Judge Jeffrey M. Rich
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Exhibits
- Hand Delivery
Courtesy copies
- No Less Than 5 Days Before Proceeding
Emergency Motion
Exhibits
- For Hearing or Trial
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause, must be requested at least five days before the scheduled court date, and generally must be signed by the requesting party unless good cause is shown.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Document Format Requirements6 rules
All motions will need to be typed (no handwritten motions) with opposing parties contact information included and filed with the Clerk of Court before asking for a hearing date.
- Motion
Formatting
- •Typed; handwritten motions are prohibited
- •Opposing parties' contact information included
For equitable distribution, attorneys must confer, create one document, and provide the Court a single Excel worksheet using different highlight colors for agreed and disputed items.
Court's wording
If Equitable Distribution (ED) is an issue, please provide a single ED Worksheet in Excel highlighting those items the parties agree upon and a different highlight color for those items not agreed upon. Attorneys are required to confer prior to the submission and create one document for the Court’s consideration.
Please also organize the binders/documents with a “Table of Contents” with corresponding tabs displaying the documents.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: “Petitioner/Plaintiff #1” or “Respondent/Defendant A”.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Label exhibits as “Petitioner/Plaintiff #1” or “Respondent/Defendant A”
attached as a "WORD" formatted document
- File type
- Word
Proposed Orders should have sufficient space in the signature area for the Court to sign (with the larger signature block) and not cover any of the proposed Order’s text.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Do not allow the signature block to cover the proposed order's text
Document Filing Requirements20 rules
If a continuance is agreed upon by all parties, contact the Judicial Assistant to remove the Hearing and/or trial from the docket. Upload the AGREED proposed Order for Continuance to the E-Poral for electronic signature.
Attorneys must file a Notice of Hearing with the Clerk’s Office and serve notice upon opposing counsel or a self-represented party in accordance with the applicable rules of procedure.
If your motion is Post-Judgment, IT MUST be referred to the General Magistrate and mediated if ordered to do so.
All post-judgment matters must have an order of referral to the Genera Magistrate filed at the same time the motion is filed.
A proposed Parenting Plan is also required if the case involves minor child(ren).
Must include
- •Proposed Parenting Plan
All post-judgment motions must have an order of referral to the General Magistrate filed at the same time the motion is filed.
All Proposed Order should include a cover letter containing explanatory information, specifically: when the issue that is the subject of the proposed order was heard, the docket number of the motion, if the proposed order was provided to the opposing party, if an objection was received, if no response was received, and when the proposed order was provided to the opposing party.
A Final Disposition Form must be submitted at the time of submission of a proposed Final Order or Final Judgment in order to close the case.
Please also organize the binders/documents with a “Table of Contents” with corresponding tabs displaying the documents.
Include
- •Table of contents
In cases involving children, the parties are required to upload a Certificate of Completion of Parenting Course and a Proposed Parenting Plan prior to PTC.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
- Document
- Conference request
Must include
- •Reasons for the necessity of the conference
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.
A hearing notice must identify the motion, underlying filing and docket number, hearing date and time, location, evidentiary status, and court-reporter status.
Court's wording
The hearing notice must include the following in addition to what the applicable law, including rules and administrative orders, requires: The title of the motion to be heard The date the underlying motion was filed and docket number, if available The time and date of the scheduled hearing The hearing location, including courtroom # Whether the hearing is evidentiary Whether a court reporter has been reserved for the hearing
The Court requires that a Notice of Hearing be filed for all hearings scheduled before the court. The notice shall be filed a reasonable amount of time for notice prior to the scheduled hearing.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Any agreed proposed order of continuance should include the CMC rescheduled hearing date and time.
- Document
- Proposed order
Should include
- •CMC rescheduled hearing date and time
Please include in the Notice of CMC Hearing that the nature of the CMC is to discuss obtained hearing time.
It is the responsibility of the party who is appearing remotely, or the responsibility of the party who is calling the remote witness to ensure that the individual appearing remotely has any and all exhibits that may be referenced at the hearing.
which will be forwarded to the Judge upon receipt of both proposed competing Orders or with a cover letter indicating the objections to portions of the proposed order.
