This bill amends section 733.303 of the Florida Statutes to create an exception allowing individuals with felony convictions to serve as personal representatives of deceased individuals, provided they are not currently incarcerated and have a specified familial relationship to the deceased, such as being a parent, spouse, child, or grandchild. The bill stipulates that if no other family members of the same degree of consanguinity are available to serve, the court may consider a petition from the convicted individual.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific criteria that the court must evaluate when determining whether to grant such petitions. These criteria include whether the decedent was a victim of the felony, the nature of the offense, the timing of the offense, evidence of rehabilitation, and the relationship between the petitioner and the decedent. The bill aims to balance the rights of individuals with felony convictions to serve in important roles within their families while ensuring that the court carefully considers the circumstances surrounding their convictions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1459 Filed: 733.303