2
ANY NOTICE OF HEARING ON A MOTION FOR CIVIL CONTEMPT IN SUPPORT
MATTERS MUST FULLY COMPLY WITH THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS SET
FORTH IN FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULE OF PROCEDURE 12.615(b).
3. GENERAL MAGISTRATE:
(A) Proceedings Before General Magistrate:
Issues relating to dissolution of marriage, spousal support, designation of a majority time-share
parent, delineating parental responsibility, and / or establishing an appropriate time-share schedule,
paternity, post-judgment matters, and all other matters referred by the Court, shall be heard before
the above referenced Court Officer in his/her capacity as a General Magistrate. This referral is
made pursuant to Rule 12.490, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and current Administrative
Orders of Court.
The General Magistrate is authorized to administer oaths and conduct hearings which may include
taking of evidence, and shall file a report and recommendations that contain findings of fact,
conclusions of law, and the name of the court reporter, if any.
Upon conclusion of the hearing, the General Magistrate shall file a report that includes findings of
fact and conclusions of law, together with recommendations to the undersigned Judge.
(B) Consent to Referral:
A REFERRAL TO A GENERAL MAGISTRATE REQUIRES THE CONSENT OF ALL
PARTIES. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS MATTER HEARD BEFORE A
JUDGE. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS MATTER HEARD BEFORE THE
GENERAL MAGISTRATE, YOU MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE
REFERRAL WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE TIME OF SERVICE OF THIS ORDER. IF THE
TIME SET FOR THE HEARING IS LESS THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE OF
THIS ORDER, THE OBJECTION MUST BE MADE BEFORE THE HEARING. IF THIS
ORDER IS SERVED WITHIN THE FIRST 20 DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF PROCESS,
THE TIME TO FILE AN OBJECTION IS EXTENDED TO THE TIME WITHIN WHICH
A RESPONSIVE PLEADING IS DUE. FAILURE TO FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION
WITHIN THE APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD IS DEEMED TO BE A CONSENT TO THE
REFERRAL.
IF AN OBJECTION IS FILED, THE OBJECTING PARTY MUST SERVE A COPY OF THE
OBJECTION ON ALL PARTIES, THE DIVISION JUDGE AND THE GENERAL
MAGISTRATE ASSIGNED TO HEAR THE CASE.
If either party files a timely objection, this matter shall be returned to the Judge to which the case
is assigned with a notice stating the amount of time needed for hearing.
(C) Review of Report and Recommendation:
REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE GENERAL
MAGISTRATE SHALL BE BY EXCEPTIONS AS PROVIDED IN RULE 12.490(F),
FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULE OF PROCEDURE. A RECORD, WHICH INCLUDES A