Judge Charles L.W. Helm
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Adjournments
- Unopposed continuance motions are not accepted; a written stipulation may be accepted for good cause upon at least three business days' notice, and any granted continuance requires an Order of Continuance.
Communication
Chambers
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Proposed-order Word files must not contain electronic-portal submission codes.
PLEASE DO NOT FORMAT THE PROPOSED ORDERS WITH THE CODES FOR SUBMISSION THROUGH THE E-PORTAL.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Proposed orders must be submitted in DOCX format, and PDF submissions will not be accepted.
PLEASE SUBMIT ORDERS IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY (NO PDF DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED).
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The proposed order’s certificate of service must not be divided across two pages.
Please do not split the certificate of service on 2 pages.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The case style, including case number, shall be indicated in the subject line.
Summary: The email subject line for a proposed order must include the case style and case number.
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Once the court confirms the hearing date and time, the requesting party must file a Notice of Hearing.
Once date/time is confirmed by our office, party requesting hearing shall file Notice of Hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
When a self-represented litigant does not participate in portal electronic service, the proposed order must direct regular-mail service and certification by a filed notice within five days after entry of the order.
In cases involving a self-represented litigant who is not participating in electronic service through the e-filing portal, the proposed order must include language that the represented party will serve the order through regular U.S. mail on the self-represented party and certify said service through a filed notice of service within five (5) days of the entry of the order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The motion to be heard must be filed, and a copy must accompany the hearing request.
The Motion to be heard MUST be filed and a copy included with the request for hearing.
Document Type
Hearing Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every proposed order must include a Rule 2.516 certificate of service containing substantially the prescribed language and listing the served parties.
ALL PROPOSED ORDERS shall include a certificate of service in compliance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Procedure 2.516. The certificate of service shall contain language substantially similar to the following: “I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been provided through electronic service and/or regular U.S. mail to the following parties.” The parties shall then be listed.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A proposed-order submission must include a copy of the motion and a cover letter identifying the related hearing and whether all parties agree to the order.
Proposed orders must include a copy of the motion, a cover letter that identifies the hearing it relates to and whether the order is agreed-upon by all parties.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A proposed order may be submitted before its hearing only when the submission specifically references the hearing date and time.
Proposed orders may only be submitted in advance of scheduled hearings if the hearing date and time is specifically referenced.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The moving party must provide an Order of Continuance whenever the court grants a continuance.
If a continuance is granted, the moving party shall provide an Order of Continuance to the Court.
Document Type
Order Of Continuance
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A proposed order's caption must identify the Fifth Judicial Circuit and Sumter County.
Please double-check your orders to ensure the caption includes the correct circuit (Fifth Judicial Circuit) and county (Sumter County).
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
When preparing your Notice of Hearing, please include the docket number of the motion that will be heard.
Summary: The Notice of Hearing must include the docket number of the motion scheduled for hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If the Court approves the hearing being cancelled, you will be asked to prepare and file a notice of cancellation.
Summary: After court approval of a hearing cancellation, the requesting party must be asked to prepare and file a notice of cancellation.
Document Type
Notice Of Cancellation
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All proposed orders must be submitted electronically by email, and paper orders must not be sent to the court.
ALL PROPOSED ORDERS shall be submitted for entry by email ONLY. Please do not send paper orders, as we endeavor to be a paperless office.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The represented party must file a notice certifying service on the self-represented party within five days after entry of the order.
In cases involving a self-represented litigant who is not participating in electronic service through the e-filing portal, the proposed order must include language that the represented party will serve the order through regular U.S. mail on the self-represented party and certify said service through a filed notice of service within five (5) days of the entry of the order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A represented party must serve the proposed order on a non-electronically served self-represented litigant by regular U.S. mail.
In cases involving a self-represented litigant who is not participating in electronic service through the e-filing portal, the proposed order must include language that the represented party will serve the order through regular U.S. mail on the self-represented party and certify said service through a filed notice of service within five (5) days of the entry of the order.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
An attorney with an unavoidable scheduling conflict must promptly provide written notice to opposing counsel, each affected court clerk, and each presiding judge.
That rule requires the attorney to give prompt written notice of the conflict to opposing counsel, the clerk of each court, and the presiding judge of each case.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Scheduling conflicts:
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Unopposed continuance motions are not accepted; a written stipulation may be accepted for good cause upon at least three business days' notice, and any granted continuance requires an Order of Continuance.
NO Unopposed Motions will be accepted. A written stipulation MAY be accepted for good cause and with reasonable notice (no less than 3 business days). If a continuance is granted, the moving party shall provide an Order of Continuance to the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motion to continue hearing
Failure to provide the required notice of a scheduling conflict may support denial of a continuance motion.
Failure to comply with this rule may constitute grounds for denial of a motion for continuance.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Scheduling conflicts:
Chambers Communication Rules
Opposing counsel must be included on every correspondence sent to the court’s office.
It is necessary that you include opposing counsel on ALL correspondence to this office.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Communication with the Court
A hearing request must be emailed to the judicial assistant and opposing counsel with the case number, motion to be heard, and requested duration.
Please e-mail Judge Helm’s Judicial Assistant at ngugliotta@circuit5.org and opposing counsel with the Case Number, Motion to be heard and amount of time requested.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Requesting a Hearing:
A noticed hearing may be cancelled only with court approval, requested by email to the judicial assistant with a statement of the cancellation reason.
Noticed hearings may only be cancelled with the approval of the Court. If you wish to cancel a hearing that has been previously scheduled, you must e-mail Judge Helm’s Judicial Assistant at ngugliotta@circuit5.org and state the reason for the cancellation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Cancellation of hearings
Parties must not call the court expecting to discuss a pending case with the judge.
Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:
The court requests that communications allow 48 hours for a response and discourages repeated emails that may delay hearing or document processing.
Please allow 48 hours for a response. Numerous, repeat e-mails are unnecessary and will only slow the response and processing of your hearing request or document processing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Communication with the Court