Court Rules
Judge

Judge Edmond W. Alonzo

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Florida 19 Judicial Circuit (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie)

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Notice Of Hearing, Motion, Relevant Pleadings, Proposed Order

  • Mail • At Least 5 Days Before Hearing

Adjournments

  • Continuances are allowed only for good cause shown.
  • Changes to the case-management deadlines require party agreement and court approval, and the court will consider approval only upon a showing of good cause, subject to the stated limitation after plan approval.
  • The parties must follow the schedule unless they agree to a change or the change is set for hearing and approved by the Court.
  • +1 more

Request must include

Reason For Request

Communication

Phone

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:

Document Filing Requirements11 rules

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT FOR APPROVAL WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF SERVICE ON THE LAST NAMED DEFENDANT

DocumentCivil Case Management Plan

2021-05 · Apr 2021 · p. 6
|SecAttachment A — Civil Case Management Plan and Order
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

Filing a stipulation does not cancel a trial or case management conference. An order approving the stipulation is required to cancel a previously ORDERED hearing or trial (including pretrial in SMALL CLAIMS CASES).

DocumentStipulation

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order
Honorable-Edmond-Alonzo-procedures · p. 1
|SecAppearances and Stipulations
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

Additionally, proposed orders to invoke the FRCP in small claims cases must retain Small Claims Rule 7.135 AND MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PROPOSED CASE MANANGEMENT PLAN AND ORDER in compliance with AOSC20-23 and AO 2021-05 (see Forms).

DocumentProposed Order

Honorable-Edmond-Alonzo-procedures · p. 1
|SecSmall Claims and Case Management Plans
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory

All notices of hearing should certify what attempts were made to resolve and coordinate.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

Content & Formatting
Certificate Of Conference
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important

A proposed order granting telephone appearance at a Special Set hearing should permit either party to appear by Court Call.

If telephonic appearance at a Special Set hearing is granted, it will always require the use of Court Call, and applies to both sides equally (in other words, the proposed order should state that if it’s granted, either party may appear telephonically via Court Call).

DocumentProposed Order

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

Deadlines to complete fact and expert discovery;

DocumentCase Management Plan And Order

2021-05 · Apr 2021 · p. 2
|SecIV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

For each streamlined or general civil case, the Circuit and County Courts shall utilize a case management plan and order which shall include, at a minimum:

DocumentCase Management Plan And Order

2021-05 · Apr 2021 · p. 2
|SecIV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

Deadlines for service of complaints, service under extensions, and adding new parties;

DocumentCase Management Plan And Order

2021-05 · Apr 2021 · p. 2
|SecIV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

Deadlines for all objections to pleadings and pretrial motions to be resolved;

DocumentCase Management Plan And Order

2021-05 · Apr 2021 · p. 2
|SecIV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

For cases filed before April 30, 2021, the case management order must include the projected trial date and the deadlines listed above if the event has not already occurred or has not already been specified by a separate court order.

DocumentCase Management Order

2021-05 · Apr 2021 · p. 3
|SecIV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

Signatures of Counsel or Pro Se Party if not in separate stipulation:

DocumentStipulated Case Management Plan

AO2021 05-SC-Proposed-Case-Management-Plan-streamlined Alonzo-REM
|SecSignatures of Counsel or Pro Se Party if not in separate stipulation

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Original pleadings, stipulations, motions, and notices must be filed with the Clerk or through the eportal.

All original pleadings, stipulations, motions, and notices must be filed with the Clerk or eportal.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 1 | Filing and Proposed Orders

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

The plaintiff must submit the case management plan and order to the judge for final approval no later than 30 days after the last defendant is served.

The case management plan and order must be submitted to the judge by the plaintiff for final approval no later than thirty days after the last defendant is served with the complaint.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 3 | IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

For cases subject to dismissal for lack of prosecution or failure to appear at a case management conference, a case management order must issue within 30 days after the court determines the case should remain pending.

If the case is subject to dismissal for 1) lack of prosecution pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.420(e) or 2) failure to appear at a case management conference pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.200(a)&(c), then a case management order must be issued within 30 days after the Court determining that the case should remain pending.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 3 | IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

In county civil cases, the plaintiff must file a case management plan within 90 days unless the defendant is represented by an attorney.

ALL COUNTY CIVIL CASES WILL ALSO REQUIRE A CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO BE FILED BY PLAINITFF within 90 days, unless defendant is represented by an attorney.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | Small Claims and Case Management Plans

Mediation may be scheduled before or after dispositive motions, and either party may move for mediation at any time, but mediation must conclude before the notice for trial is filed.

Mediation may be set prior, or subsequent to dispositive motion(s). Additionally, either party may file a motion for mediation at any time, but must conclude mediation prior to filing notice for trial.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

A notice for trial must not be filed until discovery and motions are complete.

