Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Other Documents
- 7 Days Before Hearing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Format: Word.
Formatting
- •Word format
Format: PDF. Do not submit hard copies/binders.
- File type
- Case law
- Other documents
If the exhibits have been filed with the Clerk 3 days prior to the hearing, paper or electronic exhibits may be used to question witnesses. If exhibits have not been filed with the Clerk at least 3 business days prior to the hearing, paper exhibits must be used.
Courtesy materials should be combined in one searchable PDF, named in the prescribed format, with a table of contents and bookmarks, and arranged in the listed order.
- File type
- Case law
- Other documents
Formatting
- •The PDF must be searchable
Court's wording
Procedures: All documents should be combined into one (1) PDF. The PDF should be named in the following format: Case Number Party’s name Motion Name DIN of Motion, i.e. 2025CA000001 Smith Motion for Summary Judgment DIN 35.The PDF must be searchable, contain a table of contents, and bookmarks for each item. The documents in the PDF should be in the following order: Table of Contents Notice of Hearing Motion/Opposition/etc. Opposing Party’s Motion/Opposition (if the party desires) Reply (if applicable) Supporting documents Case law Other items
Exhibits should be marked prior to the hearing.
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
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.
Cancelling Final Hearings: Final Hearings may only be cancelled by court order. Any such request must be in writing and filed with the clerk and a courtesy copy emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant.
Generally, any hearing scheduled for 1 hour or less may be conducted via Zoom if all parties agree. If all parties do not agree, an in-person hearing will be required and a motion and proposed order to appear by Zoom will be required.
- Document
- Motion to appear by zoom
Must include
- •Proposed order
ALL ORDERS SHALL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE ABOVE THE JUDGE’S SIGNATURE BLOCK: DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida.
- Document
- Order
- Placement
- Signature block
All Final Hearings/Trials will be in person. If a party seeks to have anyone appear via Zoom a motion and proposed order to appear by Zoom will be required.
- Document
- Motion to appear by zoom
Must include
- •Proposed order
If the hearing is scheduled to occur via Zoom, the notice must contain the Court’s Zoom ID.
- Document
- Notice of hearing
Must include
- •The Court’s Zoom ID
For withdrawal or substitution of counsel, the client’s written consent must be filed with the Clerk, and opposing counsel, if any, must have no objection.
Court's wording
Procedures for Motions to Withdraw/Substitution Of Counsel: In accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505, written consent of the client must be filed with the Clerk of Court and opposing counsel (if any) must have no objection to the withdrawal/substitution.
Cancelling Hearings: To cancel a hearing, the Court’s judicial assistant must be immediately notified via e-mail and a notice of cancellation must be filed.
The PDF must be searchable, contain a table of contents, and bookmarks for each item.
Must include
- •Table of contents
Other Procedures Relating to Submission of Orders and Judgments: Proposed orders on contested motions should only be submitted if directed to do so by the Court.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
For remote proceedings, all evidence must be electronically filed with the Clerk at least three business days before the hearing.
For remote proceedings, all evidence must be filed electronically with the Clerk of Court at least 3 business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Orders and judgments must be submitted through the E-portal unless the Court directs otherwise.
Submission Method: E-portal unless directed otherwise by the Court.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
For in-person proceedings, the Court prefers that exhibits be electronically filed at least three business days before the hearing.
For in person proceedings, the Court prefers that exhibits be electronically filed at least 3 business days prior to the hearings.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Notice of Hearing: Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A motion must be filed and docketed before a party submits a request for hearing time.
Any motion(s) must be filed and docketed before submitting a request for hearing time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Orders and judgments must be submitted within 10 days unless the Court directs otherwise.
Deadline for Submissions: 10 days unless directed otherwise by the Court.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Evidence for remote proceedings must be filed at least three business days before the hearing.
For remote proceedings, all evidence must be filed electronically with the Clerk of Court at least 3 business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
For in-person proceedings, the Court prefers electronic filing of exhibits at least three business days before the hearing.
For in person proceedings, the Court prefers that exhibits be electronically filed at least 3 business days prior to the hearings.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by email, generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.
E-Filing Portal Contact Information: 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. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A notice of hearing must be served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Notice of Hearing: Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy submissions must be emailed to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Submission Method: E-mail to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy submissions of case law and other documents are required for all contested hearings.
When Required: All contested hearings (all case types).
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy submissions must be provided seven days before the hearing.
Deadline for Submissions: 7 days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Filing Bundling Requirements
Each party should only submit 1 PDF.
Each party should only submit 1 PDF.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A hearing is required if the client has not signed consent or opposing counsel objects to the withdrawal.
If the client has not signed consent and/or opposing counsel has an objection to the withdrawal, a hearing is required.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance request must be made in writing and filed with the Clerk.
Continuance Procedure: Requests to continue must be in writing and filed with the Clerk.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, including its restrictions on ex parte communications and communications outside the parties’ presence.
Ex parte Communications: All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearings longer than 90 minutes must be scheduled directly with the Judge’s office by emailing the judicial assistant.
Hearings for more than 90 minutes must be scheduled directly with Judge Schlechter’s office by emailing his JA at tracie.fields@flcourts1.gov
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
In family law cases, request a final hearing by emailing the Judge’s Assistant; the Court will schedule the hearing and prepare an Order Setting Trial/Final Hearing.
Procedure: For family law cases, request a final hearing via email with Judge Schlechter’s JA. The hearing will be scheduled and an Order Setting Trial/Final Hearing will be prepared by the Court.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Final hearings and trials must be scheduled by emailing the judicial assistant at the listed address.
Final hearings/Trials must be scheduled by email to the JA at Tracie.Fields@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Contact Court administration about ADA accommodations at least seven days before the appearance, or immediately upon receiving notice if fewer than seven days remain; hearing- or voice-impaired persons may call 711.
ADA Accommodations: Please contact Court administration at Phone (850) 595-4400 Fax (850) 595-0360, ADA.Walton@flcourts1.gov 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 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
To cancel a hearing, immediately email the Court’s judicial assistant and file a notice of cancellation.
Cancelling Hearings: To cancel a hearing, the Court’s judicial assistant must be immediately notified via e-mail and a notice of cancellation must be filed.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All other hearings lasting 90 minutes or less must be scheduled through OnceHub.
All other hearings 90 minutes or less must be scheduled via OnceHub.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the listed address, and the subject line must state the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to Tracie.fields@flcourts1.gov. 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 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is authorized by law to be ex parte.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties may contact the judicial office only under these procedures, and the court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited Communications: 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 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
If OnceHub has no temporary-relief hearing time available within 45 days, contact the Judge’s Assistant to schedule the hearing.
If no hearing time is available on OnceHub within 45 days please contact Judge Schlechter’s JA to schedule the Temporary Relief Hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Judge’s Assistant cannot provide legal advice or filing guidance; legal questions should be directed to an attorney or other appropriate legal resources.
The Judge’s Assistant is unable to provide legal advice, interpret court rules, explain how to file documents, or advise parties on legal rights or on what actions to take in your case. Questions regarding legal matters should be directed to a licensed attorney or other appropriate legal resources.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Before inquiring about an order’s status, check the Clerk’s website first.
Checking the Status of Orders: To inquire about the status of an order, please check the clerk's website first:
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Temporary relief hearings are generally one hour and should be scheduled through OnceHub.
Temporary Relief Hearings will generally be scheduled for 1 hour. Temporary relief hearings should be scheduled via OnceHub.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures