Judge Kennedy Legler
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- At Least 3 Business Days Before Hearing
- Timely Before Hearing
Hearing Packet
- After Hearing Is Set
- At Least 3 Business Days Before Hearing
- Chambers Drop Off
Communication
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The hearing must be scheduled on JACS for no more than 30 minutes (15 minutes per side).
Motion To Vacate Hearing
Document Format Requirements9 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Cover letters must be submitted through the Portal in PDF/A format.
PDF A
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
The proposed order must be submitted electronically through the Portal in Word (.docx) format. If not submitted in Word format, it will be rejected.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
No Final Judgment after trial may be submitted unless specifically requested by the Court. When requested, proposed Final Judgments must be submitted in Word format.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Do not include a date; the date is included with the judge’s electronic signature. Please leave adequate room in the document for the judge’s electronic signature.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Final Judgments should be sent in Word format
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
include any unnecessary headers or footers (e.g., firm names) within the proposed Order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Final Judgments of Dissolution send in Word format to Family Division 4.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Note
Any ancillary documents related to the proposed order (copy of the motion, case law, legal memorandums, etc.) may be attached to the cover letter in PDF/A format.
PDF A
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
We cannot click on outside links such as DropBox, Cloud based sites or Sharing sites. Documents must be submitted as PDF type documents. We cannot open Zip files or folders.
Document Filing Requirements36 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Please make sure the certificate of service is completed and includes all email addresses the order should be sent to.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
If a party wishes to take an online parenting course, a written request to the judge must be submitted and an order approving the online parenting court must be entered before the online parenting course is taken.
DocumentRequest To Take Online Parenting Course
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
The Pre-Trial Memorandum shall have attached a fully executed Financial Affidavit for each party, a child support guideline worksheet where applicable and an Equitable Distribution Matrix.
DocumentPre Trial Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
In all cases, parties shall confer at least ten (10) days prior to trial and complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum.
DocumentJoint Pre Trial Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
If the parties are unable to complete a Joint Pretrial Statement, each party shall submit their own Pretrial Statement to the Court at the Pretrial Conference.
DocumentPretrial Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
At the Pretrial Conference, the parties shall submit a Joint Pretrial Statement to the Court.
DocumentJoint Pretrial Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Please do not submit a proposed order until all parties have had a meaningful opportunity to review the proposed order. When submitting a proposed order, please indicate whether any party has objected to the proposed order.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Before mediation is ordered, each party must have filed with the Clerk a financial affidavit and Parenting Course Certificate of Completion, unless not required by statute or rule or waived by the Court.
DocumentMediation Referral
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Appearance by counsel and unrepresented parties at Case Management Conferences is mandatory.
DocumentCase Management Conference
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Every Pretrial Statement shall have attached an updated, fully executed Financial Affidavit for each party (or for the submitting party), a child support guideline worksheet, where applicable, and an Equitable Distribution Matrix showing the proposed distribution of assets and liabilities to each party.
DocumentPretrial Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
If a party seeks ex parte consideration and relief in an emergency/expedited motion, the motion shall give citation to the statute, rule, or case law that allows a party to seek ex parte relief.
DocumentEmergency Expedited Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Appearance at Trial Scheduling is mandatory for at least one attorney of record and for unrepresented parties.
DocumentTrial Scheduling
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
The Notice shall indicate: the issue(s) to be tried, including relevant pleadings; a realistic estimate as to how much time is required for trial; and whether the parties object to the trial being heard by the Magistrate.
DocumentNotice That Case Is At Issue And Ready For Trial
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
It is the responsibility of counsel to ensure a client has completed this course and a Certificate of Completion is filed with the Clerk.
DocumentParenting Course Certificate
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Parties shall only submit a proposed order when all parties agree to the form.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
All Motions for Rehearing, Reconsideration, and New Trial are to be submitted directly to the judge’s chambers along with a cover letter that confirms that copies were provided to parties and affected non-parties.