Do not file a notice for trial prior to completing your discovery and motions.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

Service of initial pleadings, including extensions or added parties, should occur less than 120 days after the complaint unless previously extended.

Service of initial pleadings, including extensions or adding parties. (should be less than 120 days since complaint unless previously extended)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

Dispositive motions should be heard less than 300 days after the complaint.

Deadline for hearing Dispositive Motions (should be less than 300 days since complaint)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

Objections to pleadings and pretrial motions should be resolved within 45 days of filing the motion, or the moving party may waive them.

Resolution of all objections to pleadings, pretrial motions 45 days from motion being filed or moving party may waive

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

Fact and expert discovery, along with motions to compel or amend pleadings, should be completed less than 270 days after the complaint.

Fact and expert discovery complete, and all motions to compel or amend any pleadings. (should be less than 270 days since complaint)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

Motions may be filed at any time but must be set and heard 45 days later.

Motions may be filed at any time but must be set/heard 45 days later.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

The estimated date the case will be ready for trial should be less than 330 days after the complaint, regardless of extensions.

Estimated Date the Case Will Be Prepared To Go To Trial (should be less than 330 days since complaint, regardless of extensions)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Trial Information

Alternative dispute resolution should be completed less than 270 days after the complaint.

Completion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (should be less than 270 days since complaint)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

For cases filed on or after April 30, 2021 that are subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue by the later of 45 days after the stay or moratorium ends or 30 days after the last named defendant is served.

Cases filed on or after April 30, 2021: Within 45 days after the stay or the moratorium ends or within 30 days after service of the complaint on the last of all named defendants (whichever date is later); or

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 3 | IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

Unless the court orders otherwise for good cause, all objections to pleadings and pretrial motions in streamlined cases must be resolved within 45 days after filing and before the pretrial conference.

Deadlines for all objections to pleadings and pretrial motions to be resolved: Within 45 days after filing and prior to the pretrial conference;

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 4 | IV.C. Maximum Deadline Periods for Streamlined Cases

For pre-April 30, 2021 cases subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue by December 3, 2021, and within the later of the specified 45-day or 30-day periods.

Cases filed before April 30, 2021: By December 3, 2021, within 45 days after the stay or the moratorium ends or within 30 days after service of the complaint on the last of all named defendants (whichever date is later).

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 4 | IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

For cases filed on or after April 30, 2021 that are not subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue within 30 days after the last named defendant is served.

Cases filed on or after April 30, 2021: Within 30 days after service of complaint on the last of all named defendants; or

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 4 | IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

For cases filed before April 30, 2021 that are not subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue by December 3, 2021.

Cases filed before April 30, 2021: By December 3, 2021.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 4 | IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

When the defendant is represented by an attorney, the defendant is responsible for coordinating and submitting a proposed case management plan within 30 days of appearing.

In those cases, defendant is responsible for coordinating and submitting a proposed case management plan within 30 days of their appearance.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 1 | Small Claims and Case Management Plans

Final hearings must occur no later than 10 days before the pretrial conference.

Additionally, this Court requires final hearing(s) not later than 10 days prior to the pretrial conference.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

The streamlined track is for cases expected to be resolved within 12 months.

Streamlined Track (Case resolved within 12 months);

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Case Track Assignment

The general track is for cases expected to be resolved within 18 months.

General Track (Case is resolved within 18 months)

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Case Track Assignment

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Unless the court orders otherwise for good cause, service of complaints and new parties in streamlined cases is due within 120 days after filing, and any extension may not exceed 240 days from filing.

Unless otherwise ordered upon good cause having been shown, the following deadline periods apply to streamlined cases: 1. Deadlines for service of complaints, service under extensions, and adding new parties: Service within 120 days of filing of the complaint unless an extension is granted, which extension shall not exceed 240 days from the date of filing of the complaint;

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 4 | IV.C. Maximum Deadline Periods for Streamlined Cases

Copies are furnished to counsel of record or pro se parties through the portal email address, or by U.S. Mail if a pro se party has no portal email address.

Copies Furnished To: Counsel of Record or pro se parties via the portal email address or by US Mail if pro se has none

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Order Approving Case Management Plan

The document was served through the portal on attorneys of record.

Eserved this day through the portal to all attorneys of record, if any,

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The document was served by U.S. mail on all other parties.

and by US mail to all other parties.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The initiating party must serve the case management plan and order with the summons and complaint.

The party initiating the civil action shall serve a case management plan and order 1 with the summons and complaint.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 3 | IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

In both streamlined and general cases, complaints must be served within 120 days after filing, and any extension may not exceed 240 days from filing.

