Contents and introductory material

FLORIDA PROBATE RULES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FLORIDA PROBATE RULES ........................................................... 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................... 1

CITATIONS TO OPINIONS ADOPTING OR AMENDING RULES........ 9

PART I — GENERAL ..................................................................... 13

RULE 5.010. SCOPE ..................................................................... 13

RULE 5.015. GENERAL DEFINITIONS ........................................... 17

RULE 5.020. PLEADINGS; VERIFICATION; MOTIONS ................... 19

RULE 5.025. ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS ................................... 22

RULE 5.030. ATTORNEYS ............................................................. 29

RULE 5.040. NOTICE .................................................................... 32

RULE 5.041. SERVICE OF PLEADINGS AND DOCUMENTS .......... 40

RULE 5.042. TIME ........................................................................ 43

RULE 5.043. DEPOSIT OF WILLS AND CODICILS ......................... 47

RULE 5.050. TRANSFER OF PROCEEDINGS ................................ 48

RULE 5.060. REQUEST FOR NOTICES AND COPIES OF PLEADINGS 50

RULE 5.065. NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION OR ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION ........................................................................ 52

RULE 5.080. DISCOVERY AND SUBPOENA .................................. 53

RULE 5.095. GENERAL AND SPECIAL MAGISTRATES .................. 56

RULE 5.100. RIGHT OF APPEAL ................................................... 58

RULE 5.110. ADDRESS DESIGNATION FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OR GUARDIAN; DESIGNATION OF RESIDENT AGENT AND ACCEPTANCE .......................................................... 60

RULE 5.120. ADMINISTRATOR AD LITEM AND GUARDIAN AD LITEM 62

RULE 5.122. CURATORS .............................................................. 67

RULE 5.150. ORDER REQUIRING ACCOUNTING .......................... 70

RULE 5.160. PRODUCTION OF ASSETS ....................................... 72

RULE 5.170. EVIDENCE ............................................................... 73

RULE 5.171. EVIDENCE OF DEATH ............................................. 74

RULE 5.180. WAIVER AND CONSENT ........................................... 75

PART II — PROBATE .................................................................... 77

RULE 5.200. PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATION ............................ 77

RULE 5.201. NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATION ......... 82

RULE 5.205. FILING EVIDENCE OF DEATH ................................. 83

RULE 5.210. PROBATE OF WILLS WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION ... 85

RULE 5.215. AUTHENTICATED COPY OF WILL ............................ 90

RULE 5.216. WILL WRITTEN IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE ................. 91

RULE 5.230. COMMISSION TO PROVE WILL ................................ 91

RULE 5.235. ISSUANCE OF LETTERS, BOND ............................... 93

RULE 5.240. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION ................................. 95

RULE 5.2405. SERVICE OF NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION ON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE .................................................. 101

RULE 5.241. NOTICE TO CREDITORS ........................................ 104

RULE 5.260. CAVEAT; PROCEEDINGS ....................................... 108

RULE 5.270. REVOCATION OF PROBATE ................................... 111

RULE 5.275. BURDEN OF PROOF IN WILL CONTESTS ............... 112

RULE 5.310. DISQUALIFICATION OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE; NOTIFICATION ............................................ 113

RULE 5.320. OATH OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ............... 115

RULE 5.330. EXECUTION BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ..... 121

RULE 5.340. INVENTORY............................................................ 123

RULE 5.341. ESTATE INFORMATION .......................................... 128

RULE 5.342. INVENTORY OF SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX ..................... 128

RULE 5.3425. SEARCH OF SAFE DEPOSIT BOX ..................... 130

RULE 5.345. ACCOUNTINGS OTHER THAN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES’ FINAL ACCOUNTINGS ............................... 132

RULE 5.346. FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTING ...................................... 135

RULE 5.350. CONTINUANCE OF UNINCORPORATED BUSINESS OR VENTURE 157

RULE 5.355. PROCEEDINGS FOR REVIEW OF EMPLOYMENT OF AGENTS AND COMPENSATION OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND ESTATE EMPLOYEES ........................................................ 160

RULE 5.360. ELECTIVE SHARE .................................................. 161

RULE 5.365. PETITION FOR DOWER .......................................... 168

RULE 5.370. SALES OF REAL PROPERTY WHERE NO POWER CONFERRED ............................................................................. 169

RULE 5.380. COMPULSORY PAYMENT OF DEVISES OR DISTRIBUTIVE INTERESTS ........................................................ 171

RULE 5.385. DETERMINATION OF BENEFICIARIES AND SHARES .............................................................................. 172

