General magistrates are widely utilized in Florida's trial courts to assist the judiciary in the effective and timely disposition of cases. They are appointed by the chief judge to hear cases and make findings of fact and recommendations in a General Magistrate's Report to judges in the Family, Circuit Civil, Unified Children's Court and Probate Divisions. Once the general magistrate has filed a report with the sitting judge, either party in the case may appeal by making exceptions to the general magistrate's findings and recommendations. If there are no exceptions to the report, the judge generally enters an order approving the decision of the general magistrate.