Hon. Howard O. McGillin, Jr. — 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
Courtesy Copies
Highlighting on the court's case-law copy must be identical to the highlighting on the opposing party's copy, and the case law must contain no notations.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Electronic courtesy copies may be emailed if the total attachment size is less than 8 MB; larger documents must be submitted on a USB flash drive at the hearing or trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Requests to appear using communication technology must be made by motion unless specifically authorized by the court when scheduling.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
The deadline for any party or witness to request a Zoom appearance is close of court business two days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
All parties appearing by Zoom must use their real name as their screen name.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit proposed orders in PDF/a or Word format with a cover letter certifying agreement or identifying disagreements; court-requested orders must be in Word or RTF, and orders containing party signatures must be in PDF/a.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit proposed orders within ten days after a hearing; submit no-hearing probate and guardianship proposed orders simultaneously with the appropriate motion or petition.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
File and serve a notice of hearing within five days after reserving hearing time; remote hearings must include the judicial Zoom credentials and all notices must include the required ADA notification.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit all hearing materials no later than three business days before the hearing and serve and file witness and proposed exhibit lists at least three days before a contested evidentiary hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit case law by close of business two days before the hearing, with a cover letter certifying that an identical copy was provided to the opposing party.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
An emergency or urgent label alone does not advance a hearing; the motion must recite facts supporting genuine emergency or urgent action.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
When the court issues an Emergency Ex Parte Order, it will set a review hearing, typically within five days; continuance is available only by motion.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For an emergency temporary guardianship filing, the filing party must simultaneously transmit two proposed orders and immediately contact the court's assistant to schedule the initial hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Cancel a hearing by notifying the judicial assistant immediately, and only when all issues set for hearing have been completely settled and the settlement is placed in the court file before the cancellation notice.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A cancellation notice filed less than 48 hours before the hearing is insufficient.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Copy all parties on emails directed to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused and update changes using Form 2.603.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Requests requiring a court ruling must be made through a proper motion.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Bring physical exhibits to the clerk's office by close of court business before the hearing or trial for pre-marking, and file an exhibit index by close of business three days before the hearing or trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit exhibits in paper format or on removable media and bring sufficient copies for the clerk, court, and each party.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For video or audio exhibits, use removable media containing only the exhibits intended for trial and bring compatible courtroom presentation equipment.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Request an ADA accommodation from Court Administration at least seven days before the scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving notification if fewer than seven days remain.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Veronica Griffis
Phone
(904) 827-5603Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther St. Johns County judges
- Hon. Alexander R. Christine, Jr.County Court
- Hon. Benjamin J. RichCounty Criminal
- Hon. Casey L. WoolseyCounty Criminal
- Hon. Christopher FerebeeCircuit Criminal
- Hon. Howard M. MaltzCircuit Civil
- Hon. Kenneth J. Janesk, IIFamily Division
