Parties without attorney representation are encouraged but not required to file a Designation of Email Address.  By filing this form, you will receive copies of all pleadings by email NOT regular U.S. Mail.  A link to a copy of the form is available here: Designation of Email Address

The completed form should be mailed to:  Clerk of the Circuit Court, ATTN:  Family Law Division, 301 N. Michigan Avenue, Plant City, FL  33563.

1. File a Notice of Cancellation with the clerk
2. Email a copy of the Notice to JA at eastcirdivr@fljud13.org
3. If more than 24 hours to hearing time, please cancel hearing via JAWS.  If less than 24 hours, then request the JA to cancel when you send her the Notice.

1. The First CMC cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
2. The parties must agree to a continuance of a reset CMC.
3. Contact JA by email, copying all parties, and request continuance.
4. Any agreed proposed order of continuance should include a blank space for new hearing date.
5. All parties or attorneys must have an email address on file with the court for service of the order.  If a party does not have an email address on file, the proposed order must be submitted in hard copy to the court with conforming copies and stamped envelopes.  

1. All parties and attorneys are required to attend the First CMC.  Attendance at later CMC’s is recommended but not required if there is good cause for the absence.
2. If the case is settled prior to the First CMC, then hearing time may be used as a final hearing. 
3. If the party requires a case management conference, that can be scheduled in JAWS on the open docket or the motion docket – 15 minutes.
4. All CMC’s will take place by Zoom until further notice. 

1. Mediation is required prior to attending a temporary relief hearing. (Administrative Order S-2020-052)
2. Mediator’s Report must be filed with the Court at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing date or the hearing will be cancelled.
3. If the opposing (or non-moving) party fails to cooperate in attending mediation, the issue shall be addressed by the Judge at the temporary relief hearing where possible sanctions could be imposed.
4. At least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled temporary relief hearing, the moving party shall file the original Temporary Relief Hearing Memorandum with the Clerk of the Court and serve a copy on all parties, as well as deliver a copy to the Judge. A proposed Parenting Plan is also required if the case involves minor child(ren).
5. All exhibits, together with an exhibit list, to be used at the hearing must be uploaded to the Florida E-Filing Portal Exhibits area (located where Orders are uploaded) no later than three (3) business days prior to the scheduled hearing. Helpful tips for Exhibit Portal Upload:
   • You must add a unique description (i.e. Petitioner’s Exhibit 1, Respondent’s Exhibit 1, Joint Agreed Exhibit 1, etc) to each exhibit uploaded.
   • The exhibits should have a cover page and be pre-marked with a label in the form indicated on this link (Exhibit Label).
   • Complete as much information as you can on the label.
   The judge does not require a hard copy of the exhibits; however, the parties must bring hard copies for use on the witness stand on the day of the hearing.
6. A copy of any document provided to the Court shall also be provided to all other Parties.
7. All Temporary Relief Hearings shall take place in person.

1. Effective 7/14/22, all hearings that can be heard in under three (3) hours shall occur by Zoom. Any hearings ninety (90) minutes or more shall appear in person.
2. A motion should be filed with the Clerk of Court before setting the matter for hearing in JAWS or requesting hearing time from the Judicial Assistant. Please include the docket number for the motion in the email to the Judicial Assistant, together with the name of motion.
3. Any matter requiring less than 60 minutes of hearing time is to be scheduled through JAWS. Pro se litigants (a party who is not represented by an attorney) do not have access to JAWS and accordingly, if you are pro se, please email the Judicial Assistant for available hearing times. All parties must be copied on the email. Available hearing times are as follows:
• Motion Hearing – 15 min, 30 and 60 min
• Open Docket (5 minutes non-evidentiary hearings, uncontested final hearings with both parties receiving 2.5 minutes each).
• Pre-Trial
• Adoptions - Uncontested TPR
• Adoptions – TPR
• Adoptions – Final Hearing

 

4. In the event that Open Docket hearing times are not readily available, please email the Judicial Assistant with your request for a 5-minute open docket hearing and the basis for the request.
5. Any matters requiring more than 60 minutes of hearing time are to be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant. You may contact the Judicial Assistant via email at eastcirdivr@fljud13.org to obtain available hearing times. 
6. If a Party encounters any issues in obtaining hearing times, please set a Case Management Conference (CMC) on the Open Docket so that the Court may address same. Please include in the Notice of CMC Hearing that the nature of the CMC is to discuss obtaining hearing time.
7. PLEASE COPY ALL ATTORNEYS ON THE CASE ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE SENT TO THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT.  If a Party is not represented by counsel, please copy the unrepresented party on all correspondence sent to the Judicial Assistant.
8. After obtaining a hearing time either through JAWS or the Judicial Assistant, a Notice of Hearing is to be e-filed. The Notice of Hearing MUST state whether the case will be heard in person or by Zoom.

