# Florida Motion Types | Trellis

> Every motion type Trellis tracks in Florida Circuit Courts, with a link to each motion's page of outcomes, judge data and example rulings.

Last updated: 2026-10-26

## Administrative Motions

- [Notice of Appeal to Final Administrative Decision](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/final-administrative-decision-notice-appeal-florida-959): Fla.
- [Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandate](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/petition-for-writ-administrative-mandate-florida-960): Motion Type: Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandate for Florida.

## Arbitration Motions

- [Petition to Confirm Arbitration Award](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/petition-to-confirm-arbitration-award-florida-961): Ins. Co. (1988) 533 So.2d 279, 281; Soares Da Costa Construction Services, LLC v. Alta Mar Development, LLC (2012) 85 So. 3d 1172, 1174.)
- [Petition to Modify or Vacate Arbitration Award](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/petition-to-modify-vacate-arbitration-award-florida-962): Motion Type: Petition to Modify or Vacate Arbitration Award for Florida.

## Class Action Motions

- [Motion for Class Action Certification](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-class-action-certification-florida-963): Hosp.
- [Motion for Class Decertification](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-class-decertification-florida-964): Litig. (1995) 55 F.3d 768, 792 n. 14; Stott v. Haworth (1990) 916 F.2d 134, 139; Kuehner v. Heckler (1985) 778 F.2d 152, 163; Richardson v. Byrd (1983) 709 F.2d 1016, 1019.)
- [Understanding a Motion for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-final-approval-class-action-settlement-florida-965): In a settlement agreement, the trial court must review the agreement and assure itself that the agreement is “fair, reasonable, and adequate.” (Nelson v. Wakulla County (2008) 985 So. 2d 564, 570 citing § 23.161\[1\], Moore's Federal Practice; see also Barnhill v. Fla.
- [Understanding a Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Settlement](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-preliminary-approval-class-settlement-florida-966): In deciding whether to grant preliminary approval, some courts have also made a preliminary inquiry into whether the requirements of Fed.

## Damages Motions

- [Equitable Relief](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/equitable-relief-florida-969): Under modern pleading rules, equitable and legal causes of action may travel in the same complaint. (Weinstein v. Aisenberg (2000) 758 So. 2d 705, 710 citing e.g., Billian v. Mobil Corp. (1998) 710 So.2d 984, 991-92.)
- [Motion for Punitive / Exemplary Damages](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/punitive-exemplary-damages-florida-967): The Florida Supreme Court in Winn Lovett Grocery Co. v. Archer, 171 So. 214, 221 (Fla. 1936), defined exemplary or punitive damages as follows:.
- [Special Damages](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/special-damages-florida-968): The purpose of the special damages rule is to prevent surprise at trial. ((Land Title of Cen.

## Discovery Motions

- [Foreign Subpoena for Discovery](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/foreign-subpoena-for-discovery-florida-970): Motion Type: Foreign Subpoena for Discovery for Florida.
- [Motion for Order Compelling Deposition](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-order-compelling-deposition-florida-971): The rules governing discovery freely allow a party to obtain discovery by depositions. (Hepco Data, LLC v. Hepco Med., LLC (2020) 301 So. 3d 406, 410 citing Fla.
- [Motion for Protective Order](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-protective-order-florida-975): Motion Type: Motion for Protective Order for Florida.
- [Motion to Allow/Strike Late Expert Witness Submission](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-allow-strike-late-expert-witness-submission-florida-982): The disclosure of expert witness retained by the parties is regulated through the pretrial order and a failure to disclose or supplement in a timely manner may result in the exclusion of the expert, therir report or findings, and their testimony. (See, e.g., Myron ex Rel.
- [Motion to Compel Discovery Responses](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-compel-discovery-responses-florida-974): The rules governing discovery liberally allow for the production of records which are reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. (Amente v. Newman (1995) 653 So. 2d 1030, 1032 \[“The concept of relevancy is broader in the discovery context than in trial context”; citing Fla.
- [Motion to Compel Electronic Discovery](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-compel-electronic-discovery-florida-976): Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 1.350(a) provides in relevant part, \[a\]ny party may request any other party:.
- [Motion to Deem Facts Admitted](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-deem-facts-admitted-florida-978): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.370 governs requests for admissions.
- [Motion to Quash Service of Summons](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-quash-service-summons-florida-979): Mortg. & Inv.
- [Motion to Quash Subpoena](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-quash-subpoena-florida-981): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.280(c) generally authorizes a party to seek protection from a discovery request made to a non-party in an action where the items sought belong to the party. (Ross Dress for Less Virginia, Inc. v. Castro (2014) 134 So. 3d 511, 517 n.5; Engel v. Rigot (1983) 434 So. 2d 954, 957 \[“It is apodictic that one who is a party has no standing to object to a subpoena issued to a non-party witness unless that subpoena asks for documents in which the party claims some personal right or privilege or asks for documents in the party's possession.”\])

