Laura Shearon Cruz — Circuit Family FC 12

Laura Shearon Cruz

• Division: Circuit Family
• Section: FC 12
• Court Location: Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse
• Phone: (305) 349-5738
• Room: CHC 2128
• Judicial Assistant: Alexandra Raven

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*Updated as of January 2026*

Judicial Assistant: Alexandra Raven alraven@jud11.flcourts.org

Bailiff: Sautaire Olivier solivier@jud11.flcourts.org


Our division will be using re-occurring links for zoom hearings

ZOOM COURTROOM LINK:  https://zoom.us/j/99174234455

ZOOM ADOPTION/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTROOM
LINK:  https://zoom.us/s/92677674462

Court Procedures:

1. All trials and domestic violence hearings are set in-person. The Court will require other matters to be heard in-person on a case-by-case basis. If parties are seeking a Zoom hearing for matters that are typically held in-person, and both parties agree to a Zoom hearing, the parties shall request a Zoom hearing in writing to the Court’s judicial assistant. The Court will then determine whether to grant the request.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

2. All parties, including attorneys, the parties themselves, and pro se litigants must register at the Florida Court
E-Filing Portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/ .This is the only method for filing and receiving pleadings and court notices.  Florida Courts E-Filing Portal | File Court Documents Online

3. All parties must also register with the CourtMAP system to view their case and submit required evidence or additional documents.  

4. Important: In order to create a CourtMAP account, you must first register with the State of Florida’s E-Filing Portal for the case in which you are a self-represented litigant.

5. Hearings shall be completed in the time allotted. Parties appearing at hearings shall be prepared to present their entire matter within the time afforded by the Court. During the setting process, if the parties are unable to determine how long a hearing will take, the Court will set the length of the hearing. The parties will then tailor their presentations to fit within the hearing time.

6. Upon the filing of a motion with the Court, the party requesting the motion shall file a request for hearing within 30 days of the filing of the motion. Failure to request a hearing within 30 days after a filed motion may result in the motion being denied without prejudice.

7. Parties shall meet and confer prior to the filing of motions. In the event that a motion is required, the party filing the motions shall indicate that the parties met and conferred, and no resolution was reached or that the other party was unable to be contacted after due diligence.
Prior to any evidentiary hearing, the parties shall exchange witness lists and exhibits within 7 calendar days of the hearing. In the event of an emergency hearing, the parties shall exchange witness lists and exhibits within 24 hours.

8. The parties shall not argue with one another through the Court’s or judicial assistant’s inbox. In the event the parties have a conflict regarding the setting of a hearing or scheduling a matter, they may place the issue on the Court’s five-minute motion calendar. The Court will not tolerate parties arguing to the judicial assistant over substantive matters or scheduling matters through email communication. The Court reserves the right to sanction any party who violates this provision.

9. Pursuant to Florida Family Law Rule 12.285(b)(2), mandatory disclosure must be exchanged within 45 days of serving the initial pleading, accompanied by the filing of a certificate of compliance as required by Rule 12.285(j). This includes a financial affidavit. Parties seeking temporary financial relief must exchange disclosure pursuant to rule 12.285(b)(1).In the event this Court determines that Rule 12.285 has not been complied with, and the parties have not agreed in writing to an extension for the exchange of disclosure, this Court may issue an order show cause why the matter should not be dismissed or default entered against the non-compliant party, or both.

10. The parties and attorneys shall treat and communicate respectfully with one another. This includes communication outside the Court’s purview and when present in front of the Court.

INTERPRETERS / INTERPRETES

We do not provide interpreters for hearings. You MUSThire your own interpreter who is professionally trained to be an interpreter.

Spanish: Por favor tenga en cuenta que no se proporcionan intérpretes para las audiencias. Debe contratar a su propio intérprete, quien debe estar profesionalmente capacitado como intérprete.

The Court is providing certain documents that you may find useful in meeting the requirements for a dissolution or paternity case. The documents are below.

