IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
IN AND FOR BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
CHECKLIST FOR PETITION FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION OF INTESTATE
ESTATE
1
This Checklist must be completed and e-filed with your Petition. Review and sign the
applicable certification clause at the end of the checklist prior to submitting it with your
Petition. If any of the items below are not checked, please complete “Certification
B.” Completing and e-filing this Checklist does not obviate any additional obligations
imposed by rule or statute.
HEARING:
At the time of filing this Petition, I intend to pursue this Petition on ex-parte, motion, or special
set calendar.
OR
At the time of filing this Petition, I intend to have this Petition submitted to the Judge without a
hearing.
CASE NUMBER: PRC - _____-___________ In Re Estate of: ____________________________
A copy of the decedent’s death certificate was filed.
OR
The Petitioner submitted proof of payment of the decedent’s reasonable and necessary medical
bills from the last 60 days of the decedent’s last illness.
2
OR
If there are no such expenses, Petitioner has stated so in the Petition.
The Petitioner submitted proof of payment of the decedent’s reasonable funeral expenses.
3
The Petitioner filed an Affidavit Regarding Criminal History
4
(form available on the
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit’s Webpage).
The Petitioner filed an Affidavit of Heirs (form available on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit’s
Webpage).
The Petition includes a statement showing venue.
1
Please note that Judge Speiser requires a hearing in all pro se petitions for summary administration.
2
Not required if the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years.
3
Not required if the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years.
4
Please note that trust companies, banks, as well as other qualified corporations identified in section
733.305, Florida Statutes, are not required to file this affidavit.
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The Petition includes a statement specifying whether there are domiciliary or principal
proceedings from another state or country.
The Petition demonstrates the eligibility for summary administration, (i.e., the decedent died
over 2 years ago or the value of the estate, less exempt property, does not exceed $75,000).
The Petitioner is a beneficiary of the estate.
The Petition includes: (a) the name and address of the decedent’s surviving spouse (if any); (b)
the names and addresses of the beneficiaries and their relationship to the decedent. If any
beneficiary is a minor, the year of birth is included.
The Petition states that, after a reasonably diligent search, the Petitioner is unaware of any
unrevoked wills or codicils.
The Petition specifically describes the assets to be distributed, and includes values for each
asset (e.g., name and address of the financial institution and the associated account number(s),
legal property descriptions, etc.).
OR
All intestate beneficiaries have received formal notice of the Petition and the proposed
distribution;
OR
The Petitioner has filed consents from all the intestate beneficiaries.
The Petition states that a diligent search for creditors was conducted and acknowledges the
penalty for failing to make a diligent search.
OR
No claims have been filed against the estate.
OR
If claims have been filed against the estate:
The creditor’s claims have been stricken, or are otherwise barred by statute;
OR
Provision for payment of outstanding debt has been made to the extent that assets
are available;
OR
There are insufficient assets to satisfy the outstanding claims, and notice of the
Petition was served on the outstanding creditors.
The proposed order includes a correct distribution of assets under the laws governing intestacy.
The signature page of the proposed order contains at least four (4) lines of text and has the case
number on it.
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OR
The estate does not contain real property of the decedent.
OR
The estate contains real property of the decedent, and:
The Petitioner is claiming the decedent’s real property is homestead, and a Petition
to Determine Homestead has been filed;
OR
The Petitioner is not claiming homestead protection for the real property.
Please complete the Certification that applies to your filing (either Certification A or
Certification B). If Petitioner is represented by counsel, only counsel must complete the
applicable Certification Clause. If Petitioner is pro se then the applicable Certification
must be completed by Petitioner.
CERTIFICATION A:
The undersigned Petitioner (print name) ______________________ /Attorney (print
name) ______________________ certifies that he/she has reviewed the information
necessary to support the Petition for Summary Administration of Intestate Estate. The Petitioner
/ Attorney further certifies that all the required information was previously filed or filed
concurrently with the Petition. The Petitioner
/ Attorney acknowledges that the Petition
will not be reviewed by Court staff until the necessary information has been accepted into the e-
filing system. The Petitioner / Attorney further acknowledges that a hearing may be
required to process the Petition.
Petitioner’s signature: ______________________________________
Signed on: ________________, 20______
OR
Attorney’s signature: ______________________________________
Signed on: ________________, 20______
Page 3 of 4
CERTIFICATION B:
The undersigned
Petitioner (print name) ______________________ /Attorney (print
name)
______________________ certifies that he/she has reviewed the information
necessary to support
the Petition for Summary Administration of Intestate Estate. The Petitioner
/ Attorney certifies that, after a diligent search and reasonable effort, the Petitioner /
Attorney
was unable to submit the following information for the following reasons:
________________________________________________________
___________________
____________________________________________
_______________________________
___________________________________________________________________
________
___________________________________________________________________
________
___________________________________________________________________
________
___________________________________________________________________
________
___________________________________________________________________________
.
T
he Petitioner / Attorney
acknowledges that a hearing may be required concerning the
deficiency.
Petitioner’s signature
: ______________________________________
Signed on:
________________, 20______
OR
Attorney’s signature
: ______________________________________
Signed on:
________________, 20______
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