RULE 5.386. ESCHEAT ............................................................... 175

RULE 5.395. NOTICE OF FEDERAL ESTATE TAX RETURN ........ 176

RULE 5.400. DISTRIBUTION AND DISCHARGE .......................... 177

RULE 5.401. OBJECTIONS TO PETITION FOR DISCHARGE OR FINAL ACCOUNTING .................................................................. 181

RULE 5.402. NOTICE OF LIEN ON PROTECTED HOMESTEAD ... 183

RULE 5.403. PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE AMOUNT OF LIEN ON PROTECTED HOMESTEAD .................................................. 185

RULE 5.404. NOTICE OF TAKING POSSESSION OF PROTECTED HOMESTEAD ............................................................................. 186

RULE 5.405. PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE PROTECTED HOMESTEAD STATUS OF REAL PROPERTY .............................. 188

RULE 5.406. PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE EXEMPT PROPERTY

.............................................................................. 192

RULE 5.407. PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE FAMILY ALLOWANCE

.............................................................................. 194

RULE 5.420. DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION ...................................................................... 196

RULE 5.425. DISPOSITION WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION OF INTESTATE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN SMALL ESTATES ........... 198

RULE 5.430. RESIGNATION OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE .. 201

RULE 5.440. PROCEEDINGS FOR REMOVAL OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ..................................................................... 206

RULE 5.460. SUBSEQUENT ADMINISTRATION .......................... 209

RULE 5.470. ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION ............................... 210

RULE 5.475. ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION, SHORT FORM ....... 213

RULE 5.490. FORM AND MANNER OF PRESENTING CLAIM....... 216

RULE 5.496. FORM AND MANNER OF OBJECTING TO CLAIM ... 219

RULE 5.498. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE’S PROOF OF CLAIM .....

.............................................................................. 221

RULE 5.499. FORM AND MANNER OF OBJECTING TO PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE’S PROOF OF CLAIM ..................................... 223

RULE 5.510. ESTABLISHMENT AND PROBATE OF LOST OR DESTROYED WILL ..................................................................... 225

RULE 5.530. SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION ................................ 226

PART III — GUARDIANSHIP ....................................................... 231

RULE 5.540. HEARINGS ............................................................. 231

RULE 5.541. RECORDING OF HEARINGS ................................... 232

RULE 5.550. PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY ................. 233

RULE 5.552. VOLUNTARY GUARDIANSHIP OF PROPERTY ......... 239

RULE 5.555. GUARDIANSHIPS OF MINORS ................................ 241

RULE 5.560. PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN OF AN INCAPACITATED PERSON .......................................................... 245

RULE 5.590. APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT AS GUARDIAN; DISCLOSURE STATEMENT; FILING ........................................... 251

RULE 5.600. OATH ..................................................................... 254

RULE 5.610. EXECUTION BY GUARDIAN ................................... 254

RULE 5.620. INVENTORY............................................................ 257

RULE 5.625. NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF GUARDIAN EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................ 259

RULE 5.630. PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF ACTS ...................... 261

RULE 5.631. PETITION FOR APPROVAL BY PROFESSIONAL GUARDIAN FOR ORDER NOT TO RESUSCITATE OR TO WITHHOLD LIFE-PROLONGING PROCEDURES ......................... 264

RULE 5.635. PETITION FOR EXTRAORDINARY AUTHORITY....... 266

RULE 5.636. SETTLEMENT OF MINORS’ CLAIMS ....................... 268

RULE 5.640. CONTINUANCE OF UNINCORPORATED BUSINESS OR VENTURE OF WARD .................................................................. 271

RULE 5.645. MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY OF NONRESIDENT WARD BY FOREIGN GUARDIAN ................................................ 273

RULE 5.646. STANDBY GUARDIANS ........................................... 275

RULE 5.647. SURROGATE GUARDIAN........................................ 279

RULE 5.648. EMERGENCY TEMPORARY GUARDIAN ................. 280

RULE 5.649. GUARDIAN ADVOCATE .......................................... 283

RULE 5.650. RESIGNATION OR DISQUALIFICATION OF

GUARDIAN; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR ............................ 288

RULE 5.660. PROCEEDINGS FOR REMOVAL OF GUARDIAN ..... 292

RULE 5.670. TERMINATION OF GUARDIANSHIP ON CHANGE OF DOMICILE OF RESIDENT WARD ............................................... 295

RULE 5.680. TERMINATION OF GUARDIANSHIP ........................ 299

RULE 5.681. RESTORATION OF RIGHTS OF PERSON WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY .................................................. 303

RULE 5.685. DETERMINATION REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP ......................................................................... 306