Usage: Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery 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
A Notice of Cancellation must be immediately e-filed with the Clerk of Court.
A Notice of Cancellation MUST be immediately e-filed with the Clerk of Court
Page 4 | Cancelling Hearings
The agreed proposed order for continuance must be uploaded to E-Portal for electronic signature.
Upload the AGREED proposed Order for Continuance to the E-Poral for electronic signature.
Page 4 | Continuances
Unless otherwise instructed, agreed-upon proposed orders must be submitted through the Florida E-Filing Portal in PDF format.
Unless otherwise instructed, Proposed Orders that are agreed upon by both parties shall be submitted through the Florida E-Filing Portal in “PDF” format.
Page 7 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Within 48 hours after all parties agree on the trial date, the Uniform Order Setting Trial and Pre-Trial must be uploaded through the E-Portal as a proposed order.
Once all parties agree to the trial date, the Uniform Order Setting Trial and Pre-Trial shall be uploaded, through the E-Portal as a proposed order, within 48-hours.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
In dissolution-of-marriage cases, the parties must upload an agreed equitable-distribution chart before the pretrial conference.
The parties in Dissolution of Marriage cases are required to upload an agreed Equitable Distribution chart prior to the PTC.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Parties in cases involving children must upload the parenting-course completion certificate before the pretrial conference.
In cases involving children, the parties are required to upload a Certificate of Completion of Parenting Course and a Proposed Parenting Plan prior to PTC.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Each party's pretrial memorandum must be electronically filed and served on the other party, with copies of both memoranda delivered to the judge at least three business days before the pretrial conference.
NOTE: A Pre-Trial Memorandum SHALL be electronically filed and served on each party by the other party, as well as a copy of both delivered to the Judge, at least three (3) business days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Competing proposed orders should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant as Word-formatted documents.
Proposed Orders that are NOT agreed upon by the parties, in other words, Competing Orders, should be submitted to the Judicial Assistant by e-mail and attached as a "WORD" formatted document
Page 7 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Agreed-upon proposed orders should be submitted electronically to the judge in Family Law Division I through the Florida E-Filing Portal.
Proposed Orders that are agreed upon by the parties should be submitted to the Judge in Family Law Division "I" electronically through the Florida E-Filing Portal.
Page 8 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Incoming withholding orders may be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal.
Incoming Withholding Orders can be uploaded into E-Filing Portal.
Page 8 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Physical exhibit copies may be submitted to the Court by mail or hand delivery.
Submission Method: Physical/paper/hard copies of the exhibits may be submitted to the Court via mail or hand delivery.
Page 9 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Exhibits, motion responses, and case-law copies must be delivered or mailed to the judge's chambers at least five business days before the hearing, with copies provided to all case parties.
Exhibits, responses to motions and copies of case law must be delivered or mailed to the Judge's chambers (copies of any documents provided to the Judge must be provided to all parties to the case) five (5) business days before the hearing.
Page 4 | Submission Deadlines
Exhibits, motion responses, and case-law copies received less than five business days before the hearing will not be reviewed or considered.
Any exhibits, responses to motions and copies of case law received by the Court less than five (5) business days before the hearing will not be reviewed or considered at the hearing.
Page 4 | Submission Deadlines
A motion must be filed with the clerk before the party asks for a hearing date.
All motions will need to be typed (no handwritten motions) with opposing parties contact information included and filed with the Clerk of Court before asking for a hearing date.
Page 6 | MOTIONS
The moving party must file the original temporary-relief hearing memorandum with the clerk at least two business days before the hearing.
At least two (2) business days prior to the scheduled Hearing, the moving party shall file the original Temporary Relief Hearing Memorandum with the Clerk of the Court
Page 6 | TEMPORARY RELIEF
A motion to use communication technology for an appearance must be filed at least 10 business days before the hearing.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion NO LESS THAN TEN (10) BUSINESS DAYS before the hearing.
