Judge William S. Orth
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 an Evidentiary Hearing
Emergency Motions
- Email • Upon Filing
Notice of Hearing
Reconsideration Motions
- Email • Upon Filing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Effective July 1, 2026, all Notices of Hearings, Pleadings and Orders Setting Hearing must include the following ADA statement in BOLD 14-point Bookman Old Style or Arial font as follows:
- Font size
- 14 points
- Notice of hearing
- Pleading
- Order setting hearing
Format: All proposed orders must be submitted in Word Format.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Word Format
Exhibits must be submitted to the Clerk of Court in paper format.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
Format: Paper or digital.
Formatting
- •Paper or digital format
Document Filing Requirements35 rules
Starting July 1, 2026, notices of hearings, pleadings, and orders setting hearing must include the specified ADA statement.
Court's wording
Effective July 1, 2026, all Notices of Hearings, Pleadings and Orders Setting Hearing must include the following ADA statement in BOLD 14-point Bookman Old Style or Arial font as follows: If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the ADA Coordinator,
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of Judicial Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Any party appearing by telephone or Teams that will be giving testimony MUST have a notary public present with them at the time of hearing so that he/she may be sworn in.
Your proposed Order should contain all names and email addresses of the persons appearing virtually.
Remote Appearance Procedure: Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
If you are setting an evidentiary hearing, it must be noticed as such, or the hearing may be cancelled and reset.
A proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter certifying that all parties agree 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.
Requirements: 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.
All parties (juvenile, parent/guardian, and attorney) must be present in person at docket sounding.
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.
** Please note in your Motion to Continue that your client is waiving speedy trial. **
Notices of Hearing MUST be filed in both the Dependency and Adoption case(s).
Additionally, all homestead petitions and Orders must include the property address, a legal description, and the Parcel ID number.
For settlements exceeding net proceeds of $15,000.00 or more, please submit an Order Appointing a Guardian ad Litem.
Petitions for Appointment of an Emergency Temporary Guardian do require a hearing.
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.
You must submit an Order Compensating Exam Committee prior to setting the incapacity hearing.
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.
Documentation that an interview was held with the minor, if older than 12 years of age, unless the court, in the best interest of the minor, dispenses with the minor's consent under § 63.062(1)(c) and § 63.112(2)(d), Fla. Stat.
Certificate of the results of the Florida Putative Father Registry search provided in section 63.054(7)(b), Fla. Stat. See also § 63.037, Fla. Stat. This document is ONLY required if a search was not previously completed or a search was previously completed but documentation of the search is not contained in the case file.
The adoption petition must include a favorable preliminary home study, which must be conducted before placement and within one year of child custody.
Court's wording
Favorable Preliminary Home Study. A preliminary home study must be conducted before placing the minor in the intended adoptive home. § 63.092(3), Fla. Stat. The home study must be conducted within 1 year of child custody pursuant to § 63.092(3) and § 63.112(2)(b), Fla. Stat.
A form provided by the department, which details the social and medical history of the child and each parent and includes the social security number and date of birth for each parent, if such information is available or readily obtainable. See § 39.812(6), Fla. Stat.
A statement, signed by the prospective adoptive parents, acknowledging receipt of all information required to be disclosed under § 63.085(2). See § 39.812(6), Fla. Stat.
A certified copy of the court judgment terminating parental rights under chapter 39. See § 63.112(2)(a), Fla. Stat.
The adoption petition must include a final home investigation conducted before the adoption becomes final; it may be conducted by a licensed child-placing agency or a professional in the specified manner.
Court's wording
Final Home Investigation. The final home investigation must be conducted before the adoption becomes final. The investigation may be conducted by a licensed child-placing agency or a professional in the same manner as provided in § 63.092, Fla. Stat. to ascertain whether the adoptive home is a suitable home for the minor and whether the proposed adoption is in the best interest of the minor. See § 63.125(2), Fla. Stat.
A copy of any declaratory statement previously entered by the court pursuant to sections 63.102. and 63.112(2)(c), Fla. Stat.
A copy of the consent executed by the department, unless waived pursuant to § 63.062(7). See § 39.812(5), Fla. Stat.
Consent executed by child 12 years of age or older (unless Court dispenses with consent in the best interest of minor). See 63.062(1)(c), Fla. Stat.
Cross Notice of Hearing: A Cross Notice of Hearing must be consented to by all other parties, and the Motion to be heard in the Cross Notice of Hearing will only be addressed if time permits – otherwise obtain new or additional hearing time.