DocumentMotion For Rehearing Reconsideration Or New Trial
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Pro se litigants are required to provide an email address pursuant to Rule 2.516, Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration, to receive signed orders electronically.
DocumentPro Se Filing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
If the parties cannot complete a joint memorandum, they must certify their unsuccessful attempt and each complete an individual memorandum.
If the parties are unable to complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum, they shall certify they have attempted and failed. Upon certifying failure to complete a Joint Pre-Trial Memorandum, each party shall complete his or her own Pre-Trial Memorandum.
DocumentPre Trial Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Attorneys are required to file a Notice of Appearance or Limited Notice of Appearance if they intend to represent a party in an injunction case.
DocumentNotice Of Appearance
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
All proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Manatee County require a cover letter. If a cover letter is not included, it will be rejected.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
All Stipulations (once e-filed) shall be submitted with the proposed order as its own document.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement and the steps you took.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Once the case is At Issue, either party may file a “Notice That Case is At Issue and Ready for Trial” with the Clerk and send a copy directly to the judge’s office.
DocumentNotice That Case Is At Issue And Ready For Trial
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “done and ordered in Chambers, Manatee County, Florida.”
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
For any motions set for 30 minutes or less parties are encouraged to file pre-hearing memoranda. For hearings over 30 minutes, pre-hearing memoranda are mandatory.
DocumentPre Hearing Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then file the proposed order through the Portal with a cover letter concisely stating the disagreement or steps you took to confer with the opposing attorney.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Note
Parties are encouraged to submit the PHM at least two (2) business days before the hearing.
DocumentPre Hearing Memorandum
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
In a Dissolution of Marriage With Minor Children or a Paternity action, parties are required by F.S. 61.21 to complete an approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course and file a Certificate of Completion with the Clerk prior to the entry of a final judgment.
DocumentFinal Judgment
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The motion shall be detailed, including the specific relief sought and the amount of hearing time requested.
DocumentEmergency Expedited Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All parties must be cc’d for the document to be reviewed.
DocumentProposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Please include email addresses on the certificate of service.
DocumentProposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Counsel must also provide the Court with a notice to set the matter for nonjury trial.
DocumentNotice To Set Nonjury Trial
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If a party or affected non-party is not noticed, the motion must clearly and specifically explain why, including efforts made to locate and notice the party or affected non-party.
DocumentEmergency Expedited Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
If additional U.S. mail copies need to be served, please modify the certificate of service accordingly for the movant to complete such actions.
DocumentProposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
An approved course through correspondence or the internet may be used only if a party resides out of state or in a country where a course is not offered or upon good cause shown by verified motion.
DocumentParenting Course
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The motion should be detailed and include citations to relevant legal authority.
DocumentMotion For Rehearing Reconsideration Or New Trial
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motions and proposed orders must be submitted as separate Portal documents; combining them is prohibited.
Motions and proposed orders must be submitted through the Portal as separate documents. Combined motion/proposed orders in the same document are not permitted.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Unless good cause is shown, proposed orders must be submitted electronically through the statewide Portal whenever feasible.
Effective May 2, 2022, unless good cause is shown, proposed orders are required to be submitted electronically through the statewide Portal whenever feasible.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Selecting the Portal’s Emergency Filing button does not make a filing an emergency; parties should send a copy directly to the Court for consideration.
The “Emergency Filing” radio button on Florida’s E-Filing Portal does not cause the filing to be treated as an Emergency for e-filing purposes, and parties should send a copy of the “emergency” filing directly to the Court for consideration.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
Pro se litigants and attorneys who have shown good cause may email proposed orders to Family Division 4 in Word format only, and must not use that email for other purposes or copy the Judicial Assistant.
Pro se litigants or attorneys whom have shown good cause, may submit proposed orders electronically in Word format only to Family Division 4. Please do not use this email for any other purpose and please do not copy the judicial assistant on the email.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
The Court encourages electronic submission of proposed orders and relevant documents through the ePortal.
