The Florida Senate

733.101  Venue of probate proceedings.

733.103  Effect of probate.

733.104  Suspension of statutes of limitation in favor of the personal representative.

733.105  Determination of beneficiaries.

733.106  Costs and attorney fees.

733.107  Burden of proof in contests.

733.109  Revocation of probate.

733.101  Venue of probate proceedings.--

(1)  The venue of probate of all wills and granting of letters shall be:

(a)  In the county in this state where the decedent had his or her domicile.

(b)  If the decedent had no domicile in this state, then in any county where the decedent was possessed of any property.

(c)  If the decedent had no domicile in this state and possessed no property in this state, then in the county where any debtor of the decedent resides.

(2)  For the purpose of this section, a married woman whose husband is an alien or a nonresident of Florida may establish or designate a separate domicile in this state.

(3)  When any proceeding is filed laying venue in the wrong county, the court may transfer the action in the same manner as provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Any action taken by the court or the parties before the transfer is not affected because of the improper venue.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 46, ch. 75-220; s. 981, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.06.

733.103  Effect of probate.--

(1)  Until admitted to probate in this state or in the state where the decedent was domiciled, the will shall be ineffective to prove title to, or the right to possession of, property of the testator.

(2)  In any collateral action or proceeding relating to devised property, the probate of a will in Florida shall be conclusive of its due execution; that it was executed by a competent testator, free of fraud, duress, mistake, and undue influence; and of the fact that the will was unrevoked on the testator's death.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 48, ch. 75-220; s. 17, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.26.

733.104  Suspension of statutes of limitation in favor of the personal representative.--

(1)  If a person entitled to bring an action dies before the expiration of the time limited for the commencement of the action and the cause of action survives, the action may be commenced by his or her personal representative after the expiration and within 12 months from the date of the decedent's death.

(2)  If a person against whom a cause of action exists dies before the expiration of the time limited for commencement of the action and the cause of action survives, claim shall be filed on the cause of action, and it shall then proceed as other claims against the estate, notwithstanding the expiration of the time limited for commencement of the action.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 48, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 982, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.27.

733.105  Determination of beneficiaries.--

(1)  When property passes by intestate succession or under a will to a person not sufficiently identified in the will and the personal representative is in doubt about:

(a)  Who is entitled to receive it or part of it, or

(b)  The shares and amounts that any person is entitled to receive,

the personal representative may file a petition setting forth the names, residences, and post office addresses of all persons in interest, except creditors of the decedent, so far as known or ascertainable by diligent search and inquiry, and the nature of their respective interests, designating those who are believed by the personal representative to be minors or incompetents and stating whether those so designated are under legal guardianship in this state. If the personal representative believes that there are, or may be, persons whose names are not known to him or her who have claims against, or interest in, the estate as heirs or devisees, the petition shall so state.

(2)  After formal notice and hearing, the court shall enter an order determining the heirs or devisees or the shares and amounts they are entitled to receive, or both. Any personal representative who makes distribution or takes any other action pursuant to the order shall be fully protected.

(3)  When it is necessary to determine who are or were the heirs or devisees, the court may make a determination, on the petition of any interested person, in like proceedings and after formal notice, irrespective of whether the estate of the deceased person is administered or, if administered, whether the administration of the estate has been closed or the personal representative discharged. A separate civil action may be brought under this subsection when an estate is not being administered.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 48, ch. 75-220; s. 226, ch. 77-104; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 983, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.25.

733.106  Costs and attorney fees.--

(1)  In all probate proceedings costs may be awarded as in chancery actions.

(2)  A person nominated as personal representative of the last known will, or any proponent of the will if the person so nominated does not act within a reasonable time, if in good faith justified in offering the will in due form for probate, shall receive his or her costs and attorney fees out of the estate even though he or she is unsuccessful.

(3)  Any attorney who has rendered services to an estate may apply for an order awarding attorney fees, and after informal notice to the personal representative and all persons bearing the impact of the payment the court shall enter its order on the petition.

(4)  When costs and attorney fees are to be paid out of the estate, the court may, in its discretion, direct from what part of the estate they shall be paid.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 49, ch. 75-220; s. 984, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.14.

733.107  Burden of proof in contests.--In all proceedings contesting the validity of a will, the burden shall be upon the proponent of the will to establish prima facie its formal execution and attestation. Thereafter, the contestant shall have the burden of establishing the grounds on which the probate of the will is opposed or revocation sought.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 50, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.31.

733.109  Revocation of probate.--

(1)  Any interested person, including a beneficiary under a prior will, except those barred under s. 733.212 or s. 733.2123, may, before final discharge of the personal representative, petition the court in which the will was admitted to probate for revocation of probate.

(a)  The petition shall state the interest of the petitioner and the grounds for revocation.

(b)  The petition shall be served upon the personal representative and all interested persons by formal notice, and thereafter proceedings shall be conducted as an adversary proceeding under the rules of civil procedure.

(2)  Pending the determination of any petition for revocation of probate, the personal representative shall proceed with the administration of the estate as if no revocation proceeding had been commenced, except that no distribution may be made to devisees in contravention of the rights of those who, but for the will, would be entitled to the property disposed of.

(3)  Revocation of probate of a will shall not affect or impair the title to the property theretofore purchased in good faith for value from the personal representative.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 50, ch. 75-220; s. 18, ch. 77-87; s. 227, ch. 77-104.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.30.

733.201  Proof of wills.

733.202  Petition.

733.203  Notice; when required.

733.204  Probate of a will written in a foreign language.

733.205  Probate of notarial will.

733.206  Probate of will of resident after foreign probate.

733.207  Establishment and probate of lost or destroyed will.

733.208  Discovery of later will.

733.209  Estates of missing persons.

733.212  Notice of administration; filing of objections and claims.

733.2123  Adjudication before issuance of letters.

733.213  Probate as prerequisite to petition for construction of will.

733.201  Proof of wills.--

(1)  Self-proved wills executed in accordance with this code may be admitted to probate without further proof.

(2)  A will may be admitted to probate upon the oath of any attesting witness taken before any circuit judge, commissioner appointed by the court, or clerk.

(3)  If it appears to the court that the attesting witnesses cannot be found or that they have become incompetent after the execution of the will or their testimony cannot be obtained within a reasonable time, a will may be admitted to probate upon the oath of the personal representative nominated by the will as provided in subsection (2), whether or not he or she is interested in the estate, or of any person having no interest in the estate under the will, that he or she believes the writing exhibited to be the true last will of the decedent.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 51, ch. 75-220; s. 985, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.24.

733.202  Petition.--

(1)  A verified petition for administration may be filed by any interested person.

(2)  The petition for administration shall contain:

(a)  A statement of the interest of the petitioner, the petitioner's name and address, and the name and office address of his or her attorney.

(b)  The name, last known address, social security number, and date and place of death of the decedent and the state and county of the decedent's domicile.

(c)  So far as is known, the names and addresses of the beneficiaries and the dates of birth of any who are minors.

(d)  A statement showing venue.

(e)  The priority under part III of the person whose appointment as the personal representative is sought.

(f)  A statement of the approximate value and nature of the assets so the clerk can ascertain the amount of the filing fee and the court can determine the amount of any bond authorized by this code.

(3)  If the decedent was a nonresident of this state, the petition shall state whether domiciliary proceedings are pending in another state or country, if known, and, if so, the name and address of the foreign personal representative and the court issuing letters.

(4)  In an intestate estate, the petition shall:

(a)  State that after the exercise of reasonable diligence the petitioner is unaware of any unrevoked wills or codicils or, if the petitioner is aware of any unrevoked wills or codicils, why the wills or codicils are not being probated, or

(b)  Otherwise give the facts concerning the will or codicil.

(5)  In a testate estate, the petition shall:

(a)  Identify all unrevoked wills and codicils being presented for probate.

(b)  State that the petitioner is unaware of any other unrevoked will or codicil or, if the petitioner is aware of any other unrevoked will or codicil, why the other will or codicil is not being probated.

(c)  State that the original of the decedent's last will is in the possession of the court or accompanies the petition or that an authenticated copy of a will probated in another jurisdiction accompanies the petition.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 52, ch. 75-220; s. 19, ch. 77-87; s. 19, ch. 92-200; s. 986, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.43.

733.203  Notice; when required.--

(1)  If a caveat has been filed by an heir or a devisee under a will other than that being offered for probate, the procedure provided for in s. 733.2123 shall be followed.

(2)  Except as may otherwise be provided in this part, no notice need be given of the petition for administration or of the order granting letters when it appears that the petitioner is entitled to preference of appointment. Before letters shall be granted to any person who is not entitled to preference, formal notice shall be served on all known persons qualified to act as personal representative and entitled to preference equal to or greater than the applicant, unless those entitled to preference waive it in writing.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 53, ch. 75-220; s. 20, ch. 77-87; s. 227, ch. 77-104.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.69.

733.204  Probate of a will written in a foreign language.--

(1)  No will written in a foreign language shall be admitted to probate unless it is accompanied by a true and complete English translation.

(2)  In admitting the will to probate, the court shall establish its correct English translation. If the original will is not or cannot be filed, a photographic copy of the original will shall be filed. At any time during the administration any interested person may have the correctness of the translation, or any part, redetermined after formal notice to all other interested persons. No personal representative who complies in good faith with the English translation of the will as may then be established by the court shall thereafter be held liable as a result of having done so.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 54, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 77-174.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.34.

733.205  Probate of notarial will.--

(1)  When a copy of a notarial will in the possession of a notary entitled to its custody in a foreign state or country, the laws of which state or country require that the will remain in the custody of such notary, duly authenticated by the notary, whose official position, signature, and seal of office are further authenticated by an American consul, vice consul, or other American consular officer within whose jurisdiction the notary is a resident, is presented to the court, it may be admitted to probate if the original could have been admitted to probate in this state.

(2)  The duly authenticated copy shall be prima facie evidence of its purported execution and of the facts stated in the certificate in compliance with subsection (1).

(3)  Any interested person notified may oppose the probate of such notarial will or may petition for revocation of probate of such notarial will, as in the case of original probate of a will in this state.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 55, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.37.

733.206  Probate of will of resident after foreign probate.--

(1)  If a will of any person who dies a resident of this state is admitted to probate in any other state or country through inadvertence, error, or omission before probate in this state, the will may be admitted to probate in this state if the original could have been admitted to probate in this state.

(2)  An authenticated copy of the will, foreign proof of the will, the foreign order of probate, and any letters issued shall be filed instead of the original will and shall be prima facie evidence of its execution and admission to foreign probate.

(3)  Any interested person may oppose the probate of the will, or may petition for revocation of the probate of the will, as in the case of the original probate of a will in this state.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 56, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.35.

733.207  Establishment and probate of lost or destroyed will.--

(1)  The establishment and probate of a lost or destroyed will shall be in one proceeding. The court shall recite, and thereby establish and preserve, the full and precise terms and provisions of the will in the order admitting it to probate.

(2)  The petition for probate of a lost or destroyed will shall contain a copy of the will or its substance. The testimony of each witness must be reduced to writing and filed and shall be evidence in any contest of the will if the witness has died or moved from the state.

(3)  No lost or destroyed will shall be admitted to probate unless formal notice has been given to those who, but for the will, would be entitled to the property thereby devised. The content of the will must be clearly and distinctly proved by the testimony of two disinterested witnesses, or, if a correct copy is provided, it shall be proved by one disinterested witness.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 57, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.27.

733.208  Discovery of later will.--On the discovery of a later will or codicil expressly or impliedly revoking the probated will in whole or in part, pending or during administration, any interested person may offer the later will for probate. The proceedings shall be similar to those for revocation of probate. No later will or codicil may be offered after the closing of the estate.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 58, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.32.

733.209  Estates of missing persons.--The estates of missing persons shall be administered in the same manner as other estates. A petition for administration of the estate shall request entry of an order declaring the death of a missing person prior to appointing a personal representative and commencing administration.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.53.

733.212  Notice of administration; filing of objections and claims.--

(1)  The personal representative shall promptly publish a notice of administration. The notice shall contain the name of the decedent, the file number of the estate, the designation and address of the court in which the proceedings are pending, the name and address of the personal representative, and the name and address of the personal representative's attorney and state the date of first publication. The notice shall require all interested persons to file with the court:

(a)  All claims against the estate within the time periods set forth in s. 733.702, or be forever barred.

(b)  Any objection by an interested person on whom notice was served that challenges the validity of the will, the qualifications of the personal representative, venue, or jurisdiction of the court within the later of 3 months after the date of the first publication of the notice or 30 days after the date of service of a copy of the notice on the objecting person.

(2)  Publication shall be once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, two publications being sufficient, in a newspaper published in the county where the estate is administered or, if there is no newspaper published in the county, in a newspaper of general circulation in that county.

(3)  The personal representative shall serve a copy of the notice on the following persons who are known to the personal representative:

(a)  The decedent's surviving spouse;

(b)  Beneficiaries; and

(c)  The trustee of any trust described in s. 733.707(3), of which the decedent was grantor

in the manner provided for service of formal notice, unless served under s. 733.2123. The personal representative may similarly serve a copy of the notice on any devisees under a known prior will or heirs.

(4)(a)  The personal representative shall promptly make a diligent search to determine the names and addresses of creditors of the decedent who are reasonably ascertainable and shall serve on those creditors a copy of the notice within 3 months after the first publication of the notice. Under s. 409.9101, the Agency for Health Care Administration is considered a reasonably ascertainable creditor in instances where the decedent had received Medicaid assistance for medical care after reaching 55 years of age. Impracticable and extended searches are not required. Service is not required on any creditor who has filed a claim as provided in this part; a creditor whose claim has been paid in full; or a creditor whose claim is listed in a personal representative's timely proof of claim if the personal representative notified the creditor of that listing.