1. When submitting proposed orders, if both Parties are represented by counsel, proposed orders along with a Cover Letter, both in .pdf format, are to be uploaded to the Florida e-Portal.  If a proposed order is required to be uploaded to the Portal, please do not also send a hard copy or email to the Court.  The Cover Letter needs to include whether or not the proposed order is agreed upon by all Parties and should be copied to opposing party or his/her attorney.
   
   If a party objects to a proposed order, the objecting party must submit his/her own order to the JA via email within five (5) days with a cover letter saying that it is a competing order and opposing counsel or other party must be copied on the cover letter. It is also helpful if the cover letter states the objections to the proposed order.

 

2. If a Party is unrepresented and has no email address on file for service, then proposed orders along with copies for conforming are to be submitted to the Court via hard copy.  Please also include self-addressed envelopes with postage for each Party that needs to receive a copy of the executed order.

 

3. Proposed orders should include the docket number of the underlying motion in the first paragraph.  

 

4. Incoming Withholding Orders can now be uploaded into e-portal. If one of the parties, represents themselves, the Order MUST be submitted via hard copy with copies of the Order and self-addressed envelopes for all parties. 

 

5. The signature for the Judge to sign must say “Nancy L. Jacobs, Circuit Court Judge”.

 

6. When submitting orders involving minor child(ren), you must include the following language:
   
   The party shall include following statement in their Final Judgment: Either parent may unilaterally, without the consent of the other parent, schedule a mental health appointment for the minor child of the marriage. The other parent shall be notified of the date, time, address, and name of the medical provider in sufficient time that the parent may attend the appointment.

1. Please provide case law and any legal authority to the Court via email no later than three (3) business days prior to a scheduled hearing. 

No party should file an emergency motion without first reviewing Smith v. Crider, 31 F.L.W. D1018 (2d DCA April 7, 2006). The moving party should file the original Emergency Motion with the Clerk of the Court, Edgecomb Courthouse, First Floor, 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, Florida 33602.

Please Note: Do not hand-deliver a copy of the Emergency Motion to the Judge’s chambers. A Deputy Clerk will deliver a copy of the Emergency Motion to the Judge’s chambers for review. Once the Judge has reviewed the court file and the Emergency Motion, the Judge will prepare and enter an Emergency Handling Order and copies will be distributed by JAWS. If a party is unrepresented, then a copy of the Judge’s ruling on the Emergency Motion will be mailed. If a hearing is required, the Judicial Assistant will coordinate by e-mail hearing dates/times with the parties. When possible, all parties email addresses should be included for service of any hearing notice or order. 

Effective July 14, 2022, all trials over three (3) hours will be held in person in Courtroom 2 and PTC will be held via Zoom.

All cases ready for trial must be set for Case Management Conference. The parties can schedule on JAWS. At this Case Management Conference, the Court will enter an order allowing the parties to set pre-trial conference and trial date with the Judicial Assistant. The parties shall send an email to the Judicial Assistant with a copy of the order attached requesting trial and pre-trial dates. The email shall also include the amount of time needed for the trial. Once all parties agree to a trial date, the Uniform Order Setting Trial and Pre-Trial shall be uploaded within three days. 

NOTE: A Pre-Trial Memorandum SHALL be electronically filed and served on each party by the other party, as well as a copy of both emailed to the Judge, at least three (3) business days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference. The parties should be prepared to discuss provisions set forth in the Pre-Trial Memorandums and Pre-Trial Conference Order.

1. All exhibits, together with an exhibit list (Exhibit List), to be used at the hearing must be uploaded to the Florida e-Filing Portal Exhibit area (located where Orders are uploaded) no later than three (3) business days prior to the scheduled hearing.  

 

Helpful tips for Exhibit Portal Upload:

• You must add a unique description (i.e. Petitioner’s Exhibit 1, Respondent’s Exhibit 1, Joint Agreed Exhibit 1, etc) to each exhibit uploaded.  
• The exhibits should have a cover page and be pre-marked with a label in the form indicated on this link (Exhibit Label).
• Complete as much information as you can on the label.

 

The judge requires a hard copy of the exhibits; however, the parties must bring hard copies for use on the witness stand on the day of the hearing.



2. A copy of any document provided to the Court shall also be provided to all other Parties.
3. The parties must have completed mediation within six months of the Final Hearing.

At least 3 days prior to trial, the unrepresented parties and attorneys shall provide the court with an equitable distribution chart in Excel format by e-mail to the judicial assistant. The chart should list all assets and debts, whether the assets are marital or non-marital, and the value each party has for the asset or debt. The chart shall have additional columns for the court’s determination of the value of each asset or debt, and a column for each party for the court to complete. A sample of the headings for the chart may be accessed here. This is an example of the headings and form only and should be completed based on the assets and debts of each case.

1. The parties must have completed mediation within six months of the Final Hearing.

1. All post judgment matters must have an Order of Referral to the General Magistrate filed at the same time the petition or motion is filed.
2. All post judgment matters MUST be mediated prior to the scheduling of any hearings.
3. You must schedule post judgment hearings via JAWS. 

A Final Disposition Form must be submitted at the time of submission of a proposed Final Order or Final Judgment in order to close the case in Family Law Division “R”.

Any hearings or trials that are three (3) hours or more shall appear in person.

       Any hearings that do not exceed three (3) hours shall appear by Zoom.

• Any matter ready for a final hearing/trial, including a half day trial, full day or multiple day trial is to be set by contacting the judicial assistant at the email address listed above.

 

• If there is not an available date within a few weeks, please contact the Judicial Assistant to obtain the date and an addition time slot will be added.

 

• THE COURT WILL NOT SCHEDULE A FINAL HEARING OR TRIAL UNLESS MEDIATION HAS TAKEN PLACE WTHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS

• Any pleading or motion should be filed with the Clerk of Court before setting the matter for hearing in JAWS or requesting a hearing time from the Judicial Assistant.

 

• Any matter requiring 60 minutes or less of hearing time is to be scheduled through JAWS. If a Party is not represented by an attorney, please email the Judicial Assistant at eastcirdivr@fljud13.org for available hearing times.

 

• All matters scheduled on an Open Docket may not exceed 5 minutes (2.5 minutes per Party), and may not be an evidentiary hearing unless the matter is uncontested.

 

• A hearing (not including final hearings or trials)may be cancelled on JAWS by the party who scheduled the hearing provided the hearing was not crossed noticed.

MOTIONS TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL

• ALL MOTIONS TO WITHDRAW SHALL BE HEARD ON THE OPEN DOCKET

 

• In the event an open docket is not readily available, please contact the judicial assistant.

 

• In the event a motion to withdraw is not set on the open docket, it may be cancelled and placed on the open docket.

JAWS AVAILABILITY

• PLEASE CHECK JAWS REGULARLY AS THE JAWS CALENDAR IS UPDATED ON A REGULAR BASIS AS MORE HEARING TIMES BECOME AVAILABLE..

 

• If a Party encounters any issues in obtaining hearing times, please either email the judicial assistant or set a Case Management Conference (CMC) on the Open Docket. Please include the Notice of Hearing that the nature of the CMC is to obtain hearing time and the amount of time needed.

 

• PLEASE COPY ALL ATTORNEYS ON THE CASE ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE SENT TO THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT. If a Party is not represented by Counsel, please copy the Party on all correspondence sent to the Judicial Assistant.

 

• After obtaining a hearing time either through JAWS or the judicial assistant, a Notice of Hearing is to be e-filed.

 

• Any hearing cancellation is to be cancelled via JAWS or made in writing and emailed to the judicial assistant if the hearing was not scheduled through JAWS; A Notice of Cancellation is to be e-filed and mailed to the judicial assistant.

 

• When submitting proposed orders, if both Parties are represented by counsel, proposed orders along with a Cover Letter are to be uploaded to the Florida e-Portal. If a proposed order is required to be uploaded to the Portal, please do not also send a hard copy to the Court.

 

• When submitting orders involving proposed orders with minor child(ren), you must include the following language:
  
  The party shall include following statement in their Final Judgment: Either parent may unilaterally, without the consent of the other parent, schedule a mental health appointment for the minor child of the marriage. The other parent shall be notified of the date, time, address, and name of the medical provider in sufficient time that the parent may attend the appointment.

 

• If a Party is not represented by counsel, proposed orders along with a cover letter for conforming are to be submitted to the Court via hard copy. Please also include self-addressed envelopes with postage for each Party that needs to receive a copy of the executed order.

• All motions, affidavits, stipulations, proposed orders and any other documents are to be electronically filed through the e-filing portal.

FOR ZOOM HEARINGS/TRIALS:

• Please provide all hearing and trial notebooks or documents to be used at the at the hearing/trial to the Court via hard copying the other party no later than three (3) business days prior to the scheduled hearing or trial. Please organize the notebooks and documents with a table of contents with corresponding tabs displaying the documents.

 

• A copy of any notebook or document provided to the Court shall also be provided to all other Parties.

 

FOR IN PERSON HEARINGS/TRIALS:

• The Parties shall provide all hearing and trial notebooks or documents to be used at the hearing/trial to the Court via hard copy at the time of the hearing/trial, copying the other party no later than three (3) business days prior to the scheduled hearing or trial. Please organize the notebooks and documents with a table of contents with corresponding tabs displaying the documents.

1. All hearing will be heard on Thursday mornings and will be scheduled by the JA.
2. All hearings must have a Notice of Hearing filed in the case.
3. All Final Hearings need to have their trial binders, as well case law and anything else you’d like the Judge to consider, must be hand delivered to the office three business days prior to the hearing. If your evidence is less than 30 pages, you may email it to the JA.
4. All hearings will be in person in Courtroom #2.

1. All hearings must be set and coordinated with the JA and a Notice of Hearing must accompany all hearings.
2. Anything, including case law, that you’d like for the Judge to consider must be hand delivered to the office three business days prior to the hearing.
3. If your evidence is less than 30 pages, you may email to the JA.