Judge Laura Shearon Cruz
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Pre Trial Catalogue
- 1 copy • With Filing No Less Than 15 Days Before Trial
Adjournments
- Trial continuance motions require the client's signature, must be made at least 14 days before trial, and agreed motions/orders go through Agreed Orders on CourtMAP while opposed motions are set on the 5-Minute Motion Calendar.
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
A motion submitted for a special set hearing must not exceed 20 pages, excluding exhibits.
Motion for which hearing is requested-full title (Motion, without exhibits MUST NOT exceed 20 pages)
Motion
20 pages
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
Emergency motions must contain a statement that opposing counsel was notified in an attempt to resolve the matter amicably.
Emergency Motions: Must be uploaded via CourtMAP once filed and must contain a statement indicating that opposing counsel has been notified in an attempt to resolve the matter in an amicable manner.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
The Pre-trial Catalogue must contain prescribed information including marriage details, children's information, parenting plan, child support guideline worksheet, alimony/special relief claims, witness list, expert witnesses, exhibit list, sworn schedules of assets and debts, stipulations, and a current financial affidavit.
The Pre-trial Catalogue shall contain the following information:
Document Type
Pre Trial Catalogue
Before requesting a RUCD, specified supporting documents (petition/counter petition, answer, marital settlement agreement and/or parenting plan, order of default if defaulted, UCCJEA affidavit if children, financial affidavits if required, current photo ID, and supplemental affidavit) must be submitted to the Court through CourtMAP.
Prior to requesting a RUCD, the following documents must be submitted to the Court through CourtMAP:
Document Type
Rucd Request
Agreed orders must be marked 'Agreed' on the face of the order or they will be rejected.
If they are agreed, it must say Agreed on the orders, otherwise they will be rejected.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Emergency motions must contain a certification that the matter is a true emergency that cannot wait for the motion calendar.
Your motion must contain a certification that the matter is a true Emergency and cannot wait to be heard during a motion calendar.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
On CourtMAP, parties must coordinate to agree on a hearing date and attach the motion, response, notice of hearing, and supporting documents when setting the hearing.
On COURTMAP, coordinate with opposing party and select the date to have the motion heard. Once a date is agreed upon, you may set the hearing using the Motion Calendar slot. Attach the motion, response, notice of hearing, and any supporting documents as "supporting documents."
Document Type
Motion Calendar Hearing Setting
Calendar settings must attach the e-file stamped Motion and Request for Hearing as supporting documents or the setting will be rejected.
Once the date has been selected, please be sure to add your case to the calendar and attach as supporting documents the filed Motion and Request for Hearing (with an e-file stamp). Any settings that do not include the motion and request for hearing with the e-file stamp will be rejected. Any settings that do not have any supporting documents will be rejected.
Document Type
Special Set Hearing Request
A Notice of Hearing must be filed for the 5-Minute Motion Calendar listing the motion and its docket entry number (D.E. #).
A Notice of Hearing must be filed for the 5-Minute Motion Calendar listing the motion and docket number entry (D.E. #) corresponding to the motion that has been set.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
The filer must either certify a good-faith conferral with the opposing party to attempt resolution and determine hearing time, or certify that conferral could not occur and state the circumstances.
_____ I have conferred with the opposing Counsel or Pro Se party in a good faith effort to resolve the matter (s) without a hearing and to determine the amount of time requested for the hearing OR _____ I have been unable to confer with opposing counsel or pro se party because (state circumstances)
Document Type
Request For Special Set Hearing
The filer must certify that a copy of the motion(s) has been received by opposing counsel or party.
____ I certify that a copy of this Motion(s) has been received by the opposing Counsel or Party.
Document Type
Request For Special Set Hearing
Orders granting a motion to withdraw must include the client's complete contact information (phone, address, email).
All orders granting a motion to withdraw must contain the complete contact information (phone, address, email) of the client.
Document Type
Order Granting Motion To Withdraw
A Notice of Readiness for Trial must specify the specific issues to be tried by the court, such as timesharing, alimony, and child support.
Notice of Readiness shall include the specific issues to be tried by the court (e.g. timesharing, alimony, child support).
Document Type
Notice Of Readiness For Trial
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All parties must also register with the CourtMAP system to view their case and submit evidence or additional documents.
All parties must also register with the CourtMAP system to view their case and submit required evidence or additional documents.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
The Notice of Readiness for Trial must be filed through the e-filing portal or with the Clerk's office.
