Judicial Section Details

Ricarda Ayala, JA (rayala@jud11.flcourts.org)
Larry Chester, Court Specialist (lchester@jud11.flcourts.org) 

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 https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/Probate-Checklists. This procedure has been enacted to prevent frequently defective submissions and the resulting repeated rejections which cause unnecessary labor by the court.

The checklist certification forms must be filed through the e-filing 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. 
Please be aware that the checklist contains a certification of compliance which must be signed by the lawyer.  If you cannot certify compliance with the requirements listed on the checklist, set the matter for a special set hearing. Call chambers if you have any questions related to this matter. Read the certification carefully.  You will be held accountable under the law if the court finds that your certification was inaccurate.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HEARINGS
Please note: Division 05 does not have a Motion Calendar.  Hearings can be set as Special Set Hearings.  Please follow the rubric below to determine which calendar type in-person or Virtual/Zoom is appropriate.
5 – 10-minute motions shall be conducted by Zoom (only the judge can change the format).

All non-evidentiary hearing less than 30 minutes will be conducted by Zoom, unless all parties wish to have the hearing held in-person AND the Judge agrees.
All evidentiary hearings and Bench Trials will be conducted in-person, unless all parties wish to have the hearing held on Zoom AND the Judge agrees.
All Jury Trials will be conducted in-person.

When parties agree to change hearing type:
            1.  Parties shall e-file a Notice of Agreement to the docket
            2.  Submit a proposed order changing presumption to the Judges Agreed Order folder on courtMAP, with the Notice of Agreement uploaded as a supporting document.
            3.  Court will enter order either granting or denying change of hearing type.
Zoom Hearings:
Please download the Zoom application, which you may use for free, at https://zoom.us/.  
Once a request for a virtual Zoom hearing is received and approved, all interested persons on the service list will receive an email with the Zoom instructions.  Please do not call the Judicial Assistant. This information will be sent to you automatically.  If you do not receive an invitation for the hearing via Outlook within 24 hours prior to your hearing start time, please check courtMAP for your zoom information.  If no zoom information is located, please call chambers.
Store the link provided in the invitation on your computer calendar and log in at the appointed time.  You must also share the link with your clients, opposing counsel, or any interested parties who do not appear on the service list.
You may appear telephonically or via video on Zoom
If you are aware that an interested party, or someone who is required to appear does not have access to necessary technologies, please cancel the hearing so necessary arrangements can be made for that interested party.
You are expected and required to observe proper decorum and procedure as in any other court appearance.  Do not Zoom into a virtual courtroom from a vehicle. When appearing over Zoom please make sure you properly identify yourself with your full first and last name in the display name view so that the Court is able to allow you into the hearing. 

Evidentiary Hearings via Zoom: 
All parties must follow the Administrative Memorandum, dated June 28, 2021, for INTRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE IN REMOTE VIRTUAL EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS.