Court Rules

Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter) Document Format Requirements

131 rules from official source documents

96 of 131 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.

Font, margin, spacing, and file format requirements for court filings. This page is scoped to Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter); use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be created in the latest version of Microsoft Word in .docx format.

Proposed Orders must be created in the latest version of Word (.docx)

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Proposed orders must not contain page breaks or section breaks.

Do not use page breaks or section breaks in your document.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Proposed orders must not contain memos, notes, or comments.

Do not insert memos, notes, or comments into your documents.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

All proposed orders must use one of the court's website templates, which should be saved and reused.

*** PLEASE be sure you are using one of the Proposed Order templates found on our website at https://www.circuit5.org/submitting-proposed-orders/. Save these templates to your own PC and re-use them for all Proposed Orders you submit in the 5th Judicial Circuit.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted as Microsoft Word .docx files.

Proposed Orders MUST be submitted in Microsoft Word .docx format.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Format
DOCX

The proposed order must be submitted as a Microsoft Word .docx document.

The Proposed Order must be a Microsoft Word Document (.docx).

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Format
PDF_A

After electronic signature by the judge, the proposed order must be converted to a PDF/A-compliant document for E-Portal filing.

Once the Judge signs the Proposed Order electronically, all Proposed Orders are required to be converted to a PDF/A compliant document for E-Filing by the E-Portal.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Proposed orders must use plain text and must not contain text boxes, macros, formulas, Word field codes, or similar additional formatting.

Plain text must be used; Any additional formatting like TEXT boxes, macros, formulas, Word field codes, etc., will present issues for the Judge when signing electronically.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

The proposed order's Word document must contain no page breaks, line breaks, or section breaks.

Your Word document should be completely void of any page breaks, line breaks and section breaks, as they pose a significant risk for PDF/A conversion and electronic signing.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Proposed orders must not include or attach exhibits.

Be sure NOT to include or attach any exhibits to your Proposed Order as it will present an issue for the signature and PDF/A conversion process.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

A proposed order must not contain any images.

Please be sure your Proposed Order is void of ANY images.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Proposed-order signature and related fields must use the specified code pairs.

You must use the codes as pairs (e.g., JJJJ & DDDD for Judge’s signature). Below are the required pairs.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Each proposed-order code may appear only once on any line.

These codes should only be used once per line.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Proposed-order documents must not contain page breaks or section breaks.

Do not use page breaks or section breaks in your document.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Proposed-order documents must not contain memos, notes, or comments.

Do not insert memos, notes, or comments into your documents.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted by email as Microsoft Word .docx files.

All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.docx) via email

Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky

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

Proposed-order dates and signatures must use the designated ICMS codes: DDDD, JJJJ, MMMM, or AAAA.

Please note: There is a specialized date and signature block code to use when submitting proposed orders. Signatures and signature dates are applied through the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) using unique codes. Here is a list of specialized code recognized by ICMS in the processing of digital orders: DDDD Signature date of Judge JJJJ Judge’s signature MMMM Signature date of Judicial Assistant AAAA Judicial Assistant’s signature

Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted only in DOCX format; PDF submissions are not accepted.

PLEASE SUBMIT ORDERS IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY (NO PDF DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED).

Judge Benjamin M. Boylston

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in DOCX format; Word 97 and PDF files cannot be accepted by the electronic signing program.

PLEASE SUBMIT ORDERS IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY (NO WORD 97 OR PDF DOCUMENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED, THEY WILL NOT WORK IN THE ELECTRONIC SIGNING PROGRAM)

Judge Brad King

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

Proposed orders must use the required codes and format so the electronic signing program can read and sign them.

YOU MUST USE THE CODES IN THE FORMAT FOR THE PROGRAM TO READ AND SIGN THE DOCUMENT.

Judge Brad King

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in DOCX format, not PDF.

PLEASE SUBMIT ORDERS IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY (NO PDF DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED).

Judge Brian M. Toti

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

Format
DOCX

An emailed civil proposed order must be in Word format and accompanied by a proper cover letter in PDF format.

All proposed Orders submitted via email, must be submitted in WORD format, accompanied by a proper cover letter, in PDF format.

Judge Brian Welke

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

Format
DOCX

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).

Judge Charles L.W. Helm

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

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.

Judge Charles L.W. Helm

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

Civil cases

Necessary written intake forms or histories must be provided to counsel no later than seven days before the examination.

Written intake forms or histories that are deemed necessary by the examiner must be provided to counsel for the party to be examined no later than 7 days prior to the exam.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Civil cases

Counsel may review the forms, the examined party must complete them, and the forms must be brought to the examiner on examination day.

These forms can be reviewed by counsel and completed by the party to be examined and must be brought to the office of the examiner on the day of the exam.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Civil cases

Format
DOCX

Email-submitted proposed orders must be in Word format and accompanied by a proper PDF cover letter.

All proposed Orders submitted via email, must be submitted in WORD format, accompanied by a proper cover letter, in PDF format.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Civil cases

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be emailed to the judicial assistant in Word format.

Please email all proposed orders to the JA in word format.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Civil cases

Any application for relief must present the requested relief, authorities, and argument in writing, in appropriate form under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and in compliance with the court order.

All applications to the Court requesting relief in any form, the citation of authority and argument shall be made in writing and in compliance with this Order and in appropriate form pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Civil cases

Unless the Court directs otherwise, memoranda and argument may not be submitted in correspondence form.

Unless directed by the Court, memoranda or argument shall not be presented in “correspondence form”.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Exhibits must have easily locatable names and be submitted as separate documents rather than combined in one PDF.

The exhibits are to be named in such a manner as to make them easily located such as “P#1 – Photo” etc. and shall be submitted as separate documents (do not submit one PDF containing multiple exhibits).

Judge Don Barbee

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

The certificate of service must include a judge's signatory line above the certificate for the judge to sign the order.

A proper certificate of service includes the judge's signatory line above the Certificate of Service for the judge to sign the order.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

The certificate of service must include a signatory line for the court's Judicial Assistant.

The Certificate of Service must include a signatory line for the Court's Judicial Assistant to sign.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

Format
DOCX

Jury instructions and verdict forms emailed to the division must be in Word format.

By the deadline set forth above, jury instructions and verdict forms must be filed with the Clerk and e-mailed in Word format to the division email address in accordance with the following:

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

Counsel must provide enough hard copies of the jury instructions and verdict form for every juror, alternate juror, lawyer, self-represented party, courtroom clerk, and the court.

C. Counsel are responsible for providing to the Court hard copies of the jury instructions and verdict form. Please ensure that there are enough copies for all jurors and alternate jurors, lawyers and any self-represented parties, the courtroom clerk, and the Court to each be given their own copy.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word Format.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

Civil cases

Evidence and documents must be tabbed and marked in accordance with the Hernando County Clerk's procedures.

Evidence/documents will be tabbed and marked pursuant to the Hernando County Clerk's procedures.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

Exhibits must be submitted as separate documents rather than as one PDF containing multiple exhibits.

The exhibits are to be named in such a manner as to make them easily located such as “P#1 – Photo” etc. and shall be submitted as separate documents (do not submit one PDF containing multiple exhibits).

Judge Erin Daly

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

Proposed orders must use plain text and may not contain text boxes, macros, formulas, Word field codes, cells, or page, line, or section breaks.

Proposed orders must be submitted in plain text and language. NO text boxes, macros, formulas, Word field codes, cells, page breaks, line breaks or section breaks are to be included.

Judge Erin Daly

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

For an in-person hearing, all evidence must be ready at the hearing as hard copies, with at least three copies for the party, opponent, and court if admitted.

In-Person hearings: All evidence must be available at the start of the hearing and ready to be submitted. All evidence shall be hard copies and the party wanting to submit said evidence is required to have a minimum of three (3) copies to present (one for yourself, one for the opposing party, and one for the court, if admitted).

Judge George L. Singeltary II

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word .docx format; PDFs are accepted only as attachments such as exhibits or settlement documents.

PLEASE SUBMIT ORDERS IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY (The only PDF documents accepted will be the attachments for your order, such as Exhibits, Marital Settlement Agreement’s, Parenting Plan’s, etc.).

Judge George L. Singeltary II

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

Proposed orders must not be formatted with submission codes intended for the e-portal.

PLEASE DO NOT FORMAT THE PROPOSED ORDERS WITH THE CODES FOR SUBMISSION THROUGH THE E-PORTAL.

Judge George L. Singeltary II

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

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must use Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders must be submitted to the Judicial Assistant via e-mail at msoltis@circuit5.org in Microsoft Word format.

Judge Jennifer Bass

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

Format
DOCX

Every proposed order must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

All proposed orders shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

Judge Jennifer Bass

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

Exhibits must be exchanged as bound physical copies with the court and opposing party, not electronically.

Exchange of exhibits shall be in the form of a physical copy to the court and opposing counsel/party, not by electronic means and shall be bound in a trial notebook.

Judge Jennifer Bass

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

Criminal cases

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word .docx format; PDF submissions will not be accepted.

PLEASE SUBMIT ORDERS IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY (NO PDF DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

Judge Kristie M. Healis

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed family-law orders must be submitted by email as editable Microsoft Word documents.

Submit proposed family law orders in editable Microsoft Word format to jgrubb@circuit5.org.

Judge Mary P. Hatcher

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

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

All proposed orders shall be submitted in Microsoft Word.

Judge R. Gregg Jerald

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

Format
PAPER

For Zoom hearings, evidence exceeding 10 pages must be submitted as hard copies at least 48 hours before the hearing.

If a hearing is being conducted via ZOOM and the intended evidence exceeds 10 pages, hard copies of the evidence must be submitted to the Court 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Judge R. Gregg Jerald

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

Civil cases

Format
DOCX

Agreed or unopposed proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Agreed/Unopposed Orders are to be submitted to cmatthews@circuit5.org in Word format with a copy of the motion and a notation that the proposed order is agreed or unopposed, and accompanied by a cover letter indicating that opposing counsel has approved the form of the order.

Judge Robert W. Hodges

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Format
DOCX

A competing proposed order must be submitted in Word format immediately after opposing counsel indicates an intent to present a competing order.

If Page 1 of 2 ===== PAGE 2 ===== opposing counsel objects and intends to present a competing order, the proposed order must be submitted immediately, in Word format, with a notation in the email that it is a competing order.

Judge Robert W. Hodges

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

Civil cases

The proposed order must be submitted as a separate document rather than attached to the motion or cover letter.

Proposed order shall be sent as a separate document, not attached to the motion or cover letter.

Judge Robert W. Hodges

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted only in Word .docx format; Word 97 and PDF files are not accepted.

PLEASE SUBMIT ORDERS IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY (NO WORD 97 OR PDF DOCUMENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED, THEY WILL NOT WORK IN THE ELECTRONIC SIGNING PROGRAM)

Judge Shanae L. Pickens

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

Proposed orders must use the electronic signing program’s specified codes and follow the attached sample order’s format.

YOU MUST USE THE CODES IN THE FORMAT FOR THE PROGRAM TO READ AND SIGN THE DOCUMENT. USING THE CODES LISTED IN THE ATTACHED SAMPLE ORDER (CLICK HERE).

Judge Shanae L. Pickens

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applications must be written, comply with the standing order and Florida civil rules, and ordinarily may not be presented as letters absent court invitation or direction.

All applications to the Court requesting relief in any form, or citing authorities or presenting argument with respect to any matter awaiting decision, shall be made in writing in accordance with this order and in appropriate form pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and unless invited or directed by the Court, should not be addressed or presented to the Court in the form of a letter or the like.

Judge Stacy M. Youmans

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

The required ADA statement in court notices and process compelling appearance must be in bold face and 14-point Bookman Old Style or Arial font.

All notices of court proceedings, whether an order issued by a judge or a notice filed by an attorney or party, and all process compelling appearance, including but not limited to a summons, at court proceedings, must include the following statement in bold face, 14-point Bookman Old Style or Arial font:

Judge Stacy M. Youmans

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Margins
top 1 in, bottom 1 in, left 1 in, right 1 in
Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted only in latest-version .docx format on 8.5-by-11-inch pages with one-inch margins and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

All proposed orders must be submitted in the latest version of Word (.docx) format ONLY on 8.5 x 11-inch pages with a 1” margin and provided to opposing counsel and any self- represented litigant.

Judge Stacy M. Youmans

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

Exhibits must use the stated Plaintiff 1 or Defendant 1 labeling format.

Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Plaintiff 1 or Defendant 1

Judge Stacy M. Youmans

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

Format
PDF

Courtesy copies of legal authority must be submitted in PDF format.

