Title: In Re: Amendments To The Florida Probate Rules
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC10-1928
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: December 9, 2010

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC10-1928 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA PROBATE RULES. 
 
[December 9, 2010] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
In response to recent legislation, The Florida Bar’s Probate Rules Committee 
(Committee) has filed an out-of-cycle, fast-track report of proposed amendments to 
the Florida Probate Rules.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.; 
Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.140(e).   
The Committee proposes amendments to rules 5.201 (Notice of Petition for 
Administration), 5.260 (Caveat; Proceedings) and 5.360 (Elective Share), and new 
rule 5.3425 (Search of Safe Deposit Box).  The proposals are in response to 
statutory changes made by chapter 2010-132, Laws of Florida, which went into 
effect October 1, 2010.  See ch. 2010-132, §§ 2, 3, 6, 14, 19, Laws of Fla. 
(amending §§ 655.935, 731.110, 732.2125, 733.2123 Fla. Stat.; providing effective 
date).   The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar 
unanimously approved the proposals. 
 
- 2 - 
After considering the Committee’s proposals and reviewing the relevant 
legislation, we adopt all the Committee’s proposals except the proposed 
amendment to subdivision (b) of rule 5.260.  Consistent with statutory changes 
made by chapter 2010-132, section 3, Laws of Florida, we amend subdivision (b) 
to delete the requirement that a caveat contain certain personal information about 
the decedent and caveator.  See ch. 2010-132, § 3, Laws of Fla. (amending § 
731.110, Fla. Stat., to delete requirement that caveat contain personal information 
also referenced in rule).  The remaining amendments, which we adopt as proposed 
by the Committee, are straightforward and responsive to the statutory changes 
referenced in the report. 
Accordingly, we amend the Florida Probate Rules as reflected in the 
appendix to this opinion.  New language is underscored, and deleted language is 
struck through.  The committee notes are offered for explanation only and are not 
adopted as an official part of the rules.  The amendments to rule 5.260(c) and 
corresponding rule history shall become effective January 1, 2011, at 12:02 a.m.1  
The amendments to the remainder of the rules shall become effective immediately 
upon the release of this opinion.  Because the amendments were not published for 
                                          
 
 
1.  The amendments to rule 5.260(c) delete language that was added as part 
of the 2010 regular-cycle amendments, which will become effective January 1, 
2011, at 12:01 a.m.  See In re Amendments to the Fla. Probate Rules, 35 Fla. L. 
Weekly S482 (Fla. Sept. 2, 2010). 
 
- 3 - 
comment prior to their adoption, interested persons shall have sixty days from the 
date of this opinion in which to file comments with the Court.2 
 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, 
and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
Original Proceedings – The Florida Probate Rules Committee 
 
Jeffrey Scott Goethe, Chair, Florida Probate Rules Committee, Bradenton, Florida, 
John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director and Krys Godwin, Staff Liaison, The 
Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
                                          
 
 
2.  An original and nine paper copies of all comments must be filed with the 
Court on or before February 7, 2011, with a certificate of service verifying that a 
copy has been served on the committee chair, Jeffrey Scott Goethe, 3119 Manatee 
Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205-3350, as well as a separate request for 
oral argument if the person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral 
argument, which may be scheduled in this case.  The committee chair has until 
February 28, 2011, to file a response to any comments filed with the Court. 
Electronic copies of all comments and responses also must be filed in accordance 
with the Court's administrative order In re Mandatory Submission of Electronic 
Copies of Documents, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC04-84 (Sept. 13, 2004). 
 
- 4 - 
APPENDIX 
RULE 5.201.      NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATION 
  
 
(a) 
Petitioner Entitled to Preference of Appointment. Except as may 
otherwise be required by these rules or the Florida Probate Code, no notice need be 
given of the petition for administration or the issuance of letters when it appears 
that the petitioner is entitled to preference of appointment as personal 
representative.  
 
(b) 
Petitioner Not Entitled to Preference. Before letters shall be issued 
to any person who is not entitled to preference, formal notice shallmust 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.  
 
