Judge Kevin Bruning
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Hearing Packet
Hearing Packet, Exhibits
- Hand Delivery • On Hearing Day
Settlement
Adjournments
- A trial continuance by stipulation is not effective until the Court receives and reviews the motion or stipulation and the Judicial Assistant notifies the parties of the determination.
- The Court must approve a stipulation to continue a trial after the case has been placed on the trial docket.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Portal-submitted proposed orders to Sarasota County judges and magistrates must include a cover letter submitted in PDF/A format.
Cover letters must be submitted through the Portal in PDF/A format. All proposed orders submitted through the Portal to judges and magistrates in Sarasota County require a cover letter. If a cover letter is not included, it will be rejected.
PDF A
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
No Final Judgment after trial shall be submitted unless specifically requested by the Court. When requested, proposed Final Judgments shall be submitted in Word format.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Submit proposed orders through the Portal’s Proposed Documents feature in Word (.docx) format; these submissions are transmitted to the judge but are not filed in the court file.
Proposed orders submitted through the “Proposed Documents” feature of the Portal are electronically transmitted to Judge Bruning. Proposed orders submitted to the judge or magistrate will not be filed in the court file. 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
Document Filing Requirements52 rules
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.
DocumentOnline Course Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
A written request for final hearing and copies of all pertinent materials required under Chapter 63, Florida Statutes, shall be sent to the Judge’s chambers, along with an appropriate, complete, signed, court-approved checklist (TPR or Adoption).
DocumentFinal Hearing Request
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.
DocumentPretrial Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
If the parties cannot complete a joint pretrial memorandum, they must certify their unsuccessful effort and each submit 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.
DocumentPretrial Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
The Court expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on the form. If the agreement is not evident in the Motion and proposed Order, the party must submit documentation.
DocumentProposed Order
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
All trial counsel and unrepresented parties must appear in person or via Zoom at Docket Sounding.
DocumentCourt Appearance
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
A motion for continuance must be in writing and signed by the party, not only 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.
DocumentContinuance Motion
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.
DocumentPretrial Memorandum
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Do not block consecutive hearing slots to lengthen a single motion’s hearing without prior Court consent.
Back-to-back hearing times shall not be blocked in order to acquire a longer block of hearing time for a single motion without prior consent of the Court. Any hearing scheduled in this manner without consent will be cancelled without notice by the Court.
DocumentHearing Scheduling Entry
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
In lieu of a hearing, counsel may submit to the Judge for review and consideration, with copies to opposing parties: a stipulation to withdraw signed by the attorney and the client, and a proposed order that includes the client’s current or last known physical address, mailing address, and email address, if available
DocumentWithdrawal Submission
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Please do not submit a proposed order until all parties have reviewed and approved 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
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.
DocumentMotion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
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.
DocumentFinancial Disclosures
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.
DocumentPretrial Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
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
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
A proposed order should end with the specified Chambers language, omit a date, and leave room for the judge’s electronic signature.
Proposed orders should conclude with the following language: “done and ordered in Chambers, Sarasota County, Florida.” 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.
DocumentProposed Order
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
Schedule the listed discovery and pleading motions before General Magistrate Evans, comply with Local Rule 5 for discovery issues, and submit an Order of Referral.
All discovery related issues such as compel, contempt re: discovery order, extend time, protective order, objection to interrogatories, objection to production, quash, sanctions re: discovery matters, and any additional discovery-related motion not listed; as well as motions directed to the pleadings, such as amend, strike, default, dismiss, intervene, set aside, etc. shall be scheduled before General Magistrate Natalya Evans. Discovery issues shall be in compliance with Local Rule 5. The scheduling attorney shall submit an Order of Referral to General Magistrate, pursuant to Fla.Fam.L.R.P.
