Judge Denise Martinez-Scanziani
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Motion, Affidavit
Motion, Affidavit, Request for Hearing
- 1 copy • Email
- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Motion, Request for Hearing
- 1 copy • Email
Pretrial Catalogue
- 1 copy • No Less Than 15 Days Prior to Trial
Adjournments
- All motions to continue trial must be filed at least 14 days before the trial date; opposed motions to continue are set on the 5-minute motion calendar.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Filing Requirements13 rules
The moving party is responsible for preparing a Notice of Hearing once the UFC JA has confirmed the date and time of the hearing.
In asset-division cases, each party must file a sworn, affidavit-form Schedule of Assets concurrently with the Pre-trial Catalogue.
Court's wording
DIVISION OF ASSETS: In all cases in which there is a disputed question as to division of any assets, real or personal, concurrently with the Pre-trial catalogue each party shall file a SCHEDULE OF ASSETS, signed by the party in affidavit form, setting forth each asset to which a disputed question exists or to the division thereof. THE SCHEDULE MUST BE SWORN TO BY THE PARTY.
Notice of Readiness shall include the specific issues to be tried by the court (e.g. timesharing, alimony, child support).
A current, fully executed financial affidavit (Form 12.901(d) or (e)) must be attached to the Pre-trial Catalogue and exchanged with the parties.
Court's wording
FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT: A current, fully executed financial statement in accordance with Form 12.901(d) or (e) of the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure shall be attached to the Pre-trial Catalogue and exchanged with the attorneys/pro se litigants.
DIVISION OF DEBTS: In all cases in which there is a disputed question as to division of any debts, concurrently with the Pre-Trial catalogue each party shall file a Schedule of Debts, signed by the party
All orders granting a motion to withdraw must contain the complete contact information (phone, address, email) of the client.
The Pre-trial Catalogue's witness list must include names, addresses and brief testimony summaries (including rebuttal, impeachment and specified expert witnesses), and unlisted witnesses will not be called except for good cause.
Court's wording
WITNESS LIST: The Pre-trial Catalogue shall contain a list of witnesses to be called at trial. This includes rebuttal and impeachment witnesses who, in the exercise of diligent pre-trial preparation, you should know might be called. Expert witnesses shall be so specified. Such list shall contain names, addresses and a brief statement of testimony to be offered. Witnesses not listed will not be called at trial except for good cause shown.
The Pre-trial Catalogue shall contain the following information:
accompanied by the filing of a certificate of compliance as required by Rule 12.285(j).
Motions to continue the trial must include a signature from the client agreeing to the continuance.
Be sure to include the motion and notice of hearing as supporting documents when setting the hearing.
In the event that a motion is required, the party filing the motions shall indicate that the parties met and conferred, and no resolution was reached or that the other party was unable to be contacted after due diligence.
Order Granting Motion to Withdraw do not need a hearing if the client's written consent is attached to the Motion.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motions and Requests for Hearing for special set hearings must be filed with the Clerk (COCC), and all such filings must be made at the Miami-Dade Children's Courthouse.
Motions and Requests for Hearing for any matter requiring a special set hearing must be filed with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC).
Page 1 | Special Sets
Filing the MOP with the Clerk alone is not sufficient to be heard on calendar; a copy must also be emailed to the Judge's Judicial Assistant.
Note: Filing the Motion for MOP in open, active cases with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC) is not sufficient for purposes of having the case heard on calendar.
Page 1 | Modifications of Placement in Dependency Cases: OPEN CASES
All parties, including attorneys and pro se litigants, must register at the Florida Court E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com), which is the only method for filing and receiving pleadings and court notices.
All parties, including attorneys, the parties themselves, and pro se litigants must register at the Florida Court E-Filing Portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/ . This is the only method for filing and receiving pleadings and court notices.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Motions and requests for hearing for special set hearings must be filed with the Clerk (COCC).
Motions and Requests for Hearing for any matter requiring a special set hearing must be filed with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC).
Page 1 | Hearing Documents
All parties must register with the CourtMAP system to view their case and submit required evidence or additional documents.
All parties must also register with the CourtMAP system to view their case and submit required evidence or additional documents.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
The Court may request that proposed orders or final judgments be submitted. Please submit all proposed orders or final judgments via courtMAP unless otherwise requested.
