Judicial Practices and Procedures
Last updated 09/09/2026
Karen M. Miller, Judge
Dani Arcos, Judicial Assistant
205 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 6.1207
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Table of Contents
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Self-Represented Parties (Pro Se):
If you are a self-represented pro se party (with no attorney), you must contact the Family Court Case Manager: Connie Thomas at (561) 355-4656.
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, ex-parte communication will not be considered unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Unsolicited Communications:
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.
Do Not Send Letters, Emails or Notes to the Court.
The Court does not act on letters, notes or emails sent by either party. The Court acts on petitions or motions properly filed with the Clerk of the Court. File the appropriate petition or motion with the Clerk of the Court, send a copy to the opposing side and a courtesy copy to the Court in order for requests to be addressed by the Court. All communication and/or documents emailed to the Court must state that they were emailed to the opposing side in the same email or they will be returned as ex parte communication.
E-Filing Portal Contact Information:
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 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Response to Inquiries:
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
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.
Other Communication Procedures:
Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
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 or petition with the Clerk of Court.
B. Scheduling Procedures
Court Schedule:
Uniform motion calendar hearings are conducted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:45 am. All UMC hearings shall be scheduled in the OLS system, and conducted via Zoom per the procedure described below: Scheduling UMC Hearings.
Special Set Hearings must be requested by e-mail to: CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org per the procedure described below: Setting Special Set Hearings.
Trials are scheduled per procedure described below: Setting Case for Trial.
Domestic Violence and Injunction Hearings are held on Wednesdays at 1:30 PM.
Scheduling Hearings:
Scheduling UMC Hearings:
UMC hearings shall be conducted Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:45 am. All UMC hearings shall be scheduled in the OLS system, and conducted via Zoom. Each hearing has a new Zoom ID and password.
- UMC hearings must be scheduled in OLS prior to contacting the judicial assistant. The parties must confer and coordinate when scheduling UMC hearings (unless short notice is agreed to by all parties).
- Once you have scheduled in OLS please contact the judicial assistant via email: CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org to request the Zoom information. Please be sure to include the case number, case name, date and time of the hearing, and the pleadings that will be heard. All parties MUST be copied in any emails and correspondence sent to the Court. Ex-parte communication WILL NOT be considered.
- A Notice of Hearing must then be filed and a copy provided to the Court via the same email.
- You must upload via OLS all proposed orders. If there are attachments, you must submit the proposed order with the attachment (s) via OLS. DO NOT USE E-COURTESY.
Local Rule 4
Strict compliance with amended Local Rule 4. Prior to setting a matter on the motion calendar, the party or counsel noticing the motion shall attempt to resolve the matter and shall certify the good faith attempt to resolve. See amended Local Rule 4 (PDF).
If appearing telephonically (without video), the testifying party must be in the presence of a notary or an attorney who can certify their identity. If appearing by Zoom video conference, the Court shall act as notary.
Please note
- UMC Hearings allow for only a total of ten (10) minutes (5 minutes per side) per case regardless of the number of motions to be heard. If more time is needed please contact the office in accordance with Special Set Hearing procedures.
- In order for the Court to consider any UMC motion, all notices and motions must contain a proper certificate of service listing the party and method of service.
- Uncontested final hearings in dissolution and non-evidentiary matters can be heard on UMC unless more than ten (10) minutes total is needed.
- Adoptions cannot and will not be heard on UMC. As adoption matters are confidential in nature, the Court must hold all adoption matters in closed court.
- All notices of cancellation are to be filed with the Clerk of Court. The party setting the event in the OLS System is required to cancel the event in the OLS System. There is a cut off on the scheduling program of 24 hours prior to the event. If you are not able to cancel the UMC event through the system, notify the Court at CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org and attach a courtesy copy of the filed notice of cancellation.
Setting Special Set Hearings:
Email the Judicial Assistant at CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org for available dates and times. All parties should be copied in the email, ex-parte communication will not be considered.
When emailing the subject line should include the case number, parties' names, and what type of hearing you are requesting. Please be sure to include a copy of the Motion that you wish to set and indicate how much time is being requested for the hearing. The JA will respond by providing three dates and times.
The requesting party must coordinate date and time with the opposing side, please do not include the JA in the correspondence between the parties when coordinating dates. Once the parties have come to an agreement on a date please notify the JA via email with all parties copied and the time and date will be reserved. The Court will enter the order setting or will ask the moving party to prepare the notice of hearing. Please be advised that dates cannot be held and are on a first come, first serve basis. Additional dates can be provided upon request.
Temporary Relief Hearings
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 5.207 Mediation must be completed and the mediation report filed prior to requesting a hearing. Temporary relief hearings are set for thirty (30) minutes unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
Evidentiary Hearings
Evidentiary hearings cannot be handled remotely. Please contact Judge Miller's office if you desire to schedule an evidentiary hearing. If you believe that your case requires emergency action pursuant to Family Administrative Order 5.203-1/17 you should file the appropriate motion in writing.
Notice of Hearing:
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Zoom information (which can be attained from the Judicial Assistant by email in accordance with the proper procedures as addressed above). Please see Uniform Motion Calendar instructions above.
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.
All special set hearings and evidentiary hearings require an Order Setting Hearing not a Notice of Hearing.
Order of Proceedings:
Matters will be heard in the order in which they appear on the docket.
Matters involving in-custody defendants will generally be heard before other matters.
Continuance Procedure:
Motions for continuance will be granted only upon good cause shown. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance. 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 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 must be set for a UMC hearing. However if all parties are in agreement to a request for continuance the moving party’s counsel may submit a proposed agreed order via the OLS System with the motion attached for the Court’s review. Special set hearings and trials cannot be cancelled or reset except by further order of the Court. The judicial assistant cannot cancel or change hearing dates/times.
Cancelling Hearings:
Matters set by order of the Court (trials, special set hearings, and evidentiary hearings) can only be cancelled by order of the court. The proper motion must be filed with the Clerk of Court and set for a UMC hearing.
UMC hearings may only be cancelled by a Notice of Cancellation and removal of the event from the OLS System. Please immediately notify the judicial assistant. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
C. Setting Case for Trial
Procedure:
A Notice for Trial must be filed along with the Notice of Unavailability. Please be sure to include how much time is needed. For any requests for more than one day, you must set a UMC hearing after filing the Notice for Trial.
Please email a copy of Notice for Trial to the divisional e-mail (CAD-DivisionFC@pbcgov.org) along with the Notice of Unavailability and how much time is needed. If you do not provide us with the trial notice, the Court is unaware it was filed. The opposing side should file their Notice of Unavailability if they wish and provide a copy to the divisional inbox as well. All parties must be copied in any correspondence with the Court. A trial date will then be set by the Court and the Order Setting Trial will be entered.
Once the trial has been set, pre-trial mediation MUST take place regardless of other mediation that may have occurred prior to the Order Setting Trial. Failure to attend pre-trial mediation absent an order waiving same shall result in the striking of the case from the trial docket and/or additional sanctions, including but not limited to dismissal of action without further notice and/or hearing.
D. Remote Appearance
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 must be made by motion.
Platform Used:
The Court uses Zoom for remote appearances.
Platform Meeting ID#:
Contact the judicial assistant to obtain the platform (Zoom) meeting credentials.
Requirements:
Certain hearings are eligible for remote appearance. These include: UMC hearings, final hearings and non-evidentiary special set hearings under thirty (30) minutes.
Certain hearings are not eligible for remote appearance unless otherwise ordered by the Court, these include: trials, evidentiary hearings, special set hearings over thirty (30) minutes. Domestic Violence and Injunction hearings are set in person unless a motion has been filed with the Clerk of Court and the Court has granted remote appearance.
Requests for remote appearance once a hearing has been scheduled must be filed with the Clerk of Court with a courtesy copy provided to the divisional e-mail with all parties copied.
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.
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:
The Court follows the procedures set forth in Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530 when seeking to utilize communication technology during a court proceeding.
Court Technology will be able to assist with technological courtroom equipment. For more information, please review the Court Technology page.
Other Remote Appearance Procedures
Any witness appearing via video will be sworn-in by the court. Out of state witnesses appearing remotely must agree to being sworn in by video / zoom. It is incumbent upon the proponent of the witness to confirm the witnesses agrees prior to the hearing.
Any witness appearing via telephone (no video) must have a notary public available to be sworn-in or have filed an Affidavit if a notary is not available.
E. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Format:
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter or in the notes/comments section that either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
Uncontested Final Hearings for Dissolution of Marriage
Uncontested Final Hearings for Dissolution of Marriage may be heard during UMC (please see above for instructions on scheduling UMC Hearings). You must upload any proposed order(s) via OLS. Proposed Final Judgements' must be in Word format with supporting documents (Marital Settlement Agreement, Parenting Plan, Child Support Guidelines, etc.) attached to the Proposed Final Judgement. Supporting documents may be attached in PDF format. As a reminder, please do not use e-courtesy.
In addition to the foregoing and in compliance with Florida law, you must provide a legible scanned copy of the Petitioner's photo I.D. (and the Respondent's if a Simplified Dissolution Petition was filed) demonstrating proof of Florida residency for at least six months prior to the filing of the Petition.
Submission Method:
All proposed orders must be submitted via the OLS System on the 15th Circuit Website and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court by U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office. Copies of any proposed orders submitted to the Court must also be provided to the opposing side and/or opposing counsel.
Please note: This Division does not use E-Courtesy or the electronic evidence portal.
F. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
When Required:
All memoranda and/or case authority must be submitted to the Court and opposing counsel at least five (5) business days before the hearing and the transmittal document must designate the date and time of the hearing for which they are submitted.
All cases and legal authorities submitted to the court must be tabbed, with pertinent sections highlighted.
Submission Method:
Please be advised that items are only accepted via mail or drop box. Emailed items will not be accepted or considered.
Please note: This Division does not use E-Courtesy or the electronic evidence portal.
Deadline for Submissions:
Other Courtesy Copies Procedures:
G. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Requirements:
If you believe that your case requires emergency action pursuant to Family Administrative Order 5.203-1/17 you should file the appropriate motion in writing.
Scheduling:
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.
H. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Submission Method:
Please note: This Division does not use E-Courtesy or the electronic evidence portal.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than insert three (3) business days before the hearing.
FOR ALL REMOTE HEARINGS: 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 the hearing via U.S. mail or the Main County Courthouse drop box. 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.
All in person hearings and trials: please bring pre-marked exhibits with you.
Format:
All exhibits must be clearly marked before the hearing is set to begin. Exhibits shall be marked by a numbered sticker on the top right-hand corner of the front of each exhibit clearly identifying the case number and party who is offering the exhibit, e.g., Petitioner or Respondent.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the court and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format:
Petitioner (Wife / Husband) or Respondent (Wife / Husband)
Case Number:
Date:
Exhibit Number:
Objection: Yes / No
Admitted: Yes / No
Received by Judge Karen M. Miller
There in an example of a "sticker" format for labeling evidence available on the Clerk of Court website: Unified Family Court Exhibit Card - Best Printed at Actual Size (mypalmbeachclerk.com)
Deadline for Submissions:
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
I. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Case Management Conference (CMC):
Any party may request a Case Management Conference (CMC) when a case requires by filing a motion.
Status Conference:
Any party may request a status conference when a case requires by filing a motion.
Requirements:
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Scheduling:
If the court grants the request for a CMC or status conference, the moving party must schedule the CMC or status conference pursuant to the procedures noted under the above Scheduling Procedures (depending on if you are seeking to set it on the UMC calendar or special set).
J. Forms
Access:
Division forms are available on the Division FC Forms and Orders page.
A complete listing of Administrative Orders for the 15th Circuit is available under the Court Reference and Research section of the 15th Circuit Website. [see Administrative Orders & Local Rules]
Florida Supreme Court Family Law Forms are available on the Florida Court's website. Family Law Forms / Domestic Relations Court Resources / Family Courts / Services - - Florida Courts (flcourts.gov)
Usage:
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
K. Other Division Procedures
ADA Accommodations:
If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact the ADA Coordinator via the Americans with Disabilities Act page.
Information on ADA accommodations can be found on the circuit’s website at the Americans with Disabilities Act page.
Interpreter Requests:
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.
Post Judgment and Child Support Matters:
Please be advised that in post-judgment matters the appropriate procedures regarding an Order of Referral to the General Magistrate, pursuant to Administrative Order 5.104, must be followed when applicable before hearing dates are requested.
Magistrate Janie Lowe Crittenden is the General Magistrate assigned to this division. Her divisional procedures can be found at Magistrate Lowe Crittenden's Divisional Instructions.
Post Judgment Child Support:
For matters in which only child support or child related expenses are being requested, no Order of Referral is necessary since the matter will be heard by the General Magistrate pursuant to Rule 12.491, Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure.
Matters relating to Department of Revenue Child Support are presided over by the Child Support Hearing Officer General Magistrate James B. Williams. His divisional procedures can be found on Magistrate J. Williams' Divisional Instructions.
L. Adoptions, Annulments, Disestablishments, TPR, Name Changes and Temporary Custody Cases
Adoptions, Annulments, Disestablishments, and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR):
Staff Attorneys review all adoptions, annulments, disestablishments, and TPRs. Hearings will be set thereafter. A status order from the Court may be issued to the parties.
Name Changes and Temporary Custody Cases:
Parties may file a Notice for Final Hearing once all requirements have been met and provide a courtesy copy to the divisional e-mail and the Court will review the case. Do not schedule a final hearing without written approval of the Court.