• Supervised Visitation Programs
• Affidavit of Custodian of Records
• Financial Affidavit Long Form
• Financial Affidavit Short Form
• Request for Hearing
• Blank Parenting Plan
• Division 12 PROCEDURES

 

Education:
*Bachelor of Arts, Tulane University
*Juris Doctorate, Tulane University

Professional Experience:
*Circuit Court Judge, 2019 – Present
*County Court Judge, 2018 – 2019
*Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, 2007 – 2010; 2015 – 2018
*Rothman & Associates, P.A. 2013 – 2014
*Wicker Smith, 2010 – 2012

Judge	Section	Room	Telephone
del Pino, Victoria	FC 38	CHC 2114	305-349-5726
Glick, D. Stacy	FC 02	CHC 1915	305-349-6110
Rodriguez-Fonts, Oscar	FC 07	CHC 2915	305-349-5681

Additional Instructions

 If the Judge deems the matter no to be an emergency, it will be set in the normal course. Some matters may be considered urgent, or time-sensitive, and receive hearing dates sooner than later. Emergency hearings will be held via ZOOM, unless otherwise requested and approved
Please do not email your Motion directly to the Judicial Assistant or Judge.

 Emergency Motions:  Must be uploaded via CourtMAP once filed and must contain a statement indicating that opposing counsel has been notified in an attempt to resolve the matter in an amicable manner.

If you are submitting an Emergency Motion

1. Your motion must contain a certification that the matter is a true Emergency and cannot wait to be heard during a motion calendar. 

2. You must be prepared to appear before the Court within one (1) hour of submission of the Emergency Motion to the Court. 

Once the emergency motion has been reviewed by the Court, the parties will receive: an email from CourtMAP with instructions, a notification from CourtMAP that a hearing has been set or a Court Order.

**Motions for Judicial Disqualification must be uploaded via the emergency option on CourtMAP. 

Go to courtMAP Motion Calendar Information

Type: Open

Notice Before Hearing: 7 Calendar Days

Files at Hearing: None

Day	Time	Cap	From	To
Tuesday	9:30 AM	20	04/01/2024	Ongoing
Thursday	9:30 AM	20	04/01/2024	Ongoing

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Additional Instructions

"5-MINUTE" MOTION CALENDAR - Meeting Zoom ID: https://zoom.us/j/99174234455

The 5-Minute Motion Calendar takes place on:

Tuesday mornings from 9:30 A.M. to 10:45 A.M

Wednesday mornings from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

This calendar is for NON-EVIDENTIARY matters only. Motions to Compel, Motions to Appoint GAL, Motions to Withdraw, Motions for Referral, and the like, are all proper for the 5-Minute Motion Calendar. The Court limits any one case to a total of 15 minutes (3 motions total).

Motion set on Motion Calendar, are to be set by the attorney or pro-set litigant.

Please note: DO NOT SET MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT/ENFORCEMENT ON THE 5-MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR. ALL MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT/ENFORCEMENT SHALL BE SPECIAL SET WITH THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT.

**Motions to Withdraw as Attorney of Record: Do not require a hearing provided there is consent. Simply submit proposed order via CourtMap.

Instructions for setting:

1.    On the E-FILING PORTAL, file the Motion with any exhibits. Include 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org on all filings.

2.    On the E-FILING PORTAL, E-SERVE the opposing side with your filing.
3.    On COURTMAP, coordinate with opposing party and select the date to have the motion heard. Once a date is agreed upon, you may set the hearing using the Motion Calendar slot.
Attach the motion, response, notice of hearing, and any supporting documents as "supporting documents." 

4. A Notice of Hearing must be filed for the 5-Minute Motion Calendar listing the motion and docket number entry (D.E. #) corresponding to the motion that has been set.

5. If a 5-Minute Motion is cancelled, a Notice of Cancellation must be filed and provided to the Judicial Assistant.

6. Unilaterally set hearings, without coordination from the opposing party, will be removed from the calendar unless approved by the Court. If you are seeking to schedule a hearing unilaterally, the request must be in writing to the Court with reasons as to why a unilateral setting is necessary.

Go to courtMAP Hearing Documents

• Order of Referral to Mediation

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Additional Instructions

All Non-Jury Trials will be IN PERSON unless instructed by the court.

Calendar Call will be through ZOOM COURTROOM LINK:  https://zoom.us/j/99174234455

Judge Laura Shearon Cruz's non-jury trials occur during a "trial week" towards the end of each month. Prior to the trial, approximately three weeks prior, Judge Laura Shearon Cruz will hold a "Calendar Call" for all cases scheduled for the trial week. Each case is given a certain date. Multiple trials may be given the same date in the event a case settles. Each case scheduled for non-jury trial will be placed on standby for 2 hours until the Judicial staff contacts you to advise if the hearing is moving forward.

