Judge Spencer Multack
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Motions and memoranda are limited to 20 pages (excluding exhibits) and responses in opposition are limited to 20 pages; leave of court is required before submitting anything over 20 pages.
6. Be no more than 20 pages in length. Leave of Court must be provided prior to submitting any Motion and/or Memoranda in excess of 20 pages (This limit does not include Exhibits). You must submit a separate Motion and Proposed Order to the Court seeking leave to exceed the 20 page limit via the Proposed Orders option on courtMAP. 7. Responses filed in opposition to Motions shall not exceed 20 pages.
Motion
20 pages
Opposition
20 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Motions and supporting memoranda must be one-sided, typed in 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and page numbers.
All motions submitted in support of your motion must: 1. Be one-sided (no double-sided submissions) 2. Typed in 12 point font 3. Be double spaced 4. Contain 1 inch margins 5. Include page numbers
The order title must be typed in the courtMAP title box, not in the body of the proposed/agreed order (courtMAP adds the case style, order title, signature block, and done-and-ordered language automatically).
When submitting a proposed/agreed order, the title of the order must be typed in the title box provided by courtMAP, not within the body of the proposed/agreed order.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
UCD final judgment submissions must include a cover letter and supporting documents: petition/counter petition, answer or answer/waiver, marital settlement agreement and/or parenting plan, order of default (if applicable), valid ID copy, best-interest affidavit signed by both parties, financial affidavits, UCCJEA affidavit, and the special affidavit for remote uncontested/no hearing.
Please upload the following and attach as supporting documents to the Final Judgement with a cover letter. 1. Petition or Counter Petition 2. Answer or Answer/Waiver 3. Marital Settlement Agreement and/or Parenting Plan. 4. If the Petition has been defaulted please attach the Order of Default. 5. A copy of the Petitioner's and/or Counter Petitioner's Valid Driver's License, Florida State ID or Voter's Registration card. 6. Affidavit that MSA and/or PP in best interest of child, signed by both parties. 7. Financial Affidavits 8. UCCJEA Affidavit 9. Special Affidavit for Remote Uncontested/No Hearing
Document Type
Final Judgment
To convert an in-person evidentiary hearing to Zoom, the moving party must file a motion stating the reason for conversion and whether all parties agree.
1. The moving party must file a Motion indicating the reason for converting the hearing to zoom and whether all parties are in agreement.
Document Type
Motion For Zoom Conversion
Emergency motions must contain a certification that the matter is a true emergency that cannot wait for the next available setting.
1. Your filed motion must contain a certification that the matter is a true Emergency and cannot wait to be heard at the next available setting.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
Supporting documents (motions, affidavits, cover letters, etc.) must always accompany a proposed order submission.
Supporting documents (i.e.: motions, affidavits, cover letters, etc.) must always be submitted in support of a proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A separate Motion and Proposed Order seeking leave to exceed the 20-page limit must be submitted via the Proposed Orders option on courtMAP before filing anything longer.
You must submit a separate Motion and Proposed Order to the Court seeking leave to exceed the 20 page limit via the Proposed Orders option on courtMAP.
Document Type
Motion For Leave To Exceed Page Limit
Ex parte motions to compel must contain the certification of good faith effort required by Rule 1.380(a)(2).
Ex-Parte Motions to Compel: must contain certification of 'good faith effort' required by Rule 1.380(a)(2).
Document Type
Ex Parte Motion To Compel
Emergency motions must contain a statement that opposing counsel was notified in an attempt to resolve the matter amicably.
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
An order on a Stipulation for Substitution of Counsel must be accompanied by the client's written consent.
If you are submitting an order on a Stipulation for Substitution of Counsel, you must submit the written consent of the client.
Document Type
Order On Stipulation For Substitution Of Counsel
The name and bar number of the new attorney must be included within the body of the proposed order on a Stipulation for Substitution of Counsel.
Additionally, the name and bar number of the 'new' attorney must be included within the body of the proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A proposed order submitted after a hearing must include a cover letter stating the hearing details and the Court's oral ruling.
If you are submitting a proposed order after a hearing, you must submit a cover letter that includes the hearing details and the Court's oral ruling.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The Notice of Hearing for a transfer must include the Zoom meeting information provided by chambers.
3. Notice of Hearing must include the Zoom meeting information that Chambers will provide once the hearing date is agreed upon.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Motions for telephonic appearance must state the reason a telephonic hearing is needed and should use the proposed order form found under documents.
Motions for telephonic appearance must indicate the reason why a telephonic hearing is needed. Please use the proposed order found in "documents."
