Rule 2.514. Computing and Extending Time

(a) Computing Time. The following rules apply in computing time periods specified in any rule of procedure, local rule, court order, or statute that does not specify a method of computing time.

(1) Period Stated in 7 Days or Longer. When the period is stated in days or a longer unit of time:

(A) begin counting from the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday;

(B) count every day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays that fall in between the first day counted and the last day counted; and

(C) include the last day of the period except if the last day is Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday, or falls within a time extended by order of the chief justice, then the last day will fall on the next day that is not Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday, or any period of time extended through an order of the chief justice.

(2) Period Stated in Days Less Than 7 Days. When the period stated in days is less than 7 days, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted.

(3) Period Stated in Hours. When the period is stated in hours:

(A) begin counting immediately on the occurrence of the event that triggers the period;

(B) count every hour, including hours during Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; and

(C) if the period would end on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, or during any period of time extended through an order of the chief justice, the period continues to run until the same time on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday and does not fall within any period of time extended through an order of the chief justice.

(4) "Last Day" Defined. Unless a different time is set by a statute, local rule, or court order, the last day ends :

(A) 11:59:59 p.m., eastern time for electronic filing or for service by any means; and

(B) when the clerk's office is scheduled to close for filing by other than electronic.

(5) "Next Day" Defined. The "next day" is determined by continuing to count forward when the period is measured after an event and backward when measured before an event.

(6) "Legal Holiday" Defined. "Legal holiday" means:

(A) the day set aside by section 110.117, Florida Statutes, for observing New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day, and

(B) any day observed as a holiday by the clerk's office or as designated by the chief justice or chief judge.

(b) Additional Time after Service by Mail. When a party may or must act within a specified time after service and service is made by only mail, 5 days are added after the period that would otherwise expire under subdivision (a).