(1)(a) All legal or equitable interests in property owned as an estate by the entirety by an incapacitated person for whom a guardian of the property has been appointed may be sold, transferred, conveyed, or mortgaged in accordance with s. 744.447, if the spouse who is not incapacitated joins in the sale, transfer, conveyance, or mortgage of the property. When both spouses are incapacitated, the sale, transfer, conveyance, or mortgage shall be by the guardians only. The sale, transfer, conveyance, or mortgage may be accomplished by one instrument or by separate instruments.
(b) In ordering or approving the sale and conveyance of the real or personal property owned by the ward and the ward’s spouse as an estate by the entirety or as joint tenants with right of survivorship, the court may provide that one-half of the net proceeds of the sale shall go to the guardian of the ward and the other one-half to the ward’s spouse, or the court may provide for the proceeds of the sale to retain the same character as to survivorship as the original asset.
(c) The guardian of the property shall collect all payments coming due on intangible property, such as notes and mortgages and other securities, and shall retain one-half of all principal and interest payments so collected and shall pay the other one-half of the collections to the spouse who is not incapacitated. If both spouses are incapacitated, the guardian of either shall collect the payments, retain one-half of the principal and interest payments, and pay the other one-half to the guardian of the other spouse.
(d) The spouse of the incapacitated person shall collect all payments of rents on real estate held as an estate by the entirety and, after paying all charges against the property, such as taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repairs, shall retain one-half of the net rents so collected and pay the other one-half to the guardian of the spouse who is incapacitated. If both spouses are incapacitated, the guardian of the property of either may collect the rent, pay the charges, retain one-half of the net rent, and pay the other one-half to the guardian of the other spouse.
(2) In determining the value of life estates or remainder interests, the American Experience Mortality Tables may be used.
(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the court in its discretion from appointing a sole guardian to serve as guardian for both spouses.
(4) Any contingent or expectant interest in property, including marital property rights and any right of survivorship incident to joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety, may be conveyed or released in accordance with s. 744.447.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-106; ss. 24, 26, ch. 75-222; s. 13, ch. 79-221; s. 3, ch. 87-317; s. 79, ch. 89-96; s. 56, ch. 90-271; s. 1103, ch. 97-102.
Note.—Created from former s. 745.15.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XLIII - Domestic Relations
Part VI - Powers and Duties (Ss. 744.361-744.462)
744.361 - Powers and duties of guardian.
744.362 - Initial guardianship report.
744.363 - Initial guardianship plan.
744.367 - Duty to file annual guardianship report.
744.3675 - Annual guardianship plan.
744.3679 - Simplified accounting procedures in certain cases.
744.368 - Responsibilities of the clerk of the circuit court.
744.3685 - Order requiring guardianship report; contempt.
744.369 - Judicial review of guardianship reports.
744.371 - Relief to be granted.
744.3715 - Petition for interim judicial review.
744.372 - Judicial review of guardianships.
744.3725 - Procedure for extraordinary authority.
744.373 - Production of property.
744.3735 - Annual appearance of the guardian.
744.374 - Payments to guardian.
744.384 - Subsequently discovered or acquired property.
744.387 - Settlement of claims.
744.391 - Actions by and against guardian or ward.
744.394 - Suspension of statutes of limitations in favor of guardian.
744.397 - Application of income of property of ward.
744.421 - Petition for support of ward’s dependents.
744.441 - Powers of guardian upon court approval.
744.442 - Delegation of authority.
744.444 - Power of guardian without court approval.
744.446 - Conflicts of interest; prohibited activities; court approval; breach of fiduciary duty.
744.447 - Petition for authorization to act.
744.454 - Guardian forbidden to borrow or purchase; exceptions.
744.457 - Conveyance of various property rights by guardians of the property.
744.461 - Purchasers and lenders protected.
744.462 - Determination regarding alternatives to guardianship.