Judge John D. Galluzzo
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Hearing Materials
- Hand Delivery
- No Later Than 10 Business Days Before Evidentiary Hearing
Emergency Motion
- Email • Upon Filing
Notice of Cancellation
Notice of Hearing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word Format.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •The source requires Word Format
Exhibits must be submitted in paper format.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the Court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Document Filing Requirements23 rules
If you are setting an evidentiary hearing it must be noticed as such.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
If any virtual attendee will be giving testimony, they shall have with them a notary public to swear them in.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Each proposed order must include a cover letter certifying agreement by all parties or identifying any disagreement.
Court's wording
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter 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.
All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues, why emergency treatment is necessary, and the time each party needs to present.
Court's wording
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.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: “Petitioner/Plaintiff A for identification” or “Respondent/Defendant A for identification,” unless stipulated then “Exhibit 1.”
Please note in your Motion to Continue that your client is waiving speedy trial.
Additionally, all homestead petitions and Orders must include the property address, a legal description and the Parcel ID number.
Notices of Hearing MUST be filed in both the Dependency and Adoption case(s).
For settlements exceeding net proceeds of $15,000.00 or more, please submit an Order Appointing a Guardian ad Litem.
You must submit an Order Compensating Exam Committee prior to setting the incapacity hearing.
The compensation order must state each member’s payment amount, identify whether payment is by the State or from the Ward’s assets, and require payment within 10 days of the order.
Court's wording
Orders compensating the Exam Committee shall state the amount payable to each member; that the members shall be paid either (1) by the State of Florida (indigent); or (2) from the assets of the Ward (not indigent), and that payment shall be made within 10 days of the date of the Order to avoid the issuance of an Order to Show Cause and/or Contempt.
The following documents are required to be attached to, or filed along with, the petition for adoption pursuant to section 39.812 and Chapter 63, Fla. Stat.:
All parties are required to give a good faith assessment of the time needed for a hearing.
Your proposed Order should contain all names and email addresses of the persons appearing virtually.
Attorney and juvenile appearances may be waived with a properly filed Notice of Appearance, Entry of Plea and Waiver of Arraignment.
Before submitting orders, ensure that the applicable supporting documents and other pertinent documents have been filed and docketed by the Clerk.
Court's wording
To avoid unnecessary rejections of Orders, please ensure that a death certificate, waivers/consents (if applicable), affidavit of heirs (if applicable), funeral receipt showing proof of payment (if necessary), original will (if applicable), and any other pertinent documents are filed and docketed by the Clerk.
Petitions for Appointment of an Emergency Temporary Guardian do not require a hearing. Please submit your proposed Order and Letters once the Petition has been accepted and docketed by the Clerk.
- Document
- Emergency temporary guardianship
Include
- •Proposed order
Once the GAL’s report has been filed, and all credit reports and background checks have been filed, you may submit your proposed Order approving settlement and appointing guardian.
- Document
- Settlement approval and guardian appointment order
May include
- •Proposed order
After you have filed your Petition to Determine Incapacity and it has been accepted and docketed by the Clerk, please submit an Order Appointing Attorney/Elisor.
Please contact one of the physicians below to confirm their acceptance of appointment. Once confirmed, please submit an Order Appointing Examining Committee with the physician’s contact information contained therein.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders should be submitted through the Florida e-portal.
Please submit all proposed orders through the Florida e-portal.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders
Probate petitions and proposed orders must be filed or submitted through the e-portal.
Please file your Petition(s) and submit your proposed Order(s) via the e-portal.
Page 5 | K. Probate
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A proposed order concerning a matter set for hearing must not be submitted until after the hearing concludes.
If your proposed order pertains to a matter set for hearing before the Court do not submit your order until after the hearing has concluded.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders
For remote hearings, exhibits may be hand delivered, emailed, or sent by U.S. mail to the Judicial Assistant at least 7 days before the hearing.
For Remote Hearings: Submit exhibits in person via hand delivery; via electronic mail; or via U.S. mail to the Judicial Assistant at least 7 days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Hearings
Exhibits must be submitted in person to the Clerk of Court immediately before the hearing or trial for marking.
Submit all exhibits in person to the Clerk of Court immediately prior to the start of hearing /trial for marking.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Hearings
For remote hearings, the Judicial Assistant will provide the exhibits to the Clerk of Court on the hearing or trial date.
The Judicial Assistant will provide the exhibit(s) to the Clerk of Court on the day of hearing / trial.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Hearings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email account changes.
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.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
To cancel a hearing, file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, and email a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
You must also file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant and email a copy to the JA.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies for an evidentiary hearing must reach the Court at least 10 business days before the hearing.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court no later than 10 business days before an evidentiary hearing.
Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law & Hearing Materials
A courtesy copy of a motion for reconsideration must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant upon filing.
Upon filing of your Motion for Reconsideration please email a courtesy copy to the JA for the Court’s review.
Page 4 | H. Motions for Reconsideration
A courtesy copy of an emergency motion must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant when the motion is filed.
A courtesy copy of your Emergency Motion must be emailed to the JA upon filing.
Page 4 | F. Emergency / Urgent Matters
Please email a courtesy copy of your Notice to the JA.
Please email a courtesy copy of your Notice to the JA.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
To cancel a hearing, file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, and email a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
You must also file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant and email a copy to the JA.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Email a courtesy copy of the Notice of Hearing to the judicial assistant.
Please also email a courtesy copy of your Notice of Hearing to the JA.
Page 6 | L. Adoptions
Case law and hearing materials may be delivered by hand or sent by U.S. mail to the stated address.
• Submission Method: Case law or hearing materials may be hand delivered or sent via U.S. mail to 190 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773.
Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law & Hearing Materials
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
If the Court finds an emergency exists, it will schedule the hearing unilaterally.
If the Court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the Court.
Page 4 | F. Emergency / Urgent Matters
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
If no Motion to Continue was filed beforehand, the parties and attorney may raise a continuance request with the State Attorney at Docket Sounding; if there is no objection, the Clerk will issue a new date and the parties may leave before court begins, but the juvenile and parent or guardian must stay to sign for their minutes.
For Docket Sounding, if there is not a pre-filed Motion to Continue, the parties with their attorney may appear at Docket Sounding and address their continuance request with the State Attorney and, assuming no objection, the Clerk will issue a new Docket Sounding date and the parties may leave prior to court beginning, however, the juvenile and parent/guardian must wait to sign for their minutes.
Page 5 | J. Delinquency
Filing a Motion to Continue before Docket Sounding is encouraged to avoid requiring the attorney, juvenile, and parent or guardian to appear.
It is encouraged to file your Motion to Continue in advance of Docket Sounding to alleviate the need for attorney, juvenile and parent/guardian to appear.
Page 5 | J. Delinquency
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications concerning a pending or impending proceeding must comply with Canon 3's restrictions on ex parte and other communications outside the parties' presence, except as authorized by law.
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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the stated address.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to stephanie.mcneal@flcourts18.org.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The Judicial Assistant must be contacted to cancel a hearing.
You must contact the JA to cancel a hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is legally authorized to be ex parte.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails to the judicial office must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025-XX-001234-A– In Re: Doe v. Doe).
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties may contact the judicial office only in accordance with the stated practices and procedures.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Contact the Judicial Assistant for available hearing dates and times, then email to confirm the coordinated hearing's date, time, and courtroom.
Please contact the JA to obtain available dates and times for hearing (stephanie.mcneal@flcourts18.org). Once the hearing has been coordinated with all appropriate parties, email the JA to confirm the date, time and Courtroom.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If the Judicial Assistant is out of the office, an email contact will be provided for emergencies only.
If the JA is out of the office, an email will be provided for emergencies only.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
If exhibits for a remote hearing are hand delivered, contact the Judicial Assistant by email to coordinate receipt.
Please contact the Judicial Assistant via email to coordinate receipt if via hand delivery.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Hearings
After all examining committee reports are filed, contact the judicial assistant to schedule an incapacity hearing.
Once all examining committee reports have been filed, please contact the JA to schedule a hearing to determine incapacity.
Page 7 | N. Incapacity
A person needing disability accommodations must contact the ADA Coordinator at least 7 days before the scheduled court appearance; hearing- or voice-impaired persons may call 711.
Please contact the ADA Coordinator, Court Administration, 301 North Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771, telephone number (407) 665-4227 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Page 7 | O. Other Division Procedures
Contact Court Administration if an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial.
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please contact Court Administration.
Page 7 | O. Other Division Procedures
The Judicial Assistant may not provide legal advice.
The Judicial Assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
If the Court determines after reviewing a reconsideration motion that a hearing is necessary, the Judicial Assistant will contact the parties to coordinate it.
If after review the Court determines that a hearing is necessary the JA will contact the parties to coordinate.
Page 4 | H. Motions for Reconsideration
Contact the Judicial Assistant if the desired docket is not listed in JACs.
If you don’t see the docket you are looking for within the JACs list, please contact the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | JACs Dockets & Calendars
Contact the presiding judge’s Judicial Assistant for scheduling needs.
Contact the presiding judge’s Judicial Assistant for your scheduling needs.
Page 1 | How to sign up for a JACS Account