## Dispositive Motions

- [Complaint for Declaratory Relief](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/complaint-for-declaratory-relief-florida-989): Motion Type: Complaint for Declaratory Relief for Florida.
- [Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-judgment-on-pleadings-florida-983): If the bare pleadings reveal that there are no facts to be resolved by a trier of fact then the trial judge is authorized to enter a judgment based upon the uncontroverted facts appearing from the pleadings as applied to the applicable law.
- [Motion for Summary Judgment/Partial Summary Judgment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-summary-judgment-partial-summary-judgment-florida-986): Rule 1.510 (c) expressly states that judgment may be summarily entered “if the pleadings and summary judgment evidence on file show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” (James v. Pneuma Constr.
- [Motion to Compel Arbitration](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-compel-arbitration-florida-987): Motion Type: Motion to Compel Arbitration for Florida.
- [Motion to Dismiss for Forum Non Conveniens](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-dismiss-for-forum-non-conveniens-florida-988): A motion to dismiss tests whether the plaintiff has stated a cause of action. (Crocker v. Marks (2003) 856 So. 2d 1123.)
- [Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-dismiss-for-lack-personal-jurisdiction-florida-984): Motion Type: Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction for Florida.
- [Motion to Strike a Sham Pleading](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-strike-a-sham-pleading-florida-985): Under Rule 1.150 of the Fla.

## Elections and Election Law Motions

- [Motion for Declaratory Judgment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-declaratory-judgment-florida-2864): Motion Type: Motion for Declaratory Judgment for Florida.
- [Motion for Election Fraud](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-temporary-restraining-order-to-halt-counting-florida-2868): Motion Type: Motion for Election Fraud for Florida.
- [Motion for Election Injunction](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-election-injunction-florida-2860): Inst. (2022) 339 So. 3d 1070, 1073.)
- [Motion for Inspection of Ballots](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-inspection-ballots-florida-2866): Motion Type: Motion for Inspection of Ballots for Florida.
- [Motion for Post-Election Petition](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-emergency-election-temporary-restraining-order-florida-2861): Motion Type: Motion for Post-Election Petition for Florida.
- [Motion for Recount](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-recount-florida-2863): Motion Type: Motion for Recount for Florida.
- [Motion to Challenge Ballot Validity](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-challenge-ballot-validity-florida-2865): Our federal and state constitutions guarantee the right of the people to take an active part in the process of that government, which for most of our citizens means participation via the election process.
- [Motion to Reject Provisional Ballots](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-reject-provisional-ballots-florida-2867): Stat. § 101.048(2)(a); Florida v. United States (2012) 885 F. Supp. 2d 299, 345.)
- [Petition for Election Contest](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-election-contest-florida-2859): Motion Type: Petition for Election Contest for Florida.
- [Petition for Writ of Mandamus](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/petition-for-writ-mandamus-florida-2862): Motion Type: Petition for Writ of Mandamus for Florida.

