Court Rules
Judge Wesley D. Tibbals
Judge

Judge Wesley D. Tibbals

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
25 pgs
DocumentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Case Law, Proposed Reference Materials

  • Email
  • Five Business Days Before Hearing
  • Upon request

Chambers Copy

Court-wide

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Extraordinary Writ Petition

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Adjournments

  • Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
Reason For Request

Communication

Email

Chambers

famlawdivf@fljud13.org
Scheduling
Email
felonydive@fljud13.org
Email
ada@fljud13.org
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

legalbailbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

ilbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

bonds@hillsclerk.com
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingProposed OrdersExhibitsLetters

Document Format Requirements3 rules

Formatting

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

All proposed orders must be submitted as PDF files.

All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.

Required Format

PDF

JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 3
|SecD. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Formatting

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

Exhibits submitted to the clerk must be on single-sided paper.

Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format, single-sided.

Required Format

Paper

JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 4
|SecG. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Formatting

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

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party, and label them in the specified format.

All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial. Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.’

JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 4
|SecG. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Document Filing Requirements6 rules

Filing Requirements

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

Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 2
|SecB. Scheduling Procedures
Filing Requirements

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

The moving party must file and serve a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time by the moving party.

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 2
|SecB. Scheduling Procedures
Filing Requirements

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

Each proposed order must include a cover letter that either certifies unanimous agreement or identifies the parties' disagreement.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order
JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 3
|SecD. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Requirements

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

An emergency-hearing motion must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party's presentation.

If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must 3 ===== PAGE 4 ===== 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.
JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 4
|SecF. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Filing Requirements

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

The subject line of communications to the judicial office must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter.

The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter

Document Type

Email To Judicial Office

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 1
|SecA. Communications with the Judicial Office
Filing Requirements

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

The trial-setting email must identify the case style and number in the subject line and state the requested trial duration in the body.

In the email, please indicate the case style and case number in the subject line. In the body of the email, please include the length of time requested for trial.

Document Type

Trial Setting Request Email

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
JudgeWesleyTibbals · Jul 2026 · p. 4
|SecH. Setting Case for Trial

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Proposed orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal, and a disputed order must also be submitted by email as a marked-up Word version.

Submission Method: Order are shall be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal. If an order is disputed, each party shall submit a marked up Word version of their respective order to FelonyDivE@fljud13.org.

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

Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

All evidentiary exhibits must be submitted electronically through the E-Portal.

Submit all exhibits electronically through the E-Portal.

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

Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

All hearing materials must be received by the court at least five business days before the hearing.

The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than five business days before the hearing.

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

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

A remote-appearance request must be filed and emailed to the Family Law Division at least three days before the hearing, unless the hearing notice already states that the proceeding will occur via Zoom.

Any request for remote appearance must be filed and emailed to FamLawDivF@fljud13.org at least three days prior to the date of the hearing unless the notice of hearing indicates the proceeding will be via Zoom.

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

Page 3 | C. Remote Appearance

A proposed order must be submitted within five days after the hearing.

Proposed orders must be submitted within five (5) days after any hearing.

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

Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

All exhibits must be received in chambers five to seven days before the evidentiary hearing or trial.

All exhibits must be received in chambers five to seven days before the evidentiary proceeding.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be submitted to the court.

When Required: Courtesy copies of case law and any proposed reference materials shall be submitted to the court.

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

Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Courtesy copies must reach the court no later than five business days before the scheduled hearing.

Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than five business days before the scheduled hearing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be emailed to the Family Law Division.

Submission Method: E-mail to FamLawDivF@fljud13.org.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.

Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date.

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

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Unless good cause is shown, the continuance motion must be signed by the requesting party under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).

Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).

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

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Chambers Communication Rules

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email to FamLawDivF@fljud13.org.

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to FamLawDivF@fljud13.org.

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

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

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

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

The Judicial Assistant may not answer legal questions or explain a party's situation to the judge.

The Judicial Assistant cannot answer your legal questions, and will not explain your situation to the judge.

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

Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

For a disputed order, each party must email a marked-up Word version of the party's proposed order to the listed division address.

If an order is disputed, each party shall submit a marked up Word version of their respective order to FelonyDivE@fljud13.org.

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

Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Requests to set a pretrial or trial must be coordinated with the Judicial Assistant by email.

Pretrials and trials shall be coordinated with the Judicial Assistant by emailing the request to FamLawDivF@Fljud13.org .

