How Do I Get Appointed as Executor in Florida?

See the appointing court, the petition that opens the estate, what to file, and bond rules to be appointed in your state.

Got the Letters? Run the whole estate from here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Florida has no single statewide fill-in petition; the opening document is prepared to statute and filed with the Circuit Court (Probate Division). After the court grants the petition, Clerk of the Circuit Court, after the court appoints the personal representative (the clerk issues Letters once appointment, bond, oath, and resident-agent steps are complete) issues your Letters of Administration (with a will) or Letters of Administration (without a will).

Along with the petition, Florida generally requires: Verified Petition for Administration drafted to Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petitioner interest, decedent data, beneficiaries, venue, § 733.301 priority, will statement, asset value); Original of the decedent's last will and any codicils (deposited with the court within 10 days of knowledge of death, Fla. Stat. § 732.901), in a testate estate; Certified copy of the death certificate; Oath of Personal Representative ("Before the granting of letters of administration, the prospective personal representative must file an oath to faithfully administer the estate of the decedent", Fla. Prob. R. 5.320) plus the address designation and designation of / acceptance by a resident agent required before letters issue (Fla. Prob. R. 5.110; Fla. Prob. R. 5.235(a)(3)); Bond unless waived by the will or by the court (Fla. Stat. § 733.402; Fla. Prob. R. 5.235(c)); Formal notice on, or waiver/joinder by, any person with equal or higher appointment preference — the petition must state "whether or not any other person has equal or higher preference, and if so, their name and whether they will be served with formal notice" (Fla. Prob. R. 5.200(e)).

Yes. Florida requires a bond by default before Letters issue. A will can waive it.

Florida permits self-represented filers to open an estate. E-filing is available. The Self-File Probate Assessment compares self-filing and attorney costs for Florida.

Yes. A revocable living trust passes assets to beneficiaries without any court appointment in Florida — no petition, no Letters, no bond. A revocable trust built with SimplyTrust takes about 15 minutes.

Florida Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Florida probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.