30-Minute Zoom Line; Unpermitted Zoom Evidentiary Hearings Get Cancelled — Family C
Summary
Judge DePaul's matrix: non-evidentiary ≤30 minutes on Zoom (pro se CMCs in person); evidentiary or >30 minutes in person, with evidentiary set at 60 minutes; Zoom-noticed evidentiary hearings without permission may be cancelled; phone appearances risk rescheduling.
Applies to
Florida > Thirteenth Judicial Circuit > Hillsborough County > Family Division C (Judge Wendy J. DePaul)
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"Any hearings scheduled for thirty (30) minutes or less and are non-evidentiary shall occur by Zoom, with the exception of pro se Case Management Conferences (CMCs) which are held in person." / "Evidentiary hearings scheduled by Zoom without court permission may be cancelled by the court." / "All motions will need to be typed (no handwritten motions)"
- Official source
- 13th Cir. — Judge DePaul (Fam C) Procedures & Preferences
- Source health
- Healthy · checked July 7, 2026
- Effective date
- —
- Last verified
- July 5, 2026Live fetch 2026-07-05; dual-researcher dossier, Fable 5 hash-verified
Reviewer note: Cross-model verified 2026-07-05. 30-day recheck scheduled.
Change history
- July 7, 2026Monitor: content changed at 13th Cir. — Judge DePaul (Fam C) Procedures & Preferences. Review before republishing dependent rules.
Related rules
Hearings ≤30 Minutes Default to Zoom; Telephonic Allowed Absent Objection — Division CV-A
Most hearings set for 30 minutes or less are conducted by Zoom in CV-A; the setting order/notice prevails. Telephonic appearance is allowed if opposing counsel doesn't object — request it when scheduling.
Hybrid Zoom by Party Agreement; Notice Must Name Hearing Room 701 — Division CV-B
In CV-B the parties agree whether attendance is Zoom or in person; hybrid is permitted, and the Notice of Hearing must state Hearing Room 701 with the division's published Zoom ID (275-150-7351).
Zoom Is a Privilege; Remote TESTIMONY Requires Written Motion and Leave — Division CV-C
In CV-C, appearing by Zoom is a privilege (log in five minutes early; Court hosts); presenting testimony remotely — any hearing or non-jury trial, any length — requires a written motion showing good cause under Rule 2.530(b)(2).
Trials & Special Sets Over 15 Minutes Are In Person — Division AF
Judge Bell holds all trials and special-set hearings over 15 minutes in person; Zoom appearances must be on camera — no phone.