(b)  The personal representative is not individually liable to any person for giving notice under this subsection, regardless of whether it is later determined that such notice was not required by this section. The service of notice in accordance with this subsection shall not be construed as admitting the validity or enforceability of a claim.

(c)  If the personal representative in good faith fails to give notice required by this subsection, the personal representative is not liable to any person for the failure. Liability, if any, for the failure in such a case is on the estate.

(5)  Objections under paragraph (1)(b), by persons on whom notice was served, that are not filed within the later of 3 months after the date of first publication of the notice or 30 days after the date of service of a copy of the notice on the objecting person are forever barred.

(6)  Claims under paragraph (1)(a) are barred as provided in s. 733.702.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 60, ch. 75-220; s. 227, ch. 77-104; s. 3, ch. 88-340; s. 2, ch. 89-340; s. 2, ch. 90-23; s. 8, ch. 93-257; s. 7, ch. 95-401; s. 191, ch. 99-397.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.28.

733.2123  Adjudication before issuance of letters.--A petitioner may serve formal notice of his or her petition for administration on interested persons. A copy of the will proposed to be admitted to probate shall be attached to the notice. No person who is served with formal notice of the petition for administration prior to the issuance of letters or who has waived notice may challenge the validity of the will, testacy of the decedent, qualifications of the personal representative, venue, or jurisdiction of the court, except in connection with the proceedings before issuance of letters.

History.--s. 60, ch. 75-220; s. 2, ch. 81-27; s. 987, ch. 97-102.

733.213  Probate as prerequisite to petition for construction of will.--No pleading seeking construction of a will may be maintained until the will has first been probated.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 61, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.42.

733.301  Preference in appointment of personal representative.

733.302  Who may be appointed personal representative.

733.303  Persons not qualified.

733.304  Nonresidents.

733.305  Trust companies and other corporations and associations.

733.306  Effect of appointment of debtor.

733.307  Succession of administration.

733.308  Administrator ad litem.

733.309  Executor de son tort.

733.301  Preference in appointment of personal representative.--In the granting of letters, the following preferences shall be observed:

(1)  In testate estates:

(a)  The personal representative, or his or her successor, nominated by the will or pursuant to a power conferred in the will.

(b)  The person selected by a majority in interest of the persons entitled to the estate.

(c)  A devisee under the will. If more than one devisee applies, the court may exercise its discretion in selecting the one best qualified.

(2)  In intestate estates:

(a)  The surviving spouse.

(b)  The person selected by a majority in interest of the heirs.

(c)  The heir nearest in degree. If more than one applies, the court may exercise its discretion in selecting the one best qualified for the office.

(3)  A guardian of the property of a ward who if competent would be entitled to appointment as, or to select, a personal representative may exercise the right to select the personal representative.

(4)  In either a testate or an intestate estate, if no application is made by any of the persons named in subsection (1) or subsection (2), the court shall appoint a capable person; but no person may be appointed under this subsection:

(a)  Who works for, or holds public office under, the court.

(b)  Who is employed by, or holds office under, any judge exercising probate jurisdiction.

(5)  After letters have been granted in either a testate or an intestate estate, if a person who was entitled to, and has not waived, preference over the person appointed at the time of his or her appointment and on whom formal notice was not served seeks the appointment, the letters granted may be revoked and the person entitled to preference may have letters granted to him or her after formal notice and hearing.

(6)  After letters have been granted in either a testate or an intestate estate, if any will is subsequently admitted to probate the letters shall be revoked and new letters granted as provided in subsection (1).

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 62, ch. 75-220; s. 21, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 988, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.44.

733.302  Who may be appointed personal representative.--Subject to the limitations in this part, any person sui juris who is a resident of Florida at the time of the death of the person whose estate he or she seeks to administer is qualified to act as personal representative in Florida. A person who has been convicted of a felony or who, from sickness, intemperance, or want of understanding, is incompetent to discharge the duties of a personal representative is not qualified.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 63, ch. 75-220; s. 5, ch. 79-343; s. 989, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.45.

733.303  Persons not qualified.--

(1)  A person is not qualified to act as a personal representative if the person:

(a)  Has been convicted of a felony.

(b)  Is mentally or physically unable to perform the duties.

(c)  Is under the age of 18 years.

(2)  If the person named as personal representative in the will is not qualified, letters shall be granted as provided in s. 733.301.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 63, ch. 75-220; s. 22, ch. 77-87; s. 990, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.46.

733.304  Nonresidents.--A person who is not domiciled in the state cannot qualify as personal representative unless the person is:

(1)  A legally adopted child or adoptive parent of the decedent;

(2)  Related by lineal consanguinity to the decedent;

(3)  A spouse or a brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the decedent, or someone related by lineal consanguinity to any such person; or

(4)  The spouse of a person otherwise qualified under this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 63, ch. 75-220; s. 6, ch. 79-343.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.47.

733.305  Trust companies and other corporations and associations.--

(1)  All trust companies incorporated under the laws of the state, all state banking corporations and state savings associations authorized and qualified to exercise fiduciary powers in Florida, and all national banking associations and federal savings and loan associations authorized and qualified to exercise fiduciary powers in Florida shall be entitled to act as personal representatives and curators of estates.

(2)  When a qualified corporation has been named as a personal representative in a will and thereafter transfers its business and assets to, consolidates or merges with, or is in any manner provided by law succeeded by, another qualified corporation, on the death of the testator, the successor corporation may qualify, and the court may issue letters to the successor corporation unless the will provides otherwise.

(3)  A corporation authorized and qualified to act as a personal representative as a result of merger or consolidation shall succeed to the rights and duties of all predecessor corporations as the personal representative of estates upon filing proof in the court, and without a new appointment. A purchase of substantially all the assets and the assumption of substantially all the liabilities shall be deemed a merger for the purpose of this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 63, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 3, ch. 81-27.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.49.

733.306  Effect of appointment of debtor.--The appointment of a debtor as personal representative shall not extinguish the debt due to the decedent. This section shall not prevent a testator from releasing a debtor by will.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 63, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.51.

733.307  Succession of administration.--No personal representative of a personal representative as such shall be authorized to administer the estate of the first decedent. On the death of the sole or surviving personal representative, the court shall appoint a successor personal representative to complete the administration of the estate.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 64, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.52.

733.308  Administrator ad litem.--When it is necessary that an estate be represented and there is no personal representative of the estate, the court shall appoint an administrator ad litem without bond for that particular proceeding. The fact that the personal representative is seeking reimbursement for claims against the decedent paid by the personal representative does not require appointment of an administrator ad litem.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 65, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.55.

733.309  Executor de son tort.--No person shall be liable to a creditor of a decedent as executor de son tort, but any person taking, converting, or intermeddling with the property of a decedent shall be liable to the personal representative or curator, when appointed, for the value of all the property so taken or converted and for all damages to the estate caused by his or her wrongful action. This section shall not be construed to prevent a creditor of a decedent from suing anyone in possession of property fraudulently conveyed by the decedent to set aside the fraudulent conveyance.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 65, ch. 75-220; s. 991, ch. 97-102.

733.401  Issuance of letters.

733.402  Bond of personal representative; when required; form.

733.403  Amount of bond.

733.404  Liability of surety.

733.405  Release of surety.

733.406  Bond premium allowable as expense or costs.

733.401  Issuance of letters.--

(1)  After the petition for administration is filed:

(a)  The will, if any, shall be proved as provided elsewhere in this code and shall be admitted to probate.

(b)  The court shall appoint the person entitled and qualified to be personal representative.

(c)  The court shall determine the amount of any bond required under this part. The clerk may approve the bond in the amount determined by the court and shall not charge a service fee.

(d)  Any required oath or designation of, and acceptance by, a resident agent shall be filed.

(2)  Upon compliance with all of the foregoing, letters shall be issued to the personal representative.

(3)  Mistaken noncompliance with any of the requirements of subsection (1) shall not be jurisdictional.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 66, ch. 75-220; s. 23, ch. 77-87.

733.402  Bond of personal representative; when required; form.--

(1)  Unless the testator waived the requirement, every person to whom letters are granted shall execute and file a bond with surety, as defined in s. 45.011, to be approved by the clerk. The bond shall be payable to the Governor and the Governor's successors in office, conditioned on the performance of all duties as personal representative according to law. The bond must be joint and several.

(2)  No bond executed by a personal representative or curator shall be void or invalid because of an informality in it or an informality or illegality in the appointment of the fiduciary. The bond shall have the same force as if the appointment had been legally made and the bond executed in proper form.

(3)  The requirements of this section shall not apply to banks and trust companies authorized by law to act as personal representative.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 67, ch. 75-220; s. 24, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 992, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.61.

733.403  Amount of bond.--

(1)  All bonds required by this part shall be in the penal sum that the court deems sufficient after consideration of the gross value of the estate, the relationship of the personal representative to the beneficiaries, exempt property and any family allowance, the type and nature of assets, and liens and encumbrances on the assets.

(2)  On petition by any interested person or on the court's own motion, the court may waive the requirement of filing a bond, require a personal representative or curator to give bond, increase or decrease the bond, or require additional surety.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 67, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former ss. 732.63, 732.64, 732.66.

733.404  Liability of surety.--No surety for any personal representative or curator shall be charged beyond the assets of an estate because of any omission or mistake in pleading or of false pleading of the personal representative or curator.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 68, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.65.

733.405  Release of surety.--

(1)  On petitioning the surety, or the personal representative of a surety, on the bond of any personal representative or curator shall be entitled as a matter of right to be released from future liability upon the bond.

(2)  Pending the hearing of the petition, the court may restrain the principal from acting in his or her representative capacity, except to preserve the estate.

(3)  On hearing, the court shall enter an order prescribing the amount of the new bond for the personal representative or curator and the date when the bond shall be filed. If the principal fails to give the new bond, he or she shall be removed at once, and further proceedings shall be had as in cases of removal.

(4)  The original surety or sureties shall be liable for all acts of the personal representative or surety until he or she has given the new bond and, after the giving of the new bond, shall remain liable for all the principal's acts to the time of the filing and approval of the new bond. The new surety shall be liable for the principal's acts only after the filing and approval of the new bond.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 68, ch. 75-220; s. 993, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.68.

733.406  Bond premium allowable as expense or costs.--Any receiver, assignee, trustee, committee, guardian, executor or administrator, or other fiduciary required by law to give bond as such, may include as part of his or her lawful expense such reasonable sum paid such an insurer for such suretyship not exceeding 1 percent per annum on the amount of the bond, as the head of department, board, court, judge or officer by whom, or the court or body in which, he or she was appointed allows; and in all actions or proceedings the party entitled to recover costs may include therein such reasonable sum as may have been paid such an insurer executing or guaranteeing any bond or undertaking therein.

History.--s. 613, ch. 59-205; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 253, 566, ch. 82-243; s. 994, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Former s. 627.753.

733.501  Curators.

733.502  Resignation of personal representative.

733.503  Appointment of successor upon resignation.

733.504  Causes of removal of personal representative.

733.505  Jurisdiction in removal proceedings.

733.506  Proceedings for removal.

733.507  Administration following resignation or removal.

733.508  Accounting upon removal.

733.509  Surrender of assets upon removal.

733.501  Curators.--

(1)  When it is necessary, the court may appoint a curator and issue letters of curatorship to take charge of the estate of a decedent until letters are granted. If the person entitled to letters is a resident of the county where the property is situated, no curator shall be appointed until formal notice is given to the person so entitled to letters. On appointment, the court shall direct the person in possession of the effects of the decedent to deliver them to the curator. The order may be enforced by contempt.

(2)  If there is great danger that the property or any part of it is likely to be wasted, destroyed, or removed beyond the jurisdiction of the court and if the appointment of a curator would be delayed by giving notice, the court may appoint a curator without giving notice.

(3)  On special order of the court, the curator may be authorized to perform any duty or function of a personal representative.

(4)  Bond shall be required of the curator as the court deems necessary to secure the property. No bond shall be required of banks and trust companies as curators.

(5)  The curator shall file an inventory of the property within 20 days. When the personal representative qualifies, the curator shall immediately account and deliver all assets of the estate in his or her hands to the personal representative within 20 days, and in default shall be subject to the provisions of this code relating to removal of personal representatives.

(6)  Curators shall be allowed reasonable compensation for their services.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 69, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 995, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.21.

733.502  Resignation of personal representative.--A personal representative may resign and be relieved of his or her office. Notice of the petition shall be given to all interested persons. Before relieving the personal representative from his or her duties and obligations, the court shall require the personal representative to file a true and correct account of his or her administration and deliver to his or her successor or to his or her joint personal representative all of the property of the decedent and all records concerning the estate. The acceptance of the resignation, after compliance with this section, shall not exonerate any personal representative or his or her surety from liability previously incurred.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 69, ch. 75-220; s. 25, ch. 77-87; s. 996, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.09.

733.503  Appointment of successor upon resignation.--If there is no joint personal representative, a successor must be appointed and qualified before a personal representative may be relieved of his or her duties and obligations as provided in s. 733.502.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 69, ch. 75-220; s. 997, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.10.

733.504  Causes of removal of personal representative.--A personal representative may be removed and his or her letters revoked for any of the following causes, and the removal shall be in addition to any penalties prescribed by law:

(1)  Adjudication of incompetency.

(2)  Physical or mental incapacity rendering the personal representative incapable of the discharge of his or her duties.

(3)  Failure to comply with any order of the court, unless the order has been superseded on appeal.

(4)  Failure to account for the sale of property or to produce and exhibit the assets of the estate when so required.

(5)  The wasting or maladministration of the estate.