Judge Laura Shearon Cruz may also schedule a non-jury trial outside the trial week if the calendar permits and the parties are available.

All notices of Trial will need a Case Management Conference before trial can be set. If you are an attorney you may set the case management on CourtMap. If you are a prose litigant, please call chambers to set the case management. 

All exhibits must be filed separately and listed ONE week prior to hearing. If not filed properly or as instructed the court will not accept or view the exhibits.

The Court's trial order is as follows:

NON-JURY TRIALS

PARTY MEETING:  No less than twenty (20) days prior to the trial, the attorneys/pro se litigants shall meet and communicate concerning settlement and all aspects of the trial.
PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE:  NO LESS THAN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIAL, EACH PARTY SHALL FILE A PRE-TRIAL CATALOGUE WITH THE CLERK AND FORWARD A COURTESY COPY TO THE COURT.

The Pre-trial Catalogue shall contain the following information:
THE MARRIAGE:
1. Date and place of marriage.
2. Date of separation.
3. A concise statement of the marital history.

THE CHILDREN:
1. A list of the names and ages of the children.
2. A statement in compliance with Sec. 61.522, Florida Statutes.
3. A statement concerning the current parenting plan.
4. A statement of whether the children are presently covered under any medical and/or dental insurance policy.
5. A statement of any special medical problems of any of the children.

PARENTING PLAN:  In all cases where any aspect of the parenting plan is at issue a statement of the client's claims or defenses, together with the factual and legal basis for the position.

CHILD SUPPORT:
The attorneys/pro se litigants are required to provide a completed CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINE WORKSHEET in support of his or her position regarding child support.
1. A statement of the amount of child support proposed.
2. A statement setting forth the specific factual and legal basis in support of the party's claim and/or defense for child support.

ALIMONY - SPECIAL RELIEF:In all cases where either party seeks alimony or other special relief a STATEMENT OF CLIENT'S CLAIM for alimony and/or special relief is required and shall state the nature of alimony claimed, whether lump sum, rehabilitative or permanent, together with the factual and legal basis therefore.

WITNESS LIST: The Pre-trial Catalogue shall contain a list of witnesses to be called at trial. This includes rebuttal and impeachment witnesses who, in the exercise of diligent pre-trial preparation, you should know might be called.  Expert witnesses shall be so specified.  Such list shall contain names, addresses and a brief statement of testimony to be offered.  Witnesses not listed will not be called at trial except for good cause shown.

EXPERT WITNESSES: ONLY ONE (1) EXPERT, PER SPECIALTY, PER SIDE, is permitted, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

EXHIBIT LIST: The Pre-trial Catalogue shall contain a list of all exhibits which may be used at trial.  Each exhibit must be shown to the opposing attorney/pro se litigant at least seven (7) days before trial. Exhibits not specifically listed may not be used at trial except for good cause shown. Prior to trial date, inquire whether you need to meet with the clerk to PRE-MARK EXHIBITS.

DIVISION OF ASSETS:  In all cases in which there is a disputed question as to division of any assets, real or personal, concurrently with the Pre-trial catalogue each party shall file a SCHEDULE OF ASSETS, signed by the party in affidavit form, setting forth each asset to which a disputed question exists or to the division thereof.  Said Schedule shall reflect: a description of the asset and non-marital assets (so identified); in whose name the title or ownership lies; the date of acquisition; the value at the time of acquisition; the value at time of filing of petition or, if another date is used, explain why another date is used; the present value thereof; the basis for any claim of unequal distribution thereto; and the basis for allowance of, (or any portion thereof,) of EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION; a list of suggested disposition of each asset. THE SCHEDULE MUST BE SWORN TO BY THE PARTY.

DIVISION OF DEBTS: In all cases in which there is a disputed question as to division of any debts, concurrently with the Pre-Trial catalogue each party shall file a Schedule of Debts, signed by the party in affidavit form, which shall reflect: a description of the marital debts and non-marital debts: in whose name the debt is in; the date debt was incurred; the amount of the debt when it was first incurred; the amount of the debt at the time of filing of the petition.  If another date is also used, explain why another date is also used and state the amount of the debts as of that date; the present amount of the debt; a list containing a suggested disposition of each debt and the basis for the suggested disposition. THE SCHEDULE MUST BE SWORN TO BY THE PARTY.

