Judge Cymonie S. Rowe
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Pretrial Stipulation
E Filed Document
Court-wideJoint Pretrial Statement
Court-wideMotion, Notice of Hearing
Court-wide
Adjournments
- A continuance motion is generally signed by the requesting party, is disfavored absent good cause, and successive continuances are highly disfavored; lack of due diligence is not a basis for relief.
- A continuance motion must state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready-to-proceed date and whether all parties agree.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Court-widePhone
Court-wideDuty Judge
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Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Before the hearing begins, each exhibit must bear a numbered sticker identifying the case number and the party offering it.
Court's wording
All exhibits must be clearly marked before the hearing is set to begin. Exhibits shall be marked by a numbered sticker on each exhibit clearly identifying the case number and party who is offering the exhibit, e.g., Petitioner or Respondent.
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 Cymonie Rowe
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Petitioner or Respondent designation
- •Case number
- •Date
- •Exhibit number
- •Objection status
- •Admitted status
- •Received by Judge Cymonie Rowe
The Court prefers all orders to be submitted in WORD format through Online Services with service to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
- Preferred format
- Word
- Proposed order
All cases and legal authorities submitted to the court must be tabbed, with pertinent sections highlighted with opposing counsel's copy identically highlighted.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
A detailed motion for an emergency hearing must state the issues, reasons emergency relief is necessary, and the time needed for each party's presentation.
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.
A notice of haring involving any remote appearance must list the Division Zoom link.
Every notice of hearing must include the required ADA notification and language stating counsel's compliance with Local Rule 4.
Court's wording
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 and the language that counsel has complied with Local Rule 4 (PDF).
All notices of hearing(s), motions, referrals, and objections to the Magistrate must clearly state the docket entry on the NOH.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a document either (1) confirming the agreement of all parties or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
An Exhibit list shall be provided to the Court at the start of the hearing and must be numbered chronologically.
Counsel requesting this Order has certified that he/she has spoken in person or by telephone with the attorney(s) for all parties who may be affected by the relief sought in the motion in a good faith effort to resolve or narrow the issues raised.
NOTE: If the issue is resolved less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hearing (excluding weekends), the moving party shall appear before the Court at the scheduled time of hearing with their proposed order.
The Joint Pretrial Statement must be completely filled out by the attorneys (or pro se litigant if unrepresented) and filed with the Clerk of Court no later than 2 BUSINESS DAYS prior to trial in this case.
Compliance MUST be indicated on the parties pre-trial stipulation (see below) with the date certificate was filed.
If a joint stipulation cannot be reached, counsel must certify the attempts to obtain one, including that counsel provided the submitted unilateral proposed stipulation to opposing counsel at least 48 hours prior to submission to the Court with no response.
A party who has not completed the parenting course must file a certificate of completion within 10 days after the order.
Court's wording
If the trial at issue is a dissolution or paternity and either party has not complied with completion of the parenting course, the party not in compliance SHALL file a certificate of completion within 10 days of this order.
The parties must include in the pre-trial stipulation the date and docket entry of the most recent financial affidavit.
Counsel must provide the Court and opposing counsel a written numbered list of every disputed asset and liability with proposed value addressing all of the above no later than 2 business days prior to the hearing.
The stipulation must include the witnesses to be called, the agreed to issues, disputed issues with the relief requested by each party, docket entry of most recent financial affidavit, disputed assets and liabilities (see below), proposed parenting plan, proposed child support guidelines, date of completion of parenting course if applicable.
Any party may request a Case Management Conference (CMC) when a case requires. Any request must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Self-represented litigants excused from email service may submit proposed orders in Word format by email, U.S. mail, or hand delivery to the judicial office.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court in WORD format by email to CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org, U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A hearing may be cancelled or rescheduled only with court permission, after which a notice of cancellation must be immediately filed and served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Hearings may only be cancelled or rescheduled with permission of the Court. Once granted, you must immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after the hearing unless the court states otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing unless otherwise stated by the Court.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
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 1 | Scheduling Procedures
All hearing materials, including case law, must be received by the court at least three business days before the hearing.
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing, including case law, no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Counsel or self-represented parties must either attend the hearing or notify the court and submit an agreed order disposing of the motion at least 48 business hours before the hearing.
Accordingly, all counsel or self-represented parties must be physically present at a hearing [however, upon a showing of good cause and leave of court a witness may testify electronically but only in strict compliance with Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.530 and Family Rule of Procedure 12.451]; or notify the Court of Agreement and submit an Agreed Order disposing of the motion at least forty-eight (48) business hours prior to hearing.
Page 1 | ORDER SPECIALLY SETTING HEARING
All memoranda and case authorities must be submitted to the court and opposing counsel at least five business days before the hearing.
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.
Page 1 | ORDER SPECIALLY SETTING HEARING
The parenting-course completion certificate must be filed within 10 days after the order.
If the trial at issue is a dissolution or paternity and either party has not complied with completion of the parenting course, the party not in compliance SHALL file a certificate of completion within 10 days of this order.
Page 1 | PARENTING CLASS CERTIFICATE
The Joint Pretrial Statement must be filed with the clerk no later than two business days before trial.
The Joint Pretrial Statement must be completely filled out by the attorneys (or pro se litigant if unrepresented) and filed with the Clerk of Court no later than 2 BUSINESS DAYS prior to trial in this case.
Page 1 | PRE-TRIAL STIPULATION
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must generally make and receive service by email through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.
Page 1 | 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 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
The unilateral proposed stipulation must be provided to opposing counsel at least 48 hours before submission to the court, and opposing counsel must not have responded.
If a joint stipulation cannot be reached, counsel must certify the attempts to obtain one, including that counsel provided the submitted unilateral proposed stipulation to opposing counsel at least 48 hours prior to submission to the Court with no response.
Page 1 | PRE-TRIAL STIPULATION
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of motions and hearing or trial materials must be uploaded through OLS's e-Courtesy feature and generally must not be emailed to the division unless the court directs otherwise.
Courtesy copies of Motions and all hearing or trial materials must be uploaded to OLS (Online Scheduling) through the e-Courtesy feature. Please do not send courtesy copies of Motion or Notices to the Division by email for any hearing or trial, unless specifically directed to do so by the Court.
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A courtesy copy of the Joint Pretrial Statement shall be provided to the presiding judge.
A courtesy copy of the Joint Pretrial Statement shall be provided to the presiding judge.
Page 1 | PRE-TRIAL STIPULATION
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A request to use communication technology for an evidentiary hearing or trial witness appearance must be made by motion.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance any evidentiary hearing or witness for trial must be made by motion.
Page 1 | Remote Appearance
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready-to-proceed date and whether all parties agree.
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.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
A continuance motion is generally signed by the requesting party, is disfavored absent good cause, and successive continuances are highly disfavored; lack of due diligence is not a basis for relief.
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 are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
All parties must be copied on emails sent to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is legally authorized.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
All communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the dedicated division account, with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communication to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. The subject line of any e-mail must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024-DR-001234 SC – Doe v. Doe – 2-hour Hearing requested.)
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Case-specific questions should be directed to the Judicial Assistant by email at CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org.
Most general questions can be answered by reading the Divisional Instructions herein. For case-specific questions the best way to contact the Judicial Assistant is via email at CAD-DivisionFX@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | Zoom Information
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
ADA accommodations may be requested by phone, fax, or email using the listed contact information.
If you need an ADA accommodation, please call 561‐355‐4380. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1‐800‐955‐8771. You can also fax 561‐656‐7662, or e‐mail ADA@pbcgov.org.
Page 1 | Other Division Procedures