General Magistrates are widely utilized in Florida's trial courts to assist the judiciary in the effective and timely disposition of cases. They are appointed by the Chief Judge to hear cases and make findings of fact and recommendations in a General Magistrate's Recommended Orders to Judges in the Family, Circuit Civil, Unified Family Court, and Mental Health/Probate Divisions. Once the General Magistrate has filed a recommended order with the sitting Judge, either party in the case may appeal by filing a motion to vacate within 15 days in the Family Division and Unified Family Court Division, or by filing exceptions to the General Magistrate's findings and recommendations within 10 days of the recommended order in the Circuit Civil and Mental Health/Probate Divisions. Once the recommended order or report is ratified and approved by the Judge, it becomes a court order.