(6)  Failure to give bond or security for any purpose.

(7)  Conviction of a felony.

(8)  Insolvency of, or the appointment of a receiver or liquidator for, any corporate personal representative.

(9)  The holding or acquiring by the personal representative of conflicting or adverse interests against the estate that will or may adversely interfere with the administration of the estate as a whole. This cause of removal shall not apply to the surviving spouse because of the exercise of the right to the elective share, family allowance, or exemptions, as provided elsewhere in this code.

(10)  Revocation of the probate of the decedent's will that authorized or designated the appointment of such personal representative.

(11)  Removal of domicile from Florida, if the personal representative is no longer qualified under part III of this chapter.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 69, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 998, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.11.

733.505  Jurisdiction in removal proceedings.--A petition for removal shall be filed in the court issuing the letters.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.12.

733.506  Proceedings for removal.--Proceedings for removal may be commenced by the court or by any interested person or joint personal representative.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 71, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.13.

733.507  Administration following resignation or removal.--When a personal representative has resigned or is removed and there is a remaining personal representative, no other personal representative shall be appointed unless the will otherwise requires. The remaining personal representative, together with any successor personal representative, if appointed, shall complete the administration of the estate. If the resigned or removed personal representative is a sole personal representative, the court shall appoint a successor personal representative as provided in s. 733.301.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 72, ch. 75-220; s. 26, ch. 77-87.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.14.

733.508  Accounting upon removal.--A removed personal representative shall file a full, true, and correct account of his or her administration within 30 days after removal.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 999, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.15.

733.509  Surrender of assets upon removal.--The removed personal representative shall deliver to the remaining or successor personal representative all of the property of the decedent and all records, documents, papers, and other property of or concerning the estate.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 73, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.16.

733.601  Time of accrual of duties and powers.

733.602  General duties.

733.603  Personal representative to proceed without court order.

733.604  Inventory.

733.605  Appraisers.

733.607  Possession of estate.

733.608  General power of the personal representative.

733.609  Improper exercise of power; breach of fiduciary duty.

733.610  Sale, encumbrance or transaction involving conflict of interest.

733.611  Persons dealing with the personal representative; protection.

733.612  Transactions authorized for the personal representative; exceptions.

733.6121  Powers of personal representatives conferred by this part in relation to environmental or human health laws affecting property subject to administration or to property subject to administration contaminated with hazardous or toxic substances; liability.

733.613  Personal representative's right to sell real property.

733.614  Powers and duties of successor personal representative.

733.615  Joint personal representatives; when joint action required.

733.616  Powers of surviving personal representatives.

733.617  Compensation of personal representative.

733.6171  Compensation of attorney for the personal representative.

733.6175  Proceedings for review of employment of agents and compensation of personal representatives and employees of estate.

733.619  Individual liability of personal representative.

733.601  Time of accrual of duties and powers.--The duties and powers of a personal representative commence upon his or her appointment. The powers of a personal representative relate back in time to give acts by the person appointed, occurring before appointment and beneficial to the estate, the same effect as those occurring thereafter. Before issuance of letters, a person named executor in a will may carry out written instructions of the decedent relating to the decedent's body and funeral and burial arrangements. A personal representative may ratify and accept acts on behalf of the estate done by others when the acts would have been proper for a personal representative.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 74, ch. 75-220; s. 1000, ch. 97-102.

733.602  General duties.--

(1)  A personal representative is a fiduciary who shall observe the standards of care applicable to trustees as described by s. 737.302. A personal representative is under a duty to settle and distribute the estate of the decedent in accordance with the terms of the decedent's will and this code as expeditiously and efficiently as is consistent with the best interests of the estate. A personal representative shall use the authority conferred upon him or her by this code, the authority in the will, if any, and the authority of any order in proceedings to which he or she is party, for the best interests of interested persons, including creditors as well as beneficiaries.

(2)  A personal representative shall not be liable for any act of administration or distribution if the act was authorized at the time. Subject to other obligations of administration, a probated will is authority to administer and distribute the estate according to its terms. An order of appointment of a personal representative is authority to distribute apparently intestate assets to the heirs of the decedent if, at the time of distribution, the personal representative is not aware of a proceeding challenging intestacy or a proceeding questioning his or her appointment or fitness to continue. Nothing in this section affects the duty of the personal representative to administer and distribute the estate in accordance with the rights of interested persons.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 74, ch. 75-220; s. 27, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 270, ch. 79-400; s. 3, ch. 89-340; s. 1001, ch. 97-102.

733.603  Personal representative to proceed without court order.--A personal representative shall proceed expeditiously with the settlement and distribution of a decedent's estate and, except as otherwise specified by this code or ordered by the court, shall do so without adjudication, order, or direction of the court. A personal representative may invoke the jurisdiction of the court to resolve judicial questions concerning the estate or its administration.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 1002, ch. 97-102.

733.604  Inventory.--

(1)(a)  Within 60 days after issuance of letters, a personal representative who is not a curator or a successor to another personal representative who has previously discharged the duty shall file an inventory of property of the estate, listing it with reasonable detail and including for each listed item its estimated fair market value at the date of the decedent's death. Unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause shown, any such inventory or amended or supplementary inventory is subject to inspection only by the clerk of the court or the clerk's representative, the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney, and other interested persons.

(b)  The initial opening of any safe-deposit box of the decedent must be conducted in the presence of an employee of the institution where the box is located and the personal representative. The inventory of the contents of the box also must be conducted in the presence of the employee and the personal representative, each of whom must verify the contents of the box by signing a copy of the inventory. The personal representative shall file the safe-deposit box inventory with the court within 10 days after the box is opened.

(2)  The personal representative shall serve a copy of the inventory on the Department of Revenue, as provided in s. 199.062(4), the surviving spouse, each heir at law in an intestate estate, each residuary beneficiary in a testate estate, and any other interested person who may request it; and the personal representative shall file proof of such service. The inventory shall be verified by the personal representative.

(3)  If the personal representative learns of any property not included in the original inventory, or learns that the estimated value or description indicated in the original inventory for any item is erroneous or misleading, he or she shall prepare an amended or supplementary inventory showing the estimated value of the new item at the date of the decedent's death, or the revised estimated value or description; and the personal representative shall serve a copy of the amended or supplementary inventory on each person on whom a copy of the inventory was served and shall file proof of such service. The amended or supplementary inventory shall be verified by the personal representative.

(4)  Upon the written request of a beneficiary for any asset specifically devised to that beneficiary, a beneficiary for any asset received by that beneficiary in satisfaction of a general devise, or a residuary beneficiary of a testate estate or an heir of an intestate estate, for any asset not specifically devised, the personal representative shall promptly furnish a written explanation of how the inventory value for the asset was determined, including whether the personal representative obtained an independent appraisal for that asset and from whom the appraisal was obtained. The personal representative must notify each beneficiary of the right to request information regarding determination of the inventory value of an asset. Neither a request nor the failure to request information under this subsection affects any rights of a beneficiary in subsequent proceedings concerning any accounting of the personal representative or the propriety of any action of the personal representative.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 76, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 80-127; s. 4, ch. 84-106; s. 1, ch. 85-72; s. 29, ch. 85-342; s. 68, ch. 87-226; s. 28, ch. 95-401; s. 1003, ch. 97-102; s. 13, ch. 97-240.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.03.

733.605  Appraisers.--The personal representative may employ a qualified and disinterested appraiser to assist him or her in ascertaining the fair market value of any asset at the date of the decedent's death or any other date that may be appropriate, the value of which may be subject to reasonable doubt. Different persons may be employed to appraise different kinds of assets included in the estate.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 76, ch. 75-220; s. 1004, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former ss. 733.04, 733.05.

733.607  Possession of estate.--

(1)  Except as otherwise provided by a decedent's will, every personal representative has a right to, and shall take possession or control of, the decedent's property, except the homestead, but any real property or tangible personal property may be left with, or surrendered to, the person presumptively entitled to it unless possession of the property by the personal representative will be necessary for purposes of administration. The request by a personal representative for delivery of any property possessed by a beneficiary is conclusive evidence that the possession of the property by the personal representative is necessary for the purposes of administration, in any action against the beneficiary for possession of it. The personal representative shall take all steps reasonably necessary for the management, protection, and preservation of the estate until distribution. He or she may maintain an action to recover possession of property or to determine the title to it.

(2)  If, after providing for statutory entitlements and all devises other than residuary devises, the assets of the decedent's estate are insufficient to pay the expenses of administration of the decedent's estate and enforceable claims of the decedent's creditors, the personal representative is entitled to payment from the trustee of a trust described in s. 733.707(3), in the amount the personal representative certifies in writing to be required to satisfy such insufficiency.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 28, ch. 77-87; s. 9, ch. 93-257; s. 9, ch. 95-401; s. 1005, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.01.

733.608  General power of the personal representative.--All real and personal property of the decedent, except the homestead, within this state and the rents, income, issues, and profits from it shall be assets in the hands of the personal representative:

(1)  For the payment of devises, debts, family allowance, estate and inheritance taxes, claims, charges, and expenses of administration.

(2)  To enforce contribution and equalize advancement.

(3)  For distribution.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 29, ch. 77-87.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.01(1).

733.609  Improper exercise of power; breach of fiduciary duty.--If the exercise of power concerning the estate is improper or in bad faith, the personal representative is liable to interested persons for damage or loss resulting from a breach of his or her fiduciary duty to the same extent as a trustee of an express trust. In all actions challenging the proper exercise of a personal representative's powers, the court shall award taxable costs as in chancery actions, including attorney's fees.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 78, ch. 75-220; s. 1006, ch. 97-102.

733.610  Sale, encumbrance or transaction involving conflict of interest.--Any sale or encumbrance to the personal representative or his or her spouse, agent, or attorney, or any corporation or trust in which the personal representative has a substantial beneficial interest, or any transaction that is affected by a conflict of interest on the part of the personal representative, is voidable by any interested person except one who has consented after fair disclosure, unless:

(1)  The will or a contract entered into by the decedent expressly authorized the transaction; or

(2)  The transaction is approved by the court after notice to interested persons.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 78, ch. 75-220; s. 1007, ch. 97-102.

733.611  Persons dealing with the personal representative; protection.--Except as provided in s. 733.613(1), a person who in good faith either assists a personal representative or deals with him or her for value is protected as if the personal representative properly exercised his or her power. The fact that a person knowingly deals with the personal representative does not alone require the person to inquire into the existence of his or her power, the limits on the power, or the propriety of its exercise. A person is not bound to see to the proper application of estate assets paid or delivered to the personal representative. The protection here expressed extends to instances in which a procedural irregularity or jurisdictional defect occurred in proceedings leading to the issuance of letters, including a case in which the alleged decedent is alive. The protection here expressed is not by substitution for that provided in comparable provisions of the laws relating to commercial transactions and laws simplifying transfers of securities by fiduciaries.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 78, ch. 75-220; s. 30, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1008, ch. 97-102.

733.612  Transactions authorized for the personal representative; exceptions.--Except as otherwise provided by the will or by order of court, and subject to the priorities stated in s. 733.805, without order of court, a personal representative, acting reasonably for the benefit of the interested persons, may properly:

(1)  Retain assets owned by the decedent, pending distribution or liquidation, including those in which the personal representative is personally interested or that are otherwise improper for trust investments.

(2)  Perform or compromise, or, when proper, refuse performance of, the decedent's contracts. In performing enforceable contracts by the decedent to convey or lease real property, among other possible courses of action, the personal representative may:

(a)  Convey the real property for cash payment of all sums remaining due or for the purchaser's note for the sum remaining due, secured by a mortgage on the land.

(b)  Deliver a deed in escrow, with directions that the proceeds, when paid in accordance with the escrow agreement, be paid to the distributees of the decedent, as designated in the escrow agreement.

(3)  Receive assets from fiduciaries or other sources.

(4)  If funds are not needed to meet debts and expenses currently payable and are not immediately distributable, deposit or invest liquid assets of the estate, including moneys received from the sale of other assets, in federally insured interest-bearing accounts, readily marketable secured loan arrangements, or other prudent investments that would be reasonable for use by trustees.

(5)  Acquire or dispose of an asset, excluding real property in this or another state, for cash or on credit and at public or private sale, and manage, develop, improve, exchange, partition, or change the character of an estate asset.

(6)  Make ordinary or extraordinary repairs or alterations in buildings or other structures; demolish improvements; or erect new party walls or buildings.

(7)  Enter into a lease, as lessor or lessee, for a term within, or extending beyond, the period of administration, with or without an option to renew.

(8)  Enter into a lease or arrangement for exploration and removal of minerals or other natural resources or enter into a pooling or unitization agreement.

(9)  Abandon property when it is valueless or so encumbered, or in such condition, that it is of no benefit to the estate.

(10)  Vote, or refrain from voting, stocks or other securities in person or by general or limited proxy.

(11)  Pay calls, assessments, and other sums chargeable or accruing against, or on account of, securities, unless barred by the provisions relating to claims.

(12)  Hold property in the name of a nominee or in other form without disclosure of the interest of the estate, but the personal representative is liable for any act of the nominee in connection with the property so held.

(13)  Insure the assets of the estate against damage, loss, and liability and insure himself or herself against liability to third persons.

(14)  Borrow money, with or without security, to be repaid from the estate assets or otherwise, other than real property, and advance money for the protection of the estate.

(15)  Extend, renew, or in any manner modify any obligation owing to the estate. If the personal representative holds a mortgage, security interest, or other lien upon property of another person, he or she may accept a conveyance or transfer of encumbered assets from the owner in satisfaction of the indebtedness secured by its lien instead of foreclosure.

(16)  Pay taxes, assessments, and other expenses incident to the administration of the estate.

