Florida Probate Rule 5.386

Escheat

Text of the rules effective October 1, 2026.

Amended Oct. 1, 2026See what changed

  1. (a)
    Escheat Proceeding. If it appears to the personal representative that an estate may escheat or there is doubt about the existence of any person entitled to the estate, the personal representative must institute a proceeding to determine beneficiaries within 1 year after letters have been issued to the personal representative, and notice must be served on the Department of Legal Affairs. If the personal representative fails to institute the proceeding within the time fixed, it may be instituted by the Department of Legal Affairs.
  2. (b)
    Court’s Report. On or before January 15 of each year, each court must furnish to the Department of Legal Affairs a list of all estates being administered in which no person appears to be entitled to the property and the personal representative has not instituted a proceeding for the determination of beneficiaries.
  3. (c)
    Administration. Except as provided in this rule, escheated estates are administered as other estates.

Notes

Committee Notes

This rule represents a rule implementation of the procedure formerly found in section 732.107, Florida Statutes. It is not intended to change the effect of the statute from which it was derived but has been reformatted to conform with the structure of these rules. It is not intended to create a new procedure or modify an existing procedure.

Rule History
1988
New rule.
1992
Editorial change. Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes.
2003
Committee notes revised.
2012
Committee notes revised.
2026
Committee notes revised.

References

Statutory References

  • § 732.107, Fla. Stat. Escheat.
  • § 733.105, Fla. Stat. Determination of beneficiaries.
  • § 733.816, Fla. Stat. Disposition of unclaimed property held by personal representatives.

Rule References