Mata v. Mata

A general magistrate issued a report recommending that Angel R. Mata (“former husband”) pay $5,500 per month in temporary alimony to Nadyne Mata (“former wife”) and $733.14 per month in child support. On reviewing exceptions to the general magistrate’s report filed by the former husband, the trial court rejected the general magistrate’s recommendation.

“Once a trial court appoints a magistrate to take testimony and make findings, it loses the prerogative of substituting its, judgment for that of the magistrate.” Cerase v. Dewhurst, 935 So.2d 575, 578 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006). “In such instances, a…