Page 7 | C. Remote Appearance
The attorney or self-represented party directed to prepare an order or judgment must submit the proposed order within 10 business days after the court's decision.
the Attorney or self-represented party directed to prepare the Order or Judgment must submit the proposed order to the Court within ten (10) business days after the Court’s decision.
Page 8 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
If the designated party fails to submit the proposed order or judgment, the opposing attorney or self-represented party may submit it within 5 business days after the initial 10-business-day period.
If the Attorney or self-represented party designated to prepare the Order or Judgement fails to submit it, the Attorney for the opposing party or the opposing self-represented party may submit a Proposed order or Judgment within five (5) business days after that initial ten (10) day period.
Page 8 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
The proposed Uniform Order Setting Trial and Pre-Trial must be uploaded through the E-Portal within 48 hours after all parties agree on the trial date.
Once all parties agree to the trial date, the Uniform Order Setting Trial and Pre-Trial shall be uploaded, through the E-Portal as a proposed order, within 48-hours.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
NOTE: A Pre-Trial Memorandum SHALL be electronically filed and served on each party by the other party, as well as a copy of both delivered to the Judge, at least three (3) business days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference.
NOTE: A Pre-Trial Memorandum SHALL be electronically filed and served on each party by the other party, as well as a copy of both delivered to the Judge, at least three (3) business days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Material delivered after the stated hearing deadline will not be reviewed or considered at the hearing.
Other Procedures Relating to Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings: Any material delivered to this court less than the deadline provided above for the hearing WILL NOT BE REVIEWED OR CONSIDERED AT THE HEARING.
Page 10 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The court will not provide hearing time before a motion on the underlying issue has been filed.
The Court will not provide hearing times before a motion has been filed on the issue the party is request hearing time for.
Page 3 | Notice of Hearing
Failure to submit the required pretrial documents may result in cancellation of the pretrial conference and trial.
Failure to file these required documents may result in cancellation of the PTC and Trial.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Service and Proof of Service Rules
An attorney-filed Notice of Hearing must be served on opposing counsel or the self-represented party in accordance with applicable procedural rules.
Attorneys must file a Notice of Hearing with the Clerk’s Office and serve notice upon opposing counsel or a self-represented party in accordance with the applicable rules of procedure.
Page 5 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Cross-noticing or piggybacking a motion may occur only with timely notice to the parties and court.
There will be no cross noticing on hearing time or “piggybacking” one motion upon a previously scheduled motion without timely notice to the parties and the Court.
Page 6 | MOTIONS
All parties must be served with the filed motion or related documents.
Parties on the case will need to be served with the filed motion or documents.
Page 6 | MOTIONS
At least two business days before the hearing, the moving party must serve all parties and deliver a copy of the temporary-relief hearing memorandum to the judge.
At least two (2) business days prior to the scheduled Hearing, the moving party shall file the original Temporary Relief Hearing Memorandum with the Clerk of the Court and serve a copy on all parties, as well as deliver a copy to the Judge.
Page 6 | TEMPORARY RELIEF
When a self-represented party has no email address associated with the case, the person filing the proposed order through the E-Filing Portal must mail a copy to that party.
if one of the parties to the case is representing themselves and does not have an email address associated with the case, the individual submitting the Proposed Order through the E-Filing Portal must send a copy of the Proposed Order to the party that is self-represented and without an email address via mail.
Page 8 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Each party must electronically serve its pretrial memorandum on the other party at least three business days before the pretrial conference.
NOTE: A Pre-Trial Memorandum SHALL be electronically filed and served on each party by the other party, as well as a copy of both delivered to the Judge, at least three (3) business days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
If a party does not have an email address on file, the proposed order must be submitted in hard copy to the Court with confirming copies and stamped envelopes.
If a party does not have an email address on file, the proposed order must be submitted in hard copy to the Court with confirming copies and stamped envelopes.
Page 5 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All parties or attorneys must have an email address on file with the Court for service of the order.
All parties or attorneys must have an email address on file with the Court for service of the order.
Page 5 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Physical paper copies of case law and exhibits must be submitted to the court before the proceeding in which they will be used.
