Court Rules
Judge

Judge Kevin A. Blazs

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Trial Or Hearing Set Memo

Court-wide
  • Email

Communication

Email

Chambers

belrod@coj.net
Scheduling
Email

Chambers

lnewton@coj.net
Scheduling
Phone

Chambers

904-255-1282
Phone

Chambers

904-255-1214
Email
Emergencies
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

durhaml@clayclerk.com
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide
904-255-1180
Scheduling
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantProposed OrdersLetters

Document Filing Requirements9 rules

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

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

An urgent-order email must use an “URGENT” subject line containing the case number, case name, and reason for the email.

The email must include the following information: Subject line: URGENT: Case number, case name, and reason for the email (e. g., PENDING SALE; EMERGENCY TEMPORARY GUARDIAN, etc.)

Document Type

Urgent Order Email

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ex-Parte-Procedures-updated-August-2024 · Oct 2024 · p. 1|SecURGENT ORDERS
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

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

Every probate case must include an affidavit of heirs.

All probate cases must file an affidavit of heirs.

Document Type

Affidavit Of Heirs

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ex-Parte-Procedures-updated-August-2024 · Oct 2024 · p. 1|SecPROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP
Filing Requirements

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

An Order of Referral to the General Magistrate must be filed in all guardian advocate and guardianship cases before a hearing will be set.

The Order of Referral to the General Magistrate will be filed for all guardian advocate and guardianship cases. A hearing will not be set until the referral has been filed.

Document Type

Order Of Referral

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Order-of-Referral-to-the-Magistrate · p. 1|SecORDER OF REFERRAL TO THE MAGISTRATE
Filing Requirements

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

Attorneys must prepare and file the Notice of Hearing.

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Order-of-Referral-to-the-Magistrate · p. 1|SecREQUESTS FOR HEARINGS — GUARDIAN ADVOCACY
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

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

One cover letter may cover multiple proposed orders, must reference any hearing date when a hearing was held, and proposed orders must not be sent before the hearing.

if you have more than one order to submit, one cover letter is sufficient —you do not need to submit cover letter for each order). Also, if a hearing was held, please reference the hearing date in your cover letter. Do not send proposed orders before a hearing.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ex-Parte-Procedures-updated-August-2024 · Oct 2024 · p. 1|SecPROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP
Filing Requirements

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

After the hearing concludes, attorneys may be requested by the Magistrate to prepare and email proposed orders to the Magistrate’s Assistant in Word format at LNewton@coj.net.

Once hearing has concluded, depending on the type of case heard (either mental health/guardianship or guardian advocacy) the Magistrate will request attorneys to prepare and forward to the Magistrate Assistant via email (Word format), LNewton@coj.net the following proposed Orders:

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Order-of-Referral-to-the-Magistrate · p. 1|SecFINAL HEARINGS
Filing Requirements

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

c. Letters of Guardianship/Guardian Advocacy of the Person/Property

Summary: Proposed letters of guardianship or guardian advocacy of the person or property may be requested after the hearing.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Order-of-Referral-to-the-Magistrate · p. 1|SecFINAL HEARINGS
Filing Requirements

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

a. Order Determining Incapacity (new format updated on website Jud4.org - Duval Judges)

Summary: A proposed Order Determining Incapacity, in the new format available on the Jud4.org Duval Judges website, may be requested after the hearing.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Order-of-Referral-to-the-Magistrate · p. 1|SecFINAL HEARINGS
Filing Requirements

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

b. Order Appointing Guardian Advocate of the Person/Property

Summary: A proposed order appointing a guardian advocate of the person or property may be requested after the hearing.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Order-of-Referral-to-the-Magistrate · p. 1|SecFINAL HEARINGS

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

An order admitting an original will and any simultaneous orders must be mailed or hand-delivered to the clerk and must not be emailed.

These should be mailed to the Clerk's office (not to the Judicial Assistant) or via hand delivery. Please do not email the clerk.

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

Page 1 | ELECTRONIC ORDERS: Exceptions

The petition or motion must be filed through the clerk and docketed before the proposed order is submitted directly to the court.

Additionally, petitions and/or motions must be filed through the Clerk's office and docketed prior to submitting your proposed orders. Pleadings are filed through the Clerk and proposed orders come directly to the Court (not through the Clerk). The Court will not submit unfiled petitions and/or motions to the Clerk for filing.