The Court may request that proposed orders or final judgments be submitted. Please submit all proposed orders or final judgments via courtMAP unless otherwise requested.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions
A CourtMAP account can only be created after first registering with the Florida E-Filing Portal for the case in which the litigant is self-represented.
Important: In order to create a courtMAP account, you must first register with the State of Florida's E-Filing Portal for the case in which you are a self-represented litigant.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
If a requested hearing is cancelled, the moving party must electronically file a Notice of Cancellation with COCC.
The moving party that requests a hearing must electronically file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC) if the hearing that has been requested is cancelled.
Page 1 | Hearing Documents
The motion and request for hearing must be filed with the Clerk (COCC) before a case can be set on the five-minute motion calendar.
To set a case on the five (5) minute motion calendar, the Motion and Request for Hearing must be filed with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC).
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Filed emergency motions, requests for hearing, and cover letters must be uploaded to courtMAP under 'Emergency Motions'.
Upload your filed Emergency Motion, Request for Hearing, and Cover Letter to courtMAP, under "Emergency Motions".
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Emergency Motions)
If a hearing is cancelled, a Notice of Cancellation must be submitted through both the e-filing portal and courtMAP.
If the hearing is to be cancelled, submit a Notice of Cancellation through the e-filing portal and through courtMAP.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Mediation and Notice of Readiness for Trial)
The Notice of Readiness for Trial must be filed through the e-filing portal or with COCC, and chambers must be contacted to schedule a hearing date.
Notice of Readiness for Trial must be filed through the e-filing portal or with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC). Please contact chambers to schedule a hearing date.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Mediation and Notice of Readiness for Trial)
Self-represented litigants may file motions with the assistance of the Family Court Self Help Program in Miami.
If self-represented, motions may be filed with the assistance of the Family Court Self Help Program, located at Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, 24th Floor, Miami, FL 33128, 305-349-7800.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Agreed motions and agreed orders to continue trial may be submitted through 'Agreed Orders' on courtMAP.
The parties may file agreed motions to continue and agreed orders to continue trial and submit them through "Agreed Orders" on courtMAP.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Mediation and Notice of Readiness for Trial)
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Dependency Pick-Up Order motions and affidavits filed by 11:00 a.m. are heard the same day at 2:00 p.m.; later filings go on the next day's 10:30 a.m. Shelter Rotation calendar.
In order for all parties to have sufficient advance notice of the hearing, the Motion and Affidavit must be filed no later than 11:00 a.m. for it to be heard on the same day at 2:00 p.m., otherwise it will be calendared for the following day's UFC Shelter Rotation Calendar, at 10:30 a.m.
Page 1 | Pick-Up Orders - Dependency Cases
MOP motions must be filed by 11:00 a.m. to be heard the same day at 2:00 p.m.; later filings are calendared for the next day's 10:30 a.m. Shelter Rotation calendar.
In order for all parties to have sufficient advance notice of the hearing, the Motion for MOP must be filed no later than 11:00 a.m. for it to be heard on the same day at 2:00 p.m., otherwise it will be calendared for the following day's UFC Shelter Rotation Calendar, at 10:30 a.m.
Page 1 | Modifications of Placement in Dependency Cases: OPEN CASES
A request for hearing must be filed within 30 days of filing a motion, or the motion may be denied without prejudice.
Upon the filing of a motion with the Court, the party requesting the motion shall file a request for hearing within 30 days of the filing of the motion. Failure to request a hearing within 30 days after a filed motion may result in the motion being denied without prejudice.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
All discovery must be completed 10 days before trial, after which discovery is allowed only by agreement or good cause.
DISCOVERY: All discovery shall be completed ten (10) days prior to the date set for TRIAL and shall be allowed thereafter only upon agreement of the attorneys/pro se litigants or on a showing of good cause.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Each party must file the Pre-trial Catalogue with the clerk no less than 15 days before trial.
PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE: NO LESS THAN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIAL, EACH PARTY SHALL FILE A PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE WITH THE CLERK AND FORWARD A COURTESY COPY TO THE COURT.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Proposed orders must not be submitted before the hearing; they must be submitted after the hearing takes place.