(c) 
Service of Petition by Formal Notice. If the petitioner elects or is 
required to serve formal notice of the petition for administration prior to the 
issuance of letters, a copy of the will offered for probate must be attached to the 
notice.  
 
Committee Notes 
[No Change] 
 
Rule History  
 
1988 Revision - 2003 Revision: [No Change]  
 
2010 Revision: Subdivision (c) added to require service of a copy of the will 
offered for probate. This requirement was included in section 733.2123, Florida 
Statutes, but was removed in 2010 because it was deemed to be a procedural 
requirement. Committee notes revised. Editorial changes.  
 
Statutory References  
[No Change]  
Rule References  
[No Change] 
 
- 5 - 
  
RULE 5.260.   CAVEAT; PROCEEDINGS  
 
(a)   Filing. Any creditor or interested person other than a creditor may file a 
caveat with the court. The caveat of an interested person, other than a creditor, may 
be filed before or after the death of the person for whom the estate will be, or is 
being, administered.  The caveat of a creditor may be filed only after the person’s 
death.  
 
(b)   Contents. The caveat shall contain the decedent’s name, the decedent’s 
social security number, or date of birth, if known, a statement of the interest of the 
caveator in the estate, and the name, and specific mailing address, and residence 
address of the caveator.  
 
(c)   Resident Agent of Caveator; Service. If the caveator is not a state 
agency or a resident of the Florida county where the caveat is filed, the caveator 
shallmust file a designation of designate an agent for service of notice. The 
designation shall state either (1) the name and specific mailing address and 
residence address of a resident in the county where the caveat is filed, or (2) the 
name and office address of a member of The Florida Bar residing in Florida as the 
caveator’s agent for service of notice.  The written acceptance by the person 
appointed as resident agent shallmust be filed with the designation or included in 
the caveat. The designation and acceptance shall constitute the consent of the 
caveator that service of notice upon the designated resident agent shall bind the 
caveator. If the caveator is represented by an attorney admitted to practice in 
Florida who signs the caveat, it shall not be necessary to designate a resident agent 
under this rule. 
 
(d)   Filing after Commencement. If at the time of the filing of any 
caveat the decedent’s will has been admitted to probate or letters of administration 
have been issued, the clerk shallmust promptly notify the caveator in writing of the 
date of issuance of letters and the names and addresses of the personal 
representative and the personal representative’s attorney.  
 
(e)   Creditor. When letters of administration issue after the filing of a 
caveat by a creditor, the clerk shallmust promptly notify the caveator, in writing, 
advising the caveator of the date of issuance of letters and the names and addresses 
of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney, unless 
notice has previously been served on the caveator. A copy of any notice given by 
 
- 6 - 
the clerk, together with a certificate of the mailing of the original notice, shallmust 
be filed in the estate proceedings.  
 
(f)   Other Interested Persons; Before Commencement. After the filing of 
a caveat by an interested person other than a creditor, the court shallmust not admit 
a will of the decedent to probate or appoint a personal representative without 
service of formal notice on the caveator or the caveator’s designated agent.  
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No Change] 
 
Rule History  
 
 
1977 Revision - 2003 Revision: [No Change] 
 
2010 Cycle Report Revision: Subdivision (c) amended to clarify that a state 
agency filing a caveat need not designate an agent for service of process, and to 
provide that a caveator who is not a resident of the county where the caveat is filed 
must designate either a resident of that county or an attorney licensed and residing 
in Florida as the caveator’s agent. Editorial changes in (d) and (e). Committee 
notes revised. 
        
2010 Out-of-Cycle Report Revision: Subdivisions (a) and (b) amended to 
conform with statutory changes.  Subdivision (c) amended to read as it existed 
prior to SC10-171 (35 FLW S482) due to a subsequent legislative amendment 
(Chapter 2010-132, § 3, Laws of Fla.).  Editorial changes in (d), (e), and (f). 
Committee notes revised.  
 
