County & Court GPS
Hernando County family court
Fifth Judicial Circuit. Procedure notes below come from BenchPath verified sources — every card carries its citation, confidence level, and last-verified date.
Before you file here
- Confirm venue — this county is the right place for the case
- Confirm the current official forms at flcourts.gov
- Check signature / notary requirements per form
- Pick the correct e-filing case category on the portal
- Handle confidential information (SSNs, minors) per rule
- Note the filing fee — or the fee-waiver application
Before you appear here
- Confirm date, time, location — and Zoom vs. in person
- Check the assigned judge/division instructions below
- Confirm how evidence must be submitted for hearings
- Ask whether a proposed order is expected, and in what format
- Confirm courtesy-copy requirements
- Build the exhibit and witness lists in Hearing Prep
Uncontested in Hernando
Agreed on the terms? The path runs through this courthouse.
The qualifier reads your answers, the Assembly Line organizes the agreement, the Packet Composer names the official forms, and the tracker follows the clerk's acceptance loop — all county-aware. Filing fees are verified with the Hernando clerk (this platform never types a fee it can't source), and the division's published practice above controls hearing logistics.
Florida law generally bars entry of a final judgment of dissolution until at least 20 days after the petition is filed (§ 61.19, Fla. Stat.); a court may act sooner only on the statute's required showing. Clerk and court processing add county-varying time on top.
Judge & Division Playbook
Who hears family cases here — and their published practice
A playbook is published practice — calendars, conferral, order formats — with its citation and verification date. FamilyLawGPS does not and will not predict judicial outcomes.
Hernando County Court
Barbara-Jo Bell
county_judge
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Barbara-Jo Bell: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Daniel B. Merritt, Jr.
chief_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Don Barbee
circuit_judge
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Don Barbee: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Donald E. Scaglione
circuit_judge
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Donald E. Scaglione: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Hernando County Court
Jason L. Smith
county_judge
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Jason L. Smith: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Joel D. Fritton
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Joni M. Emling
child_support_hearing_officer
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Hernando County Court
Kurt E. Hitzemann
county_judge
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Kurt E. Hitzemann: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Stephen E. Toner
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Thomas R. Eineman
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Yolanda Romagnolo
general_magistrate
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Named in procedure notes
Amber Thomas
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Amber Thomas: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Brad King
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Brad King: HearingsFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Brian Welke
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Brian Welke: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Carla R. Pepperman
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Carla R. Pepperman: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Carol Falvey
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Carol Falvey: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Cary F. Rada
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Cary F. Rada: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Chad J. Monty
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Chad J. Monty: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Dan R. Mosley
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Dan R. Mosley: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Edward C. Spaight
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Edward C. Spaight: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Erin Daly
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Erin Daly: Remote appearancesFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
James R. Baxley
- Fifth Cir. — Judge James R. Baxley: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
LeAnn Mackey-Barnes
- Fifth Cir. — Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes: HearingsFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Lisa Herndon
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Lisa Herndon: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Lori Cotton
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Lori Cotton: Remote appearancesFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Michael Takac
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Michael Takac: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Robert E. Landt
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Robert E. Landt: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Robert Kyle Lambert
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Robert Kyle Lambert: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Robert W. Hodges
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Robert W. Hodges: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Shelby D. Senn
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Shelby D. Senn: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Named in procedure notes
Stacy M. Youmans
- Fifth Cir. — Judge Stacy M. Youmans: MediationFifth Judicial Circuit — captured and sha256-hashed 2026-07-24
Court procedure notes
Verified local intelligence
Court procedure data from BenchPath, compiled from official public court sources.
Special Set HearingsBrad King · Marion
Fifth Cir. — Judge Brad King: Hearings
1 summarised requirement on hearings.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationLisa Herndon · Marion
Fifth Cir. — Judge Lisa Herndon: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationRobert E. Landt · Marion
Fifth Cir. — Judge Robert E. Landt: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationRobert W. Hodges · Marion
Fifth Cir. — Judge Robert W. Hodges: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationShelby D. Senn · Sumter
Fifth Cir. — Judge Shelby D. Senn: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationStacy M. Youmans · Marion
Fifth Cir. — Judge Stacy M. Youmans: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationAmber Thomas · Citrus
Fifth Cir. — Judge Amber Thomas: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationBarbara-Jo Bell · Hernando
Fifth Cir. — Judge Barbara-Jo Bell: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationBrian Welke · Lake
Fifth Cir. — Judge Brian Welke: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationCarla R. Pepperman · Lake
Fifth Cir. — Judge Carla R. Pepperman: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationCary F. Rada · Lake
Fifth Cir. — Judge Cary F. Rada: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationChad J. Monty · Lake
Fifth Cir. — Judge Chad J. Monty: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationDan R. Mosley · Lake
Fifth Cir. — Judge Dan R. Mosley: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationDon Barbee · Hernando
Fifth Cir. — Judge Don Barbee: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationDonald E. Scaglione · Hernando
Fifth Cir. — Judge Donald E. Scaglione: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationEdward C. Spaight · Citrus
Fifth Cir. — Judge Edward C. Spaight: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationJames R. Baxley · Lake
Fifth Cir. — Judge James R. Baxley: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationJason L. Smith · Hernando
Fifth Cir. — Judge Jason L. Smith: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationKurt E. Hitzemann · Hernando
Fifth Cir. — Judge Kurt E. Hitzemann: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationMichael Takac · Lake
Fifth Cir. — Judge Michael Takac: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationRobert Kyle Lambert · Citrus
Fifth Cir. — Judge Robert Kyle Lambert: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
MediationCarol Falvey · Citrus
Fifth Cir. — Judge Carol Falvey: Mediation
2 summarised requirements on mediation.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Remote / Zoom HearingsErin Daly · Sumter
Fifth Cir. — Judge Erin Daly: Remote appearances
2 summarised requirements on remote appearances.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Special Set HearingsLeAnn Mackey-Barnes · Marion
Fifth Cir. — Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes: Hearings
1 summarised requirement on hearings.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.
Remote / Zoom HearingsLori Cotton · Marion
Fifth Cir. — Judge Lori Cotton: Remote appearances
1 summarised requirement on remote appearances.
Court procedures change without notice. Verify urgent deadlines or unusual requirements with the court, the clerk, or a Florida attorney. If a specific order in your case says otherwise, that order controls over any county, division, or judge default shown here.