Court Rules
Judge Melissa C. Black
Judge

Judge Melissa C. Black

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
25 pgs
DocumentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Chambers Copy

Court-wide

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Extraordinary Writ Petition

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Financial Affidavit, Exhibits

Court-wide

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason For RequestProposed New Dates
5Working Daysnotice
48Hoursnotice

Communication

Email

Clerk

courtsupportmanagers@hillsclerk.com
Scheduling
Phone

Chambers

813-301-7033
Scheduling
Email

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingProposed Orders

Document Format Requirements1 rule

Formatting

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

Proposed orders must be submitted as PDFs through the Florida courts e-filing portal.

Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through the Florida courts e-filing portal.

Required Format

PDF

Hillsborough:8bdc367c361749c271ac73ea|SecProcedures & Preferences

Document Filing Requirements3 rules

Filing Requirements

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

Any attorney or pro se party filing AI-generated content must disclose the AI use on the document’s face and certify personal review and verification of its accuracy.

If any attorney or pro se party submits to the court any filing or submission containing AI generated content, that attorney or pro se party must disclose the use of artificial intelligence on the face of the document and also must include a certification that the attorney or pro se party has personally reviewed and verified the content’s accuracy.

Document Type

Filing Or Submission

Content & Formatting
Ai Disclosure
Hillsborough:8bdc367c361749c271ac73ea|SecProcedures & Preferences
Filing Requirements

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

The first paragraph of an agreed order must state the parties’ agreement to the relief and identify the docket entry number supporting that relief.

The first paragraph of the order must state that the parties agree to the relief afforded by the order, and it must identify the docket entry number of the stipulation or motion providing the basis for the relief E.g. (DN #).

Document Type

Agreed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Hillsborough:8bdc367c361749c271ac73ea|SecProcedures & Preferences
Filing Requirements

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

A proposed order involving agreed or jointly sought relief must begin with the words “Agreed Order” in the caption.

Agreed orders: Proposed orders on agreed relief or relief sought jointly by the parties should begin with “Agreed Order” in the caption.

Document Type

Agreed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Hillsborough:8bdc367c361749c271ac73ea|SecProcedures & Preferences

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

A notice of hearing must be filed through the e-portal after a hearing time is obtained and cleared with opposing counsel, or directly with the Clerk if portal access is unavailable.

After obtaining a hearing time, either through JAWS or the Judicial Assistant, and clearing the time with opposing counsel, a notice of hearing must be filed through the E portal, or, if one does not have access to the E portal, directly with the Clerk of Court

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Proposed orders generally must be submitted as PDFs through the Florida courts e-filing portal, but paper submission is required for unrepresented parties or when portal access is unavailable.

Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through the Florida courts e-filing portal. If neither party is represented by council, or there is a lack of access to the Florida courts, e-filing portal, proposed orders, along with copies for conforming, are to be submitted to the court on paper.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Post-hearing proposed orders must be submitted through the e-portal, reflect the judge’s ruling, and include a cover letter stating the hearing date.

Submitting orders following a hearing, please submit orders to the court through the eportal reflecting the Judges ruling with a cover letter, stating the date of the hearing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Division K hearings are in person, and motions must be filed in writing through the e-portal or directly with the Clerk of Court.

All hearings and family law Injunction for protection for Division ”K” take place in person. And any motions must be filed in writing through the e-portal or directly with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Case law and other legal authority must be delivered to the court at least five business days before the scheduled hearing.

Please provide case law and any legal authority to the court at least five (5) business days prior to a scheduled hearing by notebook delivered to the court.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Chambers Communication Rules

All claims of exemptions must be scheduled through the Clerk’s Office, with an email to the provided court-support address.

**ALL CLAIM OF EXEMPTIONS MUST BE SCHEDULED THROUGH THE CLERK'S OFFICEPlease email courtsupportmanagers@hillsclerk.com.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Hearings of 30 minutes or less must be scheduled through JAWS, while longer hearings must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant.

All matters 30 minutes or less must be scheduled through JAWS. Any hearings more than 30 minutes must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant, you may contact her at 813-301-7033 to obtain available dates and times.

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

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

A hearing cancellation must be made in writing and emailed to the court.

Any hearing cancellation must be made in writing and emailed to the court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Procedures & Preferences

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 727 rules apply across Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 259
  • Applies to
    Waiver of jury trial

    A defendant electing a non-jury trial must personally sign and file a Waiver of Jury Trial form with the court.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases form

    A petitioner must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form, using Form 12.900(h), when related cases are pending and known or reasonably ascertainable, except in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases

    Petitioners in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form using Form 12.900(h), even when no related cases exist.

