Recent changes to Florida’s proposed-order 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.
At Florida Landlord Network, we quickly revised our documents and procedures to maintain our fast, efficient eviction process. But our experience raises a serious concern: 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.