Service within 120 days of filing of the complaint unless an extension is granted, which extension shall not exceed 240 days from the date of filing of the complaint

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 7 | II. Case Events and Deadlines

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Parties must mail hearing notices, motions, relevant pleadings, proposed orders, and stamped envelopes to the judge at least five days before the hearing; email delivery is prohibited, and proposed orders and envelopes must account for parties without an email address designated on the eportal.

Additionally, all parties are required to also mail (US Mail or overnight carrier – do not email) copies of the notice of hearing, motion, relevant pleadings, sufficient proposed orders (one original plus a copy for each party that does not already have an email address designated on the eportal), and stamped envelopes (again one for each party that does not already have an email address designated on the eportal) to my attention at least 5 days prior to hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | Filing and Proposed Orders

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Continuances are allowed only for good cause shown.

to apply a firm continuance policy allowing continuances only for good cause shown.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | I. Direction to Maximize the Resolution of Cases

The parties must follow the schedule unless they agree to a change or the change is set for hearing and approved by the Court.

The above-referenced schedule of deadlines will be strictly adhered to by the parties unless a change is otherwise agreed to by the parties, or set for hearing, and approved by the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

Changes to the case-management deadlines require party agreement and court approval, and the court will consider approval only upon a showing of good cause, subject to the stated limitation after plan approval.

The schedule of deadlines herein will be strictly adhered to by the parties unless change is otherwise agreed to by the parties and approved by the court. The court will consider a request to approve changes to these deadlines upon a showing of good cause by either party based on matters arising from an emergency nature or unavailability. However, once the Civil Case Management Plan has been approved by the court, procrastination in completing discovery or the unavailability of counsel will not constitute good cause for a change to these deadlines.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 7 | II. Case Events and Deadlines

Requests to change deadlines require good cause based on an emergency or unavailability; procrastination in discovery and counsel or witness unavailability do not constitute good cause.

The Court will consider a request to approve changes to these deadlines upon a showing of good cause by either party based on matters arising from an emergency nature or unavailability, and will be routinely granted for thirty days or less before any deadline above has already expired. However, procrastination in completing discovery or the unavailability of counsel or witnesses will not constitute good cause for a change to these deadlines.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Case Deadlines and Events

Chambers Communication Rules

Hearings lasting less than one hour may be scheduled online, and the judicial assistant need not be called unless no sufficiently timely date is available within the next 60 days.

Scheduling can be done online for any hearing that will last less than one hour of time. There is no need to call my JA to schedule a hearing unless there is no date available, with sufficient time for your motion(s), within the next 60 days.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | Hearing Scheduling

A separate proposed order approving a stipulation may be emailed if opposing counsel is copied.

Stipulations of any kind must be filed, but a SEPARATE, proposed order approving, may be sent via email, copied to opposing counsel.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 1 | Appearances and Stipulations

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 67 rules apply across Florida 19 Judicial Circuit (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie). Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Timing

All 20
  • A case management plan and order for each streamlined or general civil case must be filed no later than 120 days after commencement.

  • Parties seeking complex designation must initially file and serve the general track case management plan and order within 120 days after commencement, then file an appropriate motion to declare the case complex under Rule 1.201.

  • The plaintiff must submit the case management plan and order to the judge for final approval within 30 days after the last defendant is served with the complaint.

Filing Requirements

All 17
  • Applies to
    Notice of mediation

    The Notice of Mediation must specifically list the applicable mediation rules.

  • Applies to
    Case management order

    A streamlined or general civil case management order must include at least the content and categories provided in Attachment A.

  • Applies to
    Case management order

    A case management order must specify, at a minimum, deadlines for service of complaints, service under extensions, and adding new parties.

Adjournments

All 12
  • Deadlines in case management orders may be changed only by court order, not by party agreement.

  • Parties may submit an agreed order for an extension that does not change later case-management dates, but must move to amend the case management order if later dates would change.

  • If trial does not occur during the scheduled trial period, the court must set a new trial date by order as soon as reasonably possible.

Service

All 7
  • Applies to
    General track case management plan and order

    Parties seeking complex designation must serve the general track case management plan and order as part of the initial filing within 120 days after commencement.

  • Applies to
    Suggestion of non compliance with case management plan

    The filed Suggestion of Non-Compliance with Case Management Plan must be served on all counsel.

  • Applies to
    Order
    Service
    Electronic service

    The order is served on the listed parties with email addresses via the E-Filing Portal.

Common questions about Judge Edmond W. Alonzo's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Edmond W. Alonzo?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for notice of hearings, motions, relevant pleadings, and proposed orders. Details: delivery at least 5 days before hearing, by mail. Parties must mail hearing notices, motions, relevant pleadings, proposed orders, and stamped envelopes to the judge at least five days before the hearing; email delivery is prohibited, and proposed orders and envelopes must account for parties without an email address designated on the eportal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Filing and Proposed Orders

What must be included with case management plan and order filings before Judge Edmond W. Alonzo?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Each streamlined or general civil case must have a case management plan and order containing at least the listed deadlines.

