Judicial Section Details

Inquiries may be directed to the Judicial Assistant at (Copy to all parties required) jpaz@jud11.flcourts.org

Courtroom: 3C

Alternate Judge:  Hon. Jose Fernandez

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

All hearings must be specially set and are to be scheduled via courtMAP.  No Motion Calendar is held for this Division.  At the time of scheduling, if the "in-person" hearing type is selected, the hearing will be held at the Dade County Courthouse, Courtroom 3C; and, if the "Zoom" hearing type is selected, the hearing will be held via the Zoom platform, which is free to you.  A Zoom link will be created by the Court upon scheduling of the virtual hearing.  Parties may participate by video or by calling the phone number listed in the invitation.  Video appearance is required for any participant whose testimony is necessary so the judge can administer the oath.

SELF-REPRESENTED PERSONS:

Lay persons are required to follow the Florida e-Portal instructions for e-filing and e-service of documents.  See here, Florida e-Filing Portal.  For more information on checklists, rules and statutes and approved forms, please refer to the 11th Judicial Circuit’s website for further instructions.  See here, 11th Judicial Circuit Website.

For setting hearings, a self-represented person is also responsible for doing so via courtMAP.  See here, courtMAP.  If you resolve your matter prior to hearing, please cancel it by e-mailing the judge’s judicial assistant.

The Clerk of Courts website should have information regarding Petitions for Summary Administration and for handling Small Estates.  See here, Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts.

REQUIRED CHECKLIST CERTIFICATION FORMS:

As of September 1, 2020, filings of petitions with proposed orders in courtMAP must include established checklist certification forms as supporting documents with your submissions.   A list of existing checklists can be found on our circuit website in the Probate Corner, along with the corresponding Administrative Memorandum.  See here, Probate Checklists.  The checklist certification forms must be filed through the e-Portal and also uploaded as a supporting document to the petition through courtMAP. Failure to include the checklist certification form will result in summary rejection of your submission.

COURTESY COPY SUBMISSIONS:

Please submit courtesy copies via courtMAP immediately upon scheduling hearing.  Parties wishing to submit a response to a matter must e-file said response with the Clerk of Courts and submit the response via courtMAP to chambers, at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing date.

PETITIONS TO WAIVE ACCOUNTING FEES FOR GUARDIANSHIPS:

Please note that accounting fees will not be waived unless an Affidavit of Indigency has been filed with the Clerk of Courts.  The Clerk of Court will review the affidavit to determine if the petitioner qualifies.  The Clerk makes that determination.  If they find that petitioner does not qualify for indigent status, accounting fees must be paid.  Indicate in your petition whether the Clerk has made the finding.

APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS AD LITEM, CURATORS, OR OTHER FIDUCIARIES FROM WHEELS:

Proposed orders with blanks for appointments by the Court (for minor settlement, etc., professional guardians, etc.) should be submitted first to the Judicial Assistant directly via e-mail at jpaz@jud11.flcourts.org.  From a wheel, the name of a person eligible must be obtained, then the Court will confirm if the appointment is accepted by the proposed person from the wheel, before the proposed order can be submitted via courtMAP.

MOTIONS FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL OR WITHDRAWAL:

If you are submitting an order on a Stipulation for Substitution of Counsel, you must submit the written consent of the client.  Additionally, the name and bar number of the substituted attorney must be included within the body of the proposed order.

On Motions to Withdraw as Counsel, you must use our form order found on our website below under "Documents."

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS:

For any mental health matter, please call the Mental Health Clerk, Ms. Janet Salomon, for Section 04 at tel. (305) 349-7476.

A party seeking to obtain audio recording transcript for mental health proceedings, shall visit the following website: Court Reporting Services and follow the instructions accordingly.