Courtesy copies of legal authority must be clearly labeled and emailed in PDF format to the Judicial Assistant and opposing counsel no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.

Judge Stephen E. Toner

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

Format
DOCX

Every proposed order must be submitted in Word format.

Format: All proposed orders must be submitted in Word Format.

Judge Thomas R. Eineman

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Format
PDF

If a cover letter is submitted, it must be an Adobe PDF containing details that would ordinarily be provided to the judge or judicial assistant by email.

Cover Letters must be submitted as an Adobe .pdf document with any details that would normally be given to the Judge/JA via email for the Proposed Order

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

When using the court's templates, format the proposed order so the judge's signature, which will occupy four lines, does not appear on a page by itself.

When working from the templates we have provided to you on our website, please keep in mind the DJMCA code for Judge’s signature will be replaced by a signature that will occupy 4 lines. Keep your formatting such that the signature does not land on a page by itself.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be prepared using Word software when submitted by email.

Proposed orders must be submitted by e-mail and using Word software.

Judge Ann Melinda Craggs

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

Proposed orders must not contain e-portal submission codes.

PLEASE DO NOT FORMAT THE PROPOSED ORDERS WITH THE CODES FOR SUBMISSION THROUGH THE E-PORTAL.

Judge Benjamin M. Boylston

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

Proposed orders must not be formatted with e-portal submission codes.

PLEASE DO NOT FORMAT THE PROPOSED ORDERS WITH THE CODES FOR SUBMISSION THROUGH THE E-PORTAL.

Judge Brian M. Toti

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

The certificate of service must not be split across two pages.

Please do not split the certificate of service on 2 pages.

Judge Brian M. Toti

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

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.

Judge Charles L.W. Helm

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

Civil cases

If the patient information sheet was forwarded at least seven business days before the examination, the examined party should bring the completed sheet.

If a patient information sheet was forwarded to counsel for the party to be examined at least 7 business days before the examination, the party to be examined should bring the completed information sheet with them.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Civil cases

The proposed order and cover-letter filenames must contain the case number, and filenames for multiple proposed orders must be differentiated.

The case number must be included in the name of the proposed Order and cover letter (ie. 2015 DR 000001.Order and 2015 DR 00001.letter.) Multiple proposed orders should be differentiated (ie. 2015 DR 000001.Order to Withdraw and 2015 DR 000001.Order of Contempt).

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Electronic exhibits should use a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF, be named for easy identification, and be submitted as separate documents rather than combined into one PDF.

The electronic exhibits should be in a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF. The exhibits are to be named in such a manner as to make them easily located such as “P#1 – Photo” etc. and shall be submitted as separate documents (do not submit one PDF containing

Judge Don Barbee

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

Electronic exhibits should use a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF, have descriptive names, and be submitted as separate documents rather than combined into one PDF.

The electronic exhibits should be in a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF. The exhibits are to be named in such a manner as to make them easily located such as “P#1 – Copy of Will” etc. and shall be submitted as separate documents (do not submit one PDF containing multiple exhibits).

Judge Don Barbee

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

Civil cases

Applications seeking relief, citing authorities, or presenting argument must be written in the prescribed form and generally may not be submitted as letters unless the court invites or directs that format.

All applications to the court requesting relief in any form, or citing authorities, or presenting argument with respect to any matter awaiting decision, shall be made in writing in accordance with this order and in appropriate form pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure; and unless invited or directed by the court, shall not be addressed or presented to the court in the form of a letter or the like.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

An order longer than one page must include the case number in the header and the page number in the footer using the sample format.

If the order is more than one page, please include a header that has the case number, and a footer that has the page number following the format reflected in the sample Certificate of Service below.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

Each jury instruction must be printed on its own separate sheet of paper.

A. Each instruction must be printed on a separate sheet of paper;

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

In a proper proposed-order certificate of service, the judge's signature line must appear before the certificate.

EXAMPLE OF PROPER CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE FORMAT (INCLUDING JUDGE'S SIGNATURE LINE WHICH COMES BEFORE THE CERTIFICATE):

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

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

Applications seeking relief or presenting argument must be written in the prescribed civil-rule form and ordinarily may not be submitted as letters unless invited or directed by the court.

