Fl. Prob. R. 5.200

As amended through November 4, 2024

Rule 5.200 - PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATION

The petition for administration shall be verified by the petitioner and shall contain:

(a) a statement of the interest of the petitioner, the petitioner's name and address, and the name and office address of the petitioner's attorney;

(b) the name and last known address of the decedent, last 4 digits of the decedent's social security number, date and place of death of the decedent, and state and county of the decedent's domicile;

(c) so far as is known, the names and addresses of the surviving spouse, if any, the beneficiaries and their relationship to the decedent and the year of birth of any beneficiaries who are minors;

(d) a statement showing venue;

(e) the priority, under section 733.301, Florida Statutes, of the person whose appointment as the personal representative is sought, whether or not any other person has equal or higher preference, and if so, their name and whether they will be served with formal notice, and a statement that the person is qualified to serve under the laws of Florida;

(f) a statement whether domiciliary or principal proceedings are pending in another state or country, if known, and the name and address of the foreign personal representative and the court issuing letters;

(g) a statement of the approximate value and nature of the assets;

(h) in an intestate estate, a statement 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, a statement why the wills or codicils are not being probated;

(i) in a testate estate, a statement identifying all unrevoked wills and codicils being presented for probate, and a statement that the petitioner is unaware of any other unrevoked wills or codicils or, if the petitioner is aware of any other unrevoked wills or codicils, a statement why the other wills or codicils are not being probated;

(j) in a testate estate, a statement 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 deposited with or probated in another jurisdiction or that an authenticated copy of a notarial will, the original of which is in the possession of a foreign notary, accompanies the petition; and

(k) a statement that the personal representative seeking appointment is qualified to serve under the laws of Florida as a business entity under section 733.305, Florida Statutes, or, if an individual, that the person is qualified to serve under the laws of Florida, including:

(1) whether the person has been convicted of a felony;

(2) whether the person has been convicted in any state or foreign jurisdiction of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly person or a disabled adult, as those terms are defined in section 825.101, Florida Statutes;

(3) that the person is mentally and physically able to perform the duties of a personal representative;

(4) that the person is 18 years of age or older; and

(5) whether the person is a resident of Florida and, if not a resident, a statement of the person's relationship to the decedent in accordance with section 733.304, Florida Statutes.

Fl. Prob. R. 5.200

Amended by 2021 WL 5121143, effective 11/4/2021; amended by 2021 WL 5050374, effective 10/28/2021; amended by 288 So.3d 565, effective 1/16/2020; amended by 287 So.3d 492, effective 1/1/2020; amended by 139 So.3d 875, effective 4/22/2014; amended by 102 So.3d 505, effective 9/1/2012; amended by 78 So.3d 1045, effective 10/1/2011; amended by 50 So.3d 578, effective 1/1/2011; amended by 959 So.2d 1170, effective 1/1/2008; amended by 824 So.2d 849, effective 5/2/2002; amended by 607 So.2d 1306, effective 1/1/1993; amended by 344 So.2d 828, effective 7/1/1977; amended by 324 So.2d 38, effective 1/1/1976; adopted by 201 So. 2d 409, effective 1/1/1968.

Committee Notes

1977 Revision: Addition to (b)(5) to require an affirmative statement that the person sought to be appointed as personal representative is qualified to serve. Committee note expanded to include additional statutory references.

Substantially the same as section 733.202, Florida Statutes, and implementing sections 733.301 through 733.305, Florida Statutes.

1988 Revision: Editorial changes. Committee notes revised.

1992 Revision: Addition of phrase in subdivision (b) to conform to 1992 amendment to section 733.202(2)(b), Florida Statutes. Reference to clerk ascertaining the amount of the filing fee deleted in subdivision (g) because of repeal of sliding scale of filing fees. The remaining language was deemed unnecessary. Editorial changes. Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes.

2002 Revision: Addition of phrases in subdivision (j) to add references to wills probated in Florida where the original is in the possession of a foreign official. Editorial changes. Committee notes revised.

2003 Revision: Committee notes revised.

2007 Revision: Committee notes revised.

2007 Revision: Editorial changes in (h) and (i).

2010 Revision: Editorial change in (e) to clarify reference to Florida Probate Code.

2011 Revision: Subdivision (b) amended to limit listing of decedent's social security number to last four digits.

2012 Revision: Committee notes revised.

2014 Revision: Subdivision (c) amended to conform to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425. Committee notes revised.

2019 Revision: Subdivision (e) amended to require a statement identifying any other person who has equal or higher preference than the petitioner for the appointment of a personal representative under section 733.301, Florida Statutes. Subdivision (k) adopted to require a statement of the specific facts that show the petitioner's qualifications to serve as personal representative under sections 733.303 and 733.304, Florida Statutes.

2020 Revision: Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes.

2021 Revision: Subdivision (k) amended to require a statement as to whether the personal representative seeking appointment has been convicted of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult.

Statutory References

§ 731.201(23), Fla. Stat. General definitions.

§ 731.301, Fla. Stat. Notice.

§ 732.522, Fla. Stat. Method and place of execution.

§ 732.526, Fla. Stat. Probate.

§ 733.202, Fla. Stat. Petition.

§ 733.301, Fla. Stat. Preference in appointment of personal representative.

§ 733.302, Fla. Stat. Who may be appointed personal representative.

§ 733.303, Fla. Stat. Persons not qualified.

§ 733.304, Fla. Stat. Nonresidents.

§ 733.305, Fla. Stat. Trust companies and other corporations and associations.

§ 825.101, Fla. Stat. Definitions.

Rule References

Fla. Prob. R. 5.020 Pleadings; verification; motions.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.040 Notice.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.041 Service of pleadings and documents.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.180 Waiver and consent.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.201 Notice of petition for administration.

Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516 Service of pleadings and documents.

Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.425 Minimization of the Filing of Sensitive Information.