Judge John I. Guy
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
Trial Or Hearing Set Memo
Court-wideAdjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and granted only for good cause, with requests due at least five days before the scheduled court date and ordinarily signed by the requesting party.
Communication
Chambers, Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Recordings must be submitted using a thumb drive.
Recordings must be submitted via a thumb drive.
All exhibits must be tabbed, Bates stamped, and pre-marked using the specified format.
All exhibits must be tabbed, Bates stamped, and pre-marked in the following format:
Documentary exhibits must be submitted in paper format.
Paper
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.
• Format: All proposed Orders must be submitted in Word format.
Proposed order titles must identify the motion heard, the proceeding date must appear in the first paragraph, and the DONE AND ORDERED clause must share a page with the court’s signature line.
• The title of proposed Orders shall designate the particular motion heard, such as “Order Denying Wife’s Motion to Dismiss” or “Order Granting Husband’s Motion for Contempt,” etc. The date of the proceeding should be included in the first paragraph of the proposed order. The DONE AND ORDERED clause, along with the Court’s signature line, shall be on the same page.
Document Filing Requirements32 rules
After a hearing time is set, no party may add or notice additional matters for that time without the express consent of all parties.
Once a hearing time is set, no party may add or notice additional matters for that time without the express consent of all parties.
Document Type
Hearing Notice
Before an uncontested final hearing, one party must provide a completed Consent Final Judgment checklist, proper proof of Florida residency, and a signed Consent Final Judgment copy.
Prior to an uncontested final hearing, one party must provide the following: (1) a completed checklist for entry of the Consent Final Judgment, (2) proper proof of Florida residency, and (3) a copy of the signed Consent Final Judgment.
Document Type
Uncontested Final Hearing Requirements
Emergency motions must be verified or sworn by the movant and signed by counsel when applicable.
All such motions must be verified/sworn by the movant & signed by counsel, if applicable.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
A motion requesting an emergency hearing must state the issues, reasons an emergency hearing is necessary, and the time needed for each party’s presentation.
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
If personalty remains unresolved before the final hearing, each party must submit and attach to the pretrial stipulation a list of assets sought, including each asset’s description, ownership interest, encumbrances, and fair market value or present balance.
NOTE: If the issue of personalty is not settled prior to final hearing, each party shall submit to the Court a list of assets sought by each party, stating the specific description of such asset, the nature of the party’s interest, the amount of debt encumbering any asset (i.e., lien balance), and the fair market value or present balance of such asset. ATTACH LIST TO PRE-TRIAL STIPULATION.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
Each party must provide a mandatory, up-to-date financial affidavit as an exhibit.
A. Mandatory UP-TO-DATE Financial Affidavits of each of the parties.
Document Type
Financial Affidavits
A party seeking attorney’s fees at or after final hearing must file a verified statement explaining how time was spent and providing a detailed cost list.
All parties seeking attorney’s fees at the time of final hearing or subsequent thereto must file a verified statement as to the manner of time spent, along with a detailed list of costs.
Document Type
Attorney Fee Statement
Completion of Putting Children First is required in dissolution and paternity actions.
Completion of the Putting Children First is required for Dissolution and Paternity actions.
Document Type
Putting Children First Completion
A fully completed checklist is required before presenting an uncontested dissolution for an ex parte hearing.
All uncontested dissolutions are heard at ex parte and MUST have a checklist fully completed before presenting your case to the Judge.
Document Type
Ex Parthe Checklist
Before the Case Management Conference, each party must email a completed Trial Set Memoranda identifying the desired mediator and trial date.
The parties shall submit a completed Trial Set Memoranda, including the desired mediator and trial date as an e-mail attachment to jennw@coj.net prior to the Case Management Conference.
Document Type
Trial Set Memoranda
A UCCJEA Affidavit must be filed with the Clerk of Court.
UCCJEA Affidavit
Document Type
Uccjea Affidavit
An Answer and Waiver must be filed with the Clerk of Court.
Answer and Waiver
Document Type
Answer And Waiver
A course completion certificate for Children First in Divorce must be filed with the Clerk of Court.
Course completion certificate for Children First in Divorce
Document Type
Children First In Divorce Course Completion Certificate
The attorney must provide a Certificate of Counsel certifying review of the court file and information and confirming that the required pleadings have been filed with the Clerk of Court.
Certificate of Counsel I, the undersigned attorney, do hereby certify that I have reviewed the above court file and the above information and the required pleadings are filed with the Clerk of Court.
Document Type
Certificate Of Counsel
A Financial Affidavit must be filed with the Clerk of Court.
Financial Affidavit
Document Type
Financial Affidavit
The checklist must be completed before presentation to and the hearing before the Court.
