Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 181 rules apply across Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Orange and Osceola Counties. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 99
  • Applies to
    Child support guidelines worksheet

    The Child Support Guidelines Worksheet must match the child support amount stated in the Final Judgment.

  • Applies to
    Proposed final judgment

    Counsel must bring the original proposed Final Judgment to the final hearing.

  • Applies to
    Proposed final judgment
    Must include
    certificate of service

    The proposed Final Judgment must include a proper certificate of service naming both parties.

Service

All 20
  • Applies to
    Final judgment

    After the Final Judgment is signed, counsel must sign its certificate of service and provide copies to all parties.

  • Applies to
    Income deduction order

    A copy of the Income Deduction Order must be served on the obligor’s payor or payors.

  • Applies to
    Income deduction order

    The obligor must notify the obligee and, when applicable, the IV-D agency within seven days after a change in address or payor information.

Communication

All 17
  • Contact
    Phone to clerk
    Phone
    407-836-2059

    Employers and income withholders may contact the Orange County Clerk of Courts by phone at 407-836-2059, by email, or through the court website for questions.

  • Contact
    Phone to clerk
    Phone
    407-836-2059

    Employees and obligors may contact the Orange County Clerk of Courts by phone at 407-836-2059, by email, or through the court website for questions.

  • Contact
    Phone to clerk
    Phone
    407-836-2059

    Questions may be directed to the Orange County Clerk of Courts by phone at 407-836-2059 or by email/website at the listed address.

Formatting

All 14
  • All incorporated exhibits must be properly tagged with a Clerk’s evidence tag.

  • Every checklist line must be completed with a date, and check marks, Xs, and N/A entries are prohibited.

  • The Income Withholding for Support form must be regular on its face.

About Judge Mark S. Blechman

**Mark S. Blechman** is listed as a current judicial officer of the [Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida](https://ninthcircuit.org/judges/circuit). The circuit publishes these sections on the profile page: Judicial Assignment, Education, Certifications, Professional Activities, Awards and Honors, Important Information.

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** Probate, Guardianship, and Mental Health, Division 01 / 5 **Courtroom:** 19-C **Chambers:** Orange County Courthouse **Phone:** 407.836.2100 **Judicial assistant:** Terry Marino **Judicial assistant email:** 1orange@ninthcircuit.org **Official sources**

Common questions about Judge Mark S. Blechman's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Mark S. Blechman?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions, notice of hearings, and proposed orders. Details: 1 copy, by email. At least three (3) business days before the hearing, provide the judge by email a courtesy copy of the motion, hearing notice with the video link and reason the hearing is necessary, and proposed order(s) in Word format.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Setting: Short matters hearings

Does Judge Mark S. Blechman require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Mark S. Blechman's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. A proposed order must not be sent to the court until opposing counsel has approved its form, when applicable.

View ruleSource: page 12, section D. Submission of Orders

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Mark S. Blechman?

Judge Mark S. Blechman's formatting rule includes file format docx. All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

View ruleSource: page 9, section D. Submission of Orders to Chambers

What must be included with closing statement filings before Judge Mark S. Blechman?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A detailed closing statement must show attorney fees, recipients, costs, anticipated fund distribution, liens, outstanding balances, and unresolved claims compensated from the proceeds.

View ruleSource: page 2, section ITEMS REQUIRED BY THE COURT

What must be included with minor settlement approval information filings before Judge Mark S. Blechman?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The court requires specified information before considering approval of a proposed minor settlement.

View ruleSource: page 1, section ITEMS REQUIRED BY THE COURT

How may parties contact Judge Mark S. Blechman's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Mark S. Blechman's chambers. The rule lists email 1orange@ninthcircuit.org. All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the listed address and include the case number and case name in the subject line.

View ruleSource: page 2, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office

How does Judge Mark S. Blechman handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Mark S. Blechman's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. The closing statement should not be publicly filed with the court and must instead be submitted under seal or brought to any hearing.

