Hon. Craig A. McCarthy — 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
Before requesting a hearing, parties must conduct the mandatory meet and confer; the Notice of Hearing must include a Certificate of Compliance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Hearing requests must include the motion and specified case, party, hearing, mediation, and meet-and-confer information.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not send a Notice of Hearing until the judicial assistant confirms the hearing time by email.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cross-notices require the opposing party’s agreement and court approval.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A Notice of Hearing must identify the motion and filing date, hearing length, and include the Certificate of Compliance.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Serve the Notice of Hearing to the judicial assistant immediately when the other party is pro se, or at least two weeks before the hearing when both sides are represented.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Copy opposing counsel or the pro se litigant on all emails and communications with the judicial assistant or court office.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Email courtesy copies of motions for rehearing to the court for review.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
A motion for an individual remote appearance at an in-person hearing must be submitted at least seven days before the hearing and must state the opposing party’s position.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For Webex hearings, include the specified Webex appearance language in the Notice of Hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Every proposed order must clearly state the opposing party’s position or it will not be considered.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
When counsel is directed to prepare an order at a hearing, submit it by email within seven days unless the court sets a different deadline.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Orders must be titled with the motion name and include a complete certificate of service.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After division 30 signs and e-files an order, counsel must provide a copy to any pro se litigant within five days and file the required certificate with the clerk.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Short matters are scheduled with the judicial assistant, conducted by Webex, limited to five minutes or less, and restricted to stipulated or unopposed matters without oral argument.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For a short matter, provide chambers an email copy of the Notice of Hearing, motion, and proposed order at least three business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Attorney uncontested dissolution final judgments require the completed checklist, proposed final judgment, and previously filed agreements to be emailed to the court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Written uncontested final hearings require filing the approved Motion/Waiver format and emailing the checklist, agreements, and proposed final judgment in Word format.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Uncontested paternity and supplemental final judgments may be emailed for review without a hearing if required documents are filed, with a cover letter stating whether the judgment is agreed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Expedited motions must be titled “Expedited Motion” and detail the date by which a ruling is needed and the reason it is needed by that date.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
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
Email copies of all exhibits to the judicial assistant at least three business days before the hearing or trial, with each exhibit as an individual PDF unless the format cannot be PDF.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Notify the court at least 24 hours before a cancellation and email the cancellation notice when it is filed with the clerk.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Mediation is required in domestic cases and must occur before scheduling hearing time on temporary matters.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If AI was used in a filed paper, disclose its use and certify that every legal or record citation was independently verified.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Lynn Harasti
JA Email
30osceola@ninthcircuit.orgPhone
407.742.2408Courtroom
4-D
Zoom
Join MeetingOfficial Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Osceola County judges
- Hon. Alison KerestesCircuit Criminal
- Hon. Celia Thacker DornCounty Civil
- Hon. Christine E. ArendasCircuit Civil
- Hon. Christy C. CollinsCircuit Civil
- Hon. David PetersCounty Civil
- Hon. Gabrielle N. Sanders-MorencyCounty Criminal
