This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning estate administration, particularly focusing on the roles of lessors of safe-deposit boxes and personal representatives. Key provisions include a requirement for lessors to grant access to safe-deposit boxes to personal representatives upon presentation of their letters of administration, as well as an obligation to deliver property held in safekeeping. The bill also introduces a new mandate for courts to award taxable costs and attorney fees in cases where enforcement of a personal representative's authority is necessary, allowing these costs to be charged to individuals whose actions prompted the enforcement.

Additionally, the bill raises the threshold for summary administration from $75,000 to $150,000 and revises the criteria for intestate property disposition. It clarifies the definition of extraordinary services for attorneys and allows personal representatives to enforce their authority without a court order. Furthermore, the bill establishes new criteria for assessing a person's share of an estate in legal proceedings, considering various factors without requiring proof of bad faith or misconduct. The changes aim to streamline estate administration processes and clarify the responsibilities of involved parties, with the bill set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 1500 Filed: 655.933, 655.936, 733.603, 735.201, 735.302, 735.304
S 1500 c1: 655.933, 655.936, 733.603, 735.201, 735.302, 735.304