The Court encourages all proposed orders (and relevant documents) be sent electronically to the ePortal system.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Pro se litigants are encouraged, but not required, to submit proposed orders through the Portal.
Pro se litigants are encouraged, but not required, to submit proposed orders through the Portal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
QDRO/QUADRO, IRA transfer, and WIO/IWO documents should be sent to Family Division 4 rather than submitted through the Portal.
the following should be sent to Family Division 4 QDRO/”QUADRO” IRA Transfer WIO/IWO.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A motion to vacate will be denied if the transcript is not filed by the deadline in the Order for Transcript or another date set by court order.
If the transcript is not filed within the time limit established by the Order for Transcript or such other date set by the Court upon motion and order, the Motion to Vacate will be denied.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Failure to provide required financial disclosures at least three business days before mediation may result in sanctions and cancellation of mediation.
Failure to provide statutorily mandated financial disclosures three (3) business days prior to mediation may result in sanctions and the cancellation of the mediation session.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A motion to vacate a Magistrate’s Report and Recommended Order must be filed with the Clerk, with a copy sent directly to the Court and Magistrate.
A party filing Motion to Vacate to the Magistrate’s Report and Recommended Order shall: File the original Motion to Vacate with the Clerk and Send a copy of the Motion to Vacate directly to the Court and the Magistrate.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
A motion to withdraw must be set for hearing with notice to all parties, even if the client has stipulated or consented.
Pursuant to Rule 2.505, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, motions to withdraw must be set for hearing with notice provided to all parties. This remains true even when the client has stipulated or consented to withdrawal.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
When a Motion for Temporary Relocation is filed, a copy must simultaneously be sent to the Court, the other parties, and affected non-parties.
When a Motion for Temporary Relocation is filed with the Clerk, a copy of the Motion for Temporary Relocation must simultaneously be sent to the Court, other parties, and any affected non-parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Emergency or expedited motions must be filed with the Clerk and served on the opposing party and affected non-parties; a copy should also be sent directly to the Court.
Motions seeking Emergency/Expedited consideration must be filed with the Clerk and served on the opposing party and any affected non-party. A copy of the motion requesting emergency/expedited hearing time should also be sent directly to the Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
When an order is submitted electronically, the Judicial Assistant will serve it on the parties by email.
If an order is submitted electronically, the Judicial Assistant will serve the Order on the parties via email.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A hearing must be set for an unagreed or objected-to motion, and packets should not be sent to the Court before the hearing is set.
If a motion is not agreed to or is objected to, then a hearing must be set. Please do not send packets to the Court in these situations until a hearing is set.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Courtesy copies must reach the Court at least three business days before the hearing and may be mailed, hand delivered, or sent by another delivery service.
Courtesy copies must be received by the Court at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing. Please mail, hand deliver, or another delivery service.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Untimely courtesy copies may result in cancellation of the hearing without notice and require rescheduling.
If the courtesy copies have not been provided in a timely manner, the hearing may be cancelled without notice and will need to be rescheduled.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Hearing packets or binders should be submitted at least three business days before the hearing.
Please submit hearing packets/binders no less than three (3) business days in advance of the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Hearing packets and binders should go directly to chambers, not be filed with the Clerk.
When parties submit hearing packets or binders, they should not be filed with the Clerk of Court. Rather, they should be delivered directly to the Judge’s chambers.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Hearing packets and binders should not be filed with the Clerk; chambers delivery is described, and emailing hearing materials is preferred.
When parties submit hearing packets or binders, they should not be filed with the Clerk of Court. Rather, they should be delivered directly to the Judge’s chambers. However, emailing documents is the preferred method of submitting hearing materials.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Counseled parties must make a good-faith attempt to resolve or mediate emergency or expedited matters and submit stipulations if possible.
Parties represented by counsel shall attempt in good faith to resolve or mediate emergency/expedited matters and submit stipulations, if at all possible.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
After a case is placed on the trial docket, the Court must approve any stipulation to continue the trial.
