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FL · rules

Fla. Prob. R. 5.440

Proceedings for Removal of Personal Representative

activein force · 2026-07-16 – presentact-effective-date

(a) Commencement of Proceeding. The court on its own

motion may remove, or any interested person by petition may

commence a proceeding to remove, a personal representative. A

petition for removal shall state the facts constituting the grounds

upon which removal is sought, and shall be filed in the court having

jurisdiction over the administration of the estate.

(b) Accounting. A removed personal representative shall file

an accounting within 30 days after removal.

(c) Delivery of Records and Property. A removed personal

representative shall, immediately after removal or within such time

prescribed by court order, deliver to the remaining personal

representative or to the successor fiduciary all of the records of the

estate and all of the property of the estate.

(d) Failure to File Accounting or Deliver Records and

Property. If a removed personal representative fails to file an

accounting or fails to deliver all property of the estate and all estate

records under the control of the removed personal representative to

the remaining personal representative or to the successor fiduciary

within the time prescribed by this rule or by court order, the

removed personal representative shall be subject to contempt

proceedings.

History

Committee Notes The revision of subdivision (a) of this rule by the addition of its final phrase represents a rule implementation of the procedure found in section 733.505, 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 1980 Revision: Subdivision (a) amended to require formal notice to interested persons and to delete requirement that court give directions as to mode of notice. Surety authorized to petition for removal. 1984 Revision: Editorial changes. Provisions in prior rule for contempt have been deleted since the court has the inherent power to punish for contempt. Committee notes revised. 1988 Revision: Last phrase of (a) added to implement the procedure found in section 733.505, Florida Statutes. Subdivision (b) amended to parallel interim accounting rules. Deletes ability to extend time to file and adds reference to court power to punish for contempt. Committee notes expanded. Editorial changes. Citation form changes in committee notes. 1992 Revision: Editorial changes. Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes. 2002 Revision: Entire rule amended. Contents of accountings by removed fiduciaries are now governed by rule 5.346. Editorial changes in (a), (c), and (d). Committee notes revised. 2003 Revision: Committee notes revised. 2007 Revision: Committee notes revised. 2010 Revision: Editorial change in title to clarify scope of rule. 2012 Revision: Committee notes revised. Statutory References § 731.201(23), Fla. Stat. General definitions. § 733.504, Fla. Stat. Removal of personal representative; causes of removal. § 733.505, Fla. Stat. Jurisdiction in removal proceedings. § 733.506, Fla. Stat. Proceedings for removal. § 733.5061, Fla. Stat. Appointment of successor upon removal. § 733.508, Fla. Stat. Accounting and discharge of removed personal representatives upon removal. § 733.509, Fla. Stat. Surrender of assets upon removal. Rule References Fla. Prob. R. 5.020 Pleadings; verification; motions. Fla. Prob. R. 5.025 Adversary proceedings. Fla. Prob. R. 5.040 Notice. Fla. Prob. R. 5.041 Service of pleadings and documents. Fla. Prob. R. 5.042 Time. Fla. Prob. R. 5.150 Order requiring accounting. Fla. Prob. R. 5.310 Disqualification of personal representative; notification. Fla. Prob. R. 5.345 Accountings other than personal representatives’ final accountings. Fla. Prob. R. 5.346 Fiduciary accounting. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516 Service of pleadings and documents.

Provenance

Source
floridabar.org
Retrieved
2026-09-14
Edition
2026-09-14
Content hash
8ea7c39f6177c8adfe5a8666706db56af43c7845be4103eaca69330e6c206ade
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