Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
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Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Self-represented parties must file pleadings with the Clerk in person or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Self-represented parties must file pleadings with the Clerk of Court, either in person, or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and send copies simultaneously to the other self- represented party or the other party's lawyer.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | 5. SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Self-represented parties must simultaneously send copies of pleadings to the other self-represented party or the other party's lawyer.
Self-represented parties must file pleadings with the Clerk of Court, either in person, or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and send copies simultaneously to the other self- represented party or the other party's lawyer.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | 5. SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES
Self-represented parties must immediately notify the Clerk and all other lawyers or parties in writing of changes to their mailing address, telephone number, or email address.
Self-represented parties must immediately notify the Clerk of Court and all other lawyers or parties in writing of any change in mailing address, telephone number, or email address.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | 5. SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES
A motion regarding parenting issues must be served on the other parent according to the applicable procedural rules.
If a party files a motion regarding parenting issues, the motion must be served on the other parent pursuant to the rules of procedure.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | 3. EMERGENCY MOTIONS AND EXPEDITED HEARINGS
When the case is filed, the Clerk must provide the Petitioner or the Petitioner’s attorney a physical or electronic copy and note the provision and method in the case file.
In cases affected by this order, the Clerk of Court is to advise the Petitioner and/or Petitioner’s attorney of the requirements of this order by providing him/her with a copy, in either physical or electronic format, of the “Standing Family Law Court Order” when the case is filed. The Clerk’s provision of the order and the method by which it was provided, is to be noted in the appropriate case file.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | STANDING FAMILY LAW COURT ORDER
When the Clerk forwards the petition to the Sheriff for service, the service packet must include a copy of the Standing Family Law Court Order.
In cases where the Clerk of Court forwards the petition to the Sheriff for service, a copy of the Standing Family Law Court Order is to be included with the service packet.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | STANDING FAMILY LAW COURT ORDER
The Petitioner or the Petitioner’s attorney must include a copy of the Standing Family Law Court Order with the petition served on the Respondent.
It is the responsibility of the Petitioner and/or Petitioner’s attorney to provide the Respondent with a copy of the “Standing Family Law Court Order by including it with the petition at time of service.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | STANDING FAMILY LAW COURT ORDER
Judges may issue similar orders in other Family Law actions or provide service of this order by another manner they deem appropriate.
Nothing in this order prohibits judges from issuing similar orders in other types of Family Law actions or providing service of the Standing Family Law Court Order in some other manner as they deem appropriate.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | STANDING FAMILY LAW COURT ORDER
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing a motion, the parties must discuss its issues by email, phone, or text unless discussion would threaten the children's safety.
Parties must discuss (by email, phone or text) the issues to be raised in a motion before it is filed (unless discussing would threaten the safety of the child(ren)).
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | 4. COMMUNICATION
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Judges must apply firm continuance policies and allow continuances only for good cause.
Judges presiding over civil cases are to strictly comply with Rules 2.545, Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. and 1.200 Fla. R. Civ. P. Specifically, they must manage their dockets in such a manner as to (a) conclude litigation as soon as it is reasonably and justly possible to do so, (b) take charge of cases at an early stage and control the progress of cases thereafter until determined, and (c) apply firm continuance policies allowing continuances only for good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | CASE MANAGEMENT OF CIVIL CASES