Requirements and Information
January 20, 2023
Local Rules for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit are available on the Circuit’s website, from the Manatee County Bar Association and its website, and in the Bar’s Membership Directories. Magistrate Hudson strictly adheres to Local Rules 5a and 5b regarding discovery motions. Non-compliance could result in the cancellation of your hearing. All attorneys must also adhere to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Standards of Professionalism, adopted by the circuit on October 20, 2010, in Administrative Order 2010-22.2.
The Magistrate must apply the same rules to all parties, regardless of whether you have an attorney. The Magistrate may not talk to you about your case outside of the courtroom, so please do not call to speak with the Magistrate. If you need to schedule a hearing you must file a Form A and motion with the Clerk, for the Pro Se Case Manager to review your case. The Magistrate Assistant may not help you with your case or send information to the other party or attorney for you. The Magistrate Assistant may not “give the Magistrate a message.” Additionally, please do not ask the Magistrate Assistant for the outcome of a hearing or verify that an order has been signed; you may review the Clerk’s website for details about your case. Please remember that whenever you file something with the Clerk or provide the Magistrate a copy, you must send a copy to all of the attorneys or parties at the same time. Please visit the Self Help Center.
If an interpreter is needed, you must provide one at your own expense, or arrange to have one provided by the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. The Twelfth Judicial Circuit provides spoken language court interpreters to limited-English-proficient persons in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 90.606, Florida Statutes, and Rule 2.560, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. If you require the assistance of an interpreter, please submit your request using the Interpreter Request Form or please call 941-749-3659. Please submit your request as early as possible, requests made with less than 5 business days’ notice may not be accommodated.
El Duodécimo Circuito Judicial provee intérpretes judiciales de la lengua hablada a personas con dominio limitado del inglés seǵun el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, la sección 90.606, los Estatutos de la Florida y la Regla 2.560 de las Reglas de Administración Judicial de la Florida. Si requiere la ayuda de un intérprete, por favor envíe su Formulario de solicitud de intérprete o llame al 941-749-3659. Por favor, envíe su solicitud lo antes posible, las solicitudes hechas con menos de 5 días laborales de preaviso no pueden ser garantizadas.
Trials with children, where Timesharing or Parenting Issues are disputed, parties shall file a Proposed Parenting Plan with the Clerk of Court. Failure to provide a Proposed Parenting Plan 10 days prior to trial may result in cancellation.
Both parties shall file their financial affidavits with the Clerk of Court prior to a trial being set.
Pre-Trial Memoranda shall submit a joint pretrial memorandum, located on the circuit’s website, no later than 3 days prior to a final hearing in a dissolution case.
If any documents are to be submitted by email, they shall be submitted to the Magistrate's Assistant.
Any proposed report/recommendation shall be submitted as an email attachment in a format compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx format) – do not send in PDF format.
Any documents submitted by email shall be copied to the opposing counsel/pro se party, and there shall be an indication in the email that copies have been so provided.