Hon. Heather L. Higbee — Judicial Procedures
Probate
Quick operational summary based on publicly available court procedure materials. Always verify with the official court source before relying on this information.
Quick Rules
UMC / Motion Calendar
Schedule all hearings through the judicial assistant; Ex Parte/Short Matters require confirmation and specified courtesy materials at least seven business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Obtain Judge Higbee’s approval for hearing requests longer than one hour by emailing the division with reasons for the requested extended time.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After reserving hearing time and receiving confirmation, the moving party must immediately file and serve the notice of hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A continuance motion must state the specified basis, opposition status, readiness actions and dates, and proposed readiness date; absent good cause, it must be signed by the requesting party.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies of case law and memoranda are suggested for high-conflict or complex matters but are not required unless ordered by the Court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
A notice of hearing involving remote appearance must list the judge’s WEBEX credentials.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Requests to use communication technology must be made by motion; objections must be filed no later than five business days after the notice of hearing stating that technology will be used.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If not addressed before scheduling, requests for remote appearance must be submitted five business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote participants must appear from a private, quiet, distraction-free location and may not appear from a moving vehicle or other unsafe situation.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote participants must turn on their camera when joining and keep it on until instructed otherwise; they must mute their microphone until instructed otherwise.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote witnesses must have a functioning camera and microphone, and the calling party must test the witness’s internet connection before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Participants must sign in using their full name; unidentified participants will not be admitted and will be removed from the lobby.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Every proposed order must include an e-filed cover letter certifying agreement or identifying disagreement; if disagreement remains, submit a redline version rather than two different orders.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Send routine probate pleadings and proposed orders to the Court by email for in-chambers review and signature, and use a caption/title describing the subject and ruling.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Before submitting an order, ensure documents necessary for review, including the motion, are viewable in the Clerk’s Court system.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
To set a non-jury trial, file a notice for trial stating whether mediation occurred, the mediation date, and the trial time required, then email a copy to the judicial assistant after it is viewable in the Clerk’s system.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
All trials are in person; parties seeking to set a trial must email the judicial assistant to request a case management conference.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
A CMC or status-conference request must explain why the conference is necessary.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Only the party setting the hearing or the Court may cancel it; cancellation requires immediate notice to the judicial assistant and immediate filing and service of a cancellation notice.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancel a hearing by immediately notifying the judicial assistant and immediately filing and serving a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Send all communications to the judicial office by division email and include the case number and case name in the subject line.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File a checklist when opening or closing a Formal Administration, filing Summary Administration, or filing a Petition for Determining Homestead Status of Real Property in Formal or Summary Administration cases.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Use only the most recent checklist version and complete it fully; an incomplete checklist will not be considered.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If AI was used to prepare a filing, disclose that use in a clear and plain factual statement and certify that each legal or record citation was independently verified as accurate.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Julie Salcedo
JA Email
2Orange@ninthcircuit.orgPhone
407.836.9580Courtroom
1
Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Orange County judges
- Hon. A. James CranerCircuit Criminal
- Hon. Adam McGinnisCounty Civil
- Hon. Alicia L. LatimoreJuvenile Division
- Hon. Alicia Peyton RobinsonDomestic Relations
- Hon. Amanda S. BovaCounty Criminal
- Hon. Amy J. CarterCounty Civil