DocumentOrder Of Referral
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
A copy of the order authorizing must be attached to the Notice of Hearing and provided to the Court prior to the hearing. The adoption hearing must be scheduled before the same judge that entered the Final Judgment in the TPR case. The hearing must be scheduled on JACS using the adoption case number. The TPR case number should be entered in the “Additional Info” field.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
To cancel a hearing, immediately cancel it in JACS, file a Notice of Cancellation, and send the notice to the Court, parties, and affected non-parties.
If a hearing is to be cancelled, the cancelling party should immediately: log into JACS and cancel the hearing; file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk of Court; and send a copy of the Notice to the Court, all parties, and affected non-parties.
DocumentNotice Of Cancellation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Both parties must have current financial affidavits on file before submitting an Order of Referral to the Family Mediation Program.
Pursuant to Administrative Order 2024-8.2 and in order to verify that the parties qualify for the Family Mediation Program and for the Family Mediation Program to determine the appropriate fee, both parties must have current financial affidavits on file prior to submitting an Order of Referral.
DocumentOrder Of Referral To Mediation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Any motion for civil contempt/enforcement must provide specific, detailed, factual allegations for each alleged violation, including dates, and must refer to the specific language in the order or judgment that has allegedly been violated.
DocumentCivil Contempt Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
All continuance motions must be in writing and signed by the client/party. See Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460; Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.545(e).
DocumentContinuance Motion
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
A completed Special Interrogatories checklist and the listed cover letter, executed forms, proof of residency, proposed judgment, pleadings, financial documents, and child-related materials must be sent to chambers.
A Special Interrogatories checklist must be completed and sent to the Judge’s chambers with the following documents[1]: Cover letter explaining case status and agreement of opposing counsel/party; Fully executed Special Interrogatories; Legible copy of the driver's license or affidavit of residency for the party signing the interrogatories proving that the party was a Florida resident for at least six months prior to filing date; Proposed Final Judgment with sufficient copies and postage pre-paid envelopes for the Court to send conformed copies. If copies and envelopes are not provided, the original will be scanned and emailed back to the parties; Fully executed Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA); Original and any supplemental pleadings, including Petitions, Answers, Counter- Petitions, and Waivers; Financial affidavits, waiver of mandatory disclosure clause in MSA, or separate waivers. The cover letter must indicate which of these is applicable in the case. If the waiver is in the MSA, the cover letter should indicate the page and paragraph where the waiver can be found; and If minor children are involved: a fully executed Parenting Plan that, at a minimum, complies with F.S. 61.13(2)(b); Parenting class Certificates of Completion for both parties; and UCCJEA.
DocumentSpecial Interrogatories Submission
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
A motion requesting electronic appearance at an evidentiary matter or a matter longer than 10 minutes must provide the listed information.
For a lawyer or a party or a witness to appear electronically at an evidentiary matter or matter for longer than 10 minutes, a motion must be filed explaining to the court: if agreed; and, who is appearing electronically; and, what are the extraordinary circumstances that have occurred requiring an electronic appearance; and, is the person subject to subpoena powers; and what is the nature of the testimony or purpose at the hearing; and, how long their testimony is estimated to take.
DocumentMotion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Once a motion is scheduled, no other motions may be added to the hearing time, cross-noticed for the same hearing time, or substituted in place of a cancelled or withdrawn motion without prior approval of the non-moving party and the Court.
DocumentMotion
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 Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Parties with children are required to bring a draft of a Parenting Plan to the mediation.
DocumentParenting Plan
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
This requirement cannot be waived by the parties, and the financial affidavits must also be filed with the court.
DocumentFinancial Affidavit
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Current Financial Affidavits for BOTH parties MUST be filed prior to attending mediation.
DocumentFinancial Affidavit
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory
Both parties must provide the mediator with proof of payment or proof of indigence prior to the mediation conference.
DocumentProof Of Payment Or Indigence
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Exhibit labels should legibly identify the offering party, distinguish each exhibit, state its entry date if known, and include the case number.