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

Page 1 | PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP

Proposed orders may be filed electronically, except orders admitting original wills and orders of discharge.

We are accepting proposed orders by electronic filing with exceptions for original wills and orders of discharge.

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

Page 1 | PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP

When the clerk has not approved discharge, the order of discharge must be mailed or hand-delivered to the clerk and must not be emailed.

If the Clerk has not yet approved the case for discharge, the order of discharge should be sent to the Clerk's office via U.S. Mail or hand delivery. Please do not email the clerk.

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

Page 1 | ELECTRONIC ORDERS: Exceptions

Original-will orders and discharge orders must be submitted directly to the clerk in paper form.

They must still be submitted directly to the Clerk's office in paper form.

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

Page 1 | PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP

Orders must not be submitted by U.S. Mail to the court.

Please do not submit orders via U.S. Mail to the court.

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

Page 1 | ELECTRONIC ORDERS: Exceptions

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Attorneys should submit the orders within 14 days after the hearing concludes.

Attorneys should submit Orders within 14 days after hearing has concluded.

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

Page 1 | FINAL HEARINGS

Chambers Communication Rules

The docket should be checked for updates before requesting case status from the Judicial Assistant.

PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET for updates before contacting the Judicial Assistant for a case status.

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

Page 2 | PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET

Hearing requests should be submitted by email, and the Judicial Assistant will provide a Zoom link after confirming the date and time.

Email works best for hearing requests. The Zoom link will be provided by the Judicial Assistant upon confirmation of a date and time.

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

Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS

Attorneys should email the Magistrate’s Office at LNewton@coj.net to obtain the next available hearing date and time for the relevant division.

Attorneys should contact the Magistrate’s Office via email (LNewton@coj.net) for the next available date and time based on the specific division.

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

Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS — GUARDIAN ADVOCACY

The Magistrate’s Assistant may be contacted at 904-255-1214 or LNewton@coj.net when assistance is needed.

Please reach out to the Magistrate’s Assistant should you need assistance, 904-255-1214/ LNewton@coj.net.

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

Page 1 | GENERAL MAGISTRATE PROBATE REFERRAL PROCEDURES

Urgent orders may be submitted by email.

You may still send those via email.

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

Page 1 | URGENT ORDERS

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 62 rules apply across Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 30
  • Applies to
    Motion
    Must include
    case number

    A motion must be entered on the clerk's docket, with its docket number provided, before hearing time may be requested.

  • Applies to
    Motion to set for hearing

    A motion to set a hearing is required when the requested hearing will exceed one hour.

  • Applies to
    Notice of hearing

    The notice of hearing must satisfy Rule 2.530(b), including identifying the communication technology and providing access directions.

Filing Timing

All 13

  • Counsel may not file a notice of hearing until the court confirms the hearing by email.

  • Counsel must file a compliant notice of hearing within three days after hearing confirmation, identifying the communication technology and providing access directions.

  • Proposed orders for remote-hearing requests must be submitted at least one week before the hearing.

Communication

All 7
  • Contact
    Email to clerk

    All scheduling must be conducted by email with the clerk.

  • Contact
    Email

    Proposed orders subject to this direction must be emailed directly to the judicial assistant.

  • The court must be notified upon settlement so the case can be removed from the trial docket.

Service

All 6
  • Service
    Electronic service

    The court cannot use electronic service as the sole method for a party who has not filed a Notice of Designation of Email Address.

  • Service
    Email

    All pro se parties must serve a designation of a primary email address, and may obtain the form from the clerk of court.

  • Applies to
    Papers and pleadings
    Service
    Mail to opposing party

    Further papers and pleadings may be served by mail or email, and service is complete upon mailing or emailing.

