The Proposed Order Fiasco 

The proposed-order discussed in this article is a Proposed Final Judgment in an eviction case. Recent changes to the process have created administrative burdens for attorneys, their staff, and landlords representing themselves. The difficulty lies in navigating statewide changes accompanied by different county—and sometimes individual judge—requirements.

While, Florida Landlord Network was able to quickly revised documents and procedures to maintain a fast, efficient eviction process, how will independent landlords navigate these obstacles without the resources and experience available to FLN?

Work Once Done by the Court

In the eviction cases discussed here, the proposed order is the proposed Final Judgment awarding possession to the landlord. It becomes the court’s judgment after the judge approves and signs it.

In our experience, judges previously prepared these judgments themselves. Now, plaintiffs or their attorneys are expected to prepare them.

Preparing the judgment is manageable. The difficulty comes from satisfying technical requirements and determining how each court permits submission, often with little practical guidance.

Different Courts, Different Demands

In our work across Florida, we encounter different templates, formatting rules, supporting-document requirements, and submission methods. Some judges impose additional instructions.

A document accepted by one court may require revisions for another. Landlords must locate the applicable procedures and determine whether their assigned judge has separate demands.

The Fourth Judicial Circuit, for example, requires its template, a Word document, and a separate PDF combining the cover letter and corresponding motion. Special codes control placement of the judge’s electronic signature and date.

Hidden formatting, Word fields, text boxes, and document breaks can also interfere with processing. A judgment that looks correct may still fail technical requirements.

These instructions illustrate the complexity; they do not provide a universal checklist for every Florida court.

Rejected Without a Clear Explanation

A landlord following familiar submission procedures may receive a rejection stating only that the proposed order was submitted incorrectly, without identifying the defect or explaining the correction.

Obtaining clarification can be difficult. In our experience, judicial assistants often refer filers to Supreme Court orders or published procedures rather than explain the particular deficiency.

That leaves landlords working through trial and error: revise, resubmit, and hope. Meanwhile, their cases remain unresolved.

Electronic Filing—With Paper Delivery

Some courts restrict electronic submission of proposed orders by non-lawyers. Others will not accept email. Where neither route is available, a self-represented landlord must physically deliver the documents or mail them according to local instructions.

Delivery means travel, parking, and time away from work. Mailing adds transit time and uncertainty. Owners with property in another county face an even greater burden.

An electronic process offers limited convenience when the filer must print and deliver the paperwork.

Paul's Take

After more than 30 years working with landlords, I believe this process places an unreasonable administrative burden on independent owners.

Courts need reliable documents, and judges retain authority over their judgments. But filers need standard eviction templates, consistent technical requirements, and an accessible submission method for non-lawyers.

At a minimum, rejection notices should identify the specific deficiency and explain how to correct it.

FLN has adapted successfully. That does not make the process reasonable for everyone else.

A statewide requirement should come with a clear, workable statewide process—not a county-by-county, judge-by-judge exercise in trial and error.