RULE 5.690. INITIAL GUARDIANSHIP REPORT ........................... 307

RULE 5.695. ANNUAL GUARDIANSHIP REPORT ......................... 309

RULE 5.696. GUARDIAN ACCOUNTING ...................................... 313

RULE 5.697. MAGISTRATES’ REVIEW OF GUARDIANSHIP INVENTORIES, ACCOUNTINGS, AND PLANS ............................. 331

RULE 5.700. OBJECTION TO GUARDIANSHIP REPORTS ........... 333

RULE 5.705. PETITION FOR INTERIM JUDICIAL REVIEW .......... 335

RULE 5.710. REPORTS OF PUBLIC GUARDIAN .......................... 336

RULE 5.720. COURT MONITOR .................................................. 337

RULE 5.725. EMERGENCY COURT MONITOR ............................ 339

RULE 5.800. APPLICATION OF REVISED CHAPTER 744 TO EXISTING GUARDIANSHIPS ....................................................... 340

PART IV — EXPEDITED JUDICIAL INTERVENTION CONCERNING MEDICAL TREATMENT PROCEDURES ...................................... 342

RULE 5.900. EXPEDITED JUDICIAL INTERVENTION CONCERNING MEDICAL TREATMENT PROCEDURES ...................................... 342

PART V — FORMS ...................................................................... 346

RULE 5.901. FORM FOR PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY

.............................................................................. 347

RULE 5.902. FORM FOR PETITION AND ORDER OF GUARDIAN

.............................................................................. 351

RULE 5.903. LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP ................................ 358

RULE 5.904. FORMS FOR INITIAL AND ANNUAL GUARDIANSHIP PLANS

.............................................................................. 362

APPENDIX A .............................................................................. 378

APPENDIX B .............................................................................. 380

RULE 5.905. FORM FOR PETITION; NOTICE; AND ORDER FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN ADVOCATE OF THE PERSON .... 381

RULE 5.906. LETTERS OF GUARDIAN ADVOCACY ............... 390

RULE 5.910. INVENTORY ....................................................... 392

RULE 5.920. FORMS RELATED TO INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF A VULNERABLE ADULT ............... 399

RULE 5.930. AFFIDAVIT OF QUALIFIED CUSTODIAN OF ELECTRONIC WILL .................................................................... 416

CITATIONS TO OPINIONS ADOPTING OR AMENDING RULES

ORIGINAL ADOPTION, effective 1-1-68: 201 So. 2d 409.

OTHER OPINIONS:

Effective Date: Citation Description

1-1-76: 324 So.2d 38. Complete revision (temporary rules). 7-1-77: 344 So.2d 828. Complete revision. 1-1-81: 387 So.2d 949. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.020, 5.040, 5.340, 5.345, 5.400, 5.440, 5.520, 5.540, 5.550, 5.560, 5.570, 5.630, 5.660, 5.690; added 5.205. 1-1-85: 458 So.2d 1079. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.020–5.040, 5.080, 5.110, 5.150, 5.170, 5.180, 5.210, 5.230, 5.240–5.270, 5.340–5.420, 5.440, 5.460–5.490, 5.510–5.560, 5.600, 5.620, 5.660, 5.670; deleted 5.280, 5.290, 5.410, 5.450, 5.500, 5.570; added 5.041, 5.042, 5.065, 5.395, 5.401, 5.405, 5.406. 1-1-85: 460 So.2d 906. Amended 5.340. 12-23-87: 517 So.2d 675. Amended 5.540, 5.560; added 5.710. 1-1-89: 531 So.2d 1261. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.015, 5.025, 5.042, 5.050, 5.080, 5.110, 5.160, 5.180, 5.205– 5.240, 5.270, 5.340, 5.360, 5.400, 5.405–5.420, 5.440, 5.490, 5.510, 5.620, 5.630, 5.650–5.670, 5.690; deleted 5.190, 5.390, 5.540, 5.590; added 5.122, 5.171, 5.201, 5.235, 5.275, 5.346, 5.355, 5.385, 5.386, 5.475, 5.495. 10-1-89: 551 So.2d 452. Amended 5.015, 5.550, 5.560, 5.610–5.660, 5.680–5.700; added 5.590, 5.800. 10-1-91: 584 So.2d 964. Amended 5.010, 5.040, 5.050, 5.240, 5.550, 5.560, 5.590–5.630, 5.650–5.680, 5.700–5.800; amended and renumbered 5.690 to 5.695; deleted 5.495; added 5.540, 5.541, 5.555, 5.635, 5.690, 5.696, 5.697, 5.705, 5.900. 1-1-93: 607 So.2d 1306. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.025, 5.120, 5.200, 5.240, 5.260, 5.310, 5.346, 5.400, 5.470, 5.690, 5.695, 5.900; added 5.496, 5.636. 1-1-97: 683 So.2d 78. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.040, 5.041, 5.080, 5.100, 5.180, 5.210, 5.235, 5.240, 5.346, 5.370, 5.400, 5.401, 5.405, 5.406, 5.470, 5.560, 5.590, 5.680. 1-1-01: 778 So.2d 272. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.015, 5.040, 5.041, 5.065, 5.100, 5.110, 5.555, 5.560, 5.705. 10-11-01: 807 So.2d 622, 816 So.2d 1095. Amended 5.025, 5.340, 5.360; added 5.365.

