hearing must be accompanied by copies of the specific record filings supporting the requested action.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CONTACTING THE JUDGE’S OFFICE

How may parties contact Judge Michael Takac's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Michael Takac's chambers. The rule lists email ssutton@circuit5.org. Hearing dates are requested by email to the Judicial Assistant, and counsel are expected to confer with opposing counsel before requesting dates for most scheduling matters.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CONTACTING THE JUDGE’S OFFICE
Complete rules summary for Judge Michael Takac

Hearing dates are requested by email to the Judicial Assistant, and counsel are expected to confer with opposing counsel before requesting dates for most scheduling matters.

A person without email may use the telephone to obtain or confirm hearing dates.

The Notice of Hearing must include one contact email address for the filing party, which will receive the lone Zoom invitation.

The actual Zoom link must not appear on the Notice of Hearing filed with the clerk.

An order submitted without a hearing must be accompanied by copies of the specific record filings supporting the requested action.

Agreements must be reflected in the court file, and a copy of the filed record agreement should accompany the proposed order.

A case management order must specify detailed requirements for disclosing all evidence to be used at trial or the final hearing.

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