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7 verbatim requirements on exhibits & evidence.
Eighth Judicial Circuit — DIVISION/CIRCUIT-WIDE - Family only. Practices change without notice; the court's own published text controls. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from the published source, captured 2026-07-24; whitespace normalised only. No OCR was used. • AO 5.09 (v4) Page 1 Standing Family Court Order Effective October 21, 2024 THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 5.09 STANDING FAMILY COURT ORDER WHEREAS, the Chief Judge is required to develop an administrative plan for the efficient and proper administration of all courts within the circuit (Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.215(b)(3)); and WHEREAS, the Chief Judge has designated the Administrative Judge of the Family Division to direct the formation and implementation of polic ies and priorities for the operation of family courts within the circuit (Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.215(b)(5)); and WHEREAS, the Administrative Judge of the Family Division is charged with “[d]eveloping proposed policy, operating procedures, and administrative orders for the implementation of the circuit’s plan.” See In Re Report of the Commission on Family Courts , 633 So. 2d 14, 17 (Fla. 1994)(“Family Courts II”); and WHEREAS, the family court is committed to resolving family disputes in a fair, timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner ( In Re Report of the Family Court Steering Committee , 794 So. 2d 518 (Fla. 2001)); and WHEREAS, it is the court’s responsibility to equitably divide marital property, determine financial issues attendant to the marriage, and determine time -sharing matters in the best interest of the children in dissolution of marriage and paternity actions; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 1. A Standing Family Court Order (“Standing Order A”), attached hereto as “Exhibit A,” is hereby entered in all dissolution of marriage, simplified dissolution of marriage, separate maintenance, and annulment cases filed in this circuit. 2. A Standing Family Court Order (“Standing Order B”) attached hereto as “Exhibit B,” is hereby entered in all paternity cases filed in this circuit , except in cases initiated by the • AO 5.09 (v4) Page A-i Standing Family Court Order Effective: October 21, 2024 EXHIBIT A ____________________________________ Petitioner’s signature acknowledges receipt IN THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA STANDING FAMILY COURT ORDER FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, SEPARATE MAINTENANCE, AND ANNULMENT This Order applies to both parties in original actions for dissolution of marriage, separate maintenance, or annulment filed in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. It applies to the filing party upon filing of the action and it applies to the other party upon service of the summons and initial pleading or filing of a waiver and acceptance of service. This Order shall remain in effect during the pendency of the action until modified or terminated by order of the court. Accordingly, it is adjudged: 1. Neither party shall sell, transfer, encumber, conceal, assign, remove, or in any way dispose of any property (whether real, personal, or mixed in nature) jointly or individually owned by the parties, without the written consent of the other party, or without an order of the court unless the disposition is in the normal course of business, or for customary and usual household expenses, or for reasonable attorney’s fees in connection with this action. 2. Neither party shall incur unreasonable debts. This includes but is not limited to, additional borrowing against credit lines secured by the family residence, additional encumbering of any marital asset, unreasonable use of any credit cards, or taking cash advances against credit limits of bank cards. 3. Neither party shall change the beneficiaries of any existing life insurance policies, or other financial products or accounts containing a beneficiary designation. Each party shall maintain existing life, auto, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies in full force and effect. 