(17)  Sell or exercise stock subscription or conversion rights or consent, directly or through a committee or other agent, to the reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution, or liquidation of a corporation or other business enterprise.

(18)  Allocate items of income or expense to either estate income or principal, as permitted or provided by law.

(19)  Employ persons, including attorneys, accountants, auditors, investment advisers, and others, even if they are one and the same as the personal representative or are associated with the personal representative, to advise or assist the personal representative in the performance of his or her administrative duties; act upon the recommendations of such employed persons without independent investigation; and, instead of acting personally, employ one or more agents to perform any act of administration, whether or not discretionary. Any fees and compensation paid to any such person who is the same as, associated with, or employed by, the personal representative shall be taken into consideration in determining the personal representative's compensation.

(20)  Prosecute or defend claims or proceedings in any jurisdiction for the protection of the estate and of the personal representative in the performance of his or her duties.

(21)  Sell, mortgage, or lease any personal property of the estate or any interest in it for cash, credit, or for part cash or part credit, and with or without security for the unpaid balance.

(22)  Continue any unincorporated business or venture in which the decedent was engaged at the time of his or her death:

(a)  In the same business form for a period of not more than 4 months from the date of his or her appointment, if continuation is a reasonable means of preserving the value of the business, including good will.

(b)  In the same business form for any additional period of time that may be approved by order of court.

(23)  Provide for exoneration of the personal representative from personal liability in any contract entered into on behalf of the estate.

(24)  Satisfy and settle claims and distribute the estate as provided in this code.

(25)  Enter into agreements with the proper officer or department head, commissioner, or agent of any department of the government of the United States, waiving the statute of limitations concerning the assessment and collection of any federal tax or any deficiency in a federal tax.

(26)  Make part distribution to the beneficiaries of any part of the estate not necessary to satisfy claims, expenses of administration, taxes, family allowance, exempt property, and an elective share, in accordance with the decedent's will or as authorized by operation of law.

(27)  Execute any instruments necessary in the exercise of the personal representative's powers.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 78, ch. 75-220; s. 3, ch. 76-172; s. 31, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 271, ch. 79-400; s. 1009, ch. 97-102.

733.6121  Powers of personal representatives conferred by this part in relation to environmental or human health laws affecting property subject to administration or to property subject to administration contaminated with hazardous or toxic substances; liability.--

(1)  Except as otherwise provided by the will or by order of court, and subject to s. 733.805, the personal representative has, without court authorization, the powers specified in subsection (2).

(2)  A personal representative has the power, acting reasonably and for the benefit of the interested parties:

(a)  To inspect or investigate, or cause to be inspected or investigated, property subject to administration, including interests in sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations and any assets owned by any such business entity for the purpose of determining compliance with an environmental law affecting that property or to respond to an actual or threatened violation of an environmental law affecting that property;

(b)  To take, on behalf of the estate, any action necessary to prevent, abate, or otherwise remedy an actual or potential violation of an environmental law affecting property subject to administration, either before or after initiation of an enforcement action by a governmental body;

(c)  To settle or compromise at any time any claim against the estate or the personal representative that may be asserted by a governmental body or private party which involves the alleged violation of an environmental law affecting property subject to administration over which the personal representative has responsibility;

(d)  To disclaim any power granted by any document, statute, or rule of law which, in the sole judgment of the personal representative, could cause the personal representative to incur personal liability, or the estate to incur liability, under any environmental law;

(e)  To decline to serve as a personal representative, or having undertaken to serve as a personal representative, to resign at any time, if the personal representative believes that there is or could be a conflict of interest in his or her fiduciary capacity and in his or her individual capacity because of potential claims or liabilities that could be asserted against it on behalf of the estate by reason of the type or condition of the assets held; or

(f)  To charge against the assets of the estate the cost of any inspection, investigation, review, abatement, response, cleanup, or remedial action that this section authorizes the personal representative to take; and, in the event of the closing or termination of the estate or the transfer of the estate property to another personal representative, to hold moneys sufficient to cover the cost of cleaning up any known environmental problem.

(3)  A personal representative is not personally liable to any beneficiary or any other party for a decrease in value of assets in an estate by reason of the personal representative's compliance or efforts to comply with an environmental law, specifically including any reporting requirement under that law.

(4)  A personal representative who acquires ownership or control of a vessel or other property without having owned, operated, or materially participated in the management of that vessel or property before assuming ownership or control as personal representative is not considered an owner or operator for purposes of liability under chapter 376, chapter 403, or any other environmental law. A personal representative who willfully, knowingly, or recklessly causes or exacerbates a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance is personally liable for the cost of the response, to the extent that the release or threatened release is attributable to the personal representative's activities. This subsection does not preclude the filing of claims against the assets that constitute the estate held by the personal representative or the filing of actions against the personal representative in his or her representative capacity. In any such action, an award or judgment against the personal representative must be satisfied only from the assets of the estate.

(5)  Neither the acceptance by the personal representative of the property or a failure by the personal representative to inspect or investigate the property creates any inference as to whether there is liability under an environmental law with respect to that property.

(6)  For the purposes of this section, the term "environmental law" means a federal, state, or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance that relates to protection of the environment or human health, and the term "hazardous substance" means a substance, material, or waste defined as hazardous or toxic, or any contaminant, pollutant, or constituent thereof, or otherwise regulated by an environmental law.

(7)  This section applies to any estate admitted to probate on or after July 1, 1995.

History.--s. 18, ch. 95-401; s. 1010, ch. 97-102.

733.613  Personal representative's right to sell real property.--

(1)  When a personal representative of a decedent dying intestate, or whose testator has not conferred upon him or her a power of sale or whose testator has granted a power of sale but his or her power is so limited by the will or by operation of law that it cannot be conveniently exercised, shall consider that it is for the best interest of the estate and of those interested in it that real property be sold, the personal representative may sell it at public or private sale. No title shall pass until the sale is authorized or confirmed by the court. Petition for authorization or confirmation of sale shall set forth the reasons for the sale, a description of the property sold or to be sold, and the price and terms of the sale. Except when interested persons have joined in the petition for sale of real property or have consented to the sale, notice of the petition shall be given. No bona fide purchaser shall be required to examine any proceedings before the order of sale.

(2)  When a decedent's will confers specific power to sell or mortgage real property or a general power to sell any asset of the estate, the personal representative may sell, mortgage, or lease, without authorization or confirmation of court, any real property of the estate or any interest therein for cash or credit, or for part cash and part credit, and with or without security for unpaid balances. The sale, mortgage, or lease need not be justified by a showing of necessity, and the sale pursuant to power of sale shall be valid.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 78, ch. 75-220; s. 1011, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.23.

733.614  Powers and duties of successor personal representative.--A successor personal representative has the same power and duty as the original personal representative to complete the administration and distribution of the estate as expeditiously as possible, but he or she shall not exercise any power made personal to the personal representative named in the will.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 78, ch. 75-220; s. 1012, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.10.

733.615  Joint personal representatives; when joint action required.--

(1)  If two or more persons are appointed joint personal representatives, and unless the will provides otherwise, the concurrence of all joint personal representatives appointed pursuant to a will or codicil executed prior to October 1, 1987, or appointed to administer an intestate estate of a decedent who died prior to October 1, 1987, or of a majority of joint personal representatives appointed pursuant to a will or codicil executed on or after October 1, 1987, or appointed to administer the intestate estate of a decedent dying on or after October 1, 1987, is required on all acts connected with the administration and distribution of the estate. This restriction does not apply when any joint personal representative receives and receipts for property due the estate, when the concurrence required under this subsection cannot readily be obtained in the time reasonably available for emergency action necessary to preserve the estate, or when a joint personal representative has been delegated to act for the others.

(2)  Where action by a majority of the joint personal representatives appointed is authorized, a joint personal representative who has not joined in exercising a power is not liable to the beneficiaries or to others for the consequences of the exercise, and a dissenting joint personal representative is not liable for the consequences of an act in which he or she joins at the direction of the majority of the joint personal representatives, if he or she expressed his or her dissent in writing to any of his or her joint personal representatives at or before the time of the joinder.

(3)  A person dealing with a joint personal representative without actual knowledge that joint personal representatives have been appointed or if advised by the joint personal representative with whom he or she deals that the joint personal representative has authority to act alone for any of the reasons mentioned in subsection (1) is as fully protected in dealing with that joint personal representative as if that joint personal representative possessed and properly exercised the power he or she purports to exercise.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 1, ch. 87-317; s. 4, ch. 88-340; s. 1013, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.50.

733.616  Powers of surviving personal representatives.--Unless the terms of the will otherwise provide, every power exercisable by joint personal representatives may be exercised by the one or more remaining after the appointment of one or more is terminated, and if one or more, but not all, nominated as joint personal representatives are not appointed, those appointed may exercise all the powers incident to the office.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106.

Note.--Created from former s. 732.52.

733.617  Compensation of personal representative.--

(1)  As compensation for its ordinary services, a personal representative shall be entitled, without order of court unless otherwise stated, to a commission payable from the estate assets. Such commission shall be based upon the probate estate's value as determined finally for probate inventory purposes and as accounted for by the personal representative, which value shall include all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, and all income earned thereon.

(2)  Upon the probate estate's value as defined in subsection (1), such commission shall be computed as follows:

(a)  At the rate of 3 percent for the first $1 million.

(b)  At the rate of 2.5 percent for all above $1 million and not exceeding $5 million.

(c)  At the rate of 2 percent for all above $5 million and not exceeding $10 million.

(d)  At the rate of 1.5 percent for all above $10 million.

(3)  In addition to the aforesaid commission, a personal representative shall be allowed such further compensation as the court may deem just and reasonable for any extraordinary services including, but not limited to:

(a)  The sale of real or personal property.

(b)  The conduct of litigation on behalf of or against the estate.

(c)  Involvement in proceedings for the adjustment or payment of any taxes.

(d)  The carrying on of the decedent's business.

(e)  Any other special services which may be necessary for the personal representative to perform.

(4)  If a decedent's will provides that a personal representative's compensation shall be based upon specific criteria, other than a general reference to commissions allowed by law or words or similar import, including, but not limited to, rates, amounts, commissions, or reference to the personal representative's regularly published schedule of fees in effect at the decedent's date of death, or words of similar import, then a personal representative shall be entitled to compensation in accordance with such provision. However, except for such references in a decedent's will to the personal representative's regularly published schedule of fees in effect at the decedent's date of death, or words of similar import, if there is no written contract with the decedent regarding compensation, a personal representative may renounce the provisions contained in the will and be entitled to compensation hereunder. A personal representative may also renounce its right to all or any part of the compensation.

(5)  If the probate estate's value as defined in subsection (1) is $100,000 or more, and there are two representatives, each personal representative is entitled to the full commission allowed to a sole personal representative. If there are more than two personal representatives and the probate estate's value is more than $100,000, the compensation to which two would be entitled must be apportioned among the personal representatives. The basis for such apportionment shall be one full commission allowed to the personal representative who has possession of and primary responsibility for administration of the assets and one full commission among the remaining personal representatives according to the services rendered by each of them respectively. If the probate estate's value is less than $100,000 and there is more than one personal representative, then one full commission allowed herein to a sole personal representative must be apportioned among the personal representatives according to the services rendered by each of them respectively.

(6)  If the personal representative is a member of The Florida Bar and has rendered legal services in connection with the administration of the estate, then in addition to a fee as personal representative, there also shall be allowed a fee for the legal services rendered.

(7)  The compensation for a personal representative as set forth in subsections (2) and (3) may, upon petition of any interested person, be increased or decreased by the court. In determining whether to increase or decrease the compensation for ordinary services, the court must consider each of the following factors, giving each such weight as it determines to be appropriate:

(a)  The promptness, efficiency, and skill with which the administration was handled by the personal representative;

(b)  The responsibilities assumed by and the potential liabilities of the personal representative;

(c)  The nature and value of the assets that are affected by the decedent's death;

(d)  The benefits or detriments resulting to the estate or its beneficiaries from the personal representative's services;

(e)  The complexity or simplicity of the administration and the novelties of the issues presented;

(f)  The personal representative's participation in tax planning for the estate and the estate's beneficiaries and in tax return preparation, review, or approval;

(g)  The nature of the probate, nonprobate, and exempt assets; the expenses of administration; the liabilities of the decedent; and the compensation paid to other professionals and fiduciaries;

(h)  Any delay in payment of the compensation after the services were furnished; and

(i)  Any other relevant factors.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 80, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 76-172; s. 5, ch. 88-340; s. 1, ch. 90-129; s. 10, ch. 93-257; s. 1, ch. 95-401.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.01.

733.6171  Compensation of attorney for the personal representative.--

(1)  Attorneys for personal representatives shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for their services payable from the assets of the estate without court order.

(2)  The attorney, the personal representative, and persons bearing the impact of the compensation may agree to compensation determined in a different manner than provided in this section. Compensation may also be determined in a different manner than provided in this section if the manner is disclosed to the parties bearing the impact of the compensation in the petition for discharge or final accounting and there is no objection filed pursuant to s. 733.901.

(3)  Compensation provided in the following schedule for ordinary services based upon the inventory value of the estate assets and the income earned by the estate during the administration is presumed to be reasonable compensation for attorneys in formal estate administration:

(a)  One thousand five hundred dollars for estates having a value of $40,000 or less.

(b)  An additional $750 for estates having a value of more than $40,000 and not exceeding $70,000.

(c)  An additional $750 for estates having a value of more than $70,000 and not exceeding $100,000.

(d)  For estates having a value in excess of $100,000, at the rate of 3 percent on the next $900,000.

(e)  At the rate of 2.5 percent for all above $1 million and not exceeding $3 million.