A SUMMARY OF ANY UNIQUE AREAS OF LAW OR FACTS TO BE ASSERTED.

STIPULATION: The attorneys/pro se litigants shall review testimony and stipulate to the admissibility, where appropriate, of all records and testimony which can be read into the record at final hearing.  A list of Admissions and Stipulation is to be included in the Pre-trial Catalogue.

FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT: A current, fully executed financial statement in accordance with Form 12.901(d) or (e) of the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure shall be attached to the Pre-trial Catalogue and exchanged with the attorneys/pro se litigants.

MEDIATION/PARENTING CLASS/SANDCASTLES PROGRAM: PRIOR TO THE TRIAL, the attorneys or the parties shall include a statement advising that the parties have scheduled a full mediation conference as to all issues (except in cases where there are domestic violence issues) and, if minor children are involved, completed the parenting class titled "Children of Divorcing Parents" and for children over six (6) years of age that they have completed the "Sandcastles" program, both of which are offered by Miami Dade Community College.

DISCOVERY: All discovery shall be completed ten (10) days prior to the date set for TRIAL and shall be allowed thereafter only upon agreement of the attorneys/pro se litigants or on a showing of good cause.

SETTLEMENT: The attorneys/pro se litigants shall immediately notify the Court in the event of settlement.

All cases must attend mediation prior to filing a Notice of Readiness for Trial.
Notice of Readiness shall include the specific issues to be tried by the court (e.g. timesharing, alimony, child support).
Notice of Readiness for Trial must be filed through the e-filing portal or with the Clerk’s office.

Please include 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org in the service list and contact chambers to schedule a hearing date.

Motions to continue the trial must include a signature from the client agreeing to the continuance. All motions to continue must be made 14 days prior to the trial date. The parties may file agreed motions to continue and agreed orders to continue trial and submit them through "Agreed Orders" on CourtMAP. Opposed Motion to Continue shall be set on the 5 Minute Motion Calendar.

All Non-Jury Trials shall be set through the Judicial Assistant. Please coordinate with the opposing party prior to setting the motion. Once the date is agreed, set the hearing through chambers. Be sure to include the motion and notice of hearing as supporting documents when setting the hearing.

If the hearing is to be cancelled, submit a Notice of Cancellation through the e-filing portal and through CourtMAP

Go to courtMAP Hearing Documents

• Order Granting Motion to Withdraw
• Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem
• Order of Referral to General Magistrate
• Order of Referral to Mediation

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Additional Instructions

ORDERS AND FINAL JUDGMENTS

The Court may request that proposed orders or final judgments be submitted. Please submit all proposed orders or final judgments via CourtMAP unless otherwise requested.

Order Granting Motion to Withdraw do not need a hearing if the client's written consent is attached to the Motion.  All orders granting a motion to withdraw must contain the complete contact information (phone, address, email)  of the client.

If they are agreed, it must say Agreed on the orders, otherwise they will be rejected.

Go to courtMAP Hearing Documents

• Request for Special Set Hearing-Cruz

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Additional Instructions

Special Set Hearings are held through Zoom or In Person

ZOOM COURTROOM LINK:  https://zoom.us/j/99174234455

IN PERSON COUTROOM: CHC 2128

**ALL EVIDENTIARY MATTERS ARE SET "IN-PERSON"**

*Special set hearings are not scheduled until they are approved by the Court.  If the submission is rejected, the moving party will receive a rejection notice from courtMAP which will detail the reason for the rejection (this rejection will also appear in the submitter's workbench/rejected folder).  The moving party must proceed to resubmit the entire submission to correct the issues detailed in the rejection. Once the Court has approved the submission, the parties will receive an email from courtMAP indicating same.  A notice of hearing will also be generated, e-filed, and served upon the parties via courtMap.  

ONCE A SPECIAL SET HEARING IS APPROVED: All responses, replies, etc. must be submitted via courtMAP at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing date.

*ADD-ON motions to special set hearings are not permitted.

Special Set Procedures: 

1. For Special Settings -Please submit a request for hearing with the motion via email to the Judicial Assistant at alraven@jud11.flcourts.org, after filing with the Clerk's office. All hearings should be set by the Judicial Assistant.

