Q: Personal representative for deceased relative

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A: Florida Statues Section 733.302:

Who may be appointed personal representative.—Subject to the limitations in this part, any person who is sui juris and is a resident of Florida at the time of the death of the person whose estate is to be administered is qualified to act as personal representative in Florida.

The Probate Code gives preference in the appointment of a personal representative in the event of either testate or intestate estates. For an estate with a valid will, preference is given to the personal representative named in the will, or a person selected by a majority of interested persons, or a devisee of the decedent. Under Florida Statute § 733.301, for estates without a will or with an invalid will, preference is given to the surviving spouse, then to a person selected by a majority of the interested parties, and then to the heir nearest in degree to the decedent.

733.303 Persons not qualified.—

(1) A person is not qualified to act as a personal representative if the person:

(a) Has been convicted of a felony.

(b) 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 s. 825.101.

(c) Is mentally or physically unable to perform the duties.

(d) Is under the age of 18 years.

(2) If the person named as personal representative in the will is not qualified, letters shall be granted as provided in s. 733.301.

733.304 Nonresidents.—A person who is not domiciled in the state cannot qualify as personal representative unless the person is:

(1) A legally adopted child or adoptive parent of the decedent;

(2) Related by lineal consanguinity to the decedent;

(3) A spouse or a brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the decedent, or someone related by lineal consanguinity to any such person; or

(4) The spouse of a person otherwise qualified under this section.

History.—s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 63, ch. 75-220; s. 6, ch. 79-343.

There are other relevant provisons of the Probate Code as well that should be reviewed.

A: Florida Statues Section 733.302:

Who may be appointed personal representative.—Subject to the limitations in this part, any person who is sui juris and is a resident of Florida at the time of the death of the person whose estate is to be administered is qualified to act as personal representative in Florida.

The Probate Code gives preference in the appointment of a personal representative in the event of either testate or intestate estates. For an estate with a valid will, preference is given to the personal representative named in the will, or a person selected by a majority of interested persons, or a devisee of the decedent. Under Florida Statute § 733.301, for estates without a will or with an invalid will, preference is given to the surviving spouse, then to a person selected by a majority of the interested parties, and then to the heir nearest in degree to the decedent.

733.303 Persons not qualified.—

(1) A person is not qualified to act as a personal representative if the person:

(a) Has been convicted of a felony.

(b) 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 s. 825.101.

(c) Is mentally or physically unable to perform the duties.

(d) Is under the age of 18 years.

(2) If the person named as personal representative in the will is not qualified, letters shall be granted as provided in s. 733.301.

733.304 Nonresidents.—A person who is not domiciled in the state cannot qualify as personal representative unless the person is:

(1) A legally adopted child or adoptive parent of the decedent;

(2) Related by lineal consanguinity to the decedent;

(3) A spouse or a brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the decedent, or someone related by lineal consanguinity to any such person; or

(4) The spouse of a person otherwise qualified under this section.

History.—s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 63, ch. 75-220; s. 6, ch. 79-343.

There are other relevant provisions of the Probate Code as well that should be reviewed.

A: If you are trying to become a Personal Representative in a Florida Probate Case, you are going to need a Florida Probate Attorney, whether you need to file a Formal Probate in order to become the Personal Representative of a probate is a discussion you should have with a probate attorney, it is not always needed or even necessary and it is possible that a quicker and or more efficient method of probate may apply to your circumstances in Florida. One thing to know, if the person trying to be the Personal Representative is a Felon, they cannot serve in that role. There are many other important things related to probate, but you will need to provide far more information to your attorney when the time comes or when you are ready to try to move forward, if at all applicable and needed.