(f)  At the rate of 2 percent for all above $3 million and not exceeding $5 million.

(g)  At the rate of 1.5 percent for all above $5 million and not exceeding $10 million.

(h)  At the rate of 1 percent for all above $10 million.

(4)  In addition to the attorney's fees for ordinary services, the attorney for the personal representative shall be allowed further reasonable compensation for any extraordinary service. What is an extraordinary service may vary depending on many factors, including the size of the estate. Extraordinary services may include, but are not limited to:

(a)  Involvement in a will contest, will construction, a proceeding for determination of beneficiaries, a contested claim, elective share proceeding, apportionment of estate taxes, or any other adversarial proceeding or litigation by or against the estate.

(b)  Representation of the personal representative in audit or any proceeding for adjustment, determination, or collection of any taxes.

(c)  Tax advice on postmortem tax planning, including, but not limited to, disclaimer, renunciation of fiduciary commission, alternate valuation date, allocation of administrative expenses between tax returns, the QTIP or reverse QTIP election, allocation of GST exemption, qualification for Internal Revenue Code ss. 6166 and 303 privileges, deduction of last illness expenses, fiscal year planning, distribution planning, asset basis considerations, handling income or deductions in respect of a decedent, valuation discounts, special use and other valuation, handling employee benefit or retirement proceeds, prompt assessment request, or request for release of personal liability for payment of tax.

(d)  Review of estate tax return and preparation or review of other tax returns required to be filed by the personal representative.

(e)  Preparation of the estate's federal estate tax return. If this return is prepared by the attorney, a fee of one-half of 1 percent up to a value of $10 million and one-fourth of 1 percent on the value in excess of $10 million of the gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes, is presumed to be reasonable compensation for the attorney for this service. These fees shall include services for routine audit of the return, not beyond the examining agent level, if required.

(f)  Purchase, sale, lease, or encumbrance of real property by the personal representative or involvement in zoning, land use, environmental, or other similar matters.

(g)  Legal advice regarding carrying on of decedent's business or conducting other commercial activity by the personal representative.

(h)  Legal advice regarding claims for damage to the environment or related procedures.

(i)  Legal advice regarding homestead status of real property or proceedings involving that status.

(j)  Involvement in fiduciary, employee, or attorney compensation disputes.

(k)  Proceedings involving ancillary administration of assets not subject to administration in this state.

(5)  Upon petition of any interested person, the court may increase or decrease the compensation for ordinary services of the attorney or award compensation for extraordinary services if the facts and circumstances of the particular administration warrant. In determining reasonable compensation, the court shall consider all of the following factors giving such weight to each as it may determine to be appropriate:

(a)  The promptness, efficiency, and skill with which the administration was handled by the attorney.

(b)  The responsibilities assumed by, and potential liabilities of, the attorney.

(c)  The nature and value of the assets that are affected by the decedent's death.

(d)  The benefits or detriments resulting to the estate or its beneficiaries from the attorney's services.

(e)  The complexity or simplicity of the administration and the novelty of issues presented.

(f)  The attorney's participation in tax planning for the estate and the estate's beneficiaries and tax return preparation or review and approval.

(g)  The nature of the probate, nonprobate, and exempt assets, the expenses of administration and liabilities of the decedent, and the compensation paid to other professionals and fiduciaries.

(h)  Any delay in payment of the compensation after the services were furnished.

(i)  Any other relevant factors.

(6)  The court may determine reasonable attorney's compensation without receiving expert testimony. Any party may offer expert testimony after notice to interested persons. If expert testimony is offered, an expert witness fee may be awarded by the court and paid from the assets of the estate. The court may, in its discretion, direct from what part of the estate it shall be paid.

(7)  If a separate written agreement regarding compensation exists between the attorney and the decedent, the attorney shall furnish a copy to the personal representative prior to commencement of employment, and, if employed, shall promptly file and serve a copy on all interested persons. Neither a separate agreement nor a provision in the will suggesting or directing the personal representative to retain a specific attorney will obligate the personal representative to employ the attorney or obligate the attorney to accept the representation, but if the attorney who is a party to the agreement or who drafted the will is employed, the compensation paid shall not exceed the compensation provided in the agreement.

(8)  Court proceedings to determine compensation, if required, are a part of the estate administration process, and the costs, including fees for the personal representative's attorney, shall be determined by the court and paid from the assets of the estate unless the court finds the request for attorney's fees to be substantially unreasonable. The court shall direct from which part of the estate they shall be paid.

(9)  The amount and manner of determining compensation for attorneys for personal representatives must be disclosed in the final accounting, unless the disclosure is waived in writing signed by the parties bearing the impact of the compensation and filed with the court. No such waiver shall be valid unless it contains language declaring that the waiving party has actual knowledge of the amount and manner of determining such compensation and, in addition, expressly acknowledging either one of the following two elements:

(a)  That the waiving party has agreed to the amount and manner of determining such compensation and is waiving any objections to payment of such compensation; or

(b)  That the waiving party has the right under subsection (5) to petition the court to decrease such compensation and is waiving that right.

The requirements of this subsection shall not apply if the full amount of such compensation has previously been determined by order of the court after notice. A waiver of the final accounting shall not be effective if it does not meet the requirements of this subsection.

(10)  This section shall apply to estates in which an order of discharge has not been entered prior to its effective date but not to those estates in which attorney's fees have previously been determined by order of court after notice.

History.--s. 4, ch. 93-257; s. 2, ch. 95-401.

733.6175  Proceedings for review of employment of agents and compensation of personal representatives and employees of estate.--After notice to all affected interested persons and upon petition of an interested person bearing all or part of the impact of the payment of compensation to the personal representative or any person employed by him or her, the propriety of such employment and the reasonableness of such compensation or payment may be reviewed by the court. The burden of proof of propriety of such employment and the reasonableness of the compensation shall be upon the personal representative and the person employed by him or her. Any person who is determined to have received excessive compensation from an estate for services rendered may be ordered to make appropriate refunds.

History.--s. 2, ch. 76-172; s. 1014, ch. 97-102.

733.619  Individual liability of personal representative.--

(1)  Unless otherwise provided in the contract, a personal representative is not individually liable on a contract, except a contract for attorney's fee, properly entered into in his or her fiduciary capacity in the administration of the estate unless the personal representative fails to reveal his or her representative capacity and identify the estate in the contract.

(2)  A personal representative is individually liable for obligations arising from ownership or control of the estate or for torts committed in the course of administration of the estate only if he or she is personally at fault.

(3)  Claims based on contracts, except a contract for attorney's fee, entered into by a personal representative in his or her fiduciary capacity, on obligations arising from ownership or control of the estate, or on torts committed in the course of estate administration, may be asserted against the estate by proceeding against the personal representative in his or her fiduciary capacity, whether or not the personal representative is individually liable therefor.

(4)  Issues of liability as between the estate and the personal representative individually may be determined in a proceeding for accounting, surcharge, or indemnification, or other appropriate proceeding.

History.--s. 82, ch. 75-220; s. 32, ch. 77-87; s. 228, ch. 77-104; s. 1015, ch. 97-102.

733.701  Notifying creditors.

733.702  Limitations on presentation of claims.

733.703  Form and manner of presenting claim.

733.704  Amendment of claims.

733.705  Payment of and objection to claims.

733.706  Executions and levies.

733.707  Order of payment of expenses and obligations.

733.708  Compromise.

733.710  Limitations on claims against estates.

733.701  Notifying creditors.--Unless the proceedings are under chapter 734 or chapter 735, every personal representative shall cause notice of administration to be published and served under s. 733.212.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 83, ch. 75-220; s. 33, ch. 77-87; s. 4, ch. 89-340.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.15.

733.702  Limitations on presentation of claims.--

(1)  If not barred by s. 733.710, no claim or demand against the decedent's estate that arose before the death of the decedent, including claims of the state and any of its subdivisions, whether due or not, direct or contingent, or liquidated or unliquidated; no claim for funeral or burial expenses; no claim for personal property in the possession of the personal representative; and no claim for damages, including, but not limited to, an action founded on fraud or another wrongful act or omission of the decedent, is binding on the estate, on the personal representative, or on any beneficiary unless filed within the later of 3 months after the time of the first publication of the notice of administration or, as to any creditor required to be served with a copy of the notice of administration, 30 days after the date of service of such copy of the notice on the creditor, even though the personal representative has recognized the claim or demand by paying a part of it or interest on it or otherwise. The personal representative may settle in full any claim without the necessity of the claim being filed when the settlement has been approved by the beneficiaries adversely affected according to the priorities provided in this code and when the settlement is made within the statutory time for filing claims; or, within 3 months after the first publication of the notice of administration, he or she may file a proof of claim of all claims he or she has paid or intends to pay.

(2)  No cause of action heretofore or hereafter accruing, including, but not limited to, an action founded upon fraud or other wrongful act or omission, shall survive the death of the person against whom the claim may be made, whether an action is pending at the death of the person or not, unless the claim is filed within the time periods set forth in this part.

(3)  Any claim not timely filed as provided in this section is barred even though no objection to the claim is filed on the grounds of timeliness or otherwise unless the court extends the time in which the claim may be filed. Such an extension may be granted only upon grounds of fraud, estoppel, or insufficient notice of the claims period. No independent action or declaratory action may be brought upon a claim which was not timely filed unless such an extension has been granted. If the personal representative or any other interested person serves on the creditor a notice to file a petition for an extension or be forever barred, the creditor shall be limited to a period of 30 days from the date of service of the notice in which to file a petition for extension.

(4)  Nothing in this section affects or prevents:

(a)  A proceeding to enforce any mortgage, security interest, or other lien on property of the decedent.

(b)  To the limits of casualty insurance protection only, any proceeding to establish liability of the decedent or the personal representative for which he or she is protected by the casualty insurance.

(c)  The filing of a claim by the Department of Revenue subsequent to the expiration of the time for filing claims provided in subsection (1), provided it does so file within 30 days after the service of the inventory by the personal representative on the department or, in the event an amended or supplementary inventory has been prepared, within 30 days after the service of the amended or supplementary inventory by the personal representative on the department.

(d)  The filing of a cross-claim or counterclaim against the estate in an action instituted by the estate; however, no recovery on such a cross-claim or counterclaim shall exceed the estate's recovery in such an action.

(5)  Nothing in this section shall extend the limitations period set forth in s. 733.710.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 84, ch. 75-220; s. 2, ch. 80-127; s. 4, ch. 81-27; s. 160, ch. 83-216; s. 5, ch. 84-106; s. 4, ch. 85-79; s. 6, ch. 88-340; s. 5, ch. 89-340; s. 4, ch. 90-23; s. 1016, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.16.

733.703  Form and manner of presenting claim.--

(1)  A creditor shall file a written statement of the claim. No additional charge may be imposed by a claimant who files a claim against the estate.

(2)  A claimant whose claim is listed in a personal representative's proof of claim filed within 3 months after the first publication of the notice of administration shall be deemed to have filed a statement of the claim listed. Except as provided otherwise in this part, the claim shall be treated for all other purposes as if it had been filed by the claimant.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 84, ch. 75-220; s. 5, ch. 81-27; s. 5, ch. 85-79; s. 6, ch. 89-340.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.16.

733.704  Amendment of claims.--If a bona fide attempt to file a claim is made by a creditor but the claim is defective as to form, the court may permit the amendment of the claim at any time.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 1, ch. 77-174.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.17.

733.705  Payment of and objection to claims.--

(1)  The personal representative shall pay all claims within 1 year from the date of first publication of notice of administration, provided that the time shall be extended with respect to claims in litigation, unmatured claims, and contingent claims for the period necessary to dispose of such claims pursuant to subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7). The court may extend the time for payment of any claim upon a showing of good cause. No personal representative shall be compelled to pay the debts of the decedent until after the expiration of 5 months from the first publication of notice of administration. If any person brings an action against a personal representative within the 5 months on any claim to which the personal representative has filed no objection, the plaintiff shall not receive any costs or attorneys' fees if he or she prevails, nor shall the judgment change the class of the claim for payment under this code.

(2)  On or before the expiration of 4 months from the first publication of notice of administration or within 30 days from the timely filing of a claim, whichever occurs later, a personal representative or other interested person may file a written objection to a claim. An objection to a claim shall contain a statement that the claimant is limited to a period of 30 days from the date of service of the objection within which to bring an action on the claim as provided in subsection (4). The failure to include such a statement in the objection shall not affect the validity of the objection but may be considered as good cause for extending the time for filing an action or proceeding after the objection is filed. If an objection is filed, the person filing it shall serve a copy of the objection by registered or certified mail to the address of the claimant or the claimant's attorney as shown on the claim or by delivery to the claimant to whose claim the person objects or the claimant's attorney of record, if any, not later than 10 days after the objection has been filed, and also on the personal representative if the objection is filed by any interested person other than the personal representative. The failure to serve a copy of the objection constitutes an abandonment of the objection. For good cause, the court may extend the time for filing an objection to any claim or may extend the time for serving the objection. The extension of time shall be granted only after notice.

(3)  An objection by an interested person to a personal representative's proof of claim shall state the particular item or items to which the interested person objects and shall be filed and served as provided in subsection (2). Issues of liability as between the estate and the personal representative individually for items paid by the personal representative and thereafter listed in a personal representative's proof of claim shall be determined in the estate administration proceeding, in a proceeding for accounting, surcharge, or other appropriate proceeding, whether or not an objection has been filed. If an objection to an item listed as to be paid in a personal representative's proof of claim is filed and served, and the personal representative has not paid the item, the other subsections of this section shall apply as if a claim for the item had been filed by the claimant; but if the personal representative has paid the claim after listing it as to be paid, issues of liability as between the estate and the personal representative individually shall be determined in the manner provided for an item listed as paid.

