Judge Kevin A. Blazs
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Trial or Hearing Set Memo
Court-wide
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
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Chambers
Clerk
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Court-wideDocument Filing Requirements9 rules
The email must include the following information: Subject line: URGENT: Case number, case name, and reason for the email (e. g., PENDING SALE; EMERGENCY TEMPORARY GUARDIAN, etc.)
All probate cases must file an affidavit of heirs.
The Order of Referral to the General Magistrate will be filed for all guardian advocate and guardianship cases. A hearing will not be set until the referral has been filed.
Attorneys must prepare and file the Notice of Hearing.
if you have more than one order to submit, one cover letter is sufficient —you do not need to submit cover letter for each order). Also, if a hearing was held, please reference the hearing date in your cover letter. Do not send proposed orders before a hearing.
Once hearing has concluded, depending on the type of case heard (either mental health/guardianship or guardian advocacy) the Magistrate will request attorneys to prepare and forward to the Magistrate Assistant via email (Word format), LNewton@coj.net the following proposed Orders:
- Document
- Proposed order
Include
- •Following proposed Orders
c. Letters of Guardianship/Guardian Advocacy of the Person/Property
a. Order Determining Incapacity (new format updated on website Jud4.org - Duval Judges)
- Document
- Proposed order
Include
- •Order Determining Incapacity
b. Order Appointing Guardian Advocate of the Person/Property
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
These should be mailed to the Clerk's office (not to the Judicial Assistant) or via hand delivery. Please do not email the clerk.
These should be mailed to the Clerk's office (not to the Judicial Assistant) or via hand delivery. Please do not email the clerk.
Civil cases
Page 1 | ELECTRONIC ORDERS: Exceptions
The petition or motion must be filed through the clerk and docketed before the proposed order is submitted directly to the court.
Additionally, petitions and/or motions must be filed through the Clerk's office and docketed prior to submitting your proposed orders. Pleadings are filed through the Clerk and proposed orders come directly to the Court (not through the Clerk). The Court will not submit unfiled petitions and/or motions to the Clerk for filing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP
Proposed orders may be filed electronically, except orders admitting original wills and orders of discharge.
We are accepting proposed orders by electronic filing with exceptions for original wills and orders of discharge.
Civil cases
Page 1 | PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP
If the Clerk has not yet approved the case for discharge, the order of discharge should be sent to the Clerk's office via U.S. Mail or hand delivery. Please do not email the clerk.
If the Clerk has not yet approved the case for discharge, the order of discharge should be sent to the Clerk's office via U.S. Mail or hand delivery. Please do not email the clerk.
Civil cases
Page 1 | ELECTRONIC ORDERS: Exceptions
Original-will orders and discharge orders must be submitted directly to the clerk in paper form.
They must still be submitted directly to the Clerk's office in paper form.
Civil cases
Page 1 | PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP
Orders must not be submitted by U.S. Mail to the court.
Please do not submit orders via U.S. Mail to the court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | ELECTRONIC ORDERS: Exceptions
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Attorneys should submit the orders within 14 days after the hearing concludes.
Attorneys should submit Orders within 14 days after hearing has concluded.
Page 1 | FINAL HEARINGS
Chambers Communication Rules
Urgent orders may be submitted by email.
You may still send those via email.
Civil cases
Page 1 | URGENT ORDERS
The docket should be checked for updates before requesting case status from the Judicial Assistant.
PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET for updates before contacting the Judicial Assistant for a case status.
Civil cases
Page 2 | PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET
Hearing requests should be submitted by email, and the Judicial Assistant will provide a Zoom link after confirming the date and time.
Email works best for hearing requests. The Zoom link will be provided by the Judicial Assistant upon confirmation of a date and time.
Civil cases
Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS
Attorneys should email the Magistrate’s Office at LNewton@coj.net to obtain the next available hearing date and time for the relevant division.
Attorneys should contact the Magistrate’s Office via email (LNewton@coj.net) for the next available date and time based on the specific division.
Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS — GUARDIAN ADVOCACY
The Magistrate’s Assistant may be contacted at 904-255-1214 or LNewton@coj.net when assistance is needed.
Please reach out to the Magistrate’s Assistant should you need assistance, 904-255-1214/ LNewton@coj.net.
Page 1 | GENERAL MAGISTRATE PROBATE REFERRAL PROCEDURES