This form must be completed BEFORE presentation to and hearing by the Court.
Document Type
Uncontested Dissolution Checklist
A Child Support Guideline Worksheet must be filed with the Clerk of Court.
Child Support Guideline Worksheet
Document Type
Child Support Guideline Worksheet
The trial set memorandum must be completed before it is presented to the court.
TRIAL SET MEMORANDUM IN DIVISION FM-G (PLEASE COMPLETE BEFORE PRESENTING TO COURT)
Document Type
Trial Set Memorandum
A party seeking attorney’s fees at or after the final hearing must file a verified statement describing time spent and a detailed list of costs.
NOTE: All parties seeking attorney’s fees at the time of final hearing or subsequent thereto must file a verified statement as to the manner of time spent, along with a detailed list of costs.
Document Type
Attorney Fee Statement
Each party must provide a current, up-to-date financial affidavit as a mandatory exhibit.
A. Mandatory UP-TO-DATE Financial Affidavits of each of the parties.
Document Type
Financial Affidavit
The uncontested dissolution checklist must be completed before the matter is presented to the Court for hearing.
This form must be completed BEFORE presentation to and hearing by the Court.
Document Type
Uncontested Dissolution Checklist
If personalty remains unsettled before the final hearing, each party must attach to the pretrial stipulation a list of assets sought, including each asset’s description, the party’s interest, any encumbering debt, and its fair market value or present balance.
If the issue of personalty is not settled prior to final hearing, each party shall submit to the Court a list of assets sought by each party, stating the specific description of such asset, the nature of the party’s interest, the amount of debt encumbering any asset (i.e., lien balance), and the fair market value or present balance of such asset. ATTACH LIST TO PRE-TRIAL STIPULATION.
Document Type
Pre Trial Stipulation
Parties seeking attorney’s fees at or after the final hearing must file a verified statement describing the time spent and a detailed list of costs.
NOTE: All parties seeking attorney’s fees at the time of final hearing or subsequent thereto must file a verified statement as to the manner of time spent, along with a detailed list of costs.
Document Type
Attorney Fees Statement
Consent orders must include the word “Consent” or “Agreed” in the proposed order caption.
• All consent Orders shall include the word “Consent” or “Agreed” in the caption of the proposed Order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Division forms are required for all relevant filings.
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
Document Type
Relevant Filings
A child-support guideline worksheet must be attached to the pretrial stipulation.
Child Support (Attach guideline worksheet):
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
A party seeking attorney’s fees at or after the final hearing must file a verified statement describing time spent and a detailed cost list.
NOTE: All parties seeking attorney’s fees at the time of final hearing or subsequent thereto must file a verified statement as to the manner of time spent, along with a detailed list of costs.
Document Type
Attorney Fees Statement
When time-sharing structure is in controversy, a proposed parenting plan must be attached.
Indicate requested structure by each party, if in controversy (attach proposed parenting plan):
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
Each party must provide a current financial affidavit as a mandatory exhibit.
A. Mandatory UP-TO-DATE Financial Affidavits of each of the parties.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
A separate list must be attached if necessary to provide other real property, tangible or intangible property, or marital-debt values and proposed distribution, and to describe valuation disputes.
C. Other real property (legal description) or tangible or intangible or marital debts. List the value of each and the proposed distribution. (Attach separate list, if necessary, and describe any dispute as to appropriate date of valuation.)
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
If personalty is unresolved before the final hearing, each party must attach an asset list describing the assets, ownership interests, encumbrances, and values.
NOTE: If the issue of personalty is not settled prior to final hearing, each party shall submit to the Court a list of assets sought by each party, stating the specific description of such asset, the nature of the party’s interest, the amount of debt encumbering any asset (i.e., lien balance), and the fair market value or present balance of such asset. ATTACH LIST TO PRE-TRIAL STIPULATION.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
If the parties cannot agree on the contents of a proposed order or judgment, each side may submit its own version to the Court.
If the two sides are unable to agree on the contents of the proposed Order/Judgment, then each side may submit their proposed Order/Judgment to the Court.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders generally must be filed through the e-portal, with specified orders permitted to be emailed to the judicial assistant.
The only exceptions to filing in the e-portal, and that may be emailed to the judicial assistant, nponder1@coj.net, are as follows: 1. If Judge Cox specifically instructs a party to email the order; 2. Orders that contain Exhibits that are in pdf format; 3. Orders/Judgments to be reviewed and entered during ex parte.
Page 5 | F. Submission of Orders and Judgments
For Zoom hearings, submissions of 25 pages or fewer should be submitted by email.
Any submissions 25 pages or less should be submitted via email for hearings being conducted via Zoom.