(4)  The claimant is limited to a period of 30 days from the date of service of an objection within which to bring an independent action upon the claim, or a declaratory action to establish the validity and amount of an unmatured claim which is not yet due but which is certain to become due in the future, or a declaratory action to establish the validity of a contingent claim upon which no cause of action has accrued on the date of service of an objection and that may or may not become due in the future. For good cause, the court may extend the time for filing an action or proceeding after objection is filed. The extension of time shall be granted only after notice. No action or proceeding on the claim shall be brought against the personal representative after the time limited above, and any such claim is thereafter forever barred without any court order. If an objection is filed to the claim of any creditor and an action is brought by the creditor to establish his or her claim, a judgment establishing the claim shall give it no priority over claims of the same class to which it belongs.

(5)  A claimant may bring an independent action or declaratory action upon a claim which was not timely filed pursuant to s. 733.702(1) only if the claimant has been granted an extension of time to file the claim pursuant to s. 733.702(3).

(6)  If an unmatured claim has not become due before the time for distribution of an estate, the personal representative may prepay the full amount of principal plus accrued interest due on the claim, without discount and without penalty, regardless of any prohibition against prepayment or provision for penalty in any instrument on which the claim is founded. If the claim is not prepaid, no order of discharge may be entered until the creditor and personal representative have filed an agreement disposing of the claim, or in the absence of an agreement until the court provides for payment by one of the following methods:

(a)  Requiring the personal representative to reserve such assets as the court determines to be adequate to pay the claim when it becomes due; in fixing the amount to be reserved, the court may determine the value of any security or collateral to which the creditor may resort for payment of the claim and may direct the reservation, if necessary, of sufficient assets to pay the claim or to pay the difference between the value of any security or collateral and the amount necessary to pay the claim. If the estate is insolvent, the court may direct a proportionate amount to be reserved. The court shall direct that the amount reserved be retained by the personal representative until the time that the claim becomes due, and that so much of the reserved amount as is not used for payment be distributed thereafter according to law;

(b)  Requiring that the claim be adequately secured by a mortgage, pledge, bond, trust, guaranty, or other security, as may be determined by the court, the security to remain in effect until the time that the claim becomes due, and that so much of the security or collateral as is not needed for payment be distributed thereafter according to law; or

(c)  Making such other provision for the disposition or satisfaction of the claim as is equitable, and in a manner so as not to delay unreasonably the closing of the estate.

(7)  If no cause of action has accrued on a contingent claim before the time for distribution of an estate, no order of discharge may be entered until the creditor and the personal representative have filed an agreement disposing of the claim or, in the absence of such agreement, until:

(a)  The court determines that the claim is adequately secured or that it has no value,

(b)  Three months from the date on which a cause of action accrues upon the claim, provided that no action on the claim is then pending,

(c)  Five years from the date of first publication of notice of administration, or

(d)  The court provides for payment of the claim upon the happening of the contingency by one of the methods described in paragraph (a), paragraph (b), or paragraph (c) of subsection (6),

whichever occurs first. No action or proceeding may be brought against the personal representative on the claim after the time limited above, and any such claim shall thereafter be forever barred without order of court. If an action is brought within the time limited above, a judgment establishing the claim shall give it no priority over claims of the same class to which it belongs.

(8)  No interest shall be paid by the personal representative or allowed by the court on a claim until the expiration of 5 calendar months from the first publication of the notice of administration, unless the claim is founded on a written obligation of the decedent providing for the payment of interest. Interest shall be paid by the personal representative on written obligations of the decedent providing for the payment of interest. On all other claims, interest shall be allowed and paid beginning 5 months from the first publication of the notice of administration.

(9)  The court may determine all issues concerning claims or matters not requiring trial by jury.

(10)  An order for extension of time authorized under this section may be entered only in the estate administration proceeding.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 86, ch. 75-220; s. 34, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1, ch. 84-25; s. 1, ch. 86-249; s. 7, ch. 88-340; s. 7, ch. 89-340; s. 2, ch. 91-61; s. 1017, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.18.

733.706  Executions and levies.--Except upon approval by the court, no execution or other process shall issue on or be levied against property of the estate. An order approving execution or other process to be levied against property of the estate may be entered only in the estate administration proceeding. Claims on all judgments against a decedent shall be filed in the same manner as other claims against estates of decedents. This section shall not be construed to prevent the enforcement of mortgages, security interests, or liens encumbering specific property.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 86, ch. 75-220; s. 8, ch. 89-340.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.19.

733.707  Order of payment of expenses and obligations.--

(1)  The personal representative shall pay the expenses of the administration and obligations of the estate in the following order:

(a)  Class 1.--Costs, expenses of administration, and compensation of personal representatives and their attorneys' fees.

(b)  Class 2.--Reasonable funeral, interment, and grave marker expenses, whether paid by a guardian under s. 744.441(16), the personal representative, or any other person, not to exceed the aggregate of $6,000.

(c)  Class 3.--Debts and taxes with preference under federal law.

(d)  Class 4.--Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness of the decedent, including compensation of persons attending him or her.

(e)  Class 5.--Family allowance.

(f)  Class 6.--Arrearage from court-ordered child support.

(g)  Class 7.--Debts acquired after death by the continuation of the decedent's business, in accordance with s. 733.612(22), but only to the extent of the assets of that business.

(h)  Class 8.--All other claims, including those founded on judgments or decrees rendered against the decedent during the decedent's lifetime, and any excess over the sums allowed in paragraphs (b) and (d).

(2)  After paying any preceding class, if the estate is insufficient to pay all of the next succeeding class, the creditors of the latter class shall be paid ratably in proportion to their respective claims.

(3)  Any portion of a trust with respect to which a decedent who is the grantor has at the decedent's death a right of revocation, as defined in paragraph (e), either alone or in conjunction with any other person, is liable for the expenses of the administration of the decedent's estate and enforceable claims of the decedent's creditors to the extent the decedent's estate is insufficient to pay them as provided in s. 733.607(2).

(a)  For purposes of this subsection, any trusts established as part of, and all payments from, either an employee annuity described in s. 403 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, an Individual Retirement Account, as described in s. 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, a Keogh (HR-10) Plan, or a retirement or other plan established by a corporation which is qualified under s. 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not be considered a trust over which the decedent has a right of revocation.

(b)  For purposes of this subsection, any trust described in s. 664 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not be considered a trust over which the decedent has a right of revocation.

(c)  This subsection shall not impair any rights an individual has under a qualified domestic relations order as that term is defined in s. 414(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(d)  For purposes of this subsection, property held or received by a trust to the extent that the property would not have been subject to claims against the decedent's estate if it had been paid directly to a trust created under the decedent's will or other than to the decedent's estate, or assets received from any trust other than a trust described in this subsection, shall not be deemed assets of the trust available for the payment of the expenses of administration of and enforceable claims against the decedent's estate.

(e)  For purposes of this subsection, a "right of revocation" is a power retained by the decedent, held in any capacity, to:

1.  Amend or revoke the trust and revest the principal of the trust in the decedent; or

2.  Withdraw or appoint the principal of the trust to or for the decedent's benefit.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 86, ch. 75-220; s. 35, ch. 77-87; s. 7, ch. 85-79; s. 69, ch. 87-226; s. 20, ch. 93-208; s. 11, ch. 93-257; s. 10, ch. 95-401; s. 1018, ch. 97-102; s. 3, ch. 97-240.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.20.

733.708  Compromise.--When a proposal is made to compromise any claim, whether in suit or not, by or against the estate of a decedent or to compromise any question concerning the distribution of a decedent's estate, the court may enter an order authorizing the compromise if satisfied that the compromise will be for the best interest of the beneficiaries. The order shall relieve the personal representative of liability or responsibility for the compromise. Claims against the estate may not be compromised until after the time for filing objections to claims has expired. Notice must be given to those who have filed objection to the claim proposed to be compromised.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 86, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 733.21.

733.710  Limitations on claims against estates.--

(1)  Notwithstanding any other provision of the code, 2 years after the death of a person, neither the decedent's estate, the personal representative (if any), nor the beneficiaries shall be liable for any claim or cause of action against the decedent, whether or not letters of administration have been issued, except as provided in this section.

(2)  This section shall not apply to a creditor who has filed a claim pursuant to s. 733.702 within 2 years after the person's death, and whose claim has not been paid or otherwise disposed of pursuant to s. 733.705.

(3)  This section shall not affect the lien of any duly recorded mortgage or security interest or the lien of any person in possession of personal property or the right to foreclose and enforce the mortgage or lien.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 50, ch. 75-220; s. 36, ch. 77-87; s. 9, ch. 89-340.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.29(1).

733.801  Delivery of devises and distributive shares.

733.802  Proceedings for compulsory payment of devises or distributive interest.

733.803  Encumbered property; liability for payment.

733.805  Order in which assets are appropriated.

733.806  Advancement.

733.808  Death benefits; disposition of proceeds.

733.809  Right of retainer.

733.810  Distribution in kind; valuation.

733.811  Distribution; right or title of distributee.

733.812  Improper distribution; liability of distributee.

733.813  Purchasers from distributees protected.

733.814  Partition for purpose of distribution.

733.815  Private agreements among distributees.

733.816  Disposition of unclaimed property held by personal representatives.

733.817  Apportionment of estate taxes.

733.801  Delivery of devises and distributive shares.--No personal representative shall be required to pay or deliver any devise or distributive share or to surrender possession of any land to any beneficiary until the expiration of 5 months from the granting of letters.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 86, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.02.

733.802  Proceedings for compulsory payment of devises or distributive interest.--

(1)  Before final distribution, no personal representative shall be compelled:

(a)  To pay a devise in money before the final settlement of his or her accounts,

(b)  To deliver specific personal property devised that may have come into his or her hands, unless the personal property is exempt personal property,

(c)  To pay all or any part of a distributive share in the personal estate of a decedent, or

(d)  To surrender land to any beneficiary,

unless the beneficiary files a petition setting forth the facts that entitle him or her to relief and stating that the property will not be required for the payment of debts, family allowance, estate and inheritance taxes, claims, elective share of the surviving spouse, charges, or expenses of administration or for providing funds for contribution or enforcing equalization in case of advancements.

(2)  An order directing the surrender of real property or the delivery of personal property shall describe the property to be surrendered or delivered. The order shall be conclusive in favor of bona fide purchasers for value from the beneficiary or distributee as against the personal representative and all other persons claiming by, through, under, or against the decedent or the decedent's estate.

(3)  If the administration of the estate has not been completed before the entry of an order of partial distribution, the court may require the person entitled to distribution to give a bond with sureties as prescribed in s. 45.011, conditioned on the making of due contribution for the payment of devises, family allowance, estate and inheritance taxes, claims, elective share of the spouse, charges, expenses of administration, and equalization in case of advancements, plus any interest on them.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 86, ch. 75-220; s. 37, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 272, ch. 79-400; s. 1019, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.03.

733.803  Encumbered property; liability for payment.--The specific devisee of any encumbered property shall be entitled to have the encumbrance on devised property paid at the expense of the residue of the estate only when the will shows such an intent. A general direction in the will to pay debts does not show such an intent.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 86, ch. 75-220.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.051.

733.805  Order in which assets are appropriated.--

(1)  If a testator makes provision by his or her will, or designates the funds or property to be used, for the payment of debts, estate and inheritance taxes, family allowance, exempt property, elective share charges, expenses of administration, and devises, they shall be paid out of the funds or from the property or proceeds as provided by the will so far as sufficient. If no provision is made or any fund designated, or if it is insufficient, the property of the estate shall be used for such purposes, except as otherwise provided in s. 733.817 with respect to estate, inheritance, and other death taxes, and to raise the shares of a pretermitted spouse and children, in the following order:

(a)  Property not disposed of by the will.

(b)  Property devised to the residuary devisee or devisees.

(c)  Property not specifically or demonstratively devised.

(d)  Property specifically or demonstratively devised.

(2)  Demonstrative devises shall be classed as general devises upon the failure or insufficiency of funds or property out of which payment should be made, to the extent of the insufficiency. Devises to the decedent's surviving spouse, given in satisfaction of, or instead of, the surviving spouse's statutory rights in the estate, shall not abate until other devises of the same class are exhausted. Devises given for a valuable consideration shall abate with other devises of the same class only to the extent of the excess over the amount of value of the consideration until all others of the same class are exhausted. Except as herein provided, devises shall abate equally and ratably and without preference or priority as between real and personal property. When property that has been specifically devised or charged with a devise is sold or taken by the personal representative, other devisees shall contribute according to their respective interests to the devisee whose devise has been sold or taken, and before distribution the court shall determine the amounts of the respective contributions, and they shall be paid or withheld before distribution is made.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 88, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1020, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.05.

733.806  Advancement.--If a person dies intestate as to all his or her estate, property that the decedent gave in his or her lifetime to an heir is treated as an advancement against the latter's share of the estate only if declared in a contemporaneous writing by the decedent or acknowledged in writing by the heir. The property advanced shall be valued at the time the heir came into possession or enjoyment of the property or at the time of the death of the decedent, whichever first occurs. If the recipient of the property does not survive the decedent, the property shall not be taken into account in computing the intestate share to be received by the recipient's descendants unless the declaration or acknowledgment provides otherwise.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 1021, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.07.