Statutory Reference  
 
[No Change] 
  
Rule Reference  
 
[No Change] 
 
 
 
  
 
- 7 - 
RULE 5.3425.   SEARCH OF SAFE DEPOSIT BOX 
 
(a)   Petition for Order Authorizing Search. The petition for an order 
authorizing the search of a safe deposit box leased or co-leased by a decedent must 
be verified and must contain:  
 
(1) 
The petitioner’s name, address, and interest, if any, in the 
estate; 
 
(2) 
The decedent’s name, address, date and place of death, and 
state and county of domicile;  
 
(3) 
A description of the safe deposit box leased by the decedent 
and, if known, the name of any co-lessee;  
 
(4) 
The name and address of the institution where the safe deposit 
box is located; and 
 
(5) 
A statement that the petitioner believes that the decedent may 
have left in the safe deposit box one or more of the following:  
 
(A) 
A will or codicil of the decedent, or a writing described 
in section 732.515 of the Code; 
 
(B) 
A deed to a burial plot; 
 
(C) 
A writing giving burial instructions; or  
 
(D) 
Insurance policies on the life of the decedent. 
 
(b)  Order. If the Court determines that the petitioner is entitled to an order 
authorizing a search of the decedent’s safe deposit box, it must enter an order  
 
(1) 
authorizing the petitioner to open the safe deposit box in the 
presence of an officer of the lessor and, if requested by the petitioner, to remove 
and deliver 
 
(A) 
to the court having probate jurisdiction in the county 
where the lessor is located any writing purporting to be a will or codicil of the 
decedent and any writing purporting to identify devises of tangible property;  
 
- 8 - 
 
(B) 
to the petitioner, any writing purporting to be a deed to a 
burial plot to give burial instructions; and  
 
(C) 
to the beneficiary named therein, any document 
purporting to be an insurance policy on the life of the decedent.  
 
(2) 
directing the officer of the lessor to make a complete copy of 
any document removed and delivered pursuant to the court order, together with a 
memorandum of delivery identifying the name of the officer, the person to whom 
the document was delivered, and the date of delivery, to be placed in the safe 
deposit box leased or co-leased by the decedent.  
 
Committee Notes 
 
The search of the safe deposit box is not considered an initial opening and is 
not subject to the inventory requirements of rule 5.342. 
  
Rule History  
 
2010 Revision: New rule.  
 
Statutory References  
 
§ 655.935, Fla. Stat. Search procedure on death of lessee.  
 
 
RULE 5.360.      ELECTIVE SHARE  
 
(a)   Election. An election to take the elective share may be filed by the 
surviving spouse, or on behalf of the surviving spouse by an attorney-in-fact or 
guardian of the property of the surviving spouse.  
 
(1)   Election by Surviving Spouse. An electing surviving spouse 
shallmust file the election within the time required by law and promptly serve a 
copy of the election on the personal representative in the manner provided for 
service of formal notice.  
 
(2)   Election by Attorney-in-Fact or Guardian of the Property of 
Surviving Spouse.  
 
- 9 - 
 
(A)   Petition for Approval. Before filing the election, the 
attorney-in-fact or guardian of the property of the surviving spouse shallmust 
petition the court having jurisdiction of the probate proceeding for approval to 
make the election. The petition for approval shallmust allege the authority to act on 
behalf of the surviving spouse and facts supporting the election.  
 
(B)   Notice of Petition. Upon receipt of the petition, the 
personal representative shallmust promptly serve a copy of the petition by formal 
notice on all interested persons.  
 
(C)   Order Authorizing Election.  If the election is approved, 
the order must include a finding that the election is in the best interests of the 
surviving spouse during the spouse’s probable lifetime.  
 
(D) Filing the Election. Upon entry of an order authorizing 
the filing of an election, the attorney-in-fact or guardian of the property shallmust 
file the election within the later of the time provided by law or 30 days from 
service of the order and promptly serve a copy of the election on the personal 
representative in the manner provided for service of formal notice.  
 
(b)   Procedure for Election.  
 