Document Type
Motion For Telephonic Appearance
If the motion with exhibits exceeds the Court's total page limit, note that on the Special Set Request Form and submit only the request form.
If the motion, with exhibits, exceeds the Court's total page limit, mark that on the request form and submit the request form only.
Document Type
Special Set Request Form
When the trial date is accepted, the Petition, Answer and/or Answer and Counter Petition, Answer to Counter Petition (if any), Mediator's report and any partial agreements, and the Notice of Readiness for Trial must be attached as supporting documents.
The following must be attached as supporting documents: 1. Petition. 2. The answer and/or Answer and Counter Petition. 3. Answer to the Counter Petition, if one exists. 4. Mediator's report; any partial agreement (should they exist). 5. Notice of Readiness for Trial.
Document Type
Trial Order
A Motion to Withdraw as Counsel must state whether the case is currently set for trial and whether a Final Judgment has been entered.
If submitting a Motion to Withdraw as counsel, please identify if the case is currently set for trial. If a Final Judgment has been entered, please indicate this in your motion.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw Counsel
If the Court approves a Motion to Withdraw, use the form Order Granting Motion to Withdraw from the Documents Tab and upload it under Agreed Orders on courtMAP.
If at the hearing, the Court approves the Motion to Withdraw, please use the form Order Granting Motion to Withdraw, located under the Documents Tab of the Court's website and you may upload it under Agreed Orders on courtMAP.
Document Type
Order Granting Motion To Withdraw
Emergency motions should use the Verified Emergency Motion Form and Verified Emergency Motion Affidavit in Support Form located under the Documents Tab of the Court's website.
See VERIFIED EMERGENCY MOTION FORM located under the Documents Tab. See VERIFIED EMERGENCY MOTION AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT FORM located under the Documents Tab.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
When requesting Zoom conversion of a hearing, the moving party must upload the Order onto courtMAP.
2. The moving party must upload onto courtMAP the Order.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Evidentiary Hearings and Zoom Conversion)
Once the mediator's report is filed, a Notice for Trial must be filed through the e-portal or with the clerk's office.
Once the Mediator's report has been filed, you must file a Notice for Trial through the e-portal or with the clerk's office.
Page 1 | Mediation and Trial Procedures
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must register for the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com) to file pleadings or motions with the clerk.
It is important that all attorneys and self-represented litigants sign up for an account at the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/ for filing pleadings or motions with the clerk and sign up for courtMAP at https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/Programs-and-Services/Online-Services/courtmap for submitting proposed orders to your assigned Judge.
Page 1 | DIVISION 28 PROCEDURES
Once a case is calendared on a UCD slot, the Final Judgment must be submitted as a proposed order through courtMAP.
Once your case has been properly calendared on a UCD slot, please be sure to submit a Final Judgement as a "proposed order" through Courtmap.
Page 1 | UCD Calendar Information
All filings must include the chambers email address 11thFC28@jud11.flcourts.org.
Include 11thFC28@jud11.flcourts.org in all filings.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Do not mail copies of notices to chambers; all supporting documents must have an e-file stamp.
Please do not mail copies of notices to chambers. All of the supporting documents listed above must have an e-file stamp.
Page 1 | Mediation and Trial Procedures
Proposed orders must not be submitted on matters that are contested and/or already set for hearing.
Do not submit proposed orders on matters that are contested and/or already set for hearing.
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
When scheduling a special set hearing, a notice of hearing should not be filed or submitted by either side.
A notice of hearing should not be filed or submitted by either side.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Uncontested hearing requests submitted without the required supporting documents bearing an e-file stamp will be rejected.
All requests for Uncontested hearings without these supporting documents with an e-file stamp will be rejected.
Page 1 | UCD Calendar Information
A notice of hearing does not automatically generate; the movant must e-file the notice of hearing via the e-portal system.
a notice of hearing will not automatically generate. The movant MUST e-file the notice of hearing via the e-portal system.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Motions for judicial disqualification must be uploaded via the emergency option on courtMAP.
Motions for Judicial Disqualification must be uploaded via the emergency option on courtMAP.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must sign up for courtMAP to submit proposed orders to the assigned Judge.
sign up for courtMAP at https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/Programs-and-Services/Online-Services/courtmap for submitting proposed orders to your assigned Judge.
Page 1 | DIVISION 28 PROCEDURES
All proposed orders must be submitted via courtMAP.
All proposed orders must be submitted via courtMap.
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
If a case resolves after a hearing is scheduled, the requesting party must upload a Proposed Agreed Order on courtMAP and contact chambers to cancel; absent a proposed order, all parties must appear on the scheduled date.