5-2-02, applicable to

824 So.2d 849. Amended 5.080, 5.200, 5.205, 5.210, 5.240, 5.310, 5.340, 5.345, 5.346, 5.385, 5.405, 5.440,

Effective Date: Citation Description decedents dying after December 31, 2001:

5.510, 5.530; deleted 5.070, 5.520; added 5.215, 5.216, 5.241, 5.341, 5.404.

6-19-03, applicable to decedents dying after December 31, 2001:

848 So.2d 1069. Two-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.122, 5.205, 5.240, 5.385, 5.430, 5.496; added 5.342.

1-1-04: 848 So.2d 1069. Two-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.555, 5.680; added 5.407, 5.552. 10-1-04: 887 So.2d 1090. Amended 5.697. 1-1-06: 912 So.2d 1178. Two-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.040, 5.041, 5.042, 5.240, 5.241, 5.270, 5.345, 5.346, 5.360, 5.400, 5.404, 5.475, 5.496, 5.530, 5.620; added 5.402, 5.403, 5.498, 5.499, 5.625. 2-1-07: 948 So.2d 735. Amended 5.180, 5.550, 5.552, 5.555, 5.560, 5.625, 5.630, 5.636, 5.660, 5.680, 5.695; added 5.646, 5.647, 5.685, 5.720, 5.725. 7-12-07: 964 So.2d 140. Amended 5.015, 5.240, 5.241; added 5.648. 1-1-08: 959 So.2d 1170. Three-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.040, 5.041, 5.200, 5.210, 5.241, 5.490, 5.496, 5.498, 5.499, 5.530, 5.650, 5.670, 5.697, 5.710; added 5.095, 5.645. 7-10-08: 986 So.2d 576. Amended 5.015, 5.030, 5.040, 5.050, 5.120, 5.540, 5.541, 5.620, 5.625, 5.640, 5.650, 5.660, 5.680, 5.720; added 5.649, 5.681. 1-1-11: 50 So.3d 578. Three-year cycle review. Amended 5.020, 5.030, 5.040, 5.041, 5.060, 5.110, 5.200, 5.205, 5.210, 5.235, 5.260, 5.330, 5.340, 5.346, 5.360, 5.405, 5.406, 5.440, 5.470, 5.496, 5.696, 5.710, 5.725. 1-1-11: 51 So.3d 1146. Amended 5.201, 5.260, 5.360 and created 5.3425. 7-7-11: 67 So.3d 1035. Amended 5.260. 9-28-11: 73 So.3d 205. Amended 5.025, 5.240. 10-1-11: 78 So.3d 1045. Amended 5.200, 5.210, 5.530. 9-1-12: 102 So.3d 505. Amended 5.030, 5.040, 5.041, 5.060, 5.120. 5.200, 5.340, 5.342, 5.350, 5.355, 5.360, 5.370, 5.380, 5.385, 5.386, 5.400, 5.401, 5.402, 5.403, 5.405, 5.406, 5.407, 5.430, 5.440, 5.460, 5.470, 5.475. 5.496, 5.498, 5.499, 5.510, 5.530, 5.620, 5.630, 5.650, 5.660, 5.670, 5.680, 5.690. 5.695, 5.696, 5.700. 10-1-12: 95 So.3d 96. Amended 5.042. 4-1-13: 102 So.3d 451. Adopted 5.043. 11-27-13: 131 So.3d 717. Amended 5.240 and 5.260.