The Court must approve stipulations to continue a trial, once the cause has been set on the trial docket.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
A trial is not continued by stipulation until the Court receives and reviews a motion or stipulation stating the need and the Judicial Assistant notifies the parties of the Court’s determination.
Trials are not continued by stipulation until a motion or stipulation stating the need for the continuance are received by the Court, the Court has reviewed same and the Judicial Assistant has notified the parties after the Court has made a determination.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
A motion for continuance must be written and signed by the party, not only by counsel.
Pursuant to Rule 2.545(e), Florida Judicial Administration Rules, and Rule 1.460 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, motions for continuance shall be in writing and must be signed by the party, not just their counsel.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Continuances to complete discovery or for reasons indicating the case was not ready when the notice of trial was filed and served are strongly disfavored and may prevent placement on a trial docket.
Continuances to complete discovery or for other reasons that suggest that the action is not ready for trial at the time the “notice of trial” was filed and served will be strongly disfavored and may result in it not being placed on a trial docket.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Attorneys and parties should bring or have access to their calendars at every court appearance in case rescheduling or a continuance is needed.
Attorneys and parties should bring or have access to their personal and professional calendars at every court appearance in case the matter must be rescheduled or continued.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences
Chambers Communication Rules
Emails to Family Division 4 must comply with all court-contact rules, including rules governing ex parte communications.
Emails sent to the Family Division 4 email shall comply with all rules and requirements governing contact with the Court including ex parte communication.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
Hearings on injunction-related motions must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant, not JACS; hearings scheduled on JACS will be cancelled.
Hearings on motions related to injunctions are scheduled through the Judge’s judicial assistant, not on JACS. Any hearing related to an injunction that is scheduled on JACS will be cancelled by the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Pro se litigants may use the division email only with the Court’s permission and must follow the Circuit’s pro se rules.
Pro se litigants may only use the division email with the Court’s permission. Pro se litigants must follow the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s rules for pro se parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
Contested matters may not be litigated through emails to the Judicial Assistant.
Litigation of contested matters via email communications to the Judicial Assistant is not permitted.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
Email may be used to communicate basic information and send documents, but not to present positions, arguments, or persuasion on substantive or procedural matters.
Email is strictly a method of communicating basic information and sending documents and is not a medium to state a position, make an argument, or attempt to persuade the Court on a substantive or procedural matter.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
If a pro se litigant files a Motion to Vacate, opposing counsel may not schedule the hearing for that litigant.
If a pro se litigant files a Motion to Vacate, an opposing attorney is not permitted to schedule a Motion to Vacate hearing for the pro se litigant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Emails to the Judicial Assistant should omit unnecessary, superfluous, irrelevant, or adversarial material.
Emails to the judicial assistant should be devoid of information or statements that are unnecessary, superfluous, irrelevant, or adversarial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
Arguments should be presented in letters, motions, memoranda, or legal documents attached to an email, not in the email itself.
Arguments should be confined to letters, motions, memoranda, and legal documents attached to the email.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
Emails to Family Division 4 should include the case number in the subject line.
Please place the case number in the subject line.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
An attorney should contact the Judicial Assistant before the hearing date if a final injunction hearing will require more than 30 minutes; it may be rescheduled depending on the Court’s schedule.
Final Injunction Hearings Requiring More than 30 Minutes Depending on the Court’s schedule a final injunction hearing that requires more than 30 minutes may be rescheduled to an alternate hearing time. To avoid waiting and possibly having to appear multiple times, an attorney representing a party in an injunction case should contact the Judicial Assistant before the hearing date if more than 30 minutes will be required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Parties may email the Judicial Assistant to obtain available hearing times for injunction-related motions.
Parties may contact the judicial assistant via email to obtain available hearing times.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Attorneys and staff should check the Clerk’s online docket before contacting the Judicial Assistant about a case or pending-order status.
Before contacting the JA about the status of a case or pending order, attorneys and their staff should consult the Manatee Clerk’s online docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court