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General Magistrate Form

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Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Forms 12.920(a), 12.920(b), and 12.920(c)

When should these forms be used?

A general magistrate is an attorney appointed by a judge to take testimony and recommend decisions on certain matters connected with a divorce. These recommendations are then reviewed by the judge and are generally approved unless contrary to the law or the facts of the case.

Either party may request that their case, or portions of their case, be heard by a general magistrate by filing Motion for Referral to General Magistrate. You must also prepare an Order of Referral to General Magistrate to submit to the judge assigned to your case.

Once a general magistrate has been appointed to your case, the magistrate will assign a time and place for a hearing as soon as reasonably possible after the referral is made. If you are asked to send the notice of hearing, you will need to use the form entitled Notice of Hearing Before General Magistrate.

These forms should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where your case is filed and keep a copy for your records.

What should I do next?

If you are filing a Motion for Referral to General Magistrate, you need to send or deliver your motion directly to the judge assigned to your case, along with an Order of Referral to General Magistrate, and an addressed, stamped envelope for each party in the case.

The party who prepares any of these forms must file the original with the clerk of the circuit court. A copy of the motion must be served on any other party in your case.

Service must be in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516.

Where can I look for more information?

Before proceeding, you should read General Information for Self-Represented Litigants found at the beginning of these forms. For further information, see Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.490.

Special notes...

IMPORTANT: After the judge refers your case to a general magistrate, either party may object to the referral within 10 days of the date that the referral is made.

Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of Disclosure from Nonlawyer before he or she helps you.

Motion for Referral to General Magistrate

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No:

Division:

,

Petitioner,

and

,

Respondent.

MOTION FOR REFERRAL TO GENERAL MAGISTRATE

I, , request that the Court enter an order referring this case to a general magistrate.

The case should be referred to a general magistrate on the following issues:

I certify that a copy of this document was [check all used]:

to the person(s) listed below on .

Other party or his/her attorney:

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Fax Number:

Email Address(es):

__________________________________

Signature of Party or his/her attorney:

Printed Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Telephone Number:

Fax Number:

Email Address(es):

Florida Bar Number:

IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW:

This form was prepared for the:

This form was completed with the assistance of:

Name of individual:

Name of business:

Address:

City: State: Telephone Number:

Order of Referral to General Magistrate

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No:

Division:

,

Petitioner,

and

,

Respondent.

ORDER OF REFERRAL TO GENERAL MAGISTRATE

THIS CASE IS REFERRED TO THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE on the following issues:

1.

2.

3.

4.

AND ANY OTHER MATTER RELATED THERETO.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the above issues are referred to General Magistrate for further proceedings.

Counties within the State of Florida may have different rules. Please consult the clerk of the court, family law intake staff, or other applicable court personnel relating to this procedure.

A referral to a general magistrate requires the consent of all parties.

YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS MATTER HEARD BY A JUDGE.

If either party files a timely objection, this matter shall be returned to the undersigned judge with a notice stating the amount of time needed for hearing.

Review of the report and recommendations made by the general magistrate shall be by exceptions as provided in Rule 12.490(f).

You are advised that in this circuit:

a. electronic recording is provided by the court. A party may provide a court reporter at that party’s expense.

b. a court reporter is provided by the court.

Ordered on .

Circuit Judge

Copies to:

Petitioner (or his or her attorney)

Respondent (or his or her attorney)

General Magistrate

Notice of Hearing Before General Magistrate

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No:

Division:

,

Petitioner,

and

,

Respondent.

NOTICE OF HEARING BEFORE GENERAL MAGISTRATE

TO:

There will be a hearing before General Magistrate , on , at m., in Room of the Courthouse, on the following issues:

hour(s)/ minutes have been reserved for this hearing.

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance.

If the matter before the General Magistrate is a Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement, failure to appear at the hearing may result in the court issuing a writ of bodily attachment for your arrest.

You are hereby advised that in this circuit:

a. electronic recording is provided by the court. A party may provide a court reporter at that party’s expense.

b. a court reporter is provided by the court.

If you are represented by an attorney or plan to retain an attorney for this matter you should notify the attorney of this hearing.

If this matter is resolved, the moving party shall contact the General Magistrate’s Office to cancel this hearing.

I certify that a copy of this document was [check all used]:

to the person(s) listed below on .