4. If the parties have minor children in common, the following provisions shall apply: a. Neither party shal l make changes to the minor child (ren)’s school registration or recurring appointments without written consent of the other party, or an order of the court. b. Neither party shall cause the other party or the child (ren) of the marriage to be removed from any medical, hospital, and/or dental insurance coverage, and each party shall maintain the existing medical, hospital, and dental insurance coverage in full force and effect. c. Neither party shall conceal the whereabouts of the minor child(ren) and each party shall keep the other advised at all times of the residential address where the child(ren) will be residing. Each party shall notify the other immediately of any emergency pertaining to any child of the parties. d. Each party shall provide to the other party his or her residence address, cellular telephone number and email address. Each party shall notify the other party within 5 days of any changes in his/her residence address, cellular telephone number or email address. e. The parties shall assist the minor child(ren) in having contact with both parties which is consistent with the previous contact habits of the family. Unless there is a • AO 5.09 (v4) Page A-i Standing Family Court Order Effective: October 21, 2024 EXHIBIT B ____________________________________ Petitioner’s signature acknowledges receipt IN THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA STANDING FAMILY COURT ORDER FOR PATERNITY This Order applies to both parties in original actions for paternity filed in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, except in cases initiated by the Department of Revenue involving only the establishment of child support. It applies to the filing party upon filing of the action and it applies to the other party upon service of the summons and initial pleading or filing of a waiver and acceptance of service. This Order shall remain in effect during the pendency of the action until modified or terminated by order of the court. Accordingly, it is adjudged: 1. Neither party shall make changes to the minor child (ren)’s school registration or recurring appointments without written consent of the other party, or an order of the court. 2. Neither party shall cause the child(ren) to be removed from any medical, hospital, and/or dental insurance coverage, and each party shall maintain the existing medical, hospital, and dental insurance coverage in full force and effect. 3. Neither party shall conceal the whereabouts of the minor child(ren) and each party shall keep the other advised at all times of the residential address where the child(ren) will be residing. Each party shall notify the other immediately of any emergency pertaining to any child of the parties. 4. Each party shall provide to the other party his or her residence address, cellular telephone number and email address. Each party shall notify the other party within 5 days of any changes in his/her residence address, cellular telephone number or email address. This provision shall not apply if there is a conflicting court order. 5. The par ties shall assist their child(ren) in having contact with both pa rties which is consistent with the previous contact habits of the family. Unless there is a conflicting court order, such contact shall be in -person, telephonic, electronic (e .g. video calls ), and/or written. 6. Either party may travel within Florida or out -of-state with the minor child(ren) so long as such travel is consistent with the previous habits of the family. The party traveling out -of- state with the minor child(ren) shall provide a detailed itinerary to the other party at least 7 days in advance, including telephone numbers where the child(ren) and traveling party can be reached during the trip. 7. The parties shall file proof of completion of a 4 -hour Parenting Education and Family Stabilization Course approved by the Department of Children and Families before entry by the court of a final judgment. Pursuant to §61.21, Florida Statutes, the Petitioner shall complete the course within 45 days after filing of the petition, and any other party shall complete the course within 45 days after an acknowledgment of paternity by that party, an adjudication of paternity of that party, or an order granting time -sharing to or support from that party. • AO 5.10 (v2) Page A-ii Pretrial Orders Effective October 17, 2016 Order Scheduling Pretrial Conference and Non-Jury Trial 3. WITNESS AND EXHIBIT LISTS: No later than thirty (30) days before the pretrial conference, the attorney for each party shall file with the Clerk of the Court, and serve a copy on the opposing attorneys, a complete list of witnesses , including rebuttal witnesses, and exhibits to be used at trial. Witness lists shall include witness addresses, telephone numbers, and a brief synopsis of the testimony of each witness. Expert witnesses shall be identified as such. 4. DISCOVERY: All discovery shall be completed no later than three (3) days before the pre-trial conference. 5. PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE: No later than three (3 ) days before the pretrial conference, the attorney for each party shall file with the Clerk of the Court, and serve a copy on the opposing attorneys and the Court, the following: a) A statement as to whether or no t the parties have participated in mediation with respect to the issues set for trial, or whether mediation is currently scheduled to take place before the date of trial. If mediation has not taken place and is not scheduled to take place before trial, an explanation shall be stated. b) A statement of all issues presented for adjudication by the court, setting forth those which remain in dispute and those to which the parties have stipulated. As to those to which the parties have stipulated, the specific nature of the stipulation shall be stated. As to those issues remaining in dispute, the parties shall state the specific relief or adjudication sought. c) A schedule of all exhibits and witnesses each party will offer during the trial. d) A concise statement of the marital history, including the date and place of marriage and the date of separation of the parties. e) If applicable, a list of the parties’ children containing the name, date of birth, and social security number of each child. f) In all cases in which a parenting plan or time -sharing is in dispute, a statement describing the division of parenting responsibilities since the date of separation, and a description of the pattern of time-sharing which has been established; also, the spe cific parenting plan and time -sharing arrangement each party proposes to be ordered by the court, using Florida Family Law Form 12.995(a), including a specific description of any significant travel arrangements required by the plan. • AO 5.10 (v2) Page A-iii Pretrial Orders Effective October 17, 2016 Order Scheduling Pretrial Conference and Non-Jury Trial g) A current financial aff idavit from each pa rty and, if applicable, a child support guidelines worksheet, a motion for deviation from the guidelines when an award of support above or below the guidelines is requested, and a copy of a certificate of completion of an approved parenting class. Fla. Fam. L.R.P. 12.285(d)(1), (e), and (j); §61.21(4), (6), Fla. Stat. h) In all cases in which equitable distribution of property or debts is in dispute, a statement defining the valuation date(s) and the reasons for selecting those dates, the names in which the title, ownership, or liability lies if not jointly held, and the basis for any claim for unequal distribution; also, the specific equitable distribution plan each party proposes to be ordered by the court, using the chart found in Florida Family Law Form 12.990(c)(1) i) In all cases in which a party seeks alimony, a statement of that party’s claim and the nature and amount of alimony claimed, whether lump -sum, rehabilitative, “bridge-the-gap”, or permanent, together with the factual and legal basis for the claim. A party seeking rehabilitati ve alimony shall describe that party’s rehabilitation plan. 6. EXHIBITS: No later than three (3 ) days before the pretrial conference, the attorneys shall meet personally or electronically and exhibit to each other all documentary and tangible evidence intende d to be offered at the trial, and shall make a good faith effort to stipulate to their admissibility. Stipulations may be conditioned on a showing of such things as authenticity, relevance, foundation, and other predicates for admissibility. 7. MOTIONS: All pretrial motions must be filed and heard before the pretrial conference. 8. CANCELLATIONS: The non-Jury trial shall not be canceled or postponed without a prior order of the court for good cause shown. 9. COMPLIANCE WITH SCHEDULE: The times for compliance wit h the schedule stated in this order may be extended only for good cause shown upon timely application. 10. TIME LIMIT: This case must be tried and concluded within the amount of time allowed by this order, and the attorneys will be strictly limited to that amount of time. The court will allocate the time between the attorneys, which will include one hour for oral argument. Immediately notify the Court in writing if settlement is achieved or if less than the time reserved for the hearing is necessary. • AO 5.10 (v2) Page A-ii Pretrial Orders Effective October 17, 2016 Order Setting Non-Jury Trial 4. PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE: No later than seven (7) days before the trial, the attorney for each party shall file with the Clerk of the Court, and serve a copy on the opposing attorneys and the Court, the following: a) A statement as to whether or not the parties have participated in mediation with respect to the issues set for trial, or whether mediation is currently scheduled to take place before the date of trial. If mediation has not taken place and is not scheduled to take place before trial, an explanation shall be stated. b) A statement of all issues presented for adjudication by the court, setting forth those which remain in dispute and those to which the parties have stipulated. As to those to which the parties have stipulated, the specific nature of the stipulation shall be stated. As to those issues remai ning in dispute, the parties shall state the specific relief or adjudication sought. c) A schedule of all exhibits each party will offer during the trial. d) A concise statement of the marital history, including the date and place of marriage and the date of separation of the parties. e) If applicable, a list of the parties’ children