Fl. Prob. R. 5.630

As amended through November 4, 2024

Rule 5.630 - PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF ACTS

(a) Contents. When authorization or confirmation of any act of the guardian is required under sections 744.422 or 744.441, Florida Statutes, application must be made by verified petition stating the facts showing:

(1) the expediency or necessity for the action;

(2) a description of any property involved;

(3) the price and terms of any sale, mortgage, or other contract;

(4) whether the ward has been adjudicated incapacitated to act with respect to the rights to be exercised;

(5) whether the action requested conforms to the guardianship plan; and

(6) the basis for the relief sought.

(b) Notice. No notice of a petition to authorize sale of perishable personal property or of property rapidly deteriorating is required. Notice of a petition to perform any other act requiring a court order must be given to the ward, to the next of kin, if any, and to those persons who have filed requests for notices and copies of pleadings.

(c) Order.

(1) If the act is authorized or confirmed, the order must describe the permitted act and authorize the guardian to perform it or confirm its performance.

(2) If a sale or mortgage is authorized or confirmed, the order must describe the property. If a sale is to be private, the order must specify the price and the terms of the sale. If a sale is to be public, the order must state that the sale will be made to the highest bidder and that the court reserves the right to reject all bids.

(3) If the guardian is authorized to bring an action to contest the validity of all or part of a revocable trust, the order must contain a finding that the action appears to be in the ward's best interests during the ward's probable lifetime. If the guardian is not authorized to bring such an action, the order must contain a finding concerning the continued need for a guardian and the extent of the need for delegation of the ward's rights.

Fl. Prob. R. 5.630

Amended by SC2023-1477, effective 12/14/2023; Amended by 2021 WL 5050374, effective 10/28/2021; amended by 309 So.3d 196, effective 12/31/2020; amended by 102 So.3d 505, effective 9/1/2012; amended by 948 So.2d 735, effective 2/1/2007; amended by 584 So.2d 964, effective 10/1/1991; amended by 551 So.2d 452, effective 10/1/1989; amended by 531 So.2d 1261, effective 1/1/1989; amended by 387 So.2d 949, effective 1/1/1981; 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

Rule History

1975 Revision: Substantially the same as sections 744.503, 744.447, and 744.451, Florida Statutes, with editorial changes.

1977 Revision: Change in statutory reference in rule and in committee note to conform to statutory renumbering.

1980 Revision: Implements 1979 amendment to section 744.447(2), Florida Statutes.

1988 Revision: Editorial changes; captions added to subdivisions. Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in rule and committee notes.

1989 Revision: Prior rule deleted and replaced by temporary emergency rule.

1991 Revision: Changes to conform to 1989 revised guardianship law.

1992 Revision: Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes.

2006 Revision: New (a)(6) added to incorporate 2006 amendment to section 744.441, Florida Statutes. New (c)(3) added to reflect passage of 2006 amendment to section 737.2065, Florida Statutes. Committee notes revised.

2007 Revision: Committee notes revised.

2008 Revision: Committee notes revised.

2012 Revision: Committee notes revised.

2020 Revision: Subdivision (a)(2) is created to address section 744.441(2), Florida Statutes, and the contents of a petition for court approval for a guardian to sign an order not to resuscitate. Subdivision (d) is created to include the procedure for a hearing pursuant to section 744.441(2), Florida Statutes.

Statutory References

§ 393.12, Fla. Stat. Capacity; appointment of guardian advocate.

§ 736.0207, Fla. Stat. Trust contests.

§ 744.3215, Fla. Stat. Rights of persons determined incapacitated.

§ 744.441, Fla. Stat. Powers of guardian upon court approval.

§ 744.447, Fla. Stat. Petition for authorization to act.

§ 744.451, Fla. Stat. Order.

Rule References

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

Fla. Prob. R. 5.025 Adversary proceedings.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.040 Notice.

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

Fla. Prob. R. 5.060 Request for notices and copies of pleadings.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.610 Execution by guardian.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.636 Settlement of minors' claims.

Fla. Prob. R. 5.649 Guardian advocate.

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