Notice of Readiness for Trial must be filed through the e-filing portal or with the Clerk’s office.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Emergency motions must be uploaded via CourtMAP once filed.
Emergency Motions: Must be uploaded via CourtMAP once filed and must contain a statement indicating that opposing counsel has been notified in an attempt to resolve the matter in an amicable manner.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
In UCD/RUCD cases, attorneys must submit a proposed Final Judgment through Proposed Orders on CourtMAP with all attachments and need not appear in Court.
Attorneys: You must send a proposed Final Judgment through "Proposed Orders" on CourtMAP with all attachments. You will not have to appear in Court.
Page 1 | UCD Calendar Information
Motions for judicial disqualification must be uploaded through the emergency option on CourtMAP.
**Motions for Judicial Disqualification must be uploaded via the emergency option on CourtMAP.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
All parties, including pro se litigants, must register at the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is the only method for filing and receiving pleadings and court notices.
All parties, including attorneys, the parties themselves, and pro se litigants must register at the Florida Court E-Filing Portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/ .This is the only method for filing and receiving pleadings and court notices.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Proposed orders and final judgments must be submitted via CourtMAP unless the Court requests otherwise.
The Court may request that proposed orders or final judgments be submitted. Please submit all proposed orders or final judgments via CourtMAP unless otherwise requested.
Page 1 | ORDERS AND FINAL JUDGMENTS
Self-represented litigants must register with the Florida E-Filing Portal before they can create a CourtMAP account.
Important: In order to create a CourtMAP account, you must first register with the State of Florida’s E-Filing Portal for the case in which you are a self-represented litigant.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
If a 5-Minute Motion is cancelled, a Notice of Cancellation must be filed and provided to the Judicial Assistant.
If a 5-Minute Motion is cancelled, a Notice of Cancellation must be filed and provided to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR
Motions to withdraw as attorney of record do not require a hearing if there is consent; the proposed order is simply submitted via CourtMAP.
**Motions to Withdraw as Attorney of Record: Do not require a hearing provided there is consent. Simply submit proposed order via CourtMap.
Page 1 | 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR
Cancelled hearings require a Notice of Cancellation submitted through both the e-filing portal and CourtMAP.
If the hearing is to be cancelled, submit a Notice of Cancellation through the e-filing portal and through CourtMAP
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All exhibits must be filed separately and listed one week prior to the hearing, or the court will not accept or view them.
All exhibits must be filed separately and listed ONE week prior to hearing. If not filed properly or as instructed the court will not accept or view the exhibits.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Each party must file a Pre-trial Catalogue with the Clerk no less than 15 days before trial and forward a courtesy copy to the Court.
PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE: NO LESS THAN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIAL, EACH PARTY SHALL FILE A PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE WITH THE CLERK AND FORWARD A COURTESY COPY TO THE COURT.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Once a special set hearing is approved, all responses and replies must be submitted via CourtMAP at least 3 business days before the hearing.
ONCE A SPECIAL SET HEARING IS APPROVED: All responses, replies, etc. must be submitted via courtMAP at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing date.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Discovery must be completed 10 days before trial and is allowed afterward only by agreement of the parties or on a showing of good cause.
All discovery shall be completed ten (10) days prior to the date set for TRIAL and shall be allowed thereafter only upon agreement of the attorneys/pro se litigants or on a showing of good cause.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Mandatory disclosure must be exchanged within 45 days of serving the initial pleading, along with a filed certificate of compliance under Rule 12.285(j).
Pursuant to Florida Family Law Rule 12.285(b)(2), mandatory disclosure must be exchanged within 45 days of serving the initial pleading, accompanied by the filing of a certificate of compliance as required by Rule 12.285(j).
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Parties filing emergency motions must be prepared to appear before the Court within one hour of submission.
You must be prepared to appear before the Court within one (1) hour of submission of the Emergency Motion to the Court.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
A request for hearing must be filed within 30 days of filing a motion or the motion may be denied without prejudice.
Upon the filing of a motion with the Court, the party requesting the motion shall file a request for hearing within 30 days of the filing of the motion. Failure to request a hearing within 30 days after a filed motion may result in the motion being denied without prejudice.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Upon resolving a scheduled hearing, the requesting party must immediately file a Notice of Cancellation and email chambers, with at least 24 hours advance notice of cancellation required.
