Florida Probate Rule 5.404

Notice of Taking Possession of Protected Homestead

Text of the rules effective October 1, 2026.

  1. (a)
    Filing of Notice. If a personal representative takes possession of what appears reasonably to be protected homestead pending a determination of its homestead status, the personal representative shall file a notice of that act.
  2. (b)
    Contents of Notice. The notice shall contain:
    1. (1)
      a legal description of the property;
    2. (2)
      a statement of the limited purpose for preserving, insuring, and protecting it for the heirs or devisees pending a determination of the homestead status;
    3. (3)
      the name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney;
    4. (4)
      if the personal representative is in possession when the notice is filed, the date the personal representative took possession.
  3. (c)
    Service of Notice. The notice shall be served in the manner provided for service of formal notice on interested persons and on any person in actual possession of the property.

Notes

Rule History
2002
New rule.
2005
Term “devisees” substituted for “beneficiaries” in subdivision (b)(2) to clarify the status of persons interested in protected homestead. Committee notes revised.
2013
Deletes subdivision (b)(4) because the required information is not appropriate for a Notice of Taking possession, nor does it comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

References

Statutory References

Rule References