All parties appearing by phone or Teams need to stand by for at least one hour from the time the hearing is set.
If the Court finds an emergency, it schedules the hearing and may set it unilaterally; all parties must be available absent exigent circumstances.
Court's wording
If the Court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled by the Court, and the Court will attempt to coordinate the hearing with the attorneys but ultimately may set the hearing unilaterally. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Attorney and juvenile appearances may be waived with a properly filed Notice of Appearance, Entry of Plea, and Waiver of Arraignment.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: “Petitioner/Plaintiff A for identification” or “Respondent/Defendant A for identification,” unless stipulated, then “Exhibit 1.”
Before submitting probate orders, ensure the listed supporting documents, when applicable or necessary, and other pertinent documents are 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.
The Court does not require hearings on any uncontested probate matters nor a checklist prior to submitting orders.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Submit all proposed orders through the Florida e-portal.
Submission Method: Please submit all proposed orders through the Florida e-portal.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders
All exhibits must be submitted in person to the Clerk of Court.
Submit all exhibits in person to the Clerk of Court.
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Hearings
File probate petitions and submit proposed orders through the e-portal.
Please file your Petition(s) and submit your proposed Order(s) via the e-portal.
Page 6 | K. Probate
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Do not submit a proposed order until the motion or petition is confirmed as docketed.
Do Not Submit any Proposed Orders until you have confirmation that the Motion/Petition is Docketed.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders
For a matter set for hearing, do not submit the proposed order 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 4 | D. Submission of Orders
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronically receiving signed orders and update it using Form 2.603 whenever the account registered for electronic service changes, unless excused from providing an address.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 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.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
File and serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
To cancel a hearing, contact the JA, file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, and email a copy to the JA.
Cancelling Hearings: You must contact the JA to cancel a hearing. 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 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Email a courtesy copy of the emergency motion to the JA upon filing.
A courtesy copy of your Emergency Motion must be emailed to the JA upon filing.
Page 4 | F. Emergency / Urgent Matters
Courtesy copies must reach the Court at least 10 business days before an evidentiary hearing, or the Court may not review them.
Deadline for Submissions: Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court no later than 10 business days before an evidentiary hearing. Failure to do so may result in the Court not reviewing the materials submitted.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law & Hearing Materials
Email a courtesy copy of a Motion for Reconsideration to the JA upon filing.
Upon the filing of your Motion for Reconsideration, please email a courtesy copy to the JA for the Court’s review.
Page 5 | H. Motions for Reconsideration
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
Email a courtesy copy of the Notice of Hearing to the JA.
Please also email a courtesy copy of your Notice of Hearing to the JA.
Page 6 | L. Adoptions
Case law or 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 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law & Hearing Materials
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
After noticing a case for trial, contact the JA to schedule a Case Management Conference to address scheduling and related matters.
Once you have noticed the case for trial, you must contact the JA to schedule a Case Management Conference before the Court to determine scheduling, witness/exhibit exchange, discovery cutoff, etc.
Page 6 | K. Probate
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Filing a Motion to Continue before docket sounding is encouraged to avoid the attorney, juvenile, and parent or guardian having to appear.
It is encouraged to file your Motion to Continue in advance of Docket Sounding to alleviate the need for the attorney, juvenile, and parent/guardian to appear.
Page 6 | J. Delinquency
Chambers Communication Rules
Email the JA a copy of the filed notice of cancellation when canceling a hearing.
Cancelling Hearings: You must contact the JA to cancel a hearing. 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 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to Debbie.Whitehead@flcourts18.org. 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
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is authorized ex parte by law.
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
The Judicial Assistant cannot provide legal advice, and when the JA is out of the office, the provided email is for emergencies only.
The Judicial Assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice. If the JA is out of the office, an email will be provided for emergencies only.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must follow these procedures when contacting the judicial office.
Unsolicited communications from non- parties will not be considered by the court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Contact the Judicial Assistant for hearing dates when a hearing is longer than one hour.
** For any hearing over 1 hour, please contact the J.A. for dates.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
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 get in touch with the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | Scheduling Hearings
Contact the JA for available dates and times to schedule the adoption hearing.
Please contact the JA for available dates and times to schedule the adoption hearing.
Page 6 | L. Adoptions
Contact the Clerk of Court by phone to schedule exhibit marking.
Contact the Clerk of Court for scheduling marking of exhibits at (407) 665-5354.
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Hearings