If you reach a resolution after a hearing has been scheduled, the party that requested the hearing must, IMMEDIATELY UPON REACHING A RESOLUTION, file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk or thru E-Portal AND EMAIL CHAMBERS to remove the matter from calendar. Please note that the Court requires at least 24 hours advance notice of cancellation.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
All motions and memoranda must be submitted at least 5 business days before the scheduled special set hearing date.
** All Motions and Memoranda MUST be submitted 5 BUSINESS DAYS in ADVANCE of Scheduled Special Set Hearing date. **
Page 1 | REQUEST FOR SPECIAL SET HEARING BEFORE JUDGE LAURA SHEARON CRUZ
Hearings may not be noticed until the party has received confirmation that the hearing is set.
PLEASE DO NOT NOTICE YOUR HEARINGS UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT THE HEARING IS SET.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Special set hearings are not scheduled until Court approval, and rejected submissions must be entirely resubmitted after correcting the issues detailed in the CourtMAP rejection notice.
Special set hearings are not scheduled until they are approved by the Court. If the submission is rejected, the moving party will receive a rejection notice from courtMAP which will detail the reason for the rejection (this rejection will also appear in the submitter's workbench/rejected folder). The moving party must proceed to resubmit the entire submission to correct the issues detailed in the rejection.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
RUCD requests missing required documentation will be rejected, with notice of the missing information so the request can be resubmitted.
If all of the necessary documentation is not submitted, the request for a remote UCD will be rejected, and you will be notified as to the missing information so you can re-submit.
Page 1 | UCD Calendar Information
Motion Calendar hearings require a minimum of 7 calendar days' notice before the hearing.
Notice Before Hearing: 7 Calendar Days
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Each exhibit must be shown to the opposing party at least 7 days before trial, and exhibits not listed in the Pre-trial Catalogue may not be used except for good cause.
Each exhibit must be shown to the opposing attorney/pro se litigant at least seven (7) days before trial. Exhibits not specifically listed may not be used at trial except for good cause shown.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
The opposing side must be e-served through the E-Filing Portal with any filing.
On the E-FILING PORTAL, E-SERVE the opposing side with your filing.
Page 1 | 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR
For emergency hearings, witness lists and exhibits must be exchanged within 24 hours.
In the event of an emergency hearing, the parties shall exchange witness lists and exhibits within 24 hours.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
If the opposing party is not registered for CourtMAP, the moving party must generate its own notice with a certificate of service and mail it to the opposing party.
IF THE OPPOSING PARTY IS NOT REGISTERED FOR COURTMAP YOU MUST GENERATE YOUR OWN NOTICE WITH AN APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND MAIL IT TO THE OPPOSING PARTY.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Witness lists and exhibits must be exchanged between the parties at least 7 calendar days before any evidentiary hearing.
Prior to any evidentiary hearing, the parties shall exchange witness lists and exhibits within 7 calendar days of the hearing.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
The certificate of service must certify that a true and correct copy of the motions was sent via mail to all opposing parties pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing and accompanying motions has been sent via mail this ___ day of ___________________,________, pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure to the following:
Page 2 | CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the Pre-trial Catalogue must be forwarded to the Court when it is filed, no less than 15 days before trial.
PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE: NO LESS THAN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIAL, EACH PARTY SHALL FILE A PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE WITH THE CLERK AND FORWARD A COURTESY COPY TO THE COURT.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Filing Bundling Requirements
Add-on motions to special set hearings are not permitted.
*ADD-ON motions to special set hearings are not permitted.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions for contempt or enforcement may not be set on the 5-Minute Motion Calendar and must be specially set with the Judicial Assistant.
Please note: DO NOT SET MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT/ENFORCEMENT ON THE 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR. ALL MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT/ENFORCEMENT SHALL BE SPECIAL SET WITH THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT.
Page 1 | 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR
All cases must attend mediation before a Notice of Readiness for Trial may be filed.
All cases must attend mediation prior to filing a Notice of Readiness for Trial.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
A Case Management Conference is required before trial can be set on a notice of trial.
All notices of Trial will need a Case Management Conference before trial can be set.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Parties must meet and confer before filing motions, and the motion must state that the parties met and conferred without resolution or that the other party could not be contacted after due diligence.
Parties shall meet and confer prior to the filing of motions. In the event that a motion is required, the party filing the motions shall indicate that the parties met and conferred, and no resolution was reached or that the other party was unable to be contacted after due diligence.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Attorneys and pro se litigants must meet and communicate about settlement and all trial aspects no less than 20 days before trial.