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

Page 4 | H. Setting Case for Trial

The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.

Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.

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

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Case information will be provided only to the parties and their attorneys.

No information regarding any case will be provided to anyone other than the Parties and or the Parties’ Attorneys.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

ADA accommodation requests may be submitted by email or telephone using the listed contact information.

ADA Accommodations: If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact the ADA Coordinator via e-mail ADA@fljud13.org; telephone 1-813-272-7040; hearing impaired 1-800-955-8771; voice impaired 1-800-955-8771.

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

Page 4 | I. Other Division Procedures

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.

About Judge Wesley D. Tibbals

The Honorable Wesley D. Tibbals --- #### Education - Law School:J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, 1998 - Undergraduate: B.A., University of Florida, 1995 --- #### Areas Of Experience - Business Disputes - Products Liability & Mass Torts - Wage & Hour Issues --- #### Awards & Recognition - Super Lawyers Magazine 2010-2014, Listed in Florida for Business Litigation and General Litigation - Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2010-2012, Listed for Business Law and Commercial Litigation --- #### Professional Memberships & Activities - Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors, 2009-2011 - Hillsborough County Bar Association, Member - American Bar Association, Member - St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Vestry (2007-2009); Senior Warden (2009); Foundation, Member

**Edgecomb Courthouse** - 800. E Twiggs St., Room #428 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #410 - Judicial Assistant: Jacqueline C. Watkins - Phone: (813) 276-2099 - Email: FAMLAWDIVF@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Wesley D. Tibbals's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Wesley D. Tibbals?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for case laws and proposed reference materials. Details: delivery five business days before hearing. Courtesy copies must reach the court no later than five business days before the scheduled hearing.

View ruleSource: page 3, section E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Wesley D. Tibbals?

Judge Wesley D. Tibbals' formatting rule includes file format PDF. All proposed orders must be submitted as PDF files.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Wesley D. Tibbals?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The moving party must file and serve a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Wesley D. Tibbals?

The rule requires proposed order. Each proposed order must include a cover letter that either certifies unanimous agreement or identifies the parties' disagreement.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

How may parties contact Judge Wesley D. Tibbals' chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Wesley D. Tibbals' chambers. The rule lists email FamLawDivF@fljud13.org. All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email to FamLawDivF@fljud13.org.

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

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Wesley D. Tibbals?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include reason for request. Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

Is electronic filing required before Judge Wesley D. Tibbals?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal, and a disputed order must also be submitted by email as a marked-up Word version.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What filing deadlines does Judge Wesley D. Tibbals set?

All hearing materials must be received by the court at least five business days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures
Complete rules summary for Judge Wesley D. Tibbals

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email to FamLawDivF@fljud13.org.

The subject line of communications to the judicial office must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter.

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

The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.

The Judicial Assistant may not answer legal questions or explain a party's situation to the judge.

Case information will be provided only to the parties and their attorneys.

The moving party must file and serve a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.

Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

All hearing materials must be received by the court at least five business days before the hearing.

Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.

Unless good cause is shown, the continuance motion must be signed by the requesting party under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).

A remote-appearance request must be filed and emailed to the Family Law Division at least three days before the hearing, unless the hearing notice already states that the proceeding will occur via Zoom.

Proposed orders must be uploaded through the E-Filing Portal, and a disputed order must also be submitted by email as a marked-up Word version.

All proposed orders must be submitted as PDF files.

Each proposed order must include a cover letter that either certifies unanimous agreement or identifies the parties' disagreement.

For a disputed order, each party must email a marked-up Word version of the party's proposed order to the listed division address.

A proposed order must be submitted within five days after the hearing.

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be submitted to the court.

Courtesy copies of case law and proposed reference materials must be emailed to the Family Law Division.

Courtesy copies must reach the court no later than five business days before the scheduled hearing.

An emergency-hearing motion must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party's presentation.

All evidentiary exhibits must be submitted electronically through the E-Portal.

Exhibits submitted to the clerk must be on single-sided paper.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party, and label them in the specified format.

All exhibits must be received in chambers five to seven days before the evidentiary hearing or trial.

Requests to set a pretrial or trial must be coordinated with the Judicial Assistant by email.

The trial-setting email must identify the case style and number in the subject line and state the requested trial duration in the body.

ADA accommodation requests may be submitted by email or telephone using the listed contact information.

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