Judge Charles E. Williams
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Hand Delivery
Notice Of Hearing, Motion, Proposed Order, Exhibits
- At Least 3 Days Before Hearing
Communication
Fax
Chambers
Clerk
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
The court requires that two separate .PDF files be attached to your email. The first .PDF attachment should include your Notice of Hearing, Petition, and any relevant attachments. Case law must be highlighted. The second .PDF attachment should contain only your proposed orders. Multiple orders for one hearing may be scanned together in one .PDF document.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
All hearings requiring the admission of evidence must be held in-person and are considered contested matters, requiring a hearing duration of at least one hour. Exception: If the parties enter into a fully executed stipulation to the introduction of documents and evidence in advance, the hearing may be held remotely.
DocumentEvidentiary Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Provide telephonic or Zoom credentials in JACS when scheduling and on the Notice of Hearing; omission in JACS may result in cancellation without notice.
Telephonic or Zoom credentials must be provided in the JACS calendar at the time of scheduling and shall be additionally provided on the Notice of Hearing. Failure to provide this information in JACS at the time of scheduling may result in the cancellation of the hearing without notice.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
If the proposed order is submitted pursuant to a hearing, opposing counsel shall review and approve the proposed order prior to submitting it to the court (the cover letter or email shall reflect that opposing counsel has reviewed and approved the order).
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Original stipulations should be filed with the Clerk prior to submitting to the court. The proposed order must be submitted with a copy of the signed stipulation or a letter representing to the court that it has been reviewed and approved by opposing counsel, and that it is an Agreed Order.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
The email subject line should include the case style, date of the hearing and motion title.
DocumentEmail
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
The court will not accept proposed orders accompanied by a 5-day letter, except when the opposing party is pro se.
The court will not accept proposed Orders with a “5-day letter” (a letter allowing opposing counsel 5 days within which to object). Any such Orders will be returned unsigned. Exception: If opposing party is pro se.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Case numbers must be included on all communications and proposed orders submitted to the court.
DocumentCommunication
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A Notice of Hearing is required for all hearings scheduled before the court regardless of duration or nature.
DocumentHearing
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All documents for new Probate and Guardianship cases must be electronically filed.
All documents for new Probate and Guardianship cases shall be electronically filed in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.525.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | Electronic Filing Requirements
The listed guardianship and probate proposed orders must be e-filed for the Clerk’s review or audit.
The following proposed orders are required to be e-filed in order for the Clerk of Circuit Court to conduct their review/audit. Guardianship Order Approving Initial Plan Order Approving Annual Plan Order Approving Initial Inventory Order Approving Annual Accounting Order Approving Final Accounting Order of Discharge Probate Order Admitting Will Order of Discharge
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Proposed orders for Manatee County cases may be emailed in Word or PDF format to the designated address; encrypted email submissions are not accepted.
The court has created designated email addresses for the purpose of transmitting proposed orders. These orders may be sent via email in Word or .PDF format to: Manatee County cases ProbateOrdersMAN@jud12.flcourts.org (encrypted email submissions are not accepted)
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
The Will must be electronically filed before its original paper version is submitted to the Clerk; upon request, the Clerk makes the original available to the court.
Prior to submitting the original paper Will with the Clerk, the Will shall be electronically filed with the Clerk. Upon request, the Clerk shall make the original paper Will available to the court in its original form, pursuant to Florida Statute 732.901.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Ex Parte Hearing Requirements
All initiating documents must be electronically filed before an ex parte hearing can proceed.
All initiating documents to establish the Probate or Guardianship case have been electronically filed, and
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Ex Parte Hearing Requirements
E-filing proposed orders with the Clerk is prohibited in Probate and Guardianship cases except for specified orders that must be e-filed.
Pursuant to administrative order 2022-1.2 (rescinds and replaces A.O. 2015-9.2) the e-filing of proposed orders with the Clerk of Circuit Court in Probate & Guardianship cases is prohibited with the exception of certain orders, which are required to be e-filed:
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Beginning January 2, 2026, commissions must be sent in hard copy to the court’s physical mailing address, accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Effective January 2, 2026, the court requires that commissions be sent in hard copy format to the court’s physical mailing address for review and entrance by the court. Counsel shall provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Civil cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Proposed orders for Sarasota, North, and South County cases may be emailed in Word or PDF format to the designated address; encrypted email submissions are not accepted.