So that evidence is filed in the correct case, exhibit labels should have the following information legibly printed on them: the designation of the party moving the item into evidence as reflected on the initial pleading in the case (i.e., P=Petitioner, R=Respondent, H=Husband, W=Wife, F=Father, M=Mother, etc.); a numbering and lettering system that clearly identifies each, individual exhibit or piece of evidence from another (i.e., 1, 2a, 2b, Composite 3, etc.); the date the exhibit is entered into evidence, if known ahead of time; and the case number (i.e., 22DR2222SC).
DocumentExhibit
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Exhibits and evidence should be pre-marked before the hearing or trial begins.
DocumentExhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
No motion is required for a Family Mediation Program referral, but both parties must have current financial affidavits on file before submitting the referral order.
A motion is not required. Pursuant to Administrative Order 2024-8.2 and in order to verify that the parties qualify for the Family Mediation Program and for the Family Mediation Program to determine the appropriate fee, both parties must have current financial affidavits on file prior to submitting an Order of Referral.
DocumentOrder Of Referral To Mediation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
Submit an agreed-form proposed order through the ordinary process; if form is disputed or counsel does not respond reasonably promptly, email the order with a cover letter describing the disagreement or conferral efforts, and the opponent may submit a competing order.
Parties shall only submit a proposed order when all parties agree to the form. If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable period of time, you may then email the proposed order with a cover letter concisely stating the disagreement or steps you took to confer with the opposing attorney. The opposing attorney may submit a competing order, also indicating in the cover letter that the attorneys are not in agreement.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
If multiple motions are being scheduled for the same time slot, the “Notes” section must contain the complete and exact title of each motion and the date that each motion was filed with the Clerk.
DocumentHearing Scheduling Entry
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. The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
At the time of the Final Hearing, if a party has not filed a Certificate of Completion, the non-compliant party may be limited to supervised time-sharing until they comply. If both parties have not complied, the Final Hearing may be cancelled.
DocumentFinal Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
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.
DocumentOnline Course Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
If there is a Dismissal of the case filed, all parties are excused.
DocumentDismissal
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
The scheduling party should confer about hearing duration and, absent agreement, reserve equal presentation time for the opposing side.
The scheduling party shall confer with the opposing counsel/party to agree on the total time required for the hearing. If the scheduling party is unable to confer or agree with the opposing counsel/party, the scheduling party should schedule the hearing to give the opposing counsel/party an equal amount of time to present to the Court.
DocumentHearing Scheduling Entry
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important
If you receive the Order Rejecting Case Management Report, you will need to attend. If you receive the Order Accepting Case Management Report, you will be excused.
DocumentCase Management Report
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Note
Bring calendars to Court. 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.
DocumentCourt Appearance
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The Notice of Hearing for hearings by Zoom must contain the correct Zoom credentials and specific language which can be found on Judge Bruning's Zoom Information page.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If the Court approves a Motion for a testifying witness to appear electronically, that witness must be in a lawyer’s office, court reporter’s office or a courthouse where an officer of a Court is present to observe that person and assure compliance with rules of Court for testifying – otherwise, the witness will not be permitted to testify.
Summary: An electronically appearing testifying witness must be at a lawyer’s office, court reporter’s office, or courthouse where a court officer can observe the witness.
DocumentTestimony
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
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.
DocumentProposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All hearings must be scheduled for in person hearings unless approved by court order. A motion must be filed and sent to chambers to get special permission to appear via zoom.
DocumentMotion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Any “Unlisted Motion” not specifically described in the “Notes” section will not be heard.
DocumentHearing Scheduling Entry
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
If the title or subject matter of the motion is not listed in the drop-down menu of choices, select “Unlisted Motion.” In the “Notes” section, you must type in the complete and exact title of your motion and the date the motion was filed with the Clerk.
Summary: For an unlisted motion scheduled through JACS, enter its complete exact title and filing date in the Notes section.