More categories

View all Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties rules
About Judge Kevin A. Blazs

Judge Kevin Blazs was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to Florida's 4th Judicial Circuit Court in June 2011 and is currently assigned to the Criminal Division, having previously served in Civil and Criminal Divisions. Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush, he served on the Duval County Court from 2006 - 2011. Before taking the bench, he practiced law as a partner with the civil litigation firm of Gobelman, Love, Gavin, Blazs and Wasilenko in Jacksonville, served as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army Reserve, taught private international law as a professor at universities throughout the People's Republic of China, and prosecuted crime in Duval County under State Attorney Ed Austin as an Assistant State Attorney and Division Chief. Throughout law school and until being admitted to the Florida Bar, Judge Blazs worked as a legislative aide with the Michigan State Senate, 30th District, on the staff of Senator Alan Cropsey. In 2019, he received the Doctor of Judicial Science degree in Judicial Studies from Duke University School of Law, having studied under his Dissertation Supervisor, Professor Jack Knight and Justices Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia. Judge Blazs holds a Master of Laws in International Business Law from the University of London and a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He also obtained a graduate Certificate of Advanced Studies degree in Discrimination, Health, and Human Rights from the Université de Genève Faculté de Médecine and has completed further post-graduate legal study at Duke, Northwestern, Oxford, and Harvard. Also having received a Master of Studies degree in Jewish-Christian Relations and an undergraduate Certificate in Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge, he holds a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics and Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Liberty University. While serving in the military, Judge Blazs also obtained a Diploma for the Armor Officer Advanced Course from the United States Army Armor School along with a Diploma for the Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course and Certificate in the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course from the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School, after attending the United States Air Force Academy and majoring in International Affairs. Currently, Judge Blazs is a candidate for the undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research in the Arts/Sciences in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics offered by the University of Cambridge.

**Division or court number:** PR-A **Court level:** Circuit **Courtroom or hearing room:** 746 **Judicial assistant:** Barbara Elrod **Email:** belrod@coj.net **Phone:** 904-255-1282

Common questions about Judge Kevin A. Blazs's rules

What must be included with urgent order email filings before Judge Kevin A. Blazs?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. An urgent-order email must use an “URGENT” subject line containing the case number, case name, and reason for the email.

View ruleSource: page 1, section URGENT ORDERS

What must be included with affidavit of heirs filings before Judge Kevin A. Blazs?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Every probate case must include an affidavit of heirs.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP

How may parties contact Judge Kevin A. Blazs' chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. Urgent orders may be submitted by email.

View ruleSource: page 1, section URGENT ORDERS

Is electronic filing required before Judge Kevin A. Blazs?

Electronic filing is permitted for the covered filings. Proposed orders may be filed electronically, except orders admitting original wills and orders of discharge.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP

What filing deadlines does Judge Kevin A. Blazs set?

Attorneys should submit the orders within 14 days after the hearing concludes.

View ruleSource: page 1, section FINAL HEARINGS
Complete rules summary for Judge Kevin A. Blazs

An urgent-order email must use an “URGENT” subject line containing the case number, case name, and reason for the email.

Every probate case must include an affidavit of heirs.

Proposed orders may be filed electronically, except orders admitting original wills and orders of discharge.

Original-will orders and discharge orders must be submitted directly to the clerk in paper form.

One cover letter may cover multiple proposed orders, must reference any hearing date when a hearing was held, and proposed orders must not be sent before the hearing.

The petition or motion must be filed through the clerk and docketed before the proposed order is submitted directly to the court.

An order admitting an original will and any simultaneous orders must be mailed or hand-delivered to the clerk and must not be emailed.

When the clerk has not approved discharge, the order of discharge must be mailed or hand-delivered to the clerk and must not be emailed.

Orders must not be submitted by U.S. Mail to the court.

Urgent orders may be submitted by email.

Hearing requests should be submitted by email, and the Judicial Assistant will provide a Zoom link after confirming the date and time.

The docket should be checked for updates before requesting case status from the Judicial Assistant.

An Order of Referral to the General Magistrate must be filed in all guardian advocate and guardianship cases before a hearing will be set.

Attorneys should email the Magistrate’s Office at LNewton@coj.net to obtain the next available hearing date and time for the relevant division.

Attorneys must prepare and file the Notice of Hearing.

After the hearing concludes, attorneys may be requested by the Magistrate to prepare and email proposed orders to the Magistrate’s Assistant in Word format at LNewton@coj.net.

A proposed Order Determining Incapacity, in the new format available on the Jud4.org Duval Judges website, may be requested after the hearing.

A proposed order appointing a guardian advocate of the person or property may be requested after the hearing.

Proposed letters of guardianship or guardian advocacy of the person or property may be requested after the hearing.

Attorneys should submit the orders within 14 days after the hearing concludes.

The Magistrate’s Assistant may be contacted at 904-255-1214 or LNewton@coj.net when assistance is needed.

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