## Evidentiary Motions

- [Motion for Attorneys’ Fees](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-attorneys-fees-florida-992): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.525 was adopted to set bright-line time requirements for motions for attorneys' fees and costs. (See Amendments to Fla.
- [Motion to Exclude Expert Testimony](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-exclude-expert-testimony-florida-990): Motion Type: Motion to Exclude Expert Testimony for Florida.
- [Motion to Tax Costs](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-tax-costs-florida-996): Dep't of Health Rehabilitative Servs. v. Crossdale (1991) 585 So. 2d 481, 483; Arellano v. Bisson (2000) 761 So. 2d 365, 366; see also Philip J. Padovano, Florida Civil Practice § 13.3, at 469 \[2007\] stating “Because the costs are an incident of the proceeding itself, there is no need to plead a claim for costs to preserve the right to recover at the time of the judgment.”\] ; First Prot.
- [Petition for Approval for Transfer of Structured Settlement Payment Rights](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/petition-for-approval-for-transfer-structured-settlement-payment-rights-florida-997): Motion Type: Petition for Approval for Transfer of Structured Settlement Payment Rights for Florida.

## Fees, Costs, and Sanctions Motions

- [Motion for Discovery Sanctions](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-discovery-sanctions-florida-972): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.380, entitled "Failure to Make Discovery; Sanctions," sets forth the procedures for a party to obtain an order compelling discovery and the sanctions available for a party's failure to comply with such an order. (Channel Components, Inc. v. America II Electronics, Inc. (2005) 915 So. 2d 1278, 1282.)
- [Motion for Fees and Costs as Sanctions](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/fees-costs-as-sanctions-florida-991): A court has inherent authority to order payment of attorney's fees and costs as a sanction for bad faith conduct of an attorney. (Parrish v. RL Regi Financial, LLC (2016) 194 So. 3d 571 citing Moakley v. Smallwood (2002) 826 So.2d 221, 224–25.)
- [Motion for Sanctions for Intentional Spoliation](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-sanctions-intentional-spoliation-florida-994): In cases involving negligent spoliation, courts prefer to utilize adverse evidentiary inferences and adverse presumptions during trial to address the lack of evidence.
- [Motion for Sanctions for Spoliation](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-sanctions-for-spoliation-florida-977): Motion Type: Motion for Sanctions for Spoliation for Florida.
- [Motion for Sanctions or Tort Claim for Negligent Spoliation](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-sanctions-tort-negligent-spoliation-florida-995): In cases involving negligent spoliation, courts prefer to utilize adverse evidentiary inferences and adverse presumptions during trial to address the lack of evidence.
- [Motion for Sanctions—General](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-sanctions-general-florida-993): In exercising this inherent authority, an appropriate balance must be struck between condemning as unprofessional or unethical litigation tactics undertaken solely for bad faith purposes, while ensuring that attorneys will not be deterred from pursuing lawful claims, issues, or defenses on behalf of their clients or from their obligation as an advocate to zealously assert the clients' interests.