Do not submit the proposed orders in advance of a hearing. The Proposed Orders are to be submitted after the hearing takes place.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions
After receiving a Probation Violation Affidavit, the Clerk places the case before the assigned UFC Division Judge within 24 to 48 hours after coordinating with the Judge's JA.
When an affidavit for Probation Violation Affidavit ("PVA") is received by the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC), they will place the case before the assigned UFC Division Judge within twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours, after coordinating with the UFC Judge's JA.
Page 1 | Probation Violation Sounding and Probation Violation Trials
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Mandatory disclosure (including financial affidavit) must be exchanged within 45 days of serving the initial pleading, and non-compliance may result in an order to show cause why the matter should not be dismissed or default entered.
Pursuant to Florida Family Law Rule 12.285(b)(2), mandatory disclosure must be exchanged within 45 days of serving the initial pleading, accompanied by the filing of a certificate of compliance as required by Rule 12.285(j). This includes a financial affidavit. Parties seeking temporary financial relief must exchange disclosure pursuant to rule 12.285(b)(1). In the event this Court determines that Rule 12.285 has not been complied with, and the parties have not agreed in writing to an extension for the exchange of disclosure, this Court may issue an order show cause why the matter should not be dismissed or default entered against the non-compliant party, or both.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
For emergency hearings, witness lists and exhibits must be exchanged within 24 hours of the hearing.
In the event of an emergency hearing, the parties shall exchange witness lists and exhibits within 24 hours.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Each exhibit must be shown to the opposing party at least 7 days before trial, and exhibits not listed in the Pre-trial Catalogue may not be used except for good cause.
EXHIBIT LIST: The Pre-trial Catalogue shall contain a list o all exhibits which may be used at trial. Each exhibit must be shown to the opposing attorney/pro se litigant at least seven (7) days before trial. Exhibits not specifically listed may not be used at trial except for good cause shown.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Notice of hearings on the Motion Calendar must be provided at least 7 calendar days before the hearing.
Notice Before Hearing: 7 Calendar Days
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Witness lists and exhibits must be exchanged between the parties within 7 calendar days before any evidentiary hearing.
Prior to any evidentiary hearing, the parties shall exchange witness lists and exhibits within 7 calendar days of the hearing.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Delinquency Pick-Up Order motions and affidavits are sent to the Division Judge's Judicial Assistant, and the requesting party coordinates with the JA to set the case before the Division Judge.
The Motion and Affidavit to Issue a Pick-Up Order in a Delinquency case will be sent to the UFC Division Judge's Judicial Assistant. The requesting party shall coordinate with the UFC Division Judge's Judicial Assistant to set the case before the UFC Division Judge.
Page 1 | Pick-Up Orders - Delinquency Cases
For MOPs in open, active dependency cases, the moving party must file the Motion, Affidavit, and Request for Hearing with the Clerk (COCC) and email a copy to the UFC Division Judge's Judicial Assistant.
The moving party must file a copy of the Motion and Affidavit for MOP and a Request for Hearing with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC), and e-mail a copy to the UFC Division Judge's Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | Modifications of Placement in Dependency Cases: OPEN CASES
In emergencies where the Division Judge is unavailable, the MOP is heard by the Shelter Rotation Judge and the moving party must file with the COCC and email a copy to the Shelter Rotation Judicial Assistant.
In the instance of an emergency which renders the UFC Division Judge unavailable, the MOP will be heard by the UFC Shelter Rotation Judge at MDCC, Courtroom #2-1. The moving party must file a copy of the Motion and Affidavit for MOP and a Request for Hearing with the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County (COCC), and e-mail a copy to the UFC Judge's Judicial Assistant assigned to Shelter Rotation coverage.
Page 1 | Modifications of Placement in Dependency Cases: OPEN CASES
Motions and Affidavits to issue Pick-Up Orders in dependency cases must be sent to the Shelter Rotation Judicial Assistant for that week.
The Motion and Affidavit to Issue a Pick-Up Order in a Dependency case will be sent to the UFC Judge's Judicial Assistant assigned to Shelter Rotation for the week.
Page 1 | Pick-Up Orders - Dependency Cases
A courtesy copy of the Pre-trial Catalogue must be forwarded to the court no less than 15 days before trial.
PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE: NO LESS THAN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIAL, EACH PARTY SHALL FILE A PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE WITH THE CLERK AND FORWARD A COURTESY COPY TO THE COURT.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
A courtesy copy of the special set Motion and Request for Hearing should be emailed to the UFC Judge's Judicial Assistant.
A courtesy copy of the Motion and Request for Hearing should be e-mailed to the UFC Judge's Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | Special Sets
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
All cases must attend mediation before filing a Notice of Readiness for Trial.
All cases must attend mediation prior to filing a Notice of Readiness for Trial.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Mediation and Notice of Readiness for Trial)
Attorneys and pro se litigants must meet no less than 20 days before trial to discuss settlement and all aspects of the trial.
PARTY MEETING: No less than twenty (20) days prior to the trial, the attorneys/pro se litigants shall meet and communicate concerning settlement and all aspects of the trial.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
Parties must coordinate with the opposing party before setting a motion, then set the agreed hearing through chambers.
Please coordinate with the opposing party prior to setting the motion. Once the date is agreed, set the hearing through chambers.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Mediation and Notice of Readiness for Trial)
Parties must meet and confer before filing any motion.
Parties shall meet and confer prior to the filing of motions.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
All motions to continue trial must be filed at least 14 days before the trial date; opposed motions to continue are set on the 5-minute motion calendar.
All motions to continue must be made 14 days prior to the trial date. The parties may file agreed motions to continue and agreed orders to continue trial and submit them through "Agreed Orders" on courtMAP. Opposed Motion to Continue shall be set on the 5 Minute Motion Calendar.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Mediation and Notice of Readiness for Trial)
Chambers Communication Rules
All non-jury trials must be set through the Judicial Assistant.
All Non-Jury Trials shall be set through the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Mediation and Notice of Readiness for Trial)
Parties may not argue with one another through the Court's or judicial assistant's email inbox; scheduling conflicts must be placed on the five-minute motion calendar, and violations may be sanctioned.
The parties shall not argue with one another through the Court's or judicial assistant's inbox. In the event the parties have a conflict regarding the setting of a hearing or scheduling a matter, they may place the issue on the Court's five-minute motion calendar. The Court will not tolerate parties arguing to the judicial assistant over substantive matters or scheduling matters through email communication. The Court reserves the right to sanction any party who violates this provision.
Page 1 | Court Procedures
Parties must not email motions directly to the Judicial Assistant or Judge.
Please do not email your Motion directly to the Judicial Assistant or Judge.
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Emergency Motions)
Attorneys and pro se litigants must immediately notify the Court of any settlement.
SETTLEMENT: The attorneys/pro se litigants shall immediately notify the Court in the event of settlement.
Page 1 | Non-Jury Trials
A copy of the filed Notice of Cancellation must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
A copy of the filed Notice of Cancellation must be sent via email to the Judicial Assistant at iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org.
Page 1 | Hearing Documents
Judge Martinez-Scanziani's division chambers phone number is (305) 679-1752.
Phone: (305) 679-1752
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To set a case on the UCD Calendar, parties must email the Judicial Assistant the petition and all supporting documents (copying all parties) to receive available hearing dates.
To set a case on the UCD Calendar, please send an email to the Judicial Assistant at iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org with a copy of the Petition and all supporting documents, copying all parties. The Judicial Assistant will provide available hearing dates via email.
Page 1 | UCD Calendar Information
After filing the motion and request for hearing, parties may email the Judicial Assistant (copying all parties and including the motion and request) to obtain available hearing dates.
Once the Motion and Request for Hearing have been filed, you may contact the Judicial Assistant by sending an email to iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org. Include the Motion you are requesting to be set and the Request for Hearing and copy all parties. The Judicial Assistant will provide available hearing dates via email.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
After filing, parties must email the Judicial Assistant the Special Set Request Form, motion, and request for hearing (copying all parties) to obtain hearing dates.
Once filed, send an email to the Judicial Assistant at iacosta@jud11.flcourts.org with a copy of the Special Set Request Form, Motion and Request for Hearing, copying all parties. The Judicial Assistant will provide available hearing dates via email.
Page 1 | Hearing Documents
Requests for Zoom hearings on domestic violence cases must be made through Chambers.
Any requests for Zoom Hearings on DV cases need to be made through Chambers.
Page 1 | Court Procedures