Hon. Michael S. Orfinger — Judicial Procedures
Circuit Civil
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
File and serve the hearing notice immediately after reserving hearing time; the motion must already be filed, and remote-hearing notices must include the Zoom meeting ID and required motion identifiers.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Deliver case law or legal memoranda to chambers at least five business days before the applicable proceeding; materials over ten pages require hard copies and identical copies for opposing parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is legally authorized to be ex parte.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Non-jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and hearings longer than 30 minutes are in person unless the Court grants leave on motion.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote participants should log into Zoom at least ten minutes before the hearing and remain in the virtual waiting room until admitted.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Remote participants must enter their correct first and last names; attorneys must keep cameras on and wear courtroom attire.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Witnesses testifying by Zoom must follow sequestration requirements and generally may not have other people or materials present.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit proposed orders, except foreclosure final judgments, by email in Microsoft Word format; do not mail them or submit them through the Florida Courts E-Portal.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Circulate proposed orders among opposing counsel and self-represented litigants before submission and identify any objection and its basis in the transmittal email.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed orders must be accompanied by a transmittal email confirming agreement or identifying disagreement.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Submit proposed orders within 10 days after a hearing unless the Court specifies otherwise.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Deliver foreclosure final judgment proposals with conforming copies and stamped envelopes at least five business days before the foreclosure summary judgment hearing or trial.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Send foreclosure original documents directly to the Clerk; they must be filed by the hearing date for a final foreclosure hearing to proceed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
File a detailed emergency-hearing motion stating the issues, reasons for emergency treatment, and presentation time, and deliver a hard copy to chambers the filing day.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If the Court determines an emergency exists, all parties must make themselves available for the hearing absent exigent circumstances.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
A motion to compel must quote each disputed discovery request and the full allegedly insufficient response or objection, unless there was a complete failure to respond or object.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion to compel set for hearing must detail compliance with the stated discovery-dispute procedure or it will be stricken.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Only the Judicial Assistant may cancel a hearing; obtain approval, then file and serve a cancellation notice.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Request cancellations at least two business days before the hearing absent exceptional circumstances; otherwise counsel must appear unless an agreed order resolves the matters or all motions are withdrawn.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Send communications to the judicial office by email, with required case information in the subject line; specified parties may call instead.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Continuance motions require good cause, generally must be signed by the requesting party, must comply with Rule 1.460, and require a hearing even if stipulated or agreed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Michelle MacDonald
JA Email
division01@circuit7.orgPhone
(386) 822-5073Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Volusia County judges
- Hon. A. Christian MillerCircuit Criminal
- Hon. A. Kathleen McNeillyCircuit Court
- Hon. Angela A. DempseyCounty Civil
- Hon. Bryan A. FeigenbaumCounty Court
- Hon. Christopher KellyFamily Division
- Hon. David A. CromartieCounty Criminal