733.808  Death benefits; disposition of proceeds.--

(1)  Death benefits of any kind, including, but not limited to, proceeds of:

(a)  An individual life insurance policy;

(b)  A group life insurance policy;

(c)  An employees' trust or under a contract purchased by an employees' trust forming part of a pension, stock bonus, or profit-sharing plan;

(d)  An annuity or endowment contract; and

(e)  A health and accident policy,

may be made payable to the trustee under a trust agreement or declaration of trust in existence at the time of the death of the insured, employee, or annuitant. The death benefits shall be held and disposed of by the trustee in accordance with the terms of the trust as they appear in writing on the date of the death of the insured, employee, or annuitant. It shall not be necessary to the validity of the trust agreement or declaration of trust, whether revocable or irrevocable, that it have a trust corpus other than the right of the trustee to receive death benefits.

(2)  Death benefits of any kind, including, but not limited to, proceeds of:

(a)  An individual life insurance policy;

(b)  A group life insurance policy;

(c)  An employees' trust, or under a contract purchased by an employees' trust, forming part of a pension, stock bonus, or profit-sharing plan;

(d)  An annuity or endowment contract; and

(e)  A health and accident policy,

may be made payable to the trustee named, or to be named, in a written instrument that is admitted to probate as the last will of the insured, the owner of the policy, the employee covered by the plan or contract, or any other person, whether or not the will is in existence at the time of designation. Upon the admission of the will to probate, the death benefits shall be paid to the trustee, to be held, administered, and disposed of in accordance with the terms of the trust or trusts created by the will.

(3)  In the event no trustee makes proper claim to the proceeds from the insurance company or other obligor within a period of 6 months after the date of the death of the insured, employee, or annuitant, or if satisfactory evidence is furnished to the insurance company or such obligor within that period that there is, or will be, no trustee to receive the proceeds, payment shall be made by the insurance company or obligor to the personal representative of the person making such designation, unless otherwise provided by agreement with the insurer or other obligor during the lifetime of the insured, employee, or annuitant.

(4)  Death benefits payable as provided in subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (3), unless paid to a personal representative under the provisions of subsection (3), shall not be deemed to be part of the estate of the testator or an intestate estate, and shall not be subject to any obligation to pay transfer or estate taxes, debts, or other charges enforceable against the estate to any greater extent than if such proceeds were payable directly to the beneficiaries named in the trust.

(5)  The death benefits so held in trust may be commingled with any other assets that may properly come into the trust.

(6)  Nothing in this section shall affect the validity of any designation of a beneficiary of proceeds heretofore made that designates as beneficiary the trustee of any trust established under a trust agreement or declaration of trust or by will.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 38, ch. 77-87.

Note.--Created from former s. 736.172.

733.809  Right of retainer.--The amount of a noncontingent indebtedness of a beneficiary to the estate, if due, or its present value, if not due, may be offset against the beneficiary's interest, but the beneficiary has the benefit of any defense that would be available to him or her in a direct proceeding for recovery of the debt.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 39, ch. 77-87; s. 1022, ch. 97-102.

733.810  Distribution in kind; valuation.--

(1)  Unless a general power of sale is conferred or a contrary intention is indicated by the will or unless assets are otherwise disposed of under the provisions of this code, the distributable assets of a decedent's estate shall be distributed in kind through application of the following provisions:

(a)  Any family allowance or devise payable in money may be satisfied by value in kind if:

1.  The person entitled to the payment has not demanded cash;

2.  The property distributed in kind is valued at fair market value as of the date of its distribution; and

3.  No residuary devisee has requested that the asset remain a part of the residue of the estate.

(b)  When it is not practicable to distribute undivided interests in a residuary property, the property shall be converted into cash for distribution.

(2)  When the personal representative, trustee, or other fiduciary under a will or trust instrument is required to, or has an option to, satisfy a devise or transfer in trust to, or for the benefit of, the surviving spouse with assets of the estate or trust in kind, at values as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes, the personal representative, trustee, or other fiduciary shall, unless the will or trust instrument otherwise provides, satisfy the devise or transfer in trust by distribution of assets, including cash, fairly representative of the appreciated or depreciated value of all property available for distribution in satisfaction of the devise or transfer in trust, taking into consideration any gains and losses realized from the sale, prior to distribution of the marital interest, of any property not specifically, generally, or demonstratively devised.

(3)  With the consent of all beneficiaries affected, a personal representative or a trustee is authorized to distribute any distributable assets, non-pro rata among the beneficiaries entitled thereto.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 92, ch. 75-220; s. 40, ch. 77-87.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.031.

733.811  Distribution; right or title of distributee.--Proof that a distributee has received an instrument transferring assets in kind or payment in distribution or possession of specific property from a personal representative is conclusive evidence that the distributee has succeeded to the interest of the estate in the distributed assets, as against all persons interested in the estate, but the personal representative may recover the assets or their value if the distribution was improper.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106.

733.812  Improper distribution; liability of distributee.--Unless the distribution or payment no longer can be questioned because of adjudication, estoppel, or limitations, a distributee of property improperly distributed or paid or a claimant who was improperly paid, if he or she has the property, is liable to return the property improperly received and its income since distribution to the personal representative or to the beneficiaries entitled to it. If he or she does not have the property, then he or she is liable to return the value of the property improperly received at the date of disposition and its income and gain received by him or her.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 92, ch. 75-220; s. 1023, ch. 97-102.

733.813  Purchasers from distributees protected.--If property distributed in kind, or a security interest therein, is acquired by a purchaser or lender for value from a distributee who has received an instrument of distribution or possession from the personal representative, the purchaser or lender takes title free of any claims of the estate and incurs no personal liability to the estate, whether or not the distribution was proper. To be protected under this provision a purchaser or lender need not inquire whether a personal representative acted properly in making the distribution in kind.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106.

733.814  Partition for purpose of distribution.--When two or more heirs or devisees are entitled to distribution of undivided interests in any property, the personal representative or one or more of the beneficiaries may petition the court before closing the estate to make partition. After formal notice to the interested beneficiaries, the court shall partition the property in the same manner as provided by law for civil actions of partition. The court may direct the personal representative to sell any property that cannot be partitioned without prejudice to the owners and that cannot conveniently be allotted to any one party.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106.

733.815  Private agreements among distributees.--Subject to the rights of creditors and taxing authorities, competent interested persons may agree among themselves to alter the interests, shares, or amounts to which they are entitled under the will or under the laws of intestacy in a written contract executed by all who are affected. The personal representative shall abide by the terms of the agreement, subject to his or her obligation to administer the estate for the benefit of creditors, to pay all taxes and costs of administration, and to carry out the responsibilities of his or her office for the benefit of any beneficiaries of the decedent who are not parties to the agreement. Personal representatives are not required to see to the performance of trusts if the trustee is another person who is willing to accept the trust. Trustees of a testamentary trust are beneficiaries for the purposes of this section. Nothing herein relieves trustees of any duties owed to beneficiaries of trusts.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 94, ch. 75-220; s. 1024, ch. 97-102.

733.816  Disposition of unclaimed property held by personal representatives.--

(1)  In all cases in which there is unclaimed property in the hands of a personal representative that cannot be distributed or paid to the lawful owner because of inability to find him or her or because no lawful owner is known, the court shall order the personal representative to sell the property and deposit the proceeds and cash already in hand, after retaining those amounts provided for in subsection (4), with the clerk and receive a receipt, and the clerk shall deposit the funds in the registry of the court to be disposed of as follows:

(a)  If the value of the funds is $500 or less, the clerk shall post a notice for 30 days at the courthouse door giving the amount involved, the name of the personal representative, and the other pertinent information that will put interested persons on notice.

(b)  If the value of the funds is over $500, the clerk shall publish the notice once a month for 2 consecutive months in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

After the expiration of 6 months from the posting or first publication, the clerk shall deposit the funds with the State Treasurer after deducting his or her fees and the costs of publication.

(2)  Upon receipt of the funds, the State Treasurer shall deposit them to the credit of the State School Fund, to become a part of the school fund. All interest and all income that may accrue from the money while so deposited shall belong to the fund. The funds so deposited shall constitute and be a permanent appropriation for payments by the State Treasurer in obedience to court orders entered as provided by subsection (3).

(3)  Within 10 years from the date of deposit with the State Treasurer, on written petition to the court that directed the deposit of the funds and informal notice to the Department of Legal Affairs, and after proof of his or her right to them, any person entitled to the funds before or after payment to the State Treasurer and deposit as provided by subsection (1) may obtain an order of court directing the payment of the funds to him or her. All funds deposited with the State Treasurer and not claimed within 10 years from the date of deposit shall escheat to the state for the benefit of the State School Fund.

(4)  The personal representative depositing assets with the clerk is permitted to retain from the funds in his or her possession a sufficient amount to pay final costs of administration, including fees allowed pursuant to s. 733.617 accruing between the deposit of the funds with the clerk of the court and the order of discharge. Any funds so retained which are surplus shall be deposited with the clerk prior to discharge of the personal representative.

(5)(a)  If a person entitled to the funds assigns his or her rights to receive payment to an attorney or private investigative agency which is duly licensed to do business in this state pursuant to a written agreement with such person, the Department of Banking and Finance is authorized to make distribution in accordance with such assignment.

(b)  Payments made to an attorney or private investigative agency shall be promptly deposited into a trust or escrow account which is regularly maintained by the attorney or private investigative agency in a financial institution authorized to accept such deposits and located in this state.

(c)  Distribution by the attorney or private investigative agency to the person entitled to the funds shall be made within 10 days following final credit of the deposit into the trust or escrow account at the financial institution, unless a party to the agreement protests in writing such distribution before it is made.

(d)  The department shall not be civilly or criminally liable for any funds distributed pursuant to this subsection, provided such distribution is made in good faith.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 95, ch. 75-220; s. 6, ch. 85-79; s. 5, ch. 89-291; s. 10, ch. 89-299; s. 21, ch. 95-401; s. 1025, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.221.

733.817  Apportionment of estate taxes.--

(1)  For purposes of this section:

(a)  "Fiduciary" means a person other than the personal representative in possession of property included in the measure of the tax who is liable to the applicable taxing authority for payment of the entire tax to the extent of the value of the property in his possession.

(b)  "Governing instrument" means a will, trust agreement, or any other document that controls the transfer of an asset on the occurrence of the event with respect to which the tax is being levied.

(c)  "Gross estate" means the gross estate, as determined by the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the federal estate tax and the Florida estate tax, and as such concept is otherwise determined by the estate, inheritance, or death tax laws of the particular state, country, or political subdivision whose tax is being apportioned.

(d)  "Included in the measure of the tax" means that for each separate tax that an interest may incur, only interests included in the measure of that particular tax are considered. The term "included in the measure of the tax" does not include any interest, whether passing under the will or not, to the extent the interest is initially deductible from the gross estate, without regard to any subsequent diminution of the deduction by reason of the charge of any part of the applicable tax to the interest. The term "included in the measure of the tax" does not include interests or amounts that are not included in the gross estate but are included in the amount upon which the applicable tax is computed, such as adjusted taxable gifts with respect to the federal estate tax. If an election is required for deductibility, an interest is not "initially deductible" unless the election for deductibility is allowed.

(e)  "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

(f)  "Net tax" means the net tax payable to the particular state, country, or political subdivision whose tax is being apportioned, after taking into account all credits against the applicable tax except as provided in this section. With respect to the federal estate tax, "net tax" is determined after taking into account all credits against the tax except for the credit for foreign death taxes.

(g)  "Nonresiduary devise" means any devise that is not a residuary devise.

(h)  "Nonresiduary interest" in connection with a trust means any interest in a trust which is not a residuary interest.

(i)  "Recipient" means, with respect to property or an interest in property included in the gross estate, an heir at law in an intestate estate, devisee in a testate estate, beneficiary of a trust, beneficiary of an insurance policy, annuity, or other contractual right, surviving tenant, taker as a result of the exercise or in default of the exercise of a general power of appointment, person who receives or is to receive the property or an interest in the property, or person in possession of the property.

(j)  "Residuary devise" has the meaning set forth in s. 731.201(30).

(k)  "Residuary interest," in connection with a trust, means an interest in the assets of a trust which remain after provision for any distribution that is to be satisfied by reference to a specific property or type of property, fund, sum, or statutory amount.

(l)  "Revocable trust" means a trust as defined in s. 731.201(33) created by the decedent to the extent that the decedent had at his or her death the power to alter, amend, or revoke the trust either alone or in conjunction with any other person.

(m)  "State" means any state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(n)  "Tax" means any estate tax, inheritance tax, generation skipping transfer tax, or other tax levied or assessed under the laws of this or any other state, the United States, any other country, or any political subdivision of the foregoing, as finally determined, which is imposed as a result of the death of the decedent, including, without limitation, the tax assessed pursuant to s. 4980A of the Internal Revenue Code. The term also includes any interest and penalties imposed in addition to the tax. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "tax" means each separate tax.

(o)  "Temporary interest" means an interest in income or an estate for a specific period of time or for life or for some other period controlled by reference to extrinsic events, whether or not in trust.

(p)  "Tentative Florida tax" with respect to any property means the net Florida estate tax that would have been attributable to that property if no tax were payable to any other state in respect of that property.

(q)  "Value" means the pecuniary worth of the interest involved as finally determined for purposes of the applicable tax after deducting any debt, expense, or other deduction chargeable to it for which a deduction was allowed in determining the amount of the applicable tax. A lien or other encumbrance is not regarded as chargeable to a particular interest to the extent that it will be paid from other interests. The value of an interest shall not be reduced by reason of the charge against it of any part of the tax.

(2)  An interest in homestead property shall be exempt from the apportionment of taxes if such interest passes to a person to whom inures the decedent's exemption from forced sale under the State Constitution.

(3)  The net tax attributable to the interests included in the measure of each tax shall be determined by the proportion that the value of each interest included in the measure of the tax bears to the total value of all interests included in the measure of the tax. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(a)  The net tax attributable to interests included in the measure of the tax by reason of s. 2044 of the Internal Revenue Code shall be determined in the manner provided for the federal estate tax in s. 2207A of the Internal Revenue Code, and the amount so determined shall be deducted from the tax to determine the net tax attributable to all remaining interests included in the measure of the tax.