Physical/paper/hard copies of the case law and/or exhibits must be submitted to the Court.
Page 8 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of case law or evidence must reach the Court at least five days before the proceeding.
Deadline for Submissions: Courtesy copies must be submitted to the Court no less than five (5) days prior to any proceeding in which case law/evidence is to be used.
Page 9 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Responses to motions and copies of case law must be delivered to the Court at least three days before a proceeding.
[Other Courtesy Copies Procedures]: Responses to motions and copies of case law must be delivered to the Court three (3) days prior to any proceeding.
Page 9 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Motion responses and copies of case law must be delivered to the Court at least three days before the proceeding.
Responses: Responses to motions and copies of case law must be delivered to the Court three (3) days prior to any proceeding.
Page 9 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
At least five days before trial involving alimony, child support, or attorneys' fees, each party must provide the Court with a copy of the final financial affidavit highlighting only contested entries.
Five (5) days prior to Trial in which alimony, child support and/or Attorney’s fees are an issue, each party is required to provide the Court a copy of their respective final financial affidavit highlighting only the entries that are contested.
Page 9 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
A copy of an emergency motion must not be hand-delivered to the judge's chambers because the deputy clerk will transmit it for review.
Please Note: Do not hand-deliver a copy of the Emergency Motion to the Judge's chambers. A Deputy Clerk provides the Emergency Motion to the Judge for review.
Page 9 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the Court and every party to review during the hearing or trial.
Format: All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the Court and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Page 9 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Copies of both parties' pretrial memoranda must be delivered to the judge at least three business days before the pretrial conference.
NOTE: A Pre-Trial Memorandum SHALL be electronically filed and served on each party by the other party, as well as a copy of both delivered to the Judge, at least three (3) business days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
a courtesy copy of said Notice of Cancellation sent to the division email address at FAMLAWDIVI@fljud13.org.
a courtesy copy of said Notice of Cancellation sent to the division email address at FAMLAWDIVI@fljud13.org.
Page 4 | Cancelling Hearings
Physical copies of case law or exhibits may be submitted by U.S. mail or hand delivery.
Physical/paper/hard copies of the case law and/or exhibits may be submitted to the Court via U.S. mail or hand delivery.
Page 8 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Attorneys and self-represented parties must attend a case management conference unless the court excuses them in advance.
Unless excused by the court in advance, all CMCs are mandatory for attorneys and self-represented parties.
Page 10 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
A request for a trial lasting more than one day must be set for a case management conference.
Procedure: Any trial request for over one (1) day must be set for a Case Management Conference.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
The court strongly encourages early use of a case management conference for complex, multiparty, or potentially intervention-dependent cases.
The court strongly encourages the early use of CMC in more complex cases, multiple-party litigation, or any case that might benefit from court intervention.
Page 10 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause, must be requested at least five days before the scheduled court date, and generally must be signed by the requesting party unless good cause is shown.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date. 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).
Page 4 | Continuance Procedure
The first Case Management Conference may not be canceled or rescheduled absent good cause shown by written motion and an order.
The First Case Management Conference will not be canceled or rescheduled absent good cause shown by written motion and an order canceling or rescheduling.
Page 4 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE (CMC)
The parties must agree before a reset case management conference can be continued.
The parties must agree to a continuance of a reset CMC.
Page 5 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
The Court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must contact the judicial office only as directed by the division’s practices and procedures.
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
All parties must be copied on emails to the Judicial Office unless ex parte communication is authorized 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
Post-judgment hearings must be scheduled by email to the judicial assistant.
You must email the Judicial Assistant to schedule post-judgment hearings.
Page 6 | MOTIONS
After scheduling the case management conference, a copy of the Notice of Hearing must be emailed to FamLawDivI@fljud13.org.
After the Case Management Conference is scheduled, a copy of the Notice of Hearing will be e-mailed to the Judicial Assistant at FamLawDivI@fljud13.org.
Page 10 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Court Schedule: Hearing times are provided on a first come first served bases, however they will not be held until all parties have agreed upon the hearing time. Do not include the Court/Judicial Assistant in your scheduling emails with the opposing party.