Page 5 | H. Exhibits and Courtesy Copies
Submissions exceeding 25 pages should be hand-delivered to the Court at the seventh-floor reception area or designated lobby cart.
Any submissions exceeding 25 pages should be hand-delivered to the Court, by dropping off documents at the 7th floor reception area OR in the designated cart in the Courthouse lobby.
Page 5 | H. Exhibits and Courtesy Copies
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A hearing date or time is not secured until the Court sends confirmation.
Hearing dates/times are not secured until confirmation is sent from the Court.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A hearing will be set only for a motion that has already been filed with the Clerk.
Hearings will only be set on motions already filed with the Clerk.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be submitted within five business days of the proceeding unless the Court provides otherwise.
Unless otherwise provided by the Court, all proposed Orders must be submitted within five (5) business days of the proceeding.
Page 5 | F. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All submissions must reach the Court at least three business days before the hearing or trial.
All submissions must be provided to the Court at least three (3) business days before the hearing/trial.
Page 5 | H. Exhibits and Courtesy Copies
Hearing dates and times tentatively provided by the Judicial Assistant are not reserved and may be assigned to other cases.
The dates and times provided by the Judicial Assistant for hearings are not held open and may be used for other cases.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Cases in which the respondent is served by publication must include an affidavit of diligent search under the applicable Family Law Form 12.913 provision.
Cases wherein the Respondent has been served by publication must include an affidavit of diligent search, pursuant to Family Law Form 12.913(b) (for dissolution cases) or 12.913(c) (for paternity cases).
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Default final hearings must be coordinated with the Judicial Assistant, are not heard during ex parte, require proof of service or an affidavit of diligent search and publication before the hearing, and require notice to the opposing parties.
Default Final Hearings must be coordinated with the Judicial Assistant. Default Final Hearings will not be heard during ex parte. The party seeking the default judgment must have filed proof of service, or an affidavit of diligent search and publication, prior to the hearing. The opposing party(s) must be noticed for all default final hearings.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Motions for rehearing or reconsideration must be filed with the Clerk and electronically served on the Judicial Assistant.
• Motions for Rehearing: Motions for rehearing and/or reconsideration must be filed with the Clerk and e-served to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 4 | E. Motions for Rehearing
The opposing party or counsel should receive any submission provided to the Court.
The opposing party or counsel should receive anything provided to the Court.
Page 6 | H. Exhibits and Courtesy Copies
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the Court, and every party.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the Court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Page 6 | H. Exhibits and Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must meet and confer before filing all motions, and if a hearing is requested, the filing party must state that the parties met and conferred without reaching a resolution.
Parties shall meet and confer prior to the filing of all motions. In the event that a hearing is required, the party filing the motion(s) shall indicate that the parties met and conferred, and no resolution was reached
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and granted only for good cause, with requests due at least five days before the scheduled court date and ordinarily signed by the requesting party.
• Continuance Procedure: Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled court date. 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 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, which generally prohibits communications outside the presence of all parties unless authorized by law.
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 all parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Communications to the judicial office must be sent by email with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line, and all parties must be copied unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to Jennw@coj.net. The subject line of the email must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested). 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
An attorney requesting a hearing must email the Court’s Judicial Assistant and copy any other attorney on the email.
An attorney requesting a hearing shall contact the Court’s Judicial Assistant with any other attorney copied on the email.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
An ex parte hearing must be scheduled by emailing the Court’s Judicial Assistant.
Please contact the Court’s Judicial Assistant via email to schedule an ex-parte hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Temporary-needs and post-judgment hearings before the Magistrates may be scheduled by calling (904) 255-1180 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
You may call the dedicated number (904) 255-1180 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to schedule temporary needs and/or post judgment hearings before the Magistrates.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A hearing lasting one hour or less may be scheduled by emailing the Judicial Assistant, copying the opposing side and including the case number, motion title, and requested hearing duration.
Hearings lasting one hour or less may be set by contacting the Judicial Assistant. Please copy the opposing side on the email and include the case number, the title of the motion to be heard, and the amount of time necessary for the hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Emergency motions should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant or delivered to the Judge’s chambers for review.
Emergency motions should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant or delivered to the Judge’s chambers for review.
Page 5 | G. Emergency Matters
Counsel and self-represented parties should promptly respond to the moving party’s attorney when coordinating a hearing.
All counsel and self-represented parties should promptly respond to the moving party’s attorney to facilitate this process.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Contact the Judicial Assistant to obtain available ex parte hearing dates and times.
EX PARTE: Ex-Parte hearings are scheduled as a time certain. Contact the Judicial Assistant for available dates/times.
Page 1 | EX PARTE