The court has created designated email addresses for the purpose of transmitting proposed orders. These orders may be sent via email in Word or .PDF format to: Manatee County cases ProbateOrdersMAN@jud12.flcourts.org (encrypted email submissions are not accepted)
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Ex parte proposed orders that do not require a Clerk’s audit or hearing may be sent by email, hand delivery, or U.S. Mail for entry without a hearing.
Ex Parte proposed Orders may be sent via email, hand delivery, or via U.S. Mail to be entered without a hearing.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Civil cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Attorneys may schedule ex parte hearings on JACS up to 48 hours in advance; these hearings must be remote, uncontested, non-evidentiary, and no longer than 15 minutes.
Ex Parte hearings are scheduled on the JACS calendar up to 48 hours in advance by attorneys and shall be conducted virtually/remotely. Ex Parte hearings shall be uncontested, non-evidentiary and 15 min. or less in length.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Serve the Notice of Hearing on all interested parties and file proof of service with the Clerk of Court.
Serving the Notice of Hearing on all interested parties, including beneficiaries, creditors, opposing parties and/or their legal counsel, and filing proof of service with the Clerk of Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Information for Self-Represented Parties in Probate/Estate Cases
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Voluminous courtesy copies that would otherwise require a binder must be hand delivered.
Voluminous courtesy copies that would otherwise need to be organized in a binder must be hand delivered.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
The scheduling attorney must furnish the judge copies of the Notice of Hearing, motion, proposed order, relevant referenced materials, and highlighted supporting case law.
It is required that the scheduling attorney furnish the judge with copies of the Notice of Hearing, Motion, proposed order, and all pertinent portions of any documents or pleadings referenced in the Motion, and any supporting case law (highlighted).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Furnish the required hearing courtesy documents no later than three days before the hearing; failure may result in cancellation without notice.
These documents must be furnished no later than 3 days prior to the date of the hearing. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the cancellation of your hearing without notice.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
If the parties cannot resolve an issue through discussion, they must file a motion and schedule a hearing; the court will not consider letters on contested issues.
If the parties cannot reach agreement on an issue after discussion between themselves, then a motion shall be filed and scheduled for hearing. The court will not read or respond to letters on contested issues.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
The court must hear and rule on a motion to conduct a hybrid hearing before a hybrid hearing on the pending motions is scheduled.
A motion to conduct hybrid hearing must first be heard and ruled upon by the court prior to scheduling a hybrid hearing on the pending motion(s).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | A. Remote Appearance
Chambers Communication Rules
The court will not discuss pending cases with the public or consider case arguments outside the courtroom or properly filed documents.
Notice to the public: The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the Judges of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit to discuss pending cases with the public. Please do not call or email the court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case. The court is only allowed to consider arguments made in the courtroom and in documents properly filed by actual parties in the case as authorized by law and the Rules of Court. The court cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case. Communications that do not meet these legal requirements cannot be forwarded to the Judges.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Requirements & Information
After e-filing an emergency motion, send a copy and cover letter to the assigned judge’s office by fax, email, or direct delivery; the motion should explain the matter and requested hearing time.
After an emergency motion has been e-filed, a copy of the motion shall be faxed, emailed or delivered directly to the assigned judge’s office, along with a cover letter. The motion should be detailed and include the amount of hearing time required.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
An attorney seeking an ex parte hearing must notify the Division judge’s judicial assistant by 3 p.m. on the preceding business day.
The attorney desiring an ex parte hearing shall notify the judicial assistant for the Division judge, no later than by 3 p.m. the preceding business day of the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Ex Parte Hearing Requirements
For a hearing cancellation within 24 hours, the scheduling party must contact the judicial assistant by both email and phone.
For short notice cancellations within 24 hours of the hearing, the scheduling party shall contact the judicial assistant by email and phone to ensure the cancellation has been communicated to the court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
The court’s fax number may be used only for emergencies.
Fax (941) 861-7913; (for emergencies only)
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Contact Information
Email is the preferred way to communicate with court staff; read the requirements before contacting the judicial assistant, and consult the Clerk’s website for hearing outcomes.
The preferred method of communication with court staff is email. Please do not call or email the judicial assistant without first reading these requirements. To inquire about the outcome of a hearing, please consult the Manatee Clerk’s website or the Sarasota Clerk’s website.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Contact Information
Direct inquiries about paperwork sent to the designated proposed-order email address to the judicial assistant only after reviewing the court file.
Subsequent inquiries regarding paperwork submitted via the designated email address should be directed to the judicial assistant only after reviewing the court file.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders