FH Divisional Instructions

This office does not communicate via email.  If you do not find the answer to your question in the Divisional Instructions below, please feel free to call the J.A.

The following hearings will be held via ZOOM video conference:  UMC hearings, Lack of Prosecution hearings, Case Management Conferences, Uncontested Pro Se Dissolution and Paternity hearings and any hearings under thirty (30) minutes.  ALL OTHER HEARINGS SHALL BE HELD IN PERSON IN COURTROOM 4, NORTH COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

Persons who are interested in listening to court events may contact the Court's Public Information Office, Debra Oats, at 561-355-4495 or 561-644-0054 to obtain an access line.

Uniform Motion Calendar (UMC)

All documents must be uploaded and submitted via OLS (Online Scheduling) prior to the hearingOtherwise, your hearing may not be heard.  Please be sure all documents are uploaded properly in OLS and are attached to the EVENT so your hearing can move forward. (If you do not submit the documents and then chose your hearing date, the documents will not be attached to the EVENT). The proposed Final Judgment or proposed Order must be uploaded first, followed by exhibits, etc.  If you submitted the required documents in a different manner, they do not comply division requirements.

All UMC Hearings Will Be Held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9AM.

UMC hearings (non-evidentiary hearings allowing no more than five minutes per side) must be scheduled through Online Scheduling through Online Services (OLS) and appearances shall be via ZOOM. All testifying parties must be in Zoom via BOTH audio and video connections.

Online Services

Please upload your  Motion or Petition being heard and proposed Order at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing OR YOUR MATTER MAY NOT BE HEARD (SEE ABOVE FOR HOW TO UPLOAD THESE DOCUMENTS). PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL THESE DOCUMENTS VIA THE CAD EMAIL AND PLEASE DO NOT SEND VIA U.S. MAIL.

Uncontested Final Hearings for Dissolution of Marriage

Uncontested Final Hearings for Dissolution of Marriage may be heard during UMC.  At least five (5) business days prior to the hearing, you must upload and submit a proposed Final Judgment in Word format; all Exhibits/Attachments to the Final Judgment (if any), including Marital Settlement Agreement, Parenting Plan, etc.; and a legible scanned copy of the Petitioner's Florida Driver's License (and the Respondent's if a Simplified Dissolution Petition was filed) demonstrating proof of Florida residency for at least six months immediately prior to the filing of the Petition, in compliance with Florida law through e-courtesy attached to the date of your hearing. 

To Attend Uniform Motion Calendar (UMC) Hearings via ZOOM:

This link is for UMC Hearings only. All Special Set Hearings under 30 minutes will be given a Zoom link when the hearing date is given.  The link must be included in the Notice of Hearing.

Zoom Meeting Information for UMC ONLY
Meeting Link

Meeting ID: 945 4598 4958
Password: 883288
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free

Requests for Special Set Hearing of up to 30 Minutes (30 minute hearings will be held in person; hearings under 30 minutes will be held via Zoom):

Call the Judicial Assistant at 561-694-7420 for available dates and times.  DO NOT USE THE UMC LINK FOR SPECIAL SET HEARINGS.

Uncontested Paternity Matters:

If you have an uncontested paternity matter no UMC hearing is necessary.  Simply upload the proposed Final Judgment, Parenting Plan and Child Support Guidelines to the OLS system.

MOTIONS FOR DEFAULT AND DEFAULT FINAL HEARINGS:

Motions for Default can be set on the Court's UMC docket.  When requesting a Default Final Hearing, please call the J.A. in order to obtain a special set hearing.  The Judge will not hear a Default Final Hearing on the UMC docket, only the Motion for Default.

MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL:

If you have your client's written consent, simply upload a proposed order along with your client's written consent.  If you do not have written consent the matter should be set on the Court's UMC docket.

Requests for Special Set Hearing over 30 Minutes (hearing will be held in person):

Mail a written request with motion attached indicating how much time you are requesting for hearing.  The Judge will review the request in chambers.  Once approved, the J.A. will notify all parties and request the moving party to call the J.A. for available dates and times to coordinate.

NOTICES FOR TRIAL:  Please mail a copy of the trial notice to the Judge.  If you do not mail in the trial notice, the Court is unaware it was filed.

TEMPORARY CUSTODY PETITIONS:  Please see Administrative Order 5.111 concerning procedures and Checklist.  If you feel your matter is ready for final hearing, please call the J.A.  The Judge must review the record in order to approve a Final Hearing date.

PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE; ADOPTION PETITIONS:  If you feel your matter is ready for Final Hearing, please call the J.A.  The Judge must review the record in order to approve a Final Hearing date.

Exhibits:

FOR ALL IN-PERSON HEARINGS AND TRIAL:  Please bring all PREMARKED exhibits with you to the in-person hearing or trial.  All exhibits must reflect the case style, case number, date of hearing and Judge's name.  Please leave the exhibit number blank as that will be filled in by the Judge as evidence is admitted.  

FOR ALL REMOTE HEARINGS AND TRIALS:  All proposed Exhibits must be PREMARKED (including Exhibit Number, Case Style and Number, Date of Hearing, Judge's Name) and provided to the Court  AT LEAST THREE BUSINESS DAYS prior to hearing or trial via U.S. mail or the North County courthouse dropbox.   If Exhibits are not received by the Court at least three business days prior to the hearing in compliance with the above requirements, they will not be accepted or considered.  Emailed exhibits will not be accepted or considered.

Special Set Hearings and trials, once scheduled, may not be canceled without court approval. Please contact the judicial assistant immediately if a matter is settled and a hearing or trial is no longer needed.

Agreed Matters or Matters Not Requiring a Hearing:

All Proposed or Agreed Orders with Motion attached (orders must be in Word format) must be uploaded through OLS (Online Services).

Motions to Vacate General Magistrate Orders:

Please see Rule 12.490 and Rule 12.491.  You are required to provide the Court (hard copy only) with a record sufficient to support your Motion to Vacate or your motion will be denied.  Unless waived by order of the Court prior to any hearing on the Motion to Vacate, the transcript of all relevant proceedings, if any, must be delivered to the Judge (hard copy only) and provided to all other parties not less than 48 hours before the hearing.

Motions for Rehearing/Reconsideration/Clarification/New Trial:

These motions may not be set for hearing online.  File the original with the Clerk and provide a copy with supporting authority via U.S. mail for review by Judge Keever-Agrama.


Faxes

Our office DOES NOT accept faxes.

Personal Correspondence

Our office CANNOT and WILL NOT accept any personal correspondence on a case. If you have a matter to bring to the Court's attention, please file the proper Motion with the Clerk of Court.

Interpreters

Interpreters are provided by the Court for Incapacity, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Repeat Violence ONLY. For all other hearings, it is the responsibility of the party needing an interpreter to bring to Court an interpreter who is certified, language skilled, provisionally approved or who is registered with the Office of State Court Administrator as required by Rule 2.560 and Rule 2.565 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. For further information or for assistance locating an interpreter, please visit our Court Interpreters page.