DocumentHearing Scheduling Entry
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Submit motions and proposed orders as separate Portal documents; combined motion and proposed-order documents are 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
Do not send Case Management Reports or Pretrial Orders to the Judicial Assistant or Case Manager; file Case Management Reports in the court file, not the signing portal.
Please do not send a copy of the Case Management Report or Pre-trial Order to the Judicial Assistant or Case Manager. All Case Management Reports (whether agreed or not) need to be filed in the Court file and not sent to the signing portal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
Filing a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk or through the e-Filing Portal does not itself cancel the JACS hearing.
The filing of a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk or via the e-Filing Portal does not cancel the hearing on JACS.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Unless good cause is shown, submit proposed orders 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. See AO: 2022-1.2.
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 related documents; dissolution judgments should be emailed in Word format with all parties copied.
The Court encourages all proposed orders (and relevant documents) be sent electronically to the ePortal system. Final Judgments of Dissolution send in Word format to ltroxell@jud12.flcourts.org. All parties must be cc’d for the document to be reviewed.
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
Selecting the Portal’s Emergency Filing button does not make a filing an emergency; 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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
When the case is at issue and no trial date was set with the Case Management Report, parties may submit a completed Case Management Order or, if all agree on the date, a signed trial-setting stipulation and order through e-filing.
The first option: select a case management date from the Court’s website, download and fill out the Case Management Order, and submit it to Judge Bruning like any proposed Order. The second option: if all parties/counsel agree on the trial date, download and fill out the appropriate Stipulation and Order Setting Case for Jury/Nonjury Trial, have all counsel sign it, and submit it to the Court through e-file.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | L. Civil
Pro se litigants and attorneys who show good cause may email proposed orders to the Judicial Assistant in Word format only.
Pro se litigants or attorneys whom have shown good cause, may submit proposed orders electronically in Word format only to ltroxell@jud12.flcourts.org.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Personal appearance at the Pretrial Conference is required unless the parties e-file a completed joint order at least three business days beforehand.
Personal appearance is required unless the parties e-file a completed, joint Pretrial Conference Order at least three (3) business days prior to the Pretrial Conference.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
Meet and confer and complete the appropriate Case Management Report within 30 days after the last defendant is served, then file it within five days after the initial conference.
Within 30 days of the last Defendant being served with process, the parties are directed to meet-and-confer and complete the appropriate Case Management Report. The parties shall file the Case Management Report within 5 days of the parties’ initial meet-and-confer.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
Parties may skip a trial-date CMC only if, at least three business days beforehand, they agree on a date, file the signed trial-setting stipulation and order, and obtain the judge’s signature; otherwise they must appear.
For Case Management Conferences (CMC) called for the purpose of selecting a trial date, the parties/counsel may be excused from appearing provided that no later than three business days before the CMC each of these items has occurred: (1) all parties/counsel agree on the trial date; (2) they download, fill out, and sign the appropriate Stipulation and Order Setting Case for Jury/Nonjury Trial; (3) e-file; and (4) Judge Bruning has signed the proposed Order. If that is not completed, the parties/counsel must appear in Court as ordered.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
A Motion to Vacate will be denied if the transcript is not filed by the Order for Transcript deadline or a later deadline 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
File Case Management Reports and Pre-Trial Conference Orders at least three business days before the hearing; late reports will not be reviewed and the hearing remains scheduled.
Please note that the Court will observe a hard deadline of 3 business days on submitting Case Management Reports and Pre-Trial Conference Orders prior to the scheduled hearing. Reports filed after this deadline will not be reviewed and you should attend the hearing as scheduled.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
Pro se parties must file Form A with the Pro Se Case Manager within 10 days of the Order to request a mediation date.
Pro Se parties shall file a Form A with the Pro Se Case Manager to request a mediation date within 10 days of this Order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | Initial mediation conference scheduling
An objection to mediation by Zoom must be filed with the Court and notice provided to all parties and the Mediation Department within 10 days of the Order.
