BenchPath

Universal Search

Find the rule before you file

Filter by county, category, case type, and confidence. Every result carries its source citation and last-verified date.

4 rules for “Probate Petition

Standing OrdersHernando County · Judge Don Barbee

Judge Barbee (Hernando) Standing Order — Probate (eff. June 18, 2026): 12-month completion, 1-business-day evidence

Probate matters should be completed within 12 months of letters of administration (Fla. Prob. R. 5.400(c)); electronic evidence for all evidentiary hearings due at least one full business day ahead; petitions to admit a lost/destroyed will require a hearing.

High confidence· verified July 19, 2026Standing Order on Probate Practice — Judge Barbee (eff. June 18, 2026)
Administrative OrdersHernando County

Hernando AO H-2025-56-C: Third Amended Caseload Assignment CY2026 — full table (eff. June 22, 2026, 12:01 a.m.)

The current Hernando assignment order, amended to add the Truancy docket. BenchPath parsed the full 13-page body (which prior research could not extract): Merritt (Chief) 50% felony C/D + delinquency + Baker/Marchman; Toner 50% felony A/B + all dependency; Scaglione 100% jury civil; Barbee 100% non-jury civil/probate/guardianship + all three treatment courts; Eineman UFC/50% DR/truancy; Fritton 50% DR + all RPOs/injunctions; county courts split by percentage; blind-draw assignment bars judge shopping.

High confidence· verified July 19, 2026AO H-2025-56-C (5th Cir., Hernando Cty., eff. June 22, 2026, 12:01 a.m.)
Judge PreferencesMiami-Dade County · Judge Jorge E. Cueto

Judge Jorge E. Cueto — Courtroom Procedures & Requirements (11th Circuit, Miami-Dade) [898-28]

Judge Jorge E. Cueto — Courtroom Procedures & Requirements (11th Circuit, Miami-Dade)

High confidence· verified July 19, 2026
Case ManagementHillsborough County · Probate Division B & Risk Protection Orders N · Judge Caroline Tesche Arkin

Emergency Guardianship and Vulnerable-Adult Petitions Are In Person — Probate B / RPO N

Judge Tesche Arkin defaults to Zoom but pulls emergencies back into the courtroom: Emergency Temporary Guardianship and Vulnerable Adult petitions are heard in person with counsel and parties present; 1-hour-plus hearings are JA-set and in-person only.

High confidence· verified July 5, 202613th Jud. Cir., Judge Tesche Arkin Procedures & Preferences (Probate B / RPO N)