If you reach a resolution after a hearing has been scheduled, the party that requested the hearing must upload on CourtMAP a Proposed Agreed Order and contact chambers in order to request a cancellation of hearing. If no Proposed Order is uploaded all parties are to appear on the scheduled date.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Emergency motions must be filed and then uploaded via the EMERGENCY OPTION on courtMAP.
Emergency Motions must be filed and then uploaded VIA THE EMERGENCY OPTION on courtMAP 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
All motions to withdraw as counsel, even those with client consent, must be noticed on the Motion Calendar (Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:45 AM, scheduled via courtMAP).
All Motions to Withdraw as Counsel, even those with Client Consent, must be noticed on the Motion Calendar.
Page 1 | Motions to Withdraw as Counsel
If the case resolves before trial, the party who filed the Notice must immediately file a notice of cancellation via the e-portal and contact chambers to remove the case from calendar and schedule a UCD date.
Should the case resolve prior to the scheduled trial date, the party who filed the Notice must immediately file a notice of cancellation via the e-portal and contact chambers to remove the case from calendar and schedule a UCD date.
Page 1 | Mediation and Trial Procedures
Self-represented litigants on the UCD calendar need not appear in court; the Judge will send the final judgment electronically, so they must have an email address registered through courtMAP.
Self-Represented Litigants: You will not have to appear in court. The Judge will prepare a final judgment and send it to you electronically. Please make sure you have an email address registered through courtMAP.
Page 1 | UCD Calendar Information
Once a Transfer Calendar date is agreed upon, the moving party must file a Notice of Hearing.
2. Chambers will reply with the available dates and once a date is agreed, the moving party must file a Notice of Hearing.
Page 1 | Transfer Calendar Information
To set a matter on the Motion Calendar, select a date from the Court's availability on courtMAP, create the event, and upload all supporting documents (filed motion, notice of hearing, etc.).
To set a matter on the Court's Motion Calendar for hearing: Select the date from the Court's Motion Calendar availability (found on courtMAP). Create the event on courtMAP (set your hearing), upload all supporting documents (filed motion, notice of hearing, etc.).
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
The original Motion to Transfer must be e-filed with the clerk to appear on the docket as part of the court file.
The original Motion to Transfer should be submitted via efile with the clerk to appear on the docket as part of your court file.
Page 1 | Transfer Calendar Information
To cancel a Motion Calendar hearing, the party that added the motion must e-file a notice of cancellation and also cancel the hearing on courtMAP.
The party that added the motion to the motion calendar must e-file a notice of cancelation and also cancel the hearing on courtMAP.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Agreed orders must be submitted by selecting the Agreed Order option on courtMAP.
If you are submitting an Agreed Order, please select the Agreed Order option.
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Parties must be prepared to appear before the Court within one hour of submitting the filed Emergency Motion.
2. You must be prepared to appear before the Court within one (1) hour of submission of the filed Emergency Motion to the Court.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
Pre-trial catalogues must be uploaded to courtMAP no less than 15 days before trial.
Copies of pre-trial catalogues must be uploaded to CourtMap no less than 15 days prior to the trial.
Page 1 | Mediation and Trial Procedures
After a special set hearing is approved, all responses and replies must be submitted via courtMAP at least three 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
Motions set on the Motion Calendar require 7 calendar days' notice before the hearing.
Notice Before Hearing: 7 Calendar Days
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Zoom conversion requests must be made at least 72 hours before the scheduled hearing unless there is an emergency; requests within 72 hours may be denied.
This request must be made at least 72 hours, unless in the case of an emergency, prior to the scheduled hearing. Requests within 72 hours of the scheduled hearing may be denied.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Evidentiary Hearings and Zoom Conversion)
Matters on the Administrative Transfer Calendar require 7 business days' notice before hearing.
Notice Before Hearing: 7 Business Days
Page 1 | Transfer Calendar Information
Special set hearings are not scheduled until Court approval; if a submission is rejected, courtMAP sends a rejection notice detailing the reasons and the moving party must resubmit the entire corrected submission.
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
If the parties cannot agree on a date after attempting to meet and confer, the hearing may be unilaterally set on the Motion Calendar with seven calendar days' notice.
If Parties/Counsel are unable to agree on a date once an attempt to meet and confer has been made (i.e. sent emails) the hearing may be unilaterally set on the Motion Calendar with seven (7) calendar days notice.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
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
All cases must attend mediation before trial.
All Cases must attend mediation prior to Trial.