## General Motions

- [Confession of Judgment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/confession-judgment-florida-1000): In Wollard v. Lloyd's Cos. of Lloyd's (1983) 439 So.2d 217, the Florida Supreme Court deemed an insurer's pre-trial settlement with the insured to be a ‘confession of judgment’ for purposes of section 627.428:.
- [Motion for an Order to Show Cause Re: Civil Contempt](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-an-order-to-show-cause-re-civil-contempt-florida-1001): While the purpose of a criminal contempt fine is to punish, fines for civil contempt are considered coercive or compensatory. (Parisi v. Broward County (2000) 769 So.2d 359, 363.)
- [Motion for Appointment of Receiver](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-appointment-receiver-florida-999): Bank of Am. (2010) 42 So.3d 285, 290.)
- [Motion for Domestication of Judgment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-domestication-judgment-florida-998): Motion Type: Motion for Domestication of Judgment for Florida.
- [Motion to Declare Plaintiff a Vexatious Litigant](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-declare-plaintiff-a-vexatious-litigant-florida-1002): The Florida Supreme Court has said:.
- [Motion to Disqualify an Attorney](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-disqualify-an-attorney-florida-1006): Motion Type: Motion to Disqualify an Attorney for Florida.
- [Motion to Reconsider](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-reconsider-florida-1004): Motion Type: Motion to Reconsider for Florida.
- [Motion to Recuse a Judge](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-recuse-a-judge-florida-1005): R. Jud.
- [Motion to Stay / Lift Stay](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-stay-lift-stay-florida-1003): It is well established that when a state and federal court have concurrent jurisdiction in a case involving the same parties and the same subject matter, a subsequently filed state court action should be stayed until final disposition of the previously filed federal action. (Harper v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. (2001) 802 So. 2d 505, 509 citing Wade v. Clower (1927) 94 Fla. 817; Schwartz v. DeLoach (1984) 453 So.2d 454.)
- [Motion to Vacate Default Judgment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-vacate-default-judgment-florida-1007): Motion Type: Motion to Vacate Default Judgment for Florida.
- [Notice of Removal](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/notice-removal-florida-1008): Removal to federal court and the effect of removal are governed by federal law. (Musa v. Wells Fargo Del.
- [Request for Judicial Notice](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/request-for-judicial-notice-florida-1009): Co. (2017) 226 So.3d 984, 989; Sayles v. Nationstar Mortg., LLC (2018) 268 So. 3d 723, 725-26.)
- [Stipulated Judgment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/stipulated-judgment-florida-1010): Motion Type: Stipulated Judgment for Florida.

## Post-trial Motions

- [Attorney Misconduct Motions](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/attorney-misconduct-motions-florida-1033): Generally, improper comments by counsel during closing argument may provide a ground on which a trial court may properly grant a motion for a new trial. (Mercury Ins. Co. of Fla. v. Moreta (2007) 957 So.2d 1242, 1250 citing Allison Transmission, Inc. v. J.R. Sailing, Inc. (2006) 926 So.2d 404, 407.)
- [Complaint or Motion for Malicious Prosecution](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/complaint-motion-for-malicious-prosecution-florida-1012): Real Estate & Inv.
- [General Verdict vs. Specific Verdict](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/general-verdict-vs-specific-verdict-florida-1037): Motion Type: General Verdict vs. Specific Verdict for Florida.
- [Motion for a Directed Verdict](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-a-directed-verdict-florida-1034): A directed verdict can only be affirmed “where no proper view of the evidence could sustain a verdict in favor of the nonmoving party.”
- [Motion for a New Trial](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-a-new-trial-florida-1013): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.530 provides for motions for new trial or motions for rehearing.
- [Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-judgment-notwithstanding-verdict-florida-1011): Motion Type: Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict for Florida.
- [Motion for Relief from Judgment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-relief-from-judgment-florida-1014): Motion Type: Motion for Relief from Judgment for Florida.
- [Motion to Enforce Settlement](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-enforce-settlement-florida-1015): When a trial court approves a settlement agreement by order and retains jurisdiction to enforce its terms, the trial court has the jurisdiction to enforce the terms of the settlement agreement. (Platinum Luxury Auctions, LLC v. Concierge Auctions (2017) LLC, 227 So. 3d 685, 688 citing Paulucci v. Gen. Dynamics Corp. (2003) 842 So.2d 797, 803; Sarhan v. H & H Inv'rs (2011) Inc., 88 So.3d 219, 220.)