View ruleSource: page 2, section IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

What must be included with case management order filings before Judge Edmond W. Alonzo?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. For cases filed before April 30, 2021, the case management order must include the projected trial date and applicable listed deadlines unless the event has already occurred or a separate court order has already specified it.

View ruleSource: page 3, section IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

How may parties contact Judge Edmond W. Alonzo's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Edmond W. Alonzo's chambers. A separate proposed order approving a stipulation may be emailed if opposing counsel is copied.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Appearances and Stipulations

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Edmond W. Alonzo?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Continuances are allowed only for good cause shown.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Direction to Maximize the Resolution of Cases

Is electronic filing required before Judge Edmond W. Alonzo?

Electronic filing is permitted for the covered filings. Original pleadings, stipulations, motions, and notices must be filed with the Clerk or through the eportal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Filing and Proposed Orders

What filing deadlines does Judge Edmond W. Alonzo set?

The plaintiff must submit the case management plan and order to the judge for final approval no later than 30 days after the last defendant is served.

View ruleSource: page 3, section IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases

What rule applies to service for case management plan and order before Judge Edmond W. Alonzo?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party. The initiating party must serve the case management plan and order with the summons and complaint.

View ruleSource: page 3, section IV. The Case Management Order in Streamlined and General Cases
Complete rules summary for Judge Edmond W. Alonzo

The document was served through the portal on attorneys of record.

The document was served by U.S. mail on all other parties.

Continuances are allowed only for good cause shown.

Each streamlined or general civil case must have a case management plan and order containing at least the listed deadlines.

The case management plan and order must include deadlines for serving complaints, service under extensions, and adding new parties.

The case management plan and order must include deadlines to complete fact and expert discovery.

The case management plan and order must include deadlines for resolving all objections to pleadings and pretrial motions.

The initiating party must serve the case management plan and order with the summons and complaint.

The plaintiff must submit the case management plan and order to the judge for final approval no later than 30 days after the last defendant is served.

For cases subject to dismissal for lack of prosecution or failure to appear at a case management conference, a case management order must issue within 30 days after the court determines the case should remain pending.

For cases filed on or after April 30, 2021 that are subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue by the later of 45 days after the stay or moratorium ends or 30 days after the last named defendant is served.

For pre-April 30, 2021 cases subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue by December 3, 2021, and within the later of the specified 45-day or 30-day periods.

For cases filed on or after April 30, 2021 that are not subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue within 30 days after the last named defendant is served.

For cases filed before April 30, 2021 that are not subject to a statutory stay or moratorium, a case management order must issue by December 3, 2021.

Unless the court orders otherwise for good cause, service of complaints and new parties in streamlined cases is due within 120 days after filing, and any extension may not exceed 240 days from filing.

Unless the court orders otherwise for good cause, all objections to pleadings and pretrial motions in streamlined cases must be resolved within 45 days after filing and before the pretrial conference.

For cases filed before April 30, 2021, the case management order must include the projected trial date and applicable listed deadlines unless the event has already occurred or a separate court order has already specified it.

The parties must submit the civil case management plan to the Court for approval within 30 days after service on the last named defendant.

In both streamlined and general cases, complaints must be served within 120 days after filing, and any extension may not exceed 240 days from filing.

Changes to the case-management deadlines require party agreement and court approval, and the court will consider approval only upon a showing of good cause, subject to the stated limitation after plan approval.

Notices of hearing must certify the attempts made to resolve the matter and coordinate the hearing.

Parties must mail hearing notices, motions, relevant pleadings, proposed orders, and stamped envelopes to the judge at least five days before the hearing; email delivery is prohibited, and proposed orders and envelopes must account for parties without an email address designated on the eportal.

Original pleadings, stipulations, motions, and notices must be filed with the Clerk or through the eportal.

Hearings lasting less than one hour may be scheduled online, and the judicial assistant need not be called unless no sufficiently timely date is available within the next 60 days.

A proposed order granting telephone appearance at a Special Set hearing should permit either party to appear by Court Call.

A separate proposed order approving a stipulation may be emailed if opposing counsel is copied.

Filing a stipulation does not cancel a trial or case management conference; an order approving the stipulation is required to cancel a previously ordered hearing or trial, including small-claims pretrial.

Proposed orders invoking the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in small-claims cases must retain Small Claims Rule 7.135 and be accompanied by a proposed case management plan and order complying with the cited authorities.

In county civil cases, the plaintiff must file a case management plan within 90 days unless the defendant is represented by an attorney.

When the defendant is represented by an attorney, the defendant is responsible for coordinating and submitting a proposed case management plan within 30 days of appearing.

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