What is a General Magistrate?
If you have a family law case in Florida, your matter may be referred to a general magistrate under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.490. But what is a general magistrate?
A general magistrate is simply an attorney appointed by the Court with the power to (i) conduct a hearing and (ii) make a recommendation to the judge on how a particular pleading or issue should be ruled on. General magistrates keep the keep the family law system moving by taking some of the load off of the judges’ busy schedules. In Hillsborough County, general magistrates are most commonly utilized in post-judgment cases (e.g., modification of a child support or alimony order).
If you have questions regarding a post-judgment or other family law matter and you are seeking to retain an attorney in Tampa Bay, you can schedule a consultation by calling The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at (813) 443-0615 or filling out our contact form.
As of me a general magistrates are judicial officers who assist the circuit judges by holding hearings and providing recommendations in the areas of family law, support enforcement, mental health, guardianship, substance abuse and juvenile dependency.