Other party or his/her attorney:

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Fax Number:

Email Address(es):

Signature of Party or his/her Attorney

Printed Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Telephone Number:

Fax Number:

Email Address(es):

Florida Bar Number:

IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW:

This form was prepared for the:

This form was completed with the assistance of:

Name of individual:

Address:

City: State: Telephone Number:

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What the General Magistrate Form Is and When it Applies

The General Magistrate Form is a standardized court document used to present matters to a magistrate or to record a magistrate's recommendations, orders, or findings in civil and limited-jurisdiction proceedings. It typically captures the case caption, relevant facts, the relief requested or granted, and procedural history needed for court review. Courts use a variety of local templates; some courts require specific language or a cover page. The form serves as an official part of the record and may be incorporated into the docket when filed with the clerk.

Why a Clear, Complete General Magistrate Form Matters

A properly prepared form ensures the magistrate and court clerks can process the matter efficiently, reduces the risk of administrative rejection, and creates a clear record for appeal or further proceedings.

Why a Clear, Complete General Magistrate Form Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Submits This Form

The General Magistrate Form is prepared by parties, attorneys, and court staff to document hearings, recommendations, or procedural requests.

  • Attorneys and paralegals preparing findings, recommendations, or consent agreements for magistrate review in civil cases.
  • Court clerks and magistrates who record orders, hearing results, or recommended dispositions for judge consideration.
  • Self-represented litigants submitting limited-scope motions, status reports, or consent proposals to a magistrate.

Use the form that matches your court’s local rules and follow filing, service, and signature requirements to avoid processing delays.

Who Signs and Who Certifies the Form

Magistrate

A magistrate or judicial officer signs when issuing recommendations or orders; the signature is the official act of the officer and must match court protocols, including date and title.

Submitting Party

An attorney or self-represented litigant signs declarations, verification statements, or certificates of service; ensure the signer is authorized and the signature date aligns with filing and service dates.

Critical Fields Required on the General Magistrate Form

Case Number: Unique court identifier
Court Name: Tribunal name and division
Party Names: Plaintiff and defendant
Magistrate Title: Judge or magistrate name
Signature Date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Certificate of Service: Method and date

Consequences of Incomplete or Incorrect Forms

Rejection: Filing may be rejected
Delay: Proceedings postponed
Sanctions: Court may impose fines
Appeal Risk: Record gaps harm appeals
Service Defect: Invalid service may result
Privacy Breach: PHI exposure risk

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Using an incorrect case number or caption that does not match the court docket, which can cause misfiling or administrative rejection.
  • Leaving signature, date, or certificate of service fields blank; missing these items commonly triggers clerk rejection or the need to refile.
  • Submitting documents with redacted or missing party contact details; courts often require complete addresses for service and notice purposes.
  • Failing to follow local court form versions or instructions; many jurisdictions require a specific magistrate form and will not accept a generic template.

How Organizations Use the General Magistrate Form in Practice

Real-world examples show how clarity and secure delivery preserve the record and speed processing in both public and private organizations.

Tim Martin, Martin Properties

We used an online court form process to submit hearing reports quickly.

  • Reduced in-person filings by streamlining signatures and service.
  • Using a standardized form ensured the magistrate had complete facts and the county clerk accepted the submission without rework.

Dan Rotelli, BIS

Adopting secure e-delivery for magistrate recommendations improved compliance tracking.

  • Audit logs supported later review.
  • Maintaining cryptographically timestamped records and clear certificates of service helped defend the record during administrative reviews.

Step-by-Step: Completing the General Magistrate Form

Follow these steps in order to complete, verify, and submit a magistrate form so the clerk and tribunal accept it without delay.

  • 01
    Identify Case: Enter exact case number and court division.
  • 02
    Describe Issue: Summarize facts, relief sought, and legal basis.
  • 03
    Attach Evidence: Add exhibits and label each attachment clearly.
  • 04
    Sign and Date: Sign, date, and complete certificate of service.

Typical Filing and Routing Process

A clear workflow reduces friction for filing, service, and magistrate review across court and party systems.

  • Prepare Document: Complete form and attach exhibits.
  • Verify Signatures: Ensure authorized signatures and dates.
  • File with Clerk: Submit per court e-filing or in-person rules.
  • Serve Parties: Complete certificate of service and notify parties.

Four Elements That Make the Form Effective

Including these four elements helps ensure the magistrate can act on the submission and that the record is complete for later review.

