Amendments to the Florida Probate Rules

778 So. 2d 272, 25 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 730, 2000 Fla. LEXIS 1905, 2000 WL 1424512
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in Amendments to the Florida Probate Rules. Read the opinion of the Court — 28 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 495
Supreme Court of Florida·Decided September 28, 2000·No. No. SC00-705·Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

The Probate Rules Committee of the Florida Bar has submitted its quadrennial report of proposed changes to the Florida Probate Rules. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. Pursuant to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.130(c), the proposed changes were submitted to the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar for its recommendation. After approval by the Board, the proposed changes were published, but no comments were filed.

We have reviewed the proposed amendments and approve them as submitted and set forth in the appendix to this opinion. The new language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by strike-through type. The committee notes are offered for explanation only and are not adopted as an official part of the rules. The amendments shall become effective January 1, 2001. See Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.130(c)(5).

It is so ordered.

WELLS, C.J., and SHAW, HARDING, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, LEWIS and QUINCE, JJ., concur.

APPENDIX

Rule 5.015. General Definitions

(a) General. The definitions and rules of construction stated or referred to in section 1.01, Florida Statutes, and Chapters 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 737, 738, and 744, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, shall apply to these rules, unless otherwise defined in these rules.

(b) Specific Definitions. When used in these rules

(1)“certified copy” means a copy of a document signed and verified as a true copy by the officer to whose custody the original is entrusted;

(2) “formal notice” means notice un-5.550(e); provided m rule

(3) “informal notice” means notice under rule 5.040(b);

(4) “judge” means a judge of the circuit court, including any judge elected, appointed, substituted, or assigned to serve as judge of the court.

Committee Notes

Rule History

1977 Revision: No change in rule. Correction of typographical error in committee note.

This is intended to simplify drafting of these rules and should be liberally construed. See Fla. Prob. R. 5.190 and 5.540 and also §§ 731.201 and 744.102, Fla. Stat.

1988 Revision: Rule was expanded due to deletion of rule 5.190. Committee notes expanded. Citation form changes in rule and committee notes.

1992 Revision: Citation form changes in rule and committee notes.

2000 Revision: Subdivision (b)(2) amended to delete outdated reference to rule 5.550(c).

Statutory References

§ 1.01, Fla. Stat. Definitions.

§ 731.201, Fla. Stat. General definitions.

§ 744.102, Fla. Stat. Definitions.

Rule 5.040. Notice

(a) Formal Notice.

(1) When formal notice is given, a copy of the pleading or motion shall be served on interested persons, together with a notice requiring the person served to serve written defenses on the person giving notice within 20 days after service of the notice, exclusive of the day of service, and to file the original of the written defenses with the clerk of the court either before service or immediately thereafter, and notifying the person served that failure to serve written defenses as required [274]*274may result in a judgment or order for the relief demanded in the pleading or motion, without further notice.

(2) After service of formal notice, informal notice of any hearing on the pleading or motion shall be served on interested persons, provided that if no written defense is served within 20 days after service of formal notice on an interested person, the pleading or motion may be considered ex parte as to that person, unless the court orders otherwise.

(3) Formal notice shall be served:

(A)by sending a copy by any commercial delivery service requiring a signed receipt approved by the chief judge of the judicial circuit in which the proceeding is pending or by any form of mail requiring a signed receipt as follows:

(i) onto the attorney representing an interested person — represented- by -an attorney by mailing-or delivering-a copy to fee-attorney; or

(ii) onto an interested person who has filed a demandrequest for notice fey mailing-or delivering-a- copy^-fcoat the address given in the demandrequest for notice; or

fiv)(iii) onto an incapacitated person by mailing or delivering -a^copy to the person’s usual place of abode and to the person’s legal guardian, if any, at the guardian’s usual place of abode or regular place of business; or, if there is no legal guardian, by mailing or delivering a copy to the incapacitated person at the person’s usual place of abode and toon the person, if any, having care or custody of the incapacitated person at the usual place of abode or regular place of business of such custodian; or

(iüXiv) on aaany other individual? other than an incapacitatecb-person, by mailing or delivering a copy to the individual’s usual place of abode or to the place where the individual regularly conducts business; or

(v) on a corporation or other business entity by mailing or delivering- a eopy-to its registered office in Florida or its principal business office in Florida or, if neither is known after reasonable inquiry, to its last known address; or

(B) as provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for service of process; or

(C) as otherwise provided by Florida law for service of process.

(4) Service of formal notice pursuant to subdivision (3)(A) shall be complete on receipt of the notice. Proof of service shall be by verified statement of the person giving the notice; and there shall be attached to the verified statement the signed receipt or other evidence satisfactory to the court that delivery was made to the addressee or the addressee’s agent.

(5) If service of process is made pursuant to Florida law, proof of service shall be made as provided therein.

(b) Informal Notice. When informal notice of a petition or other proceeding is required or permitted, it shall be served as provided in rule 5.041(b).

(c) “Notice” Defined. In these rules, the Florida Probate Code, and the Florida Guardianship Law “notice” shall mean informal notice unless formal notice is specified.

(d) Formal Notice Optional. Formal notice may be given in lieu of informal notice at the option of the person giving notice unless the court orders otherwise. When formal notice is given in lieu of informal notice, formal notice shall be given to all interested persons entitled to notice.

Formal notice is the method of service 'used in probate proceedings and the method of service of process for obtaining jurisdiction over the person receiving the notice.

Informal notice is the method of service of notice given to interested persons enti-[275]*275tied to notice when formal notice is not given or required.

Reference in this rule to the terms “mail” or “mailing” refers to use of the United States Postal Service.

1975 Revision: Implements section 731.301, Florida Statutes.

1977 Revision: Reference to elisor.

1980 Revision: Editorial changes. Clarification of time for filing defenses after formal notice.

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Amendments to the Florida Probate Rules, 778 So. 2d 272, 25 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 730, 2000 Fla. LEXIS 1905, 2000 WL 1424512 (Fla. 2000).

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