Hon. Christopher A. France — Judicial Procedures
Circuit Court
Quick operational summary based on publicly available court procedure materials. Always verify with the official court source before relying on this information.
Quick Rules
Courtesy Copies
Copy exhibits to opposing counsel or party and obtain agreement for them to be entered as evidence.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Court reporters must appear in person.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit orders through the e-portal unless the judge gives different instructions, and file them as pleadings rather than using the proposed-order option on the first or second portal page.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After a hearing, submit a proposed order in Word format by email when the court requested that format; email competing Word-format orders when the parties agreed at hearing but could not agree on the final order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
For a hearing of 10 minutes or less, email the judicial assistant with the case number and time needed; expedited hearings may not be scheduled online directly.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Parties may request a time-certain trial date by emailing the judicial assistant with the details; this allows them to skip docket sounding.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
After filing an emergency motion, email a copy to the division email address and copy all parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Attorney-represented motions, including emergency motions, are not forwarded to the judge’s office by the Clerk’s Office.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
To cancel a hearing, email or call the judicial assistant, e-file a Notice of Cancellation through the e-Portal, and call the judicial assistant if a scheduling mistake was made.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
For represented parties, filed motions must state the opposing party’s position; agreed motions usually do not require a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion for continuance without a stated reason will be denied.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Consented final judgments with an MSA or parenting plan may be submitted through the e-portal as one attachment unless the judge instructs otherwise; a motion for judgment on the pleadings is required to enter judgment without a final hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Mediated or marital settlement agreements and parenting plans must be notarized unless conducted by the court’s assigned family court mediators.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Use Benchmark’s available-hearing-times report and scheduling workflow to coordinate and schedule a hearing; schedule each consecutive time block when reserving more than 30 minutes.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A notice of hearing must identify the motion and corresponding docket number and the time reserved.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
E-file exhibits even if the document is already filed, and file an exhibit list itemizing the filed exhibits; untimely documents and exhibits may not be considered.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
List and properly mark exhibits that cannot be e-filed, and mail them directly to the Clerk of Court at least five days before the trial or hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
E-file case law to be reviewed by the court at least five business days before the hearing or trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If unable to e-file, contact the Clerk of Court and set an appointment for the Clerk to properly identify the exhibits.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If exhibits exceed “ZZ,” set an appointment with the Clerk at least seven business days before trial and deliver the exhibits in person.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Jennifer Sirman
Phone
(386) 313-4515Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
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