Clear Caption

Use the exact court caption and case number; inconsistency causes processing delays and possible misfiling with the clerk.

Concise Statement

Present a brief factual summary and precise relief requested so the magistrate can evaluate the request without needing additional documents.

Exhibit Index

Number and label exhibits, and reference them in the text; a transparent exhibit list reduces clerk follow-up and speeds review.

Service Certificate

Record service method, recipients, and dates; courts require proof of service before acting on unopposed matters.

Anatomy of a Professional General Magistrate Form

A complete magistrate form includes sections for identification, factual summary, legal argument, requested action, signature, and filing information to be accepted by court clerks.

Case Caption

Full court name, case number, and parties as they appear on the docket; exact matches prevent misrouting and preserve link to the official case file.

Statement of Facts

A neutral, chronological summary of material facts limited to what the magistrate needs to decide the specific issue; avoid argument in the facts section.

Legal Basis

Reference statutes, rules, or authority supporting the requested relief, with brief citations to control the magistrate’s analysis.

Requested Relief

Precise description of the relief sought (e.g., recommended order, continuance, discovery directive) to avoid ambiguity in magistrate recommendations.

Signature Block

Name, title, firm or party, signature, date, and contact information for the signing party or attorney for the record and service.

Certificate of Service

Method of service, parties served, and date; include email addresses or delivery receipts when permitted by local rules.

Practical Tips for Efficient and Accurate Completion

Follow these best practices to reduce the risk of rejection, minimize court follow-up, and keep the administrative record clear.

Use the Court’s Official Form
Locate and use the magistrate form the court publishes. Courts commonly reject substituted or altered forms that omit required checkboxes or headings.
Confirm Local Rules
Verify filing and service rules, acceptable electronic formats, and any page or font-size requirements; local rules control administrative acceptance.
Keep Exhibits Manageable
Attach only relevant exhibits and paginate them; oversized or unindexed exhibit sets slow clerk review and may be returned for clarification.
Preserve an Audit Trail
Retain copies of filed PDFs, timestamps, proof of service, and signature records to support compliance and any later appeals or audits.

Key Milestones from Preparation to Magistrate Action

Track these milestones to ensure timely filing, service, and magistrate consideration of your submission.

01

Draft Complete

Form and exhibits prepared and reviewed before signature.

02

Service Performed

Certificate of service completed on the filing date or per local rule.

03

Clerk Acceptance

Clerk files the document and adds it to the docket.

04

Magistrate Action

Recommendation or order issued and recorded in the case file.

Typical Timing and Deadline Considerations

Deadlines vary by jurisdiction; confirm local rules for filing windows, response periods, and hearing scheduling to avoid forfeiture.

Filing Window:

Per local rule or assigned scheduling order

Response Period:

Varies; commonly 14–21 days

Hearing Notices:

Sent per court schedule and local deadline

Objections Deadline:

Follow court-prescribed objection timeline

Appeal Timing:

Appeal windows set by statute or rule

Digital Filing and eSignature Compatibility

Many courts accept electronically signed PDFs and e-filings; check local e-filing and e-signature rules before submitting electronic magistrate forms.

  • File Formats: PDF/A, PDF, DOCX supported
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger KBA
  • Integrations: E-filing and document systems

Use secure platforms that support audit trails, tamper-evident PDFs, and the authentication level required by the court; consult local clerk guidance for permitted submission channels.

Configuring an Online Workflow for Magistrate Forms

Set up an online workflow that enforces required fields, captures signature metadata, and produces a court-ready PDF with an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Case Caption Required field; auto-validate docket number
Signature Require signer name and date fields
Exhibit Attachment Allow PDF uploads and label mapping
Service Certificate Auto-generate with method and date

How a General Magistrate Form Differs from a Standard Court Motion

Compare features to choose the correct document type for your purpose and to match clerk expectations for processing.

Criteria General Magistrate Form Standard Court Motion
Primary Purpose record magistrate action request judicial relief
Typical Length short summary detailed argument
Required Exhibits yes, often yes, commonly
Timing Sensitivity procedural deadlines motion schedule

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Magistrate Form Workflows

Compare basic plan pricing and feature availability for common eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per vendor comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Free trial available Free trial available
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About the General Magistrate Form

Answers to common questions about form validity, e-signatures, notarization, corrections, and filing practices to reduce processing problems.


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