2. On the E-FILING EPORTAL, file the Motion and the Request for Hearing, with the Clerk's Office. Add 11thFC12@jud11.flcourts.org to the courtesy copy email list.  

3. Once the date has been selected, please be sure to add your case to the calendar and attach as supporting documents the filed Motion and Request for Hearing (with an e-file stamp). Any settings that do not include the motion and request for hearing with the e-file stamp will be rejected. Any settings that do not have any supporting documents will be rejected.

5. Once a date has been accepted by the JA, you will receive a notice of hearing generated and sent by CourtMAP that will serve as confirmation that your hearing is set.

6. PLEASE DO NOT NOTICE YOUR HEARINGS UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT THE HEARING IS SET. IF THE OPPOSING PARTY IS NOT REGISTERED FOR COURTMAP YOU MUST GENERATE YOUR OWN NOTICE WITH AN APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND MAIL IT TO THE OPPOSING PARTY.

IMPORTANT: If you reach a resolution after a hearing has been scheduled, the party that requested the hearing must, IMMEDIATELY UPON REACHING A RESOLUTION, file a Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk or thru E-Portal AND EMAIL CHAMBERS to remove the matter from calendar. Please note that the Court requires at least 24 hours advance notice of cancellation.

Go to courtMAP UCD Calendar Information

Type: Closed

Notice Before Hearing: 7 Calendar Days

Files at Hearing: None

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Hearing Documents

• INCOME WITHHOLDING FOR SUPPORT ORDER
• UCD Affidavit
• Remote Paternity Affidavit
• Father Only Acknowledgment of Paternity
• Mother and Father Acknowledgement of Paternity
• Income Withholding for Support Order

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Additional Instructions

UCD/RUCD ("Uncontested Divorce/Remote Uncontested Divorce") CALENDAR 

Uncontested for Attorneys: Wednesdays at 1:30pm

Uncontested for Pro-Se Litigants: Wednesday 1:45pm

This setting is for uncontested divorces, default motions, and name changes ONLY. This means you are not required to be present when the final judgment is entered.

Please note: The final judgments will be sign without a Zoom hearing and you will not receive a Zoom invite

 
To request a UCD/RUCD please follow the steps below.

Be sure to attach the following supporting documents with an e-file stamp:

1. Prior to requesting a RUCD, the following documents must be submitted to the Court through CourtMAP:
a. Petition or Counter Petition
b. Answer or Answer & Waiver
c. Marital Settlement Agreement and/or Parenting Plan, if necessary.
d. If the Petition has been defaulted, file the Order of Default
e. UCCJEA Affidavit if there are children
f. Financial Affidavits, if required by the rules.
g. A copy of the Petitioner’s and/or Counter Petitioner’s valid Driver’s License, Florida State ID, or Voter’s Registration Card (must be current)
h. Supplemental Affidavit for UCD/RUCD

 Attorneys: You must send a proposed Final Judgment through "Proposed Orders" on CourtMAP with all attachments. You will not have to appear in Court. 

Self-Represented Individuals: You will not have to appear in Court. The Court will prepare a final judgment and send it to you automatically via CourtMAP.

4. All requests for a RUCD will be reviewed.

5. If all of the necessary documentation is not submitted, the request for a remote UCD will be rejected, and you will be notified as to the missing information so you can re-submit.

6. If you do not wish to file a driver’s license in the court file, the case may be set on calendar and the driver’s license attached as a supporting document to the calendared event. (No hearing will take place).

7. For Paternity cases, the Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavits are provided here for your convenience.

Go to courtMAP

Documents and forms this judge posts

• Supervised Visitation Programs
• Affidavit of Custodian of Records
• Financial Affidavit Long Form
• Financial Affidavit Short Form
• Request for Hearing
• Blank Parenting Plan
• Division 12 PROCEDURES
• Order of Referral to Mediation
• Order Granting Motion to Withdraw
• Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem
• Order of Referral to General Magistrate
• Order of Referral to Mediation
• Request for Special Set Hearing-Cruz
• INCOME WITHHOLDING FOR SUPPORT ORDER
• UCD Affidavit
• Remote Paternity Affidavit
• Father Only Acknowledgment of Paternity
• Mother and Father Acknowledgement of Paternity
• Income Withholding for Support Order