14. Form of motions. All applications to the Court requesting relief in any form, or citing authorities or presenting argument with respect to any matter awaiting decision, shall be made in writing in accordance with this order and in appropriate form pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and unless invited or directed by the Court, should not be addressed or presented to the Court in the form of a letter or the like.

Judge Erin Daly

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

Exhibits must be named so they can be located easily, such as “P#1 – Photo.”

The exhibits are to be named in such a manner as to make them easily located such as “P#1 – Photo” etc.

Judge Erin Daly

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

Format
PDF

Intended evidentiary exhibits must use the PDF format.

Exhibits: Five days prior to any hearing, submit all evidence which you intend to rely on as pre-marked exhibits via PDF format to opposing counsel or pro se party and email to the Court at pbarto@circuit5.org.

Judge Erin Daly

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

A proposed Zoom order must leave space for the Court to insert the meeting link and access information.

Proposed Zoom orders must leave space for the Court to insert the meeting link and access information.

Judge Erin Daly

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

Electronic exhibits should use a commonly recognized format such as PDF or JPEG.

Electronic exhibits should be in a commonly recognized format such as PDF or JPEG.

Judge Erin Daly

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

Each exhibit must be named so it can be located easily and submitted as a separate document.

Exhibits are to be named in a manner to make them easily located and shall be submitted as separate documents.

Judge Erin Daly

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

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

After a motion has been filed with the Sumter Clerk of Court and the filer has received confirmation the Clerk has docketed the motion and any supporting documents, all Proposed Orders must: be in WORD format; contain the case number, contain a proper certificate of service; conform to electronic filing requirements; be uploaded to the Court’s e-filing portal to the judiciary.

Judge Erin Daly

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

Each order must be uploaded as a separate portal document and formatted so the judge's signature does not appear alone on a page.

Every order must be uploaded as a separate document in the e-portal. Keep the formatting such that the Judge’s signature does not land on a page by itself.

Judge Erin Daly

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

All exhibits must be marked in numerical sequence.

Attorneys and self-represented parties shall mark all exhibits in numerical sequence and no later than two (2) business days before the hearing shall furnish a physical copy to the court with an index of the exhibits.

Judge Jennifer Bass

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

Each exhibit must be named in a manner that makes it easy to locate, such as “P#1 – Photo.”

The exhibits are to be named in such a manner as to make them easily located such as "P#1 – Photo" etc.

Judge Joel D. Fritton

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

Civil cases

Format
DOCX

An agreed or unopposed proposed order must be prepared in Word format.

Agreed/Unopposed Orders are to be submitted to swaldron@circuit5.org (in Word format) with a copy of the motion and a notation that the proposed Order is agreed or unopposed, and accompanied by a cover letter indicating that opposing counsel has approved the form of the order.

Judge Lisa Herndon

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

Civil cases

The proposed order must be submitted as a separate document rather than attached to the motion or cover letter.

Proposed order shall be sent as a separate document, not attached to the motion or cover letter.

Judge Lisa Herndon

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

Civil cases

Format
DOCX

When all parties receive electronic service, the proposed order must be prepared in Word format for email submission.

If all parties receive e-service, proposed orders should be submitted in Word format via email to swaldron@circuit5.org.

Judge Lisa Herndon

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

A proposed order that fails to follow the posted formatting instructions may be returned for correction.

Proposed orders that do not follow the posted formatting instructions may be returned for correction.

Judge Mary P. Hatcher

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

Civil cases

Applications and argument must be written in the standing order's and Florida Rules' appropriate form and ordinarily may not be presented as letters.

9. Form of motions. All applications to the Court requesting relief in any form, or citing authorities or presenting argument with respect to any matter awaiting decision, shall be made in writing in accordance with this order and in appropriate form pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and unless invited or directed by the Court, should not be addressed or presented to the Court in the form of a letter or the like.

Judge Robert W. Hodges

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

Exhibits should be pre-marked with a letter for identification.

All exhibits should be pre-marked with a letter for identification.

Judge Stacy M. Youmans

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders should be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders should be submitted in Microsoft Word format to allow for necessary edits and to ensure timely processing.

Judge Stephen E. Toner

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

Proposed orders should be submitted in Word format to gwallace@circuit5.org.

Proposed orders should be submitted, in Word format, to gwallace@circuit5.org.

Judge Steven G. Rogers

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

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted as Microsoft Word .docx files by email to the designated address.

