Florida Probate Rules as They Apply to Foreign Wills

Florida probate administration has rules regarding whether a foreign Will passes title. Unfortunately, changes in the probate codes of Florida statutes regarding foreign Wills can make things confusing. The following article highlights the changes and interpretations of the probate rules.

Why Does Getting A Foreign Will Recorded Under Sec. 734.104, Fla. Stat. Not Suffice To Pass Title?

Excellent question, as 30 years ago it was sufficient to pass title. Now, it apparently is not.

For many years, the Florida statute provided: “When admitted to record, the [foreign] Will … shall pass title to real property and any right, title, or interest in it.”

In 1979 it was changed to the following language: “When admitted to record, the foreign Will shall be as valid and effectual to pass title to real property and any right, title, or interest therein as if the Will had been admitted to probate in this state.” That is not clear. What is the effect of any Will admitted to probate in Florida? Does it pass title by itself or not?

That depends on the type of property and whom you ask. There are some underwriters which believe that title to homestead is vested with testate beneficiaries immediately and do not even require an Order Determining Homestead Status so long as the Will is admitted to probate. Of course, by definition, Chapter 734 does not apply to homestead property, since it only applies to non-Floridians.

Underwriters in Florida are sometimes uncomfortable with the concept of title to non-homestead property passing by admitting a will to probate, either foreign or domestic. A personal representative’s deed (with Florida letters of administration) or an order of summary administration is often required, either of which would make the procedure in Chapter 734 to admit the will redundant and a waste of money since the foreign will gets admitted under either formal or summary probate procedures. As a result, not very many petitions to admit a foreign will under chapter 734 are filed these days.

Our Attorneys Have Extensive Florida Probate Law Experience

The Florida Probate Attorneys at Statewide Probate are knowledgeable when it comes to Florida probate rules as it applies to any Wills. We offer reasonable probate administration fees and offer a free 20-minute consultation for Florida estate administration cases. Schedule a free probate consultation with our probate legal team today. We proudly serve clients in estates located in Pensacola, Miami, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Daytona Beach, Tampa Bay, and throughout the state.