Court Rules
Judge Sarah Willis
Judge

Judge Sarah Willis

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Palm Beach County

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Filings > 10 pages

  • Upon Filing

Motion

  • Email

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

E Filed Document

Court-wide

Adjournments

  • A continuance motion must specifically state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement; continuances are disfavored and require good cause.

Request must include

Reason For RequestAdversary PositionProposed New DatesProposed Rescheduled Date

Communication

Email

Chambers

cad-divisionz@pbcgov.org
Scheduling
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

communications@mypalmbeachclerk.com
Email
Court-wide
cad-divisionaa@pbcgov.org
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide
(561) 355-2108
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

(561) 355-2937
Phone
Court-wide

Duty Judge

Emergencies
Hours: after work hours
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

No status inquiries
Email
Court-wide
Emergencies
Filters:AllMandatoryFormattingProposed Orders

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

Fifteenth Fl:9edfc5b8129c9ec681ec22ea · May 2026|SecD. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Document Filing Requirements4 rules

Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

A proposed order must be accompanied by documentation of party agreement or any disagreement regarding the order.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a document either (1) confirming the agreement of the parties or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Fifteenth Fl:9edfc5b8129c9ec681ec22ea · May 2026|SecD. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

A notice of hearing involving remote appearance must include the Division Z Zoom link.

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Division Z Zoom link.

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Fifteenth Fl:9edfc5b8129c9ec681ec22ea · May 2026|SecB. Scheduling Procedures
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Every notice of hearing must include the required ADA notification and language stating counsel's compliance with Local Rule 4.

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).

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Fifteenth Fl:9edfc5b8129c9ec681ec22ea · May 2026|SecB. Scheduling Procedures
Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

A motion requesting an emergency hearing must detail the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party.

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.

Document Type

Emergency Motion

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Fifteenth Fl:9edfc5b8129c9ec681ec22ea · May 2026|SecF. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Proposed orders must be submitted to the court through Online Services.

All proposed orders must be submitted to the court through Online Services.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

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.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures

All hearing materials, including responses, case law, and memoranda, must be received at least five business days before the hearing.

The court must receive all materials for the hearing, including any responses, case law, memorandum, etc. no later than five (5) business days before the hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | B. 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.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Attorneys and self-represented litigants generally must use email service 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.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Courtesy copies of properly filed motions must be emailed to the court for each hearing or trial.

Courtesy copies of properly filed Motions must be submitted to the Court by email to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org for any hearing or trial.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

A hard copy must be provided to the judge by the filing deadline when a document exceeds 10 pages.

If any document is more than 10 pages, please provide a hard copy to the Judge by the deadline.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

A continuance motion must specifically state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement; continuances are disfavored and require good cause.

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.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Chambers Communication Rules

All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless an 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.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Primary communications to the judicial office should be sent by email to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org.

Primary communications to the judicial office should be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Criminal cases

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Hearing requests must be emailed to the judicial office and should state the presentation time needed for each party.

Hearings must be requested by email to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org. The request should include the amount of time needed for each party's presentation.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Criminal cases

Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 783 rules apply across Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Palm Beach County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 385
  • Applies to
    Exhibit list

    An updated, legible, and specific exhibit list must be provided to the trial clerk on the first day of trial.

  • Applies to
    Demonstrative board

    A large demonstrative board intended for admission into evidence must be accompanied by a smaller version.

  • Applies to
    Date of birth form

    The Date of Birth Form must be completed and filed with the Clerk's Office in all new and reopened Unified Family Court cases.

Service

All 127
  • Applies to
    Petition for rehearing or motion for reconsideration

    A petition for rehearing or motion for reconsideration must be filed with the clerk, and a copy must be furnished to the assigned judge with a copy of the original order.

  • Applies to
    Pleadings

    A lawyer must timely serve all pleadings on the opposing party to prevent prejudice or delay.

  • The moving party must timely provide opposing counsel, or the opposing party if unrepresented, a copy of all materials submitted to the court under the rule.

Filing Timing

All 64

  • The Court Reporter Appearance form must be filed before the proceeding commences.

  • The Clerk must schedule the initial hearing within 30 days after a truancy petition is filed.

  • The parties must complete all written discovery within the number of days stated in the order.

Fees

All 49
  • Fee
    $70
    Applies to
    Foreclosure sale

    Foreclosure plaintiffs must submit the $70.00 Clerk Sale Fee before the sale date.

  • Fee
    $70
    Applies to
    Certificate of title

    The Clerk will not issue the Certificate of Title until the $70.00 clerk sale fee and all other fees are paid.

  • Fee
    $50
    Applies to
    Motion to cancel foreclosure sale

    A motion to cancel a foreclosure sale that results in reopening the case must include payment of the $50 reopen fee.

More categories

View all Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Palm Beach County rules
About Judge Sarah Willis

**Current assignment** **Division:** Circuit Criminal Z **Courtroom:** 11H **Room number:** 11.2208 **Courthouse:** Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse **Phone:** (561) 355-7847 **Judicial assistant:** Bridget Schloss **Email:** CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org

Common questions about Judge Sarah Willis's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sarah Willis?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: by email. Courtesy copies of properly filed motions must be emailed to the court for each hearing or trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Sarah Willis?

Judge Sarah Willis' formatting rule includes submit in word format. Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

View ruleSource: page 1, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Sarah Willis?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A notice of hearing involving remote appearance must include the Division Z Zoom link.

View ruleSource: page 1, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Sarah Willis?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A proposed order must be accompanied by documentation of party agreement or any disagreement regarding the order.

View ruleSource: page 1, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

How may parties contact Judge Sarah Willis' chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Sarah Willis' chambers. All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Sarah Willis?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include reason for request, adversary position, proposed new dates, and proposed rescheduled date. A continuance motion must specifically state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement; continuances are disfavored and require good cause.

View ruleSource: page 1, section B. Scheduling Procedures

Is electronic filing required before Judge Sarah Willis?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed orders must be submitted to the court through Online Services.

View ruleSource: page 1, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What filing deadlines does Judge Sarah Willis set?

All hearing materials, including responses, case law, and memoranda, must be received at least five business days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What rule applies to e-service before Judge Sarah Willis?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: e-service. Attorneys and self-represented litigants generally must use email service through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Complete rules summary for Judge Sarah Willis

Primary communications to the judicial office should be sent by email to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org.

All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants generally must use email service through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.

Hearing requests must be emailed to the judicial office and should state the presentation time needed for each party.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.

A notice of hearing involving remote appearance must include the Division Z Zoom link.

Every notice of hearing must include the required ADA notification and language stating counsel's compliance with Local Rule 4.

All hearing materials, including responses, case law, and memoranda, must be received at least five business days before the hearing.

A hard copy must be provided to the judge by the filing deadline when a document exceeds 10 pages.

A continuance motion must specifically state the basis and timing of the need, opposition, readiness actions and dates, and the proposed ready date and party agreement; continuances are disfavored and require good cause.

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

Proposed orders must be submitted to the court through Online Services.

A proposed order must be accompanied by documentation of party agreement or any disagreement regarding the order.

Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after the hearing unless the court states otherwise.

Courtesy copies of properly filed motions must be emailed to the court for each hearing or trial.

A motion requesting an emergency hearing must detail the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party.

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