Judicial Practices and Procedures
Last updated 05/21/2026
Cymonie S. Rowe, Judge
Kris Barrios, Judicial Assistant
200 West Atlantic Ave.,
Room: 2W-145
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Table of Contents
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
Division or Judicial Emails
All communication to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024-DR-001234 SC – Doe v. Doe – 2-hour Hearing requested.)
Ex parte Communications:
All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law. All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
E-Filing Portal Contact Information:
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 email designation form, any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Response to Inquiries:
The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day. If the judicial assistant is unable to substantively respond within one business day, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and alternate contact for immediate assistance.
When the judicial assistant is out of the office, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and an alternate contact for immediate assistance.
Neither the Judge nor the Judicial Assistant can give legal advice regarding how to proceed with the case. For assistance, you can contact the Self-Help Center at (561) 355-6781 located on the first floor of the Main West Palm Beach Courthouse or visit the self-serve center in the Clerk's Office in the Satellite Courthouses.
Other Communication Procedures:
Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
B. Scheduling Procedures
Court Schedule:
Judge Rowe is assigned to Family Division FX. Dockets for Case Management Conferences, UMC (Uniform Motion Calendar), Domestic Violence hearings, and Special Sets (at the discretion of the Judge) will be Monday to Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Trials are scheduled at UMC, Case Management Conferences, or by Court Order.
Scheduling Hearings:
- Hearings must be requested using the court's Online Services.
- Hearings must be requested via Case Management.
- Hearings of 30 minutes or less must be scheduled through the court's Online Services. Hearings of more than 30 minutes must be scheduled through case management.
Notice of Hearing:
- A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
- A notice of haring involving any remote appearance must list the Division Zoom link.
- All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540 and the language that counsel has complied with Local Rule 4.
Submission Deadlines:
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing, including case law, no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
Order of Proceedings:
Matters will be heard in the order in which they appear on the docket.
Continuance Procedure:
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e). Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance.
Absent an emergency, all motion to continue a trial must be heard prior to the first day of trial.
Cancelling Hearings:
Hearings may only be cancelled or rescheduled with permission of the Court. Once granted, you must immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
C. Remote Appearance
The court maintains a hybrid virtual courtroom, allowing parties to appear either in person or remotely, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Requests to use communication technology for an appearance any evidentiary hearing or witness for trial must be made by motion.
Remote Appearance Procedure:
The court maintains a hybrid virtual courtroom, allowing parties to appear either in person or remotely, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Requests to use communication technology for an appearance any evidentiary hearing or witness for trial must be made by motion.
Platform Used:
The court uses Zoom remote platform for remote appearances.
Platform Meeting ID#:
Zoom Link: Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 882 6883 4109
The following information is provided to assist litigants in the use of Zoom, the remote video software used by the Fifteenth Circuit for remote judicial events:
- Before joining a Zoom meeting on a computer or mobile device, you can download the Zoom app from the Zoom Download Center. Otherwise, you will be prompted to download and install Zoom when you click a join link.
- If you are unable to download the app, you may select the option to "start from your browser."
Requirements:
- Certain hearings are eligible for remote appearance. These include, but not limited to, Case Management Conferences, UMCs, and Special Sets, at the discretion of the Judge.
- Any person appearing remotely must be in a private location that is quiet and free from distractions. Under no circumstances will a participant be permitted to appear remotely from a moving vehicle.
- Everyone shall label themselves by first name and last name. Attorneys should designated themselves as Attorney first and last name or Attorney first and last name, Esq.
- Any person appearing remotely must dress and behave professionally in the same manner as if physically present in the courtroom.
- Any person appearing remotely must enable the person's camera when joining the proceeding and keep the camera turned on until instructed otherwise by the court.
- Any person appearing remotely must mute the person's microphone when joining the proceeding and keep the microphone turned off until instructed otherwise by the court.
- If a witness appears remotely, the party calling the witness must ensure the witness has a functioning camera and microphone and has tested the internet connection before the hearing. The oath will be administered in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530.
Technology Needs:
All participants in a remote hearing must have a camera, microphone, and speaker to allow them to be seen and heard during a video conference. A smart phone or laptop usually is manufactured with all three installed. A PC with an external camera and headset will also work. If using a smart phone or tablet, you must download the Zoom app.
D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Format and Submission Method:
The Court prefers all orders to be submitted in WORD format through Online Services with service to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a document either (1) confirming the agreement of all parties or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court in WORD format by email to CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org, U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
Deadline for Submissions:
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing unless otherwise stated by the Court.
E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of Motions must be submitted to the Court by email to CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org for any hearing or trial.
The parties shall communicate and submit pre-trial stipulations (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) mailed in WORD format to CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org and uploaded into the Online Services platform no later than noon on Friday prior to trial week.
F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party's presentation.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Submission Method:
Original exhibits should be brought to Court for any hearing.
In addition, Parties may submit exhibits necessary for the Court to review in anticipation of the hearing along with a courtesy copy of motion to the division email CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org.
Format:
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Insert label preference (e.g., "Petitioner/Plaintiff 1" or "Respondent/Defendant A").
H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Any pre-trial substantive motions of more than 10 minutes per side or that may require audio or video redactions of evidence should be brought to the attention of the Court to be heard at least 10 days prior to trial.
Any party may request a Case Management Conference (CMC) when a case requires. Any request must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
The court strongly encourages the early use of CMCs in more complex cases, multiple-party litigation, or any case that might benefit from court intervention.
I. Setting Case for Trial
File a notice for trial to set the case for CMC.
J. Forms
Access:
Division forms are available for download on the Family Forms and Orders page.
Usage:
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings. Guidance may be found in the Divisional Instructions.
K. Other Division Procedures
ADA Accommodations:
If you need an ADA accommodation, please call 561‐355‐4380. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1‐800‐955‐8771. You can also fax 561‐656‐7662, or e‐mail ADA@pbcgov.org.
Information on ADA accommodations can be found on the Circuit ADA web page.
Interpreter Requests:
The court does not provide interpreters for family law proceedings. Any party requiring the assistance of an interpreter shall be responsible for securing, at the party's own expense, a qualified/certified interpreter for all hearings, conferences, mediations, and trials.
 | Administrative Order 2.109 (PDF) |
| Administrative Order 5.201 (PDF) |