Effective Date: Citation Description 1-1-14: 123 So.3d 31. Amended: 5.060, 5.110, 5.230, 5.395, 5.400, 5.404, 5.530, 5.649, 5.660, 5.681, 5.696. Adopted 5.2405. 4-22-14: 139 So.3d 875. Amended: 5.120, 5.200, 5.210, 5.385, 5.405, 5.406, 5.407, 5.530, 5.550, 5.555, 5.560, 5.590, 5.636, 5.646. 11-6-14: 150 So.3d 1100. Amended 5.590. 12-17-15: 181 So.3d 480. Amended 5.240, 5.310, 5.648, 5.695, 5.705. 9-15-16: 200 So.3d 761. Amended 5.050; 5.560; 5.646; 5.648; 5.670, 5.710. 1-1-17: 199 So.3d 835. Amended 5.040, 5.041, 5.042, 5.080, 5.345, 5.346, 5.550, 5.560, 5.620, 5.690, 5.696. 9-7-17: 226 So.3d 245. Amended 5.550, 5.695. 9-27-18: 253 So.3d 983. Amended 5.025. 9-3-20: 301 So.3d 859. Amended 5.550, 5.560, 5.649, 5.900. Adopted 5.901, 5.902, 5.903, 5.904, 5.905, 5.906, 5.910. 9-24-20: 415 So.3d 1055. Adopted 5.920. 12-31-20: 309 So.3d 196. Amended 5.040, 5.065, 5.240, 5.550, 5.555, 5.560, 5.630, 5.850. Adopted 5.425. 1-1-20: 287 So.3d 492. Amended 5.020, 5.040, 5.200, 5.240, 5.241, 5.275, 5.320, 5.360, 5.407, 5.470, 5.490, 5.499, 5.636, 5.649, 5.681, 5.695, 5.900. 1-16-20: 288 So.3d 565. Amended 5.015, 5.043, 5.120, 5.200, 5.210, 5.215, 5.230. 12-31-20: 309 So.3d 196. Amended 5.040, 5.065, 5.240, 5.550, 5.555, 5.560, 5.630, 5.850. Adopted 5.425. 10-28-21: 344 So.3d 940. Amended 5.030, 5.040, 5.041, 5.042, 5.043, 5.060, 5.080, 5.120, 5.200, 5.210, 5.340, 5.342, 5.350, 5.355, 5.360, 5.370, 5.380, 5.385, 5.386, 5.400, 5.401, 5.402, 5.403, 5.405, 5.406, 5.407, 5.430, 5.440, 5.460, 5.470, 5.475, 5.490, 5.496, 5.498, 5.499, 5.510, 5.530, 5.550, 5.555, 5.560, 5.590, 5.620, 5.630, 5.636, 5.646, 5.650, 5.660, 5.670, 5.680, 5.690, 5.695, 5.696, 5.700. 11-4-21: 334 So.3d 562. Amended 5.020, 5.200, 5.320, 5.340, 5.402, 5.403, 5.404, 5.405, 5.555. 10-1-22: 346 So.3d 1105. Amended 5.080. 4-1-23: 356 So.3d 224. Amended 5.040, 5.330. Adopted 5.930. 12-14-23: 376 So.3d 598. Amended 5.630, 5.649, 5.904, 5.905, 5.906, 5.920. Adopted 5.631. 9-5-24: 393 So.3d 178. Amended 5.240, 5.241, 5.550, 5.681, and 5.905. 10-1-24: 390 So.3d 624. Amended 5.025, 5.340, 5.405. 1-1-25: 397 So.3d 993. Amended 5.320 and 5.550. 2-27-25: 403 So.3d 219. Amended 5.240, 5.241, and 5.550. 7-1-25: 406 So.3d 926. Amended 5.040, 5.499, and 5.904. 8-28-25: 417 So.3d 265. Amended 5.920. 10-1-25: 417 So.3d 283. Amended 5.405.

Effective Date: Citation Description 1-1-26: 421 So.3d 422. Amended 5.010. 7-16-26: 2026 WL 2053005. Amended 5.025, 5.425, 5.530.

10-1-26: 434 So.3d 697. Amended 5.025, 5.122, 5.200, 5.320, and 5.470. 10-1-26: 434 So.3d 1007. 5.030, 5.040, 5.041, 5.043, 5.060, 5.120, 5.340, 5.342, 5.350, 5.355, 5.360, 5.370, 5.380, 5.385, 5.386, 5.400, 5.401, 5.402, 5.403, 5.405, 5.406, 5.407, 5.430, 5.440, 5.460, 5.475, 5.490, 5.496, 5.498, 5.499, 5.50, 5.530, 5.620, 5.631, 5.650, 5.660, 5.670, 5.680, 5.690, 5.695.

NOTE TO USERS: Rules in this pamphlet are current through 434 So.3d 1007. Subsequent amendments, if any, can be found at www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/rules.shtml. The Florida Bar also updates the rules on its website at www.FloridaBar.org (on the homepage click “Rules Updates”).