Filing Timing

All 126

  • All motions and notices of hearing must be filed by noon on the business day before the hearing.

  • An attorney of record may not withdraw unless a motion to withdraw is filed, heard, and granted at least 30 days before trial.

  • Deadline
    10 calendar days

    An objection to referral must be filed within 10 days of service of the order of referral.

Service

All 93
  • Deadline
    2 business days
    Applies to
    Case law
    Service
    Electronic service to court

    A party using case law in support of or opposition to a filed motion must provide an electronic copy of the case law, the notice of hearing, and the motion to the presiding judge's office and opposing counsel or party at least two business days before the hearing.

  • Service
    Court service to all parties

    After obtaining a hearing time, the clerk must notify all necessary parties.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Service
    Email

    The clerk must email motions filed by self-represented defendants to the presiding judge and judicial assistant.

E-Filing

All 68
  • Applies to
    Probable cause application

    Law enforcement agency attorneys must submit the probable-cause application by email to the County Criminal Division C judicial assistant for filing in the Clerk's Administrative File.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The law enforcement agency attorney must submit the proposed order through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal using the assigned Clerk's Administrative File number.

  • Applies to
    Motion

    Except for Motions for Discharge and Motions for Speedy Trial, an attorney must e-file a motion for hearing simultaneously with a Notice of Hearing after coordinating the hearing time with the opposing attorney or party.

More categories

View all Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County rules
About Judge Melissa C. Black

The Honorable Melissa C. Black --- Elected to the Bench: 2023 #### Assignments - County Civil, Division S - Unified Family Court: Protective Injunctions, Division K #### Education - Law School: Stetson University College of Law, 2005 - Undergraduate: University of Florida, 2002

**Edgecomb Courthouse** - 800 E. Twiggs St., Room #316 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #306 - Judicial Assistant: Robyn R. D'Agresta - Phone: (813) 301-7033 - Email: civdivs@fljud13.org - Email: famlawdivk@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Melissa C. Black's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Melissa C. Black?

Judge Melissa C. Black's formatting rule includes file format PDF. Proposed orders must be submitted as PDFs through the Florida courts e-filing portal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

What must be included with filing or submission filings before Judge Melissa C. Black?

The rule requires ai disclosure. Any attorney or pro se party filing AI-generated content must disclose the AI use on the document’s face and certify personal review and verification of its accuracy.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

What must be included with agreed order filings before Judge Melissa C. Black?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A proposed order involving agreed or jointly sought relief must begin with the words “Agreed Order” in the caption.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

How may parties contact Judge Melissa C. Black's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications with Judge Melissa C. Black's chambers. The rule lists phone 813-301-7033. Hearings of 30 minutes or less must be scheduled through JAWS, while longer hearings must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

Is electronic filing required before Judge Melissa C. Black?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Division K hearings are in person, and motions must be filed in writing through the e-portal or directly with the Clerk of Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences

What filing deadlines apply to case law and legal authority filings before Judge Melissa C. Black?

Case law and other legal authority must be delivered to the court at least five business days before the scheduled hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Procedures & Preferences
Complete rules summary for Judge Melissa C. Black

Division K hearings are in person, and motions must be filed in writing through the e-portal or directly with the Clerk of Court.

Hearings of 30 minutes or less must be scheduled through JAWS, while longer hearings must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant.

A notice of hearing must be filed through the e-portal after a hearing time is obtained and cleared with opposing counsel, or directly with the Clerk if portal access is unavailable.

A hearing cancellation must be made in writing and emailed to the court.

Proposed orders must be submitted as PDFs through the Florida courts e-filing portal.

Proposed orders generally must be submitted as PDFs through the Florida courts e-filing portal, but paper submission is required for unrepresented parties or when portal access is unavailable.

Post-hearing proposed orders must be submitted through the e-portal, reflect the judge’s ruling, and include a cover letter stating the hearing date.

Case law and other legal authority must be delivered to the court at least five business days before the scheduled hearing.

A proposed order involving agreed or jointly sought relief must begin with the words “Agreed Order” in the caption.

The first paragraph of an agreed order must state the parties’ agreement to the relief and identify the docket entry number supporting that relief.

All claims of exemptions must be scheduled through the Clerk’s Office, with an email to the provided court-support address.

Any attorney or pro se party filing AI-generated content must disclose the AI use on the document’s face and certify personal review and verification of its accuracy.

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