Court Schedule: Hearing times are provided on a first come first served bases, however they will not be held until all parties have agreed upon the hearing time. Do not include the Court/Judicial Assistant in your scheduling emails with the opposing party.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Email is the preferred method for communicating with the Judicial Office, and communications should identify the case, party, requested setting, and estimated hearing duration, although the Judicial Assistant may not respond outside business hours.
Method of Communication: The preferred method of communication with the Judicial Office is e-mail at FAMLAWDIVI@fljud13.org. All communication with the Judicial Office should include: case number, case name, which party you represent, what you are asking to be set, and how long you will need for the Hearing. ALTHOUGH THE JA MAY SEND COMMMUNICATIONS OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS HOURS, SHE MIGHT NOT RESPOND TO INCOMING COMMUNICATIONS.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The preferred method for scheduling is by JAWS. For any request for hearing times more than 30 minutes, please contact the JA. For any scheduling request: The requesting party should e-mail the JA for hearing time(s) and copy opposing party (if opposing party is not included, it will delay the response).
The preferred method for scheduling is by JAWS. For any request for hearing times more than 30 minutes, please contact the JA. For any scheduling request: The requesting party should e-mail the JA for hearing time(s) and copy opposing party (if opposing party is not included, it will delay the response).
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Requests for hearings longer than 30 minutes may be emailed to the judicial assistant at the stated address, with all parties copied.
You may contact the Judicial Assistant via email at FAMLAWDIVI@fljud13.org. All parties must be copied on the email
Page 5 | MORE THAN 30 MIN HEARINGS
A continuance of a reset CMC must be requested by email to the judicial assistant with all parties copied.
Contact JA by email, copying all parties, to request a continuance of CMC Reset.
Page 5 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A request for a temporary-relief hearing longer than 60 minutes must be sent by email with an explanation and whether the opposing party agrees.
If more than sixty (60) minutes is requested, please email explaining why more time is needed and whether the opposing party agrees to the additional time.
Page 6 | TEMPORARY RELIEF
A party unable to obtain time on a motion docket may email the judicial assistant, copying all parties, to request alternative hearing times.
If you are unable to clear time on an available Motion Docket, you may email the Judicial Assistant to obtain alternative hearing times, with all partied copied on email.
Page 5 | 15 MIN/30 MIN HEARING DOCKET
The court uses Zoom for remote appearances.
The court uses Zoom for remote appearances.
Page 7 | C. Remote Appearance
Judge Rich's Zoom Meeting ID is 370-4372-256 and no password is required.
The Zoom Meeting ID for Judge Rich is 370-4372-256, no password is required.
Page 7 | C. Remote Appearance
If an emergency-motion hearing is required, the Judicial Assistant will coordinate the hearing date and time with the parties by email.
Scheduling: Once the Judge has reviewed the court file and the Emergency Motion, the Judge will issue an Emergency Motion Handling Order to both parties. If a hearing is required, the Judicial Assistant will coordinate by email hearing dates/times with the parties.
Page 9 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
If the parties cannot agree on or locate a conference date, they may contact the Judicial Assistant for scheduling assistance.
If parties are unable to find a date or agree upon a date on the calendar, they may contact the Judicial Assistant for further assistance.
Page 10 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
If the court finds a case management or status conference necessary, the moving party may schedule it through JAWS.
If the court agrees that a CMC or status conference is required, the moving party may schedule the CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform (JAWS).
Page 10 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
The ADA Coordinator may be contacted by email at ADA@fljud13.org or by telephone at 1-813-272-7040 to request an ADA accommodation; hearing-impaired and voice-impaired contacts are also provided.
ADA Accommodations: If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact the ADA Coordinator via e-mail ADA@fljud13.org; telephone 1-813-272-7040; hearing impaired 1-800-955-8771; voice impaired 1-800-955-8770; or US Mail Administrative Office of the Courts, Attn.: ADA Coordinator, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
Page 11 | K. Other Division Procedures