All proposed orders shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.docx) via email JudgeMcCourtProposedOrders@circuit5.org.

Judge Timothy McCourt

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

Civil cases

The person being examined need not bring medical records, diagnostic films or studies, aids, or reports.

The person being examined is not required to bring any medical records, diagnostic films or studies or aids or reports with him/her (2*).

Judge Dan R. Mosley

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

Civil cases

The person being examined should bring identification if identity verification is requested.

The person being examined should have a form of identification to verify their identity if requested.

Judge Dan R. Mosley

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Do not put spaces in front of the JJJJ, GGGG or AAAA. To move the signature fields to the preferred location you should only use the Right Alignment Button.

Summary: Do not place spaces before the JJJJ, GGGG, or AAAA codes, and use the Right Alignment button to position signature fields.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Proposed Orders in the 5th Judicial Circuit MUST include DJMCA formatting.

Summary: Proposed orders must include DJMCA formatting.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

You must use DJMCA codes in pairs (e.g., JJJJ & DDDD for Judge’s signature).

Summary: DJMCA codes must be used in pairs.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

The codes MUST be in all CAPITAL LETTERS.

Summary: DJMCA codes must be written in capital letters.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

You must add ONLY 4 letters for each field.

Summary: Each DJMCA field must contain exactly four letters.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

These codes MUST ONLY be used once per line. Two codes per line will not work.

Summary: Use each code no more than once per line; two codes on one line will not work.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Format
DOCX

Proposed Orders must be created in the latest version of Word (.docx)

Summary: Proposed orders must be created in the latest version of Microsoft Word and submitted as .docx files.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

The codes must be all capital letters.

Summary: All required proposed-order codes must be written in capital letters.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

You must add all 4 letters for each field.

Summary: Each proposed-order code must contain all four letters of the required code.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Do not put spaces in front of the JJJJ, GGGG or AAAA.

Summary: The JJJJ, GGGG, and AAAA signature codes must not have preceding spaces.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Failure to do this will result in the signature(s) not adhering and possible rejection of your document.

Summary: Failure to use right alignment may prevent signatures from adhering and may result in rejection of the proposed order.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

This will also result in the rejection of your document because the clerk’s office cannot delete pages once filed.

Summary: Use of page breaks or section breaks may result in rejection because the clerk cannot delete the resulting filed pages.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Do NOT send orders via email AND U.S. Mail. This creates double work. Please submit orders in one format only.

Summary: A civil proposed order must be submitted through only one delivery method, not both email and U.S. mail.

Judge Brian Welke

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Proposed Orders may be emailed to the Judicial Assistant. The email address for submission of proposed orders is sturner@circuit5.org. Do NOT send orders via email AND U.S. Mail/Hand delivery. This creates double work. Please submit orders in one format only.

Summary: Criminal proposed orders may be emailed to the judicial assistant but must be submitted in only one delivery format, not by both email and mail or hand delivery.

Judge Brian Welke

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Cover letters must be mailed directly to the assigned Judge’s office along with the following:

Summary: A probate proposed-order cover letter and the listed submission documents must be mailed directly to the assigned judge's office.

Judge Brian Welke

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

The case style, including case number, shall be indicated in the subject line.

Summary: The proposed-order email subject line must state the case style and case number.

Judge George L. Singeltary II

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.CRITICAL?

Unless the applicable division procedures provide otherwise, proposed orders must be submitted in editable Microsoft Word format and must follow Judge Hatcher’s posted Proposed Order Formatting Guide.

Machine summary

Unless a division-specific procedure states otherwise, proposed orders must be submitted as editable Microsoft Word documents following the posted formatting guide.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

➢ All electronic orders (other than Final Judgments of Foreclosure) must be in ICMS format. If hard copies are being sent, please do not use ICMS formatting. You must use the codes as pairs (e.g., JJJJ & DDDD for Judge’s signature). Below are the required pairs. ❖ DDDD = Judge Signature Date/JJJJ = Judge Signature ❖ MMMM = Mailing Date/AAAA = Judicial Assistant Signature ❖ The codes must be all capital letters. You must add all 4 letters for each field. These codes should only be used once per line

Summary: Electronic orders other than final judgments of foreclosure must use ICMS format and the specified paired signature-date codes in all-capital four-letter form, while hard copies must not use ICMS formatting.

