Judge Michael L. Katz
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Court-wideProposed Order
Court-wideAdjournments
- All adjournments require prior court approval, and counsel may jointly request one by contacting the Part Clerk at least two days before the appearance.
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideIntake Unit
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Note
Exhibits should be identified with tabs.
All exhibits should be identified by tabs.
Document Filing Requirements13 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Every motion, opposition, and reply paper must state the motion sequence number and return date on its first page.
All motion papers (including opposition and reply papers) shall state the motion sequence number and return date of the motion on the first page.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Sur-replies are prohibited unless the court gives prior permission.
Sur-replies are not accepted without prior court permission.
Document Type
Sur Reply
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Motions must generally be brought by order to show cause unless the court directs otherwise.
All motions shall be made by order to show cause unless otherwise directed by the court.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
An ex parte order-of-protection application must include the Family Protection Registry Information Sheet, and the litigant must be present.
Ex-parte applications for orders of protection must be accompanied by the Family Protection Registry Information Sheet and the litigant must be present.
Document Type
Ex Parte Order Of Protection Application
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
The compliance-conference date must be set during the preliminary conference.
The date of the compliance conference shall be set at the time of the preliminary conference.
Document Type
Compliance Conference Schedule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Unless there is a pretrial conference, the parties must exchange and file the disposition statement, updated net-worth statement, tax returns, witness list, and exhibit list with pre-marked exhibits at least two weeks before trial.
Parties shall exchange and file with the court the following documents at the pre-trial conference, if any, or at least two weeks prior to the first day of trial if there is no pre-trial conference: (i) statement of proposed disposition; (ii) updated statement of net worth; (iii) most recently filed tax returns; (iv) witness list; and (v) exhibit list (with pre-marked exhibits).
Document Type
Pretrial Submission
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
At the preliminary conference, each party must submit a sworn net-worth statement, recent state and federal tax returns, and the two most recent paycheck stubs.
The following documents shall be submitted at the preliminary conference: (i) each party’s sworn statement of net worth; (ii) the most recently filed state and federal income tax returns; and (iii) each party’s two most recent paycheck stubs.
Document Type
Preliminary Conference Submission
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
A motion to consolidate pending Family Court family-offense proceedings must include complete copies of the relevant pleadings and orders with docket numbers.
Motions to consolidate family offense proceedings pending in the Family Court must contain a complete copy of the relevant pleadings and orders (with relevant docket numbers).
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
For custody-only trials involving no financial issues, the parties must file a proposed parenting plan instead of a statement of proposed disposition and need not file an updated net-worth statement.
If the trial concerns the issue of custody only and involves no financial issues, the parties shall file a proposed parenting plan instead of a statement of proposed disposition, and need not file an updated statement of net worth.
Document Type
Proposed Parenting Plan
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
During direct testimony, counsel may offer only documents previously disclosed on the exhibit list, and only witnesses previously disclosed on the witness list may testify.
As a general rule, no counsel or party will be permitted to offer a document into evidence during a witness’ direct testimony unless the document was disclosed on the previously exchanged exhibit list, and no witness will be permitted to testify unless the witness was disclosed on the previously exchanged witness list.
Document Type
Trial Evidence And Witnesses
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Important
Before the pretrial conference, the parties must attempt to execute a stipulation addressing exhibit authenticity and admissibility and undisputed facts.
Prior to the pre-trial conference, the parties shall attempt to execute a stipulation as to: (i) the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits; and (ii) undisputed facts.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All discovery shall be completed before the final status conference.
Summary: All discovery must be completed before the final status conference.
Document Type
Final Status Conference
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Attorneys for children, if any, may file a proposed parenting plan if they wish to do so, and shall also exchange and file witness and exhibit lists.
Summary: Attorneys for children may optionally file a proposed parenting plan, but must exchange and file witness and exhibit lists.
Document Type
Pretrial Submission
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Pretrial motions, including motions in limine, must be filed by order to show cause at least three weeks before the pretrial conference and returnable at that conference.
Any pre-trial motions, including motions in limine, shall be filed by order to show cause at least three weeks prior to the pre-trial conference, so that they can be made returnable at the pre-trial conference.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 2 | Pre-trial conferences
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The party must send all parties or their counsel a copy of the unsigned order to show cause and a letter stating the date, time, and location of the interim-relief hearing.
The party must then forward a copy of the unsigned order to show cause to all parties or their counsel, together with a letter notifying them of the date, time and location that the parties will be heard on the request for interim relief.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | Temporary restraining orders
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Oral argument is required for all motions unless the court directs otherwise.
Oral argument is required on all motions, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | Motions
Counsel are encouraged to contact the court by conference call before filing a motion.
To reduce the need for motion practice, counsel are encouraged to contact the court by conference call prior to filing a motion.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
All adjournments require prior court approval, and counsel may jointly request one by contacting the Part Clerk at least two days before the appearance.
All adjournments require the prior approval of the court. Applications for adjournments may be made by counsel jointly contacting the Part Clerk at (646) 386-3285 at least two (2) days prior to the scheduled court appearance.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | General Rules
Trial dates are final and will not be adjourned absent extraordinary circumstances.
Absent extraordinary circumstances, all trial dates are final and will not be adjourned.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 2 | Trials and Hearings
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel and parties should not contact the court by letter, email, or fax, or forward correspondence to the court, without prior court permission.
Counsel and parties should not contact the court by letter, email or fax, and should not forward to the court copies of correspondence between or among counsel and/or parties, without prior permission from the court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | General Rules
Counsel may jointly initiate a telephone conference with the court when an issue between court dates requires court intervention.
Counsel may also jointly initiate a telephone conference with the court should an issue arise between court dates which requires court intervention.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | General Rules
Before presenting an order to show cause for a temporary restraining order or other interim relief, the party must contact the Part Clerk to obtain a date and time, except for ex parte order-of-protection applications.
Any party bringing an order to show cause seeking a temporary restraining order or other interim relief (other than an ex-parte application for an order of protection) must first contact the Part Clerk at (646) 386-3285 to obtain a date and time to present the order to show cause to the court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Temporary restraining orders