(1) - (2)   [No Change]  
 
(3)   Service of Notice. Upon receipt of an election the personal 
representative shallmust serve a notice of election within 20 days following service 
of the election, together with a copy of the election, on all interested persons in the 
manner provided for service of formal notice. The notice of election shallmust 
indicate the names and addresses of the attorneys for the surviving spouse and the 
personal representative and shallmust state that:  
 
(A)   persons receiving a notice of election may be required to 
contribute toward the satisfaction of the elective share;  
 
(B)   objections to the election must be served within 20 days 
after service of the copy of the notice of election; and  
 
 
- 10 - 
(C)   if no objection to the election is timely served, an order 
determining the surviving spouse’s entitlement to the elective share may be granted 
without further notice.  
 
(4)   Objection to Election. Within 20 days after service of the notice 
of election, an interested person may serve an objection to the election which 
shallmust state with particularity the grounds on which the objection is based. The 
objecting party shallmust serve copies of the objection on the surviving spouse and 
the personal representative. If an objection is served, the personal representative 
shallmust promptly serve a copy of the objection on all other interested persons 
who have not previously been served with a copy of the objection.  
 
(c)   Determination of Entitlement.  
 
(1)   No Objection Served. If no objection to the election is timely 
served, the court shallmust enter an order determining the spouse’s entitlement to 
the elective share.  
 
(2)   Objection Served. If an objection to the election is timely 
served, the court shallmust determine the surviving spouse’s entitlement to the 
elective share after notice and hearing.  
 
(d)   Procedure to Determine Amount of Elective Share and 
Contribution.  
 
(1)   Petition by Personal Representative. After entry of the order 
determining the surviving spouse’s entitlement to the elective share, the personal 
representative shallmust file and serve a petition to determine the amount of the 
elective share. The petition shallmust  
 
(A)   give the name and address of each direct recipient known 
to the personal representative;  
 
(B)   describe the proposed distribution of assets to satisfy the 
elective share, and the time and manner of distribution; and  
 
(C)   identify those direct recipients, if any, from whom a 
specified contribution will be required and state the amount of contribution sought 
from each.  
 
 
- 11 - 
(2)   Service of Inventory. The inventory of the elective estate 
required by rule 5.340, together with the petition, shallmust be served within 60 
days after entry of the order determining entitlement to the elective share on all 
interested persons in the manner provided for service of formal notice.  
 
(3)   [No Change] 
  
(4)   Objection to Amount of Elective Share. Within 20 days after 
service of the petition to determine the amount of the elective share, an interested 
person may serve an objection to the amount of or distribution of assets to satisfy 
the elective share. The objection shallmust state with particularity the grounds on 
which the objection is based. The objecting party shallmust serve copies of the 
objection on the surviving spouse and the personal representative. If an objection is 
served, the personal representative shallmust promptly serve a copy of the 
objection on all interested persons who have not previously been served.  
 
(5)   Determination of Amount of Elective Share and 
Contribution.  
 
(A)   No Objection Served. If no objection is timely served to 
the petition to determine the amount of the elective share, the court shallmust enter 
an order on the petition.  
 
(B)   Objection Served. If an objection is timely served to the 
petition to determine the amount of the elective share, the court shallmust 
determine the amount of the elective share and contribution after notice and 
hearing.  
 
(6)   Order Determining Amount of Elective Share and 
Contribution. The order shallmust:  
 
(A)   set forth the amount of the elective share;  
 
(B)   identify the assets to be distributed to the surviving spouse 
in satisfaction of the elective share; and  
 
(C)   if contribution is necessary, specify the amount of 
contribution for which each direct recipient is liable.  
 
 
- 12 - 
(e)   Relief from Duty to Enforce Contribution. A petition to relieve the 
personal representative from the duty to enforce contribution shallmust state the 
grounds on which it is based and notice shallmust be served on interested persons.  
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No Change] 
 
Rule History  
 
1984 Revision - 2005 Revision: [No Change] 
 
2010 Cycle Report Revision: Committee notes revised.  
 
2010 Out-of-Cycle Report Revision: Subdivision (a)(2) amended to conform 
to an amendment to § 732.2125, Florida Statutes. 
 
Statutory References  
 
[No Change]  
 
Rule References  
 
[No Change]