(b)  The foreign tax credit allowed with respect to the federal estate tax shall be allocated among the recipients of interests finally charged with the payment of the foreign tax in reduction of any federal estate tax chargeable to the recipients of the foreign interests, whether or not any federal estate tax is attributable to the foreign interests. Any excess of the foreign tax credit shall be applied to reduce proportionately the net amount of federal estate tax chargeable to the remaining recipients of the interests included in the measure of the federal estate tax.

(c)  The reduction in the Florida tax on the estate of a Florida resident for tax paid to other states shall be allocated as follows:

1.  If the net tax paid to another state is greater than or equal to the tentative Florida tax attributable to the property subject to tax in the other state, none of the Florida tax shall be attributable to that property.

2.  If the net tax paid to another state is less than the tentative Florida tax attributable to the property subject to tax in the other state, the net Florida tax attributable to the property subject to tax in the other state shall be the excess of the amount of the tentative Florida tax attributable to the property over the net tax payable to the other state with respect to the property.

3.  Any remaining net Florida tax shall be attributable to property included in the measure of the Florida tax exclusive of property subject to tax in other states.

4.  The net federal tax attributable to the property subject to tax in the other state shall be determined as if it were located in the state.

(d)  The net tax attributable to a temporary interest, if any, shall be regarded as attributable to the principal that supports the temporary interest.

(4)(a)  Except as otherwise effectively directed by the governing instrument, if the Internal Revenue Code including, but not limited to, ss. 2032A(c)(5), 2206, 2207, 2207A, 2207B, and 2603 of the Internal Revenue Code applies to apportion federal tax against recipients of certain interests, all net taxes, including taxes levied by the state attributable to each type of interest, shall be apportioned against the recipients of all interests of that type in the proportion that the value of each interest of that type included in the measure of the tax bears to the total of all interests of that type included in the measure of the tax.

(b)  The provisions of this subsection do not affect allocation of the reduction in the Florida tax as provided in this section with respect to estates of Florida residents which are also subject to tax in other states.

(5)  Except as provided above or as otherwise directed by the governing instrument, the net tax attributable to each interest shall be apportioned as follows:

(a)  For property passing under the decedent's will:

1.  The net tax attributable to nonresiduary devises shall be charged to and paid from the residuary estate whether or not all interests in the residuary estate are included in the measure of the tax. If the residuary estate is insufficient to pay the net tax attributable to all nonresiduary devises, the balance of the net tax attributable to nonresiduary devises shall be apportioned among the recipients of the nonresiduary devises in the proportion that the value of each nonresiduary devise included in the measure of the tax bears to the total of all nonresiduary devises included in the measure of the tax.

2.  The net tax attributable to residuary devises shall be apportioned among the recipients of the residuary devises included in the measure of tax in the proportion that the value of each residuary devise included in the measure of the tax bears to the total of all residuary devises included in the measure of the tax.

(b)  For property passing under the terms of any trust other than a trust created in the decedent's will:

1.  The net tax attributable to nonresiduary interests shall be charged to and paid from the residuary portion of the trust, whether or not all interests in the residuary portion are included in the measure of the tax. If the residuary portion of the trust is insufficient to pay the net tax attributable to all nonresiduary interests, the balance of the net tax attributable to nonresiduary interests shall be apportioned among the recipients of the nonresiduary interests in the proportion that the value of each nonresiduary interest included in the measure of the tax bears to the total of all nonresiduary interests included in the measure of the tax.

2.  The net tax attributable to residuary interests shall be apportioned among the recipients of the residuary interests included in the measure of the tax in the proportion that the value of each residuary interest included in the measure of the tax bears to the total of all residuary interests included in the measure of the tax.

(c)  The net tax attributable to an interest in homestead property which is exempt from apportionment pursuant to subsection (2) shall be apportioned against the recipients of other interests in the estate or passing under any revocable trust in the following order:

1.  Class I: Recipients of interests not disposed of by the decedent's will or revocable trust which are included in the measure of the federal estate tax.

2.  Class II: Recipients of residuary devises and residuary interests that are included in the measure of the federal estate tax.

3.  Class III: Recipients of nonresiduary devises and nonresiduary interests that are included in the measure of the federal estate tax. The net tax apportioned to a class, if any, pursuant to this paragraph shall be apportioned among the recipients in the class in the proportion that the value of the interest of each bears to the total value of all interests included in that class.

(d)  In the application of this subsection, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) shall be applied to apportion the net tax to the recipients of the estate and the recipients of the decedent's revocable trust as if all recipients, other than the estate or trusts themselves, were taking under a common instrument.

(e)  The net tax imposed under s. 4980A of the Internal Revenue Code shall be apportioned among the recipients of the interests included in the measure of that tax in the proportion that the value of the interest of each bears to the total value of all interests included in the measure of that tax.

(f)  The net tax that is not apportioned under paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), including, but not limited to, the net tax attributable to interests passing by intestacy, jointly held interests passing by survivorship, insurance, properties in which the decedent held a reversionary or revocable interest, and annuities, shall be apportioned among the recipients of the remaining interests that are included in the measure of the tax in the proportion that the value of each such interest bears to the total value of all the remaining interests included in the measure of the tax.

(g)  If the court finds that it is inequitable to apportion interest, penalties, or both, in the manner provided in paragraphs (a)-(f), the court may assess liability for the payment thereof in the manner it finds equitable.

(h)1.  To be effective as a direction for payment of tax in a manner different from that provided in this section, the governing instrument must direct that the tax be paid from assets that pass pursuant to that governing instrument, except as provided in this section.

2.  If the decedent's will provides that the tax shall be apportioned as provided in the decedent's revocable trust by specific reference to the trust, the direction in the revocable trust shall be deemed to be a direction contained in the will and shall control with respect to payment of taxes from assets passing under both the will and the revocable trust.

3.  A direction in the decedent's will to pay tax from the decedent's revocable trust is effective if a contrary direction is not contained in the trust agreement.

4.  For a direction in a governing instrument to be effective to direct payment of taxes attributable to property not passing under the governing instrument from property passing under the governing instrument, the governing instrument must expressly refer to this section, or expressly indicate that the property passing under the governing instrument is to bear the burden of taxation for property not passing under the governing instrument. A direction in the governing instrument to the effect that all taxes are to be paid from property passing under the governing instrument whether attributable to property passing under the governing instrument or otherwise shall be effective to direct the payment from property passing under the governing instrument of taxes attributable to property not passing under the governing instrument.

5.  If there is a conflict as to payment of taxes between the decedent's will and the governing instrument, the decedent's will controls, except as follows:

a.  The governing instrument shall be given effect with respect to any tax remaining unpaid after the application of the decedent's will.

b.  A direction in a governing instrument to pay the tax attributable to assets that pass pursuant to the governing instrument from assets that pass pursuant to that governing instrument shall be effective notwithstanding any conflict with the decedent's will, unless the tax provision in the decedent's will expressly overrides the conflicting provision in the governing instrument.

(6)  The personal representative or fiduciary shall not be required to transfer to a recipient any property in possession of the personal representative or fiduciary which he or she reasonably anticipates may be necessary for the payment of taxes. Further, the personal representative or fiduciary shall not be required to transfer any property in possession of the personal representative or fiduciary to the recipient until the amount of the tax due from the recipient is paid by the recipient. If property is transferred before final apportionment of the tax, the recipient shall provide a bond or other security for his apportioned liability in the amount and form prescribed by the personal representative or fiduciary.

(7)(a)  The personal representative may petition at any time for an order of apportionment. If no administration has been commenced at any time after 90 days from the decedent's death any fiduciary may petition for an order of apportionment in the court in which venue would be proper for administration of the decedent's estate. Formal notice of the petition for order of apportionment shall be given to all interested persons. At any time after 6 months from the decedent's death, any recipient may petition such court for an order of apportionment.

(b)  The court shall determine all issues concerning apportionment. If the tax to be apportioned has not been finally determined, the court shall determine the probable tax due or to become due from all interested persons, apportion the probable tax, and retain jurisdiction over the parties and issues to modify the order of apportionment as appropriate until after the tax is finally determined.

(8)(a)  If the personal representative or fiduciary does not have possession of sufficient property otherwise distributable to the recipient to pay the tax apportioned to the recipient, whether under this section, the Internal Revenue Code, or the governing instrument, if applicable, the personal representative or fiduciary shall recover the deficiency in tax so apportioned to the recipient:

1.  From the fiduciary in possession of the property to which the tax is apportioned, if any; and

2.  To the extent of any deficiency in collection from the fiduciary, or to the extent collection from the fiduciary is excused pursuant to subsection (9) and in all other cases, from the recipient of the property to which the tax is apportioned, unless relieved of this duty as provided in subsection (9).

(b)  In any action to recover the tax apportioned, the order of apportionment shall be prima facie correct.

(c)  In any action for the enforcement of an order of apportionment, the court shall award taxable costs as in chancery actions, including reasonable attorney's fees, and may award penalties and interest on the unpaid tax in accordance with equitable principles.

(d)  This subsection shall not authorize the recovery of any tax from any company issuing insurance included in the gross estate, or from any bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or similar institution with respect to any account in the name of the decedent and any other person which passed by operation of law on the decedent's death.

(9)(a)  A personal representative or fiduciary who has the duty under this section of collecting the apportioned tax from recipients may be relieved of the duty to collect the tax by an order of the court finding:

1.  That the estimated court costs and attorney's fees in collecting the apportioned tax from a person against whom the tax has been apportioned will approximate or exceed the amount of the recovery;

2.  That the person against whom the tax has been apportioned is a resident of a foreign country other than Canada and refuses to pay the apportioned tax on demand; or

3.  That it is impracticable to enforce contribution of the apportioned tax against a person against whom the tax has been apportioned in view of the improbability of obtaining a judgment or the improbability of collection under any judgment that might be obtained, or otherwise.

(b)  A personal representative or fiduciary shall not be liable for failure to attempt to enforce collection if the personal representative or fiduciary reasonably believes it would have been economically impracticable.

(10)  Any apportioned tax that is not collected shall be reapportioned in accordance with this section as if the portion of the property to which the uncollected tax had been apportioned had been exempt.

(11)  Nothing in this section shall limit the right of any person who has paid more than the amount of the tax apportionable to such person, calculated as if all apportioned amounts would be collected, to obtain contribution from those who have not paid the full amount of the tax apportionable to them, calculated as if all apportioned amounts would be collected, and that right is hereby conferred. In any action to enforce contribution, the court shall award taxable costs as in chancery actions, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(12)  Nothing herein contained shall be construed to require the personal representative or fiduciary to pay any tax levied or assessed by any foreign country, unless specific directions to that effect are contained in the will or other instrument under which the personal representative or fiduciary is acting.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 95, ch. 75-220; s. 41, ch. 77-87; s. 273, ch. 79-400; s. 20, ch. 92-200; s. 1026, ch. 97-102; s. 9, ch. 97-240.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.041.

733.901  Distribution; final discharge.

733.903  Subsequent administration.

733.901  Distribution; final discharge.--

(1)  When a personal representative has completed administration except for distribution, he or she shall file a final accounting and a petition for discharge that shall contain:

(a)  A complete report of all receipts and disbursements since the date of the last annual accounting or, if none, from the commencement of administration.

(b)  A statement that he or she has fully administered the estate by making payment, settlement, or other disposition of all claims and debts that were presented and the expenses of administration.

(c)  The proposed distribution of the assets of the estate.

(d)  Any prior distributions that have been made.

(e)  A statement that objections to this report or proposed distribution of assets be filed within 30 days.

The final accounting and petition for discharge shall be filed and served on all interested persons within 12 months after issuance of letters for estates not required to file a federal estate tax return, otherwise 12 months from the date the return is due, unless the time is extended by the court for cause shown after notice to interested persons. The petition shall state the status of the estate and the reasons for the extension.

(2)  If no objection to the accounting or petition for discharge has been filed within 30 days from the date of service of copies on interested persons, or if service has been waived, the personal representative may distribute the estate according to the plan of distribution set forth in the petition without a court order. The assets shall be distributed free from the claims of any interested person and, upon receipt of evidence that the estate has been properly distributed and that claims of creditors have been paid or otherwise disposed of, the court shall enter an order discharging the personal representative and releasing the surety on any bond.

(3)  If an objection to the petition for discharge has been filed within the time allowed, the court shall determine the plan of distribution and, upon receipt of evidence that the estate has been properly distributed and that claims of creditors have been paid or otherwise disposed of, the court shall enter an order discharging the personal representative and releasing the surety on any bond.

(4)  The final accounting required under subsection (1) may be waived upon a filing of a consent waiver with the court, by all interested persons, acknowledging that they are aware of their rights and that they waive the right to have a final accounting.

(5)  The 30-day period contained in subsection (2) may be waived upon written consent of all interested persons.

(6)  The discharge of the personal representative shall release the personal representative of the estate and shall bar any action against the personal representative, as such or individually, and his or her surety.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 96, ch. 75-220; s. 42, ch. 77-87; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 6, ch. 81-27; s. 29, ch. 95-401; s. 1027, ch. 97-102.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.22.

733.903  Subsequent administration.--The final settlement of an estate and the discharge of the personal representative shall not prevent a revocation of the order of discharge or the subsequent issuance of letters if other property of the estate is discovered or if it becomes necessary that further administration of the estate be had for any cause. However, the order of discharge may not be revoked under this section based upon the discovery of a will or later will.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 96, ch. 75-220; s. 1, ch. 88-110.

Note.--Created from former s. 734.26.