Any objection to mediating via the ZOOM platform shall be filed with the Court and notice of the objection provided to all parties and the Mediation Department within 10 days of this Order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | ORDER OF REFERRAL TO CIRCUIT FAMILY MEDIATION PROGRAM
Parties and attorneys may be excused from the Initial CMC if they file the agreed Case Management Report three days beforehand.
Parties and attorneys may be excused from appearing if the parties’ file the agreed-to Case Management Report 3 days prior to Initial CMC.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
A party affected by a child-support order must file a Motion to Vacate within 10 days of entry and simultaneously send a copy to the assigned Circuit Judge and Hearing Officer.
Pursuant to Family Law Rule 12.491(f), any party affected by an order may move to vacate an order by filing a motion to vacate within ten (10) days from the date of entry of the order. The motion must be filed in the Clerk’s Office, and a copy of the motion must simultaneously be sent to the assigned Circuit Judge and to the Hearing Officer.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Emergency or expedited motions must be filed, served on opposing and affected parties, sent to the Court, and detail the requested relief, hearing time, and reasons any affected person was not noticed.
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. 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. The motion shall be detailed, including the specific relief sought and the amount of hearing time requested.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
File the original Motion to Vacate with the Clerk and send a copy 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
When filing a temporary relocation motion, simultaneously send it to the Court, other parties, and affected non-parties, and provide a notice to set a nonjury trial.
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. Counsel must also provide the Court with a notice to set the matter for nonjury trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
In proceedings for an initial or supplemental request for permanent financial relief, a party must serve a financial affidavit.
Pursuant to Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure 12.285, a party shall serve a financial affidavit in any proceeding for an initial or supplemental request for permanent financial relief, including, but not limited to, a request for child support, alimony, equitable distribution of assets or debts, or attorneys’ fees, suit money, or cost.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | PARTIES’ RESPONSIBILITIES PRIOR TO MEDIATION
Notice of an objection to mediation by Zoom must be provided to all parties and the Mediation Department within 10 days of the Order.
Any objection to mediating via the ZOOM platform shall be filed with the Court and notice of the objection provided to all parties and the Mediation Department within 10 days of this Order.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | ORDER OF REFERRAL TO CIRCUIT FAMILY MEDIATION PROGRAM
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A filed Notice of Settlement excuses attendance, and no settlement courtesy copy is needed if it was e-filed.
If the case has settled and the Notice of Settlement has been filed, you are excused. The Judicial Assistant does not need a courtesy copy of the Settlement if it has been e-filed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
Do not copy the court file and put it in a binder for the Court.
New requirements to be posted soon, at this point please do not copy the file and put it in a binder for the court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Do not file evidentiary hearing packets or binders with the Clerk; bring them to the courtroom on the hearing day.
When parties submit hearing packets or binders for evidentiary hearings, they should not be filed with the Clerk of Court. Rather, bring the packet and/or binder to the courtroom the day of the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
If the parties cannot agree on an issue, file the appropriate motion and set it for hearing.
If the parties cannot agree on an issue, the appropriate motion should be filed and set for hearing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders
Resolve all motions, including Daubert and in limine motions, before Docket Sounding; unless the judge allows otherwise, any unaddressed pending motion is deemed denied.
All motions, including Daubert motions and in limine motions, must be resolved before Docket Sounding. Unless Judge Bruning allows otherwise, any pending motion will be deemed denied if not addressed by Docket Sounding.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | L. Civil
Contested matters must be mediated before a temporary-relief motion is heard and before trial, unless the Court excuses mediation.
Parties are required to mediate all contested matters or issues before a motion for temporary relief is heard and prior to trial, except when excused by the Court.
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.
Pursuant to Rule 2.505, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, motions to withdraw must be set for hearing with notice provided to all parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Mediation is required before trial unless a party files a motion and obtains a hearing on the request not to participate.
