All Roll Calls
Yes: 147 • No: 0
FloridaHB 13372026HouseWALLET
Estates
Sponsored By: Kaylee Tuck (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationCivil Justice & Claims SubcommitteeJudiciary CommitteeHouse CalendarRules
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More estates qualify for simpler probate
Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida raises its summary administration limit from $75,000 to $150,000. This simpler probate process counts only estate property subject to Florida administration, after subtracting property protected from creditors. Estates also qualify when the person died more than two years ago. These rules cover estates of Florida residents and nonresidents.
More estates without wills avoid probate
Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida raises the personal-property limit for qualifying estates without wills from $10,000 to $20,000. The estate must contain only personal property, including property protected from creditors. Unprotected property cannot exceed $20,000 plus qualifying funeral expenses and reasonable, necessary medical and hospital expenses. Those medical costs must come from the last 60 days of the person’s final illness. The person must have died more than one year ago, with no Florida estate administration pending.
Survivors can claim larger tax refunds
Beginning July 1, 2026, survivors can seek federal income tax overpayments up to $5,000 without estate administration, up from $2,500. The Treasury must confirm the refund is due, whether the deceased person filed a joint or separate return. A surviving spouse applies; without a spouse, all children over age 14 must designate one child in the application. The verified application must state that there were no debts, debts were provided for, or creditors cannot claim estate property. It must also state that no estate administration has begun or is planned, to the applicant’s knowledge.
Estate representatives gain safe-deposit box access
Beginning July 1, 2026, safe-deposit providers must allow estate representatives access with a copy of their court appointment papers. For boxes held by fiduciaries—people managing property for others—the lease or governing documents may set different access rules. Another fiduciary needs written approval from all other fiduciaries; an agent needs approval from all fiduciaries. Providers must deliver a deceased person’s box contents to the court-appointed representative upon presentation of certified appointment papers. A Florida court-appointed representative or their attorney can also pay accumulated charges and end the deceased person’s lease using certified appointment papers.
Families can collect larger small accounts
Beginning July 1, 2026, banks may pay eligible surviving family members qualifying account funds without court proceedings. The limit rises from $1,000 to $2,000, both at the paying bank and across all banks known to the applicant. Eligible applicants include a spouse, certain adult relatives, or a parent under the law’s family-eligibility rules. Applicants must wait at least six months after death and provide a certified death certificate and sworn affidavit. No personal representative can have been appointed, and no probate or summary administration case can have begun. The affidavit confirms entitlement and releases the bank from further liability; applicants can owe creditors money collected beyond their proper share.
Estate enforcement gains power and fee-shifting
Beginning July 1, 2026, estate representatives can bring court cases to enforce their probate authority without first getting court permission. They must act reasonably for interested people and follow limits in the probate law, will, and court orders. Courts must award recoverable court costs and attorney fees to representatives who win. Courts can charge the person whose action or inaction caused the case, or someone with an estate interest. Those judgments can reach property outside the estate. Attorneys’ enforcement work can also qualify for extra reasonable pay as an extraordinary service, potentially raising estate costs.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kaylee Tuck
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Tom Fabricio
Republican • House
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 110 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter No. 2026-57
4/30/2026Approved by Governor
4/29/2026Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
4/21/2026Ordered enrolled
2/26/2026HouseIn Messages
2/26/2026HouseImmediately certified -SJ 463
2/26/2026SenateCS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 462
2/26/2026SenateRead 3rd time -SJ 462
2/26/2026SenateRead 2nd time -SJ 462
2/26/2026SenateSubstituted for CS/SB 1500 -SJ 462
2/26/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/26/2026SenateWithdrawn from Rules -SJ 461
2/26/2026SenateReceived
2/18/2026SenateReferred to Rules
2/18/2026SenateIn Messages
2/17/2026SenateCS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0
2/17/2026HouseRead 3rd time
2/17/2026HouseAdded to Third Reading Calendar
2/17/2026HouseRead 2nd time
2/17/2026HouseBill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)
2/10/2026HouseAdded to Second Reading Calendar
2/4/2026House1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/4/2026HouseBill referred to House Calendar
2/4/2026HouseCS Filed
2/3/2026HouseLaid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/3/2026House
Bill Text
er
7/1/2026
c1
2/3/2026
Filed
1/9/2026