(1) Except as otherwise provided by a decedent’s will, every personal representative has a right to, and shall take possession or control of, the decedent’s property, except the protected homestead, but any real property or tangible personal property may be left with, or surrendered to, the person presumptively entitled to it unless possession of the property by the personal representative will be necessary for purposes of administration. The request by a personal representative for delivery of any property possessed by a beneficiary is conclusive evidence that the possession of the property by the personal representative is necessary for the purposes of administration, in any action against the beneficiary for possession of it. The personal representative shall take all steps reasonably necessary for the management, protection, and preservation of the estate until distribution and may maintain an action to recover possession of property or to determine the title to it.
(2) If, after providing for statutory entitlements and all devises other than residuary devises, the assets of the decedent’s estate are insufficient to pay the expenses of the administration and obligations of the decedent’s estate, the personal representative is entitled to payment from the trustee of a trust described in s. 733.707(3), in the amount the personal representative certifies in writing to be required to satisfy the insufficiency, subject to the exclusions and preferences under s. 736.05053. The provisions of s. 733.805 shall apply in determining the amount of any payment required by this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 28, ch. 77-87; s. 9, ch. 93-257; s. 9, ch. 95-401; s. 1005, ch. 97-102; s. 130, ch. 2001-226; s. 1, ch. 2010-122.
Note.—Created from former s. 733.01.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XLII - Estates and Trusts
Chapter 733 - Probate Code: Administration of Estates
Part VI - Duties and Powers of Personal Representative (Ss. 733.601-733.620)
733.601 - Time of accrual of duties and powers.
733.603 - Personal representative to proceed without court order.
733.604 - Inventories and accountings; public records exemptions.
733.6065 - Opening safe-deposit box.
733.607 - Possession of estate.
733.608 - General power of the personal representative.
733.609 - Improper exercise of power; breach of fiduciary duty.
733.610 - Sale, encumbrance, or transaction involving conflict of interest.
733.611 - Persons dealing with the personal representative; protection.
733.612 - Transactions authorized for the personal representative; exceptions.
733.613 - Personal representative’s right to sell real property.
733.614 - Powers and duties of successor personal representative.
733.615 - Joint personal representatives; when joint action required.
733.616 - Powers of surviving personal representatives.
733.617 - Compensation of personal representative.
733.6171 - Compensation of attorney for the personal representative.