Judge Stacy M. Youmans

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

If you or your system is using any system or application to bulk generate Word documents, please check all hidden fields or special characters by clicking the “Show/Hide” button in Word to discover hidden characters like spaces, paragraph markers or hidden tab marks.

Summary: When bulk-generating Word documents, filers should check for hidden fields and special characters using Word's Show/Hide feature.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

To move the signature fields to the preferred location you should only use the Right Alignment Button.

Summary: Signature fields must be positioned using the Right Alignment Button.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

This causes blank pages to occur in the system.

Summary: Page breaks or section breaks can create blank pages in the filing system.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

It will look as though a page of the filing is missing, even though it was only a blank page.

Summary: Blank pages created by page or section breaks may make the filing appear to be missing a page.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Hidden formatting like this will show up in the system and is difficult to remove for the recipient.

Summary: Hidden memos, notes, or comments may appear in the filing system and may be difficult for the recipient to remove.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

The signature codes (JJJJ and AAAA) must be right-justified in the document.

Summary: The JJJJ and AAAA signature codes must be right-justified in proposed orders.

Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Please do not split the certificate of service on 2 pages.

Summary: The certificate of service must fit without being split across two pages.

Judge Benjamin M. Boylston

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

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.

Judge Charles L.W. Helm

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

The jurors' hard copies should not be numbered, should not have any designation as to the requesting party, and should not contain citations to supporting authority.

Summary: Jurors' hard copies should be unnumbered, should not identify the requesting party, and should not contain citations to supporting authority.

Judge Donald E. Scaglione

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.WARNING?

The electronic exhibits should be in a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF.

Machine summary

Electronic exhibits should use a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

If your system uses applications to generate bulk documents, check all hidden fields or special characters by clicking the “Show/Hide” button in Word to discover hidden characters like spaces, paragraph markers, or hidden tab marks.

Summary: Bulk-document submitters must inspect Word hidden fields and special characters before uploading an order.

Judge Erin Daly

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Format
DOCX ?

If a matter has already gone to mediation, at least one party has an attorney, and parties have reached an agreement, pursuant to A.O. M-2010-03 a proposed Final Judgment may be e-mailed in Word format by counsel for consideration by the Court.

Summary: After mediation, an attorney may email a proposed final judgment in Word format when the parties have reached an agreement.

Judge Jennifer Bass

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Format
PDF

The ===== PAGE 4 ===== electronic exhibits should be in a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF.

Summary: Electronic exhibits should use a commonly recognized format such as JPEG or PDF.

Judge Joel D. Fritton

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Format
PDF

If the evidence is under 10 pages, the evidence may be submitting in PDF format to the Judicial Assistant 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Summary: For Zoom hearings, evidence under 10 pages may be submitted in PDF format to the Judicial Assistant at least 48 hours before the hearing.

Judge R. Gregg Jerald

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.WARNING?

Do not use page breaks or section breaks in your document. This causes blank pages to occur in the system. Do not insert memos, notes, or comments into your documents.

Machine summary

Proposed orders must not contain page breaks, section breaks, memos, notes, or comments because hidden or blank-page formatting can cause system or filing problems and rejection.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

If hard copies are being sent to the Court, please do not use the ICMS coding from above.

Summary: Hard copies sent to the Court must not bear the ICMS coding identified above.

Judge Stacy M. Youmans

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Please do NOT staple copies.

Summary: Copies of proposed orders must not be stapled.

Judge Stacy M. Youmans
Common questions about Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter) document format requirements

What formatting rules apply to filings in Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter)?

Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter)'s formatting rule includes file format docx and create proposed orders in the latest version of word.. Proposed orders must be created in the latest version of Microsoft Word in .docx format.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section Instructions for Successful Submissions of Proposed Orders

Judge Shanae L. Pickens' formatting rule includes file format docx, word 97 documents are not accepted, and pdf documents are not accepted. Proposed orders must be submitted only in Word .docx format; Word 97 and PDF files are not accepted.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section Submitting Proposed Orders

Judge Brad King's formatting rule includes file format docx and word 97 and pdf documents cannot be accepted for the electronic signing program.. Proposed orders must be submitted in DOCX format; Word 97 and PDF files cannot be accepted by the electronic signing program.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section SUBMITTING PROPOSED ORDERS

60 more rules answer this question in the list above.