Mediation is required prior to trial. Should a party desire not to participate in mediation, a motion will need to be filed and a hearing held.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
The Court may waive mediation after a verified motion and hearing based on hardship, emergency, or a history of domestic violence that would compromise mediation.
When the Court waives mediation, upon verified motion and hearing, because of a hardship, emergency, or history of domestic violence between the parties that would compromise the mediation process.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Counseled parties should make a good-faith attempt to resolve or mediate emergency or expedited matters and submit stipulations when possible.
Parties represented by counsel shall attempt in good faith to resolve or mediate emergency/expedited matters and submit stipulations, if at all possible.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A trial continuance by stipulation is not effective until the Court receives and reviews the motion or stipulation and the Judicial Assistant notifies the parties of the 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
The Court must approve a stipulation to continue a trial after the case has been placed on the trial docket.
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
Chambers Communication Rules
Email to the Judicial Assistant is limited to basic information and sending documents, not argument or persuasion, and should omit irrelevant or adversarial content.
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. Emails to the judicial assistant should be devoid of information or statements that are unnecessary, superfluous, irrelevant, or adversarial. Arguments should be confined to letters, motions, memoranda, and legal documents attached to the email.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court
Email communications to the Judicial Assistant must comply with all Court-contact rules, including rules governing ex parte communication.
Communications sent to the Judicial Assistant's 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
A party must email the Judicial Assistant if their client is in custody in Sarasota County jail.
It is the responsibility of the party to notify the Judicial Assistant by email their client is in custody in Sarasota County jail.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Callers should read the requirements before calling the Judicial Assistant.
Phone (941) 861–3240; Please read the requirements prior to calling.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026
Page 1 | Requirements & Information
Do not call or email the Court to discuss a pending case with a judge; the Court considers arguments only when properly presented in court or filed by a party.
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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Requirements & Information
Do not set new-trial or rehearing motions for hearing; send them to the Judicial Assistant with a cover letter for the judge to decide whether a hearing is warranted.
Please do not set these motions for hearing. Please send these motions to Judge Bruning’s Judicial Assistant with a cover letter. Judge Bruning will determine whether to grant a hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | L. Civil
To schedule an extended hearing over 60 minutes, email chambers, copy the opposing side, and provide the case number, motion title, requested time, and reasons for the duration.
A hearing, including a hearing for Temporary Relief, that requires more than 60 minutes, is considered an Extended Hearing. In order to schedule an Extended Hearing, send an email to ltroxell@jud12.flcourts.org, copy opposing counsel/party. The email should contain: the case number, title of the motion, how much time is being requested, and specific details (issues, evidence, witnesses, etc.) explaining why more than 60 minutes are required to hear the motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
If the parties settle after Docket Sounding, immediately notify the Judicial Assistant and the attorneys next in the trial lineup, including over the weekend.
If the parties settle after Docket Sounding, not only must the parties immediately notify Judge Bruning’s Judicial Assistant, the parties must also immediately contact the attorneys next in order on the trial lineup (even over the weekend).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | L. Civil
If JACS will not allow cancellation, immediately contact the Judicial Assistant by phone and email, file a cancellation notice, and send it to the Court and affected persons.
If JACS will not authorize a cancellation, the party should immediately: contact the judicial assistant by telephone and email; file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk; and send a copy of the Notice to the Court, all parties, and affected non-parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures
Request a court interpreter at least five business days before the court event; later requests may not be accommodated.
Requests for court interpreters should be made at least five (5) business days in advance of the scheduled court event. Requests made with less than five (5) business days’ notice may not be accommodated.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Contact the judge’s office immediately when a settlement is reached.
The judge’s office shall be contacted immediately once a settlement has been reached.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Attorneys and staff should check the Sarasota Clerk’s online docket before asking the Judicial Assistant about case or order status.
Before contacting the Judicial Assistant about the status of a case or pending order, attorneys and their staff should consult the Sarasota Clerk’s online docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Requirements & Information