PARTY MEETING: No less than twenty (20) days prior to the trial, the attorneys/pro se litigants shall meet and communicate concerning settlement and all aspects of the trial.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
The filer must contact all other parties before submitting a hearing request to confirm the issue is contested and the appropriate amount of hearing time is set.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You must contact the other side prior to requesting a hearing so that we may assure the issue is in fact contested and that the appropriate amount of time is being set aside. Please contact all sides and only then submit your package.
Page 2 | CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Trial continuance motions require the client's signature, must be made at least 14 days before trial, and agreed motions/orders go through Agreed Orders on CourtMAP while opposed motions are set on the 5-Minute Motion Calendar.
Motions to continue the trial must include a signature from the client agreeing to the continuance. All motions to continue must be made 14 days prior to the trial date. The parties may file agreed motions to continue and agreed orders to continue trial and submit them through "Agreed Orders" on CourtMAP. Opposed Motion to Continue shall be set on the 5 Minute Motion Calendar.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Chambers Communication Rules
For special set hearings, a request for hearing with the motion must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant after filing with the Clerk's office, and all hearings are set by the Judicial Assistant.
For Special Settings -Please submit a request for hearing with the motion via email to the Judicial Assistant at alraven@jud11.flcourts.org, after filing with the Clerk's office. All hearings should be set by the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Parties may not argue with each other through the Court's or judicial assistant's email inbox; scheduling conflicts must go on the five-minute motion calendar, and violations may be sanctioned.
The parties shall not argue with one another through the Court’s or judicial assistant’s inbox. In the event the parties have a conflict regarding the setting of a hearing or scheduling a matter, they may place the issue on the Court’s five-minute motion calendar. The Court will not tolerate parties arguing to the judicial assistant over substantive matters or scheduling matters through email communication. The Court reserves the right to sanction any party who violates this provision.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
When filing the motion and request for hearing with the Clerk's Office on the E-Filing Portal, the division email 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org must be added to the courtesy copy email list.
On the E-FILING EPORTAL, file the Motion and the Request for Hearing, with the Clerk's Office. Add 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org to the courtesy copy email list.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Motions may not be emailed directly to the Judicial Assistant or the Judge.
Please do not email your Motion directly to the Judicial Assistant or Judge.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions
The division email 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org must be included in the service list and chambers contacted to schedule a hearing date.
Please include 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org in the service list and contact chambers to schedule a hearing date.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Attorneys may set the case management conference on CourtMAP, but pro se litigants must call chambers to set it.
If you are an attorney you may set the case management on CourtMap. If you are a prose litigant, please call chambers to set the case management.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Non-jury trials must be set through the Judicial Assistant after coordinating with the opposing party, attaching the motion and notice of hearing as supporting documents.
All Non-Jury Trials shall be set through the Judicial Assistant. Please coordinate with the opposing party prior to setting the motion. Once the date is agreed, set the hearing through chambers. Be sure to include the motion and notice of hearing as supporting documents when setting the hearing.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
A Zoom hearing for a matter normally held in person must be requested in writing to the judicial assistant when both parties agree, and the Court decides whether to grant it.
If parties are seeking a Zoom hearing for matters that are typically held in-person, and both parties agree to a Zoom hearing, the parties shall request a Zoom hearing in writing to the Court’s judicial assistant. The Court will then determine whether or not to grant the request.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
When filing a motion with exhibits on the E-Filing Portal, the division email 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org must be included on all filings.
On the E-FILING PORTAL, file the Motion with any exhibits. Include 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org on all filings.
Page 1 | 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR
Unilaterally set hearings will be removed from the calendar unless approved, and a unilateral setting requires a written request to the Court explaining why it is necessary.
Unilaterally set hearings, without coordination from the opposing party, will be removed from the calendar unless approved by the Court. If you are seeking to schedule a hearing unilaterally, the request must be in writing to the Court with reasons as to why a unilateral setting is necessary.
Page 1 | 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR
Hearings requesting more than one hour must be scheduled by emailing the Judge's Judicial Assistant.
(TO SCHEDULE A HEARING FOR MORE THAN ONE (1) HOUR, EMAIL THE J.A.)
Page 1 | REQUEST FOR SPECIAL SET HEARING BEFORE JUDGE LAURA SHEARON CRUZ