Page 1 | Mediation and Trial Procedures
To schedule a special set hearing of one hour or less, the moving party must coordinate the date/time with opposing counsel based on courtMAP availability, then submit the filed motion with the Special Set Request Form on courtMAP for the Court's approval.
To Schedule a Special Set Hearing before Judge Ruiz Cohen: The moving party must coordinate the date/time with opposing counsel based on the Court's availability, which is found on courtMap. Once the date has been agreed to, the moving party shall submit a copy of the filed motion along with the Court's Special Set Request Form under the supporting documents option on courtMAP when selecting the proposed hearing date for the Court's approval.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Chambers Communication Rules
To transfer a family case to another family section, contact the chambers of the higher case number and alert the JA of the lower related case number; the case is then administratively transferred under the Administrative Order on Family Division Assignment Reassignment and Transfer of Cases.
please contact the chambers of the higher case number and alert the J.A. of the lower related case number. Case will then be administratively transferred, pursuant to Administrative Order on Family Division Assignment Reassignment and Transfer of Cases.
Page 1 | Transfer Calendar Information
After uploading the pre-trial catalogue on courtMAP, the party must email the Bailiff, Aaron Pacheco, to advise of the filing.
Once a party uploads the pre-trial catalogue under the supporting documents option on CourtMap, the party must EMAIL the Bailiff, Aaron Pacheco at: apacheco@jud11.flcourts.org to advise of filing.
Page 1 | Mediation and Trial Procedures
To transfer a child support case to the Family Division, email the filed Motion to Transfer to chambers requesting the next available Transfer Calendar dates.
1. Email the filed Motion to Transfer to 11thfc28@jud11.flcourts.org requesting next available date(s) for the Transfer Calendar.
Page 1 | Transfer Calendar Information
The moving party must email a copy of the filed Motion and Order to the JA and copy all parties when requesting Zoom conversion.
3. The moving party must email a copy of the filed Motion and the Order to the J.A. at 11thFC28@jud11.flcourts.org and CC all parties involved.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Evidentiary Hearings and Zoom Conversion)
If the JA does not respond within 24 hours of a cancellation email, a follow-up phone call to chambers is required to confirm the cancellation; special set hearings cannot be cancelled on courtMAP.
If you have not received a response from the J.A. within 24 hours, you must follow up with a telephone call to chambers to confirm the cancellation. Parties will not be able to cancel a special set hearing on courtMAP.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
After submitting an Emergency Motion, call chambers to confirm receipt.
3. Call chambers to confirm receipt.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
After the Notice for Trial is filed, email the JA (copying opposing counsel) to coordinate a trial date, including anticipated trial time, witnesses/exhibits, interpreter needs, and the desired time frame.
Once the Notice has been accepted into the e-portal or filed with the clerk, please EMAIL JA/ Esther Amador at 11thFC28@jud11.flcourts.org, with a copy to opposing counsel, advising that you are ready to coordinate a trial date and time. Include in your email how much time the parties anticipate needing for trial, the witnesses/exhibits each side plans to introduce at trial, whether any of the parties will need the services of an interpreter and the time frame in which you want your trial scheduled.
Page 1 | Mediation and Trial Procedures
Hearings longer than one hour are requested by emailing the JA (copying all parties) with case information, the time sought, the reason, and a copy of the motion.
To schedule a hearing for more than one (1) hour: email the J.A. at 11thFC28@jud11.flcourts.org (copying all parties) with the case information, the amount of time you are seeking and the reason for seeking that amount of time. Please attach a copy of the motion and relevant information necessary to schedule the hearing.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
Special set hearing cancellations require an email to the JA copying all parties, including case information and the reason for cancellation; cancellations cannot be made on courtMAP.
To cancel a special set hearing, you must email the J.A. at 11THFC28@jud11.flcourts.org and CC all parties involved. Your email must include the case information (style, hearing type, date set, etc.) as well as the reason why you are seeking the cancellation of said hearing.
Page 1 | Special Set Hearings
If a proposed IWO cannot be uploaded to courtMAP, email it to chambers so the Court can sign it via Adobe.
Proposed IWOs: If you have difficulty uploading to courtMAP, please email it to chambers so it can be signed via Adobe by the Court.
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
Division 28 chambers may be reached by phone at (305) 349-5744 or by email at 11thFC28@jud11.flcourts.org (Judicial Assistant: Yarleen Zarate, Room CHC 2314).
Phone: (305) 349-5744 Email: 11thFC28@jud11.flcourts.org
Page 1 | DIVISION 28 PROCEDURES