containing the name, date of birth, and social security number of each child. f) In all cases in which a parenting plan or time -sharing is in dispute, a statement describing the division of parenting responsibilities since the date of separation, and a description of the pattern of time-sharing which has been established; also, the specific parenting plan and time -sharing arrangement each party proposes to be ordered by the court, using Florida Family Law Form 12.995(a), including a specific description of g) A current financial affidavit from each party and, if applicable, a child support guidelines worksheet, a motion for deviation from the guidelines when an award of support above or below the guidelines is requested, and a copy of a certificate of completion of an approved parenting class. h) In all cases in which equitable distribution of property or debts is in dispute, a statement defining the valuation date(s) and the reasons for selecting those dates, the names in which the title, ownership, or liability lies if not jointly held, and the basis for any claim for unequal distribution; also, the specific equitable distribution plan each party proposes to be ordered by the court, using the chart found in Florida Family Law Form 12.990(c)(1) • AO 5.10 (v2) Page A-iii Pretrial Orders Effective October 17, 2016 Order Setting Non-Jury Trial i) In all cases in which a party seeks alimony, a statement of that party’s claim and the nature and amount of alimony claimed, whether lump -sum, rehabilitative, “bridge-the-gap”, or permanent, together with t he factual and legal basis for the claim. A party seeking rehabilitative alimony shall describe that party’s rehabilitation plan. 6. EXHIBITS: No later than seven (7) days before the trial, the attorneys shall meet personally or electronically and exhibit to each other all documentary and tangible evidence intended to be offered at the trial, and shall make a good faith effort to stipulate to their admissibility. Stipulations may be conditioned on a showing of such things as authenticity, relevance, founda tion, and other predicates for admissibility. 7. MOTIONS: All pretrial motions must be filed and heard before the trial. 8. CANCELLATIONS: The trial shall not be canceled or postponed without a prior order of the court for good cause shown. 9. COMPLIANCE WITH SCHE DULE: The times for compliance with the schedule stated in this order may be extended only for good cause shown upon timely application. 10. TIME LIMIT: This case must be tried and concluded within the amount of time allowed by this order, and the attorneys will be strictly limited to that amount of time. The court will allocate the time between the attorneys, which will include one hour for oral argument. Immediately notify the Court in writing if settlement is achieved or if less than the time reserved for the hearing is necessary. 11. SANCTIONS: Failure by a party or an attorney to comply with the requirements of this order may result in the court striking that party’s pleadings, limiting that
AO 5.09 (v4) Page 1 Standing Family Court Order Effective October 21, 2024 THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 5.09 STANDING FAMILY COURT ORDER WHEREAS, the Chief Judge is required to develop an administrative plan for the efficient and proper administration of all courts within the circuit (Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.215(b)(3)); and WHEREAS, the Chief Judge has designated the Administrative Judge of the Family Division to direct the formation and implementation of polic ies and priorities for the operation of family courts within the circuit (Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.215(b)(5)); and WHEREAS, the Administrative Judge of the Family Division is charged with “[d]eveloping proposed policy, operating procedures, and administrative orders for the implementation of the circuit’s plan.” See In Re Report of the Commission on Family Courts , 633 So. 2d 14, 17 (Fla. 1994)(“Famil
Reviewer note: Source sha256: 9ebc4d37f083683b2db86efcedf6a664eee6f688db9eda888f204f462c12cb89, d8d247bb4af7d7c61ae69efeff6c787baea332210b109aadd3d40dae7bfae7d2. Corpus categories: EXHIBITS, ARGUMENT_OR_HEARING_TIME | EXHIBITS. Operative status as recorded: CURRENT_DIRECTORY_CURRENT_VERSION. Published during the 2026-07-24 completeness pass.
Judge Sherman requires TWO identical bound hard-copy sets of pre-marked exhibits for evidentiary hearings at least 7 days out — and anything over 50 pages must arrive as bound hard copies by mail.
Judge Hafele: exhibits in chambers three days before any evidentiary proceeding, courtesy copies two days out, all hearing materials three business days ahead, and interpreter requests seven days in advance.
Judge Mullinax wants physical copies of all documents and exhibits for in-person hearings/trials provided five days in advance; orders in Word (no macros/columns/tabs) within 48 hours, final judgments with a 3-inch top-right margin.