County & Court GPS
Pinellas County family court
Sixth 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 Pinellas
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 Pinellas 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.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Aaron Hubbard
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Amber Cain
child_support_hearing_officer
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Amy M. Williams
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Arlene Stevens
general_magistrate
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Bama Tearney
general_magistrate
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Benjamin S. Thomas
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Brett Szematowicz
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Brian Gnage
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Cathy McKyton
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Christopher LaBruzzo
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Cynthia J. Newton
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
David Ellis
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Della Cope
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Diane Croff
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Doneene Loar
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Dorothy Vaccaro
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Edwin Jagger
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Elizabeth Jack
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Elizabeth Zuroweste
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Evan Frayman
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Frederick L. Pollack
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Henry Palmer
general_magistrate
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Holly Grissinger
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
James Pierce
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Jennifer Barbookles
general_magistrate
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Jennifer Paullin
general_magistrate
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
John Carassas
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Joseph A. Bulone
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Joseph Lawhorne
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Julie L. Sercus
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Kathleen T. Hessinger
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Keith Meyer
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Kim Campbell
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Kimberly Todd
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Lorraine Kelly
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Michael F. Andrews
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Olivier Lindemann
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Pamela A.M. Campbell
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Pat Siracusa
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Patrice Moore
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Patricia Ann Muscarella
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Philip J. Federico
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Philippe Matthey
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Rachel Licona
general_magistrate
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Rebecca Hamilton
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Robert Dittmer
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Shawn Crane
chief_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Sherwood Coleman
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Steve Berlin
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Susan Bedinghaus
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Susan St. John
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Pinellas County Court
Theodora C. Komninos
county_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Thomas "Andy" Munkittrick
child_support_hearing_officer
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Thomas M. Ramsberger
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
William H. Burgess III
circuit_judge
No judge-specific procedural notes verified yet — the division instructions on the official circuit site control.
Court procedure notes
Verified local intelligence
Court procedure data from BenchPath, compiled from official public court sources.
Emergency Motions
Domestic Violence Injunctions: Ex Parte Temporary Relief and Prompt Full Hearing — Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.610; § 741.30, Fla. Stat.
Rule 12.610 (October 1, 2026 edition): an injunction for protection may issue ex parte when it appears to the court that an immediate and present danger of violence exists; any temporary injunction is effective for a fixed period not to exceed 15 days, and a full hearing must be set for a date no later than the date the temporary injunction ceases to be effective. Section 741.30(2)(a), Florida Statutes, prohibits assessing a filing fee for a petition for protection against domestic violence.
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.
E-Filing
E-Filing Through the Statewide Portal — Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.525(b)
Rule 2.525(b) (July 1, 2026 edition): attorneys must file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal or other designated electronic court filing facility. An unrepresented party who is not a Florida Bar member or an attorney admitted pro hac vice may elect to file through the portal, and once made the election may not be withdrawn without leave of court. No other method of filing is permitted except as subdivision (c) or the Florida Courts Technology Standards provide.
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.
Case Management
Mandatory Disclosure in Family Cases — Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.285
Rule 12.285 (October 1, 2026 edition): in initial and supplemental proceedings, required documents must be served within 45 days of service of the initial pleading on the respondent; the financial affidavit requirement cannot be waived by the parties; each party subject to automatic mandatory disclosure files a certificate of compliance (Form 12.932); and parties have a continuing duty to supplement. The rule excludes listed proceedings, and except for child support guidelines worksheets any portion may be modified by court order or agreement of the parties.
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.
Service
Service Through the Portal and by E-mail — Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516
Rule 2.516 (July 1, 2026 edition): a document filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal must be served using the portal's e-service function, and service on each listed recipient is complete on filing; the filer must immediately serve, by any permitted means, any intended recipient the filer learns did not receive the document. An unrepresented party designates e-mail addresses for service on Form 2.602 unless an exception applies. An attorney who cannot be served at the signature-block e-mail address may be served at the attorney's official Florida Bar e-mail address. A certificate of service states the certification, the date, the persons served, their service addresses, and the method.
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.
E-Filing
Statewide AI-Era Certification: Every Signer Represents Cited Authorities Exist — Rule 2.515(d)(2)
Under rule 2.515(d)(2) as amended effective June 15, 2026, each signer of a Florida court filing represents that the signer has read the document, that there are good grounds to support it, that it is not interposed for delay, and that "the legal authorities identified exist and are accurately cited"; the court may impose sanctions after notice and an opportunity to be heard. The Court's 2026 commentary describes the amendment as a statewide, uniform replacement for circuit administrative orders that imposed disclosure and certification requirements about the use of artificial intelligence, and AOSC26-12 addresses the circuit- and judge-level requirements.
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.
Local Rules
Bankr. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3002-1 — Deadlines for Filing Proofs of Claim in Reinstated Cases and for Rejection Damages; Late-Filed Proofs of Claim; Service of Proofs of Claim on Pro Se Debtors
Bankr. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3002-1 — Deadlines for Filing Proofs of Claim in Reinstated Cases and for Rejection Damages; Late-Filed Proofs of Claim; Service of Proofs of Claim on Pro Se Debtors: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA (WITH AMENDMENTS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 15, 2025), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida alongside the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and any judge-specific procedures.
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.