## Pre-trial Motions

- [Complaint in Interpleader](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/complaint-in-interpleader-florida-1020): See Jax Ice Cold Storage Co. v. South Fla.
- [Complaint in Intervention](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/complaint-in-intervention-florida-1021): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.230 grants courts broad discretion when considering motions to intervene, and it provides as follows:.
- [Motion for Leave to Amend Complaint](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-leave-to-amend-complaint-florida-1024): On one hand, preparation and service of the initial complaint is largely within the plaintiff's control and only requires pro forma administrative or judicial involvement.
- [Motion for Preliminary Injunction](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-preliminary-injunction-florida-1016): Motion Type: Motion for Preliminary Injunction for Florida.
- [Motion for Temporary Restraining Order](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-temporary-restraining-order-florida-1018): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.610(a)(1) requires that a temporary restraining order can be granted without written or oral notice to the adverse party only if it appears that “immediate and irreparable injury . . . will result to the movant before the adverse party can be heard in opposition" and "the movant's attorney certifies in writing any efforts that have been made to give notice and the reasons why notice should not be required.” (Fhsaa v. Mander ex Rel.
- [Motion for Writ of Attachment](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-writ-attachment-florida-1017): Motion Type: Motion for Writ of Attachment for Florida.
- [Motion in Limine](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-in-limine-florida-973): A motion in limine is a pretrial motion, proffered when a litigant wishes to exclude evidence because the prejudicial effect of such evidence outweighed its probative value. (Porter v. Vista Building Maintenance Services (1993) 630 So.2d 205, 206 \[trial court erroneously denied the motion (in limine to prevent the defendant from introducing evidence concerning the plaintiff's previous alcohol abuse) because there was no dispute that the plaintiff was sober at the time of the injury and the prejudicial effect of the evidence outweighed its probative value.\])
- [Motion to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-be-admitted-pro-hac-vice-florida-1019): R. Jud.
- [Motion to Bifurcate](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-bifurcate-florida-1025): Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.270(b) governs the bifurcation of trials and permits “\[t\]he court in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice \[to\] order a separate trial of any claim ... or of any separate issue or of any number of claims ... or issues.” (Fla.
- [Motion to Compel Arbitration](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-compel-arbitration-florida-1026): Corp. (1996) 683 So.2d 661, 663.)
- [Motion to Consolidate/Join Cases](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-consolidate-join-cases-florida-1027): Motion Type: Motion to Consolidate/Join Cases for Florida.
- [Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Prosecute](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-dismiss-for-failure-to-prosecute-florida-1022): Motion Type: Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Prosecute for Florida.
- [Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-dismiss-for-failure-to-state-a-claim-florida-1023): A motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action may be granted only by looking exclusively at the pleading itself, without reference to any defensive pleadings or evidence in the case. (Ingalsbe v. Stewart Agency (2004) 869 So. 2d 30, 35; Pizzi v. Central Bank Trust Co. (1971) 250 So.2d 895 \[“In ruling on motion to dismiss, the court must confine itself to allegations of complaint and may not consider affirmative defenses which might absolve defendant of liability at motion for summary judgment or at trial.”\] ; Kest v. Nathanson (1968) 216 So.2d 233.)
- [Motion to Dissolve Lis Pendens](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-dissolve-lis-pendens-florida-1029): Motion Type: Motion to Dissolve Lis Pendens for Florida.
- [Motion to Dissolve Preliminary Injunction](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-dissolve-preliminary-injunction-florida-1028): Motion Type: Motion to Dissolve Preliminary Injunction for Florida.
- [Motion to Seal Court Records](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-seal-court-records-florida-1030): The test for sealing of court proceedings and records is set forth in Barron v. Florida Freedom Newspapers, Inc. (1988) 531 So.2d 113, 118.
- [Motion to Strike Pleadings](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-strike-pleadings-florida-980): A trial judge has a broad range of sanctions at his disposal to enforce the parties' compliance with court orders.
- [Motion to Transfer Venue](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-to-transfer-venue-florida-1031): Sols., Inc. (Fla.

## Trial Motions

- [Juror Misconduct Motions](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/juror-misconduct-motions-florida-1032): The purpose of voir dire is “to ascertain whether a cause for challenge exists, and to ascertain whether it is wise and expedient to exercise the right of peremptory challenge.” (Loftin v. Wilson (1953) 67 So.2d 185, 192 quoting Pearcy v. Michigan Mut.
- [Jury Instructions and Jury Questions](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/jury-instructions-jury-questions-florida-1038): Std.
- [Motion for Continuance of Trial](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-continuance-trial-florida-1036): Fla.
- [Motion for Mistrial](https://trellis.law/fl/motion-type/motion-for-mistrial-florida-1035): Trucking, Inc. v. Pennell (1993) 614 So. 2d 1083, 1085.)