summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to estates; amending ss. 655.933 and 655.936, F.S.; revising the responsibilities a lessor of a safe-deposit box has to certain persons; amending s. 733.603, F.S.; revising the issues a court may resolve for a personal representative; amending s. 733.612, F.S.; revising the list of transactions a personal representative may make if acting reasonably for the benefit of certain persons; creating s. 733.6125, F.S.; requiring the court to award taxable costs and attorney fees in certain proceedings; authorizing the court to direct such payment from certain persons; providing that such payment may be satisfied from certain property; amending s. 733.6171, F.S.; revising what constitutes an extraordinary service of an attorney; making technical changes; amending s. 735.201, F.S.; revising when summary administration proceedings may commence for either a resident or nonresident decedent’s estate; amending s. 735.302, F.S.; revising the sum at which an overpayment of taxes by a decedent may be refunded by the United States Treasury Department; amending s. 735.303, F.S.; revising the sum for funds certain financial institutions may make payable to a decedent’s family member; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 735.304, F.S.; revising the prohibition against certain proceedings for a decedent when he or she dies intestate and leaves only certain personal property worth a specified sum; reenacting s. 655.937(1)(b), F.S., relating to access to safe-deposit boxes leased in two or more names, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 655.933, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s. 734.101(4), F.S., relating to foreign personal representatives, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 655.936, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s. 733.106(4), F.S., relating to costs and attorney fees, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 733.6171, F.S., in a reference thereto; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to Florida's estate laws, including clarifying how lessors of safe-deposit boxes must grant access to personal representatives (executors or administrators of an estate) and their attorneys, and expanding the types of transactions a personal representative can undertake without direct court approval, provided they act reasonably for the benefit of those interested in the estate. It also introduces a provision requiring courts to award taxable costs and attorney fees to a prevailing personal representative in proceedings to enforce their authority, which can be paid from certain persons or property. The bill revises what constitutes extraordinary services for an attorney in estate administration, allowing for attorney fees in proceedings to enforce a personal representative's authority. Additionally, it increases the value thresholds for when summary administration (a simplified probate process) can be used for estates, when tax refunds can be issued directly to a surviving spouse or children, and when financial institutions can release funds to a decedent's family member without court proceedings. Finally, it raises the value limit for personal property that can be distributed without formal administration for intestate (dying without a will) estates.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Banking and Insurance (Senate)
Last Action
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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