Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 7 rules apply across Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Miami-Dade County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 6
  • Applies to
    Forms packet

    Pro se parties must acquire and utilize the Eleventh Judicial Circuit forms packet (or forms substantially in compliance therewith) from the Clerk's Office, unless waived for good cause by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

  • Applies to
    Self help program registration

    Pro se parties must register with the Circuit's Family Court Self Help Program to receive information, instructions, referrals, and assistance, unless waived for good cause by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

  • Applies to
    Pleadings and papers

    At the time of filing, pro se parties must have their pleadings and papers reviewed as to form by the Family Court Self Help Program, unless waived for good cause by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

Fees

All 1
  • Fee
    $35
    Applies to
    Forms packet

    The required forms packet is available from the Clerk's Office at a cost not to exceed $35.00, subject to good-cause waiver of the procedures by the Administrative or Associate Administrative Judge.

View all Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Miami-Dade County rules
About Judge Carlos Guzman

Judge Carlos Guzman serves on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, which handles circuit and county court divisions in Miami-Dade County.

This judge's procedures are published through the court's general rules.

Common questions about Judge Carlos Guzman's rules

Does Judge Carlos Guzman require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Carlos Guzman's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. A case will not be set for trial unless the parties have attended mediation; an Order of Referral to Mediation can be requested by email to the Judicial Assistant.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Additional Instructions - Trial Weeks

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Carlos Guzman?

Judge Carlos Guzman's formatting rule includes file format PDF. All orders submitted to the Judge must be in PDF format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Policies and Procedures

What must be included with order filings before Judge Carlos Guzman?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Orders must include the name or initials of any child or children so the order e-files correctly.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Policies and Procedures

What must be included with emergency motion filings before Judge Carlos Guzman?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues to be resolved, the reasons an emergency hearing is necessary, and the amount of time needed.

View ruleSource: page 1, section B. Emergency Hearings

How may parties contact Judge Carlos Guzman's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Carlos Guzman's chambers. Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, which prohibits ex parte or outside-the-presence communications concerning a pending or impending proceeding unless authorized by law.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Policies and Procedures

Is electronic filing required before Judge Carlos Guzman?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. A motion must be filed with the Clerk of Court before a case can be set on the five-minute motion calendar.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion Calendar Information - Additional Instructions

What rule applies to serving all parties before Judge Carlos Guzman?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. Every order submitted to the Judge for signature must be copied to all parties.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Policies and Procedures
Complete rules summary for Judge Carlos Guzman

All orders submitted to the Judge must be in PDF format.

Orders must include the name or initials of any child or children so the order e-files correctly.

Every order submitted to the Judge for signature must be copied to all parties.

Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, which prohibits ex parte or outside-the-presence communications concerning a pending or impending proceeding unless authorized by law.

Any email sent to the judicial office must copy all parties.

A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues to be resolved, the reasons an emergency hearing is necessary, and the amount of time needed.

To calendar an emergency motion, email the filed motion to the Judicial Assistant (iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org) with all parties copied; after the Judge's review, the Judicial Assistant will email a hearing date and time.

Upon receiving an emergency hearing date from the Court, the moving party must file a Notice of Hearing.

A motion must be filed with the Clerk of Court before a case can be set on the five-minute motion calendar.

After filing the motion, email the Judicial Assistant (iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org) identifying the motion to be set on the five-minute calendar and copying all parties to receive available hearing dates.

Self-represented litigants may get assistance filing motions from the Family Court Self Help Program at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 24th Floor, Miami (305-349-7800).

If a requested hearing is cancelled, the moving party must electronically file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk of Court.

A copy of the filed Notice of Cancellation must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant (iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org) before the scheduled hearing date and time.

To set a trial (trial weeks are the first and third week of each month), file a Notice of Trial and email it to the Judicial Assistant (iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org) stating the trial time requested and the mediation date, copying all parties.

A case will not be set for trial unless the parties have attended mediation; an Order of Referral to Mediation can be requested by email to the Judicial Assistant.

Proposed and agreed orders in Family cases must be submitted through courtMAP, and signed orders are returned via courtMAP.

Proposed and agreed orders submitted via courtMAP must include a cover letter stating any objections or agreements for the Judge to review.

Motions and Requests for Hearing for special set evidentiary hearings must be filed with the Clerk of Court.

After filing, email the Judicial Assistant (iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org) with the Special Set Request Form, the Motion and Request for Hearing, and the parties' Zoom/in-person agreement, copying all parties.

Chambers contacts for Division FC202 are Judicial Assistant Deborah Sardina (dsardina@jud11.flcourts.org) and Bailiff Victor Rosell (vrosell@jud11.flcourts.org); the division phone is (305) 679-1750.

Orders must include the name or initials of any child or children so the order e-files correctly.

All orders submitted to the judge must be in PDF format.

Every order submitted to the judge for signature must be copied to all parties.

Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 — no ex parte or outside-the-presence communications concerning the proceeding unless authorized by law.

Any email directed to the judicial office must copy all parties.

A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues to be resolved, why the hearing is necessary, and the amount of time needed.

Chambers phone contact for Judge Guzman's Division 202 is (305) 679-1750.

The judicial assistant's email serving as the judicial office contact is dsardina@jud11.flcourts.org.

Judge Guzman's division/chambers phone number is (305) 679-1750.

Judge Guzman's Judicial Assistant, Deborah Sardina, can be contacted by email at dsardina@jud11.flcourts.org.

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