Hon. Mikaela Nix-Walker — Judicial Procedures
Domestic Relations
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
For a short matter, check the AI calendar, select an available date, and e-file the Notice of Hearing with the virtual link.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Before requesting hearing time, coordinate the hearing with opposing counsel or the pro se litigant, then email the judicial assistant with the opposing party included; hearings are not set by phone.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not send a Notice of Hearing until the judicial assistant has confirmed the hearing by email; cross-notices require opposing-party agreement and court approval.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A Notice of Hearing must identify the motion and filing date, hearing length, and include the required Certificate of Compliance; Microsoft Teams notices must include the hearing link.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Send the judicial assistant a courtesy copy of the e-filed short-matter Notice of Hearing at least three business days before the hearing or the case will not be placed on the docket.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Email courtesy copies of motions for rehearing to the court for review.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
A motion to allow an individual party, attorney, or witness to appear remotely at an in-person hearing must be submitted at least 10 business days before the hearing and sent to the opposing attorney or pro se litigant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
For an uncontested dissolution final hearing, file the Notice of Hearing and email a copy to the judicial assistant; provide related motions and a proposed order at the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For virtual hearings only, send proposed orders by mail or hand delivery to the clerk’s office, not the judge’s chambers.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For in-person hearings, bring proposed orders with sufficient copies for all parties; if the court requests an order at the hearing or trial, submit it by email within three days unless a different deadline is set.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Before submitting a proposed order by email, submit it to opposing counsel or the pro se litigant for approval and include a cover letter stating that the order is agreed upon.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
When parties do not agree, a party that fails to provide an order within ten days waives the opportunity to object.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Orders must be titled with the motion name and hearing date and include a complete certificate of service.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Adoption hearings must be specially set, are in person, and require a hard copy of the proposed final judgment at the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Before scheduling a non-emergency temporary hearing, the parties must attend mediation, and only one temporary hearing will be set.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Email verified emergency motions to the judicial assistant with a proposed order in Word and PDF formats; emergency motions will not be considered at ex parte or short matters.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Before setting a discovery motion, the moving party must file proof of communications about the dispute and any response; the responding party must file a written response addressing the communications and what is or is not forthcoming or reasonably available.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Notify the court of cancellations at least three business days in advance and email the judicial assistant when filing the Notice of Cancellation.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
When emailing the judicial assistant about any matter, include opposing counsel or the pro se litigant and put the case number and case style in the subject line.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Mediation is required in all domestic cases before scheduling temporary-matter hearing time and before filing a Notice for Trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
File a pre-trial memorandum at least five business days before the pre-trial as directed by the pretrial order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
At least four business days before a hearing, exchange all exhibits and conduct a substantive, good-faith telephone conference about stipulations and admissibility objections.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Provide case law and other non-exhibit documents to the court at the hearing and email them to the opposing party at least three business days before the hearing or trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For virtual appearances, hand-deliver or mail case law and exhibits to the clerk’s office three business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
All parties must appear for case management conferences.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Camila Araujo-Torres
JA Email
42orange@ninthcircuit.orgPhone
407.836.4525Courtroom
16-H
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