View ruleSource: page 2, section ITEMS REQUIRED BY THE COURT

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Mark S. Blechman?

Requests should be made at least 5 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Mark S. Blechman. The request must include reason for request. A continuance request must be submitted at least five business days before the scheduled court date, show good cause, and be signed by the requesting party unless good cause excuses the signature requirement.

View ruleSource: page 7, section B. Scheduling Procedures

Is electronic filing required before Judge Mark S. Blechman?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Routine probate petitions and proposed orders must be emailed to the court for chambers review and signature.

View ruleSource: page 9, section D. Submission of Orders to Chambers

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Mark S. Blechman?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Failure to make the required timely submission will result in the short-matter hearing not being held.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Submission Deadlines

What rule applies to e-service for all parties before Judge Mark S. Blechman?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: e-service, recipient: all parties. Every party, including a self-represented litigant, must be copied on email sent to the judicial office.

View ruleSource: page 2, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Complete rules summary for Judge Mark S. Blechman

The court may appoint a guardian ad litem before approving a settlement when the gross settlement exceeds $15,000.

A detailed closing statement must show attorney fees, recipients, costs, anticipated fund distribution, liens, outstanding balances, and unresolved claims compensated from the proceeds.

The court requires specified information before considering approval of a proposed minor settlement.

The gross amount of the proposed settlement must be provided in the motion for approval.

The court requires an itemized proposed distribution of net settlement proceeds among beneficiaries, survivors, the estate, and other entities, including claims, costs, and attorney fees.

The court requires information concerning the appointment of and report from a guardian ad litem regarding the proposed settlement.

The court must appoint a guardian ad litem before approving a minor's settlement when the gross settlement equals or exceeds $50,000.

The closing statement should not be publicly filed with the court and must instead be submitted under seal or brought to any hearing.

The court requires information explaining how the minor's settlement proceeds will be invested or protected and identifying the institutions or vehicles involved.

If an annuity will be purchased, the court requires information stating its cost, present value, payment schedule, company, owner, relationship to released companies, and company rating.

Copies of initial medical records, including the history, physical, presenting condition, and hospitalization records, must be provided.

A final report from each primary treating physician must state whether future care is needed and, if possible, its approximate cost.

Photographs of the child after the incident and at the present condition are required when the injury or treatment causes scarring or disfigurement.

The medical reports concerning scarring or disfigurement should estimate the cost of treatment and explain the treatment plan for the injuries.

The report must address the existence or absence of medical insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and other projected payment sources for future treatment.

A copy of any release or settlement agreement requiring the minor's or guardian's signature must be provided with counsel-review assurances and written confirmation of the parties' agreement that it releases only the settling party and its insurers for that party.

The report must identify whether a defense, indemnity, and hold-harmless provision in a release or settlement agreement applies to the minor or only the guardian and, if the minor is bound, identify the legal authority.

The report must address whether the minor is bound by a confidentiality agreement, the authority and consequences of a violation, and the party responsible for seeking appropriate sealing under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420(d).

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

A Notice of Hearing for a virtual appearance must include the Webex link.

All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the listed address and include the case number and case name in the subject line.

Every party, including a self-represented litigant, must be copied on email sent to the judicial office.

The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must contact the judicial office only in accordance with the listed practices and procedures.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery of signed orders unless excused.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must use Form 2.603 to update their contact information whenever the email account registered for electronic service changes.

The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.

For most short matters, email the petition or motion, cover letter, and proposed order to chambers for review before setting a hearing; the Judicial Assistant will notify the party if a hearing is needed.

The attorney noticing a hearing must provide at least five days’ notice of the hearing.

Every short-matter hearing must be coordinated with opposing counsel or the self-represented party.

At least three (3) business days before the hearing, provide the judge by email a courtesy copy of the motion, hearing notice with the video link and reason the hearing is necessary, and proposed order(s) in Word format.

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