HONORABLE RAY E. ULMER, JR.

Judicial Practice Preferences
Probate Sections

EX PARTE

Unless otherwise posted, Ex Parte hours will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am on a first come – first serve basis. Time allotted per matter is 5 minutes maximum.

ORDER TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS

These Orders are generated by a records auditing department in Clearwater. Please comply at your earliest convenience. If more time is required to obtain the information requested, please do an Order Extending Time as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST DAY TO FILE THESE DOCUMENTS.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

When an Order to Show Cause is issued, comply at the earliest possible time. Again, if you cannot meet the time requirements, please do an Order Extending Time and Canceling Order to Show Cause as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DATE BEFORE OR DAY OF THE HEARING TO FILE THESE DOCUMENTS.

CONTINUANCES

Hearing continuances may be arranged by stipulation of counsel. Judicial Assistant will remove from the Court calendar. A reset date will be added once agreed upon by all counsel.

DISCOVERY ISSUES

When discovery disputes occur, counsel must confer and make a good faith attempt to resolve them without a hearing. If a hearing must be held, it should be timely scheduled.

MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEM RESOLUTION

Will not discuss any aspect of the case without both counsel being present.

TRIAL

Non-jury trials will be set at a date mutually agreed upon by all counsel involved. In most contested cases, mediation will be required. A Pre-trial date will be set by the Judicial Assistant once a non-jury trial date has been selected.

COURTROOM ETIQUETTE

-Counsel should request permission to approach the bench.

-Counsel should be punctual.

-Counsel should at all times speak in a normal conversational tone.

-When making objections, counsel should state only the legal basis for the same. If legal argument on the objection is needed, counsel will be advised.