Supreme Court extends Workgroup on Uncontested Probate Proceedings through 2028
The Florida Supreme Court is extending the term of the Workgroup on Uncontested Probate Proceedings to “support implementation, refinement, and monitoring,” of its proposed reforms.
Established in April 2024, the workgroup submitted its final report July 15, the Supreme Court notes in In Re: Workgroup on Uncontested Probate Proceedings, Case No. AOSC25-70.
The order states that the Supreme Court approved the workgroup’s finding and recommendations and praises the panel for identifying “significant opportunities to streamline procedures and reduce unnecessary burdens.”
Extending its term through August 31, 2028, the order directs the workgroup, in collaboration with the Probate Rules Committee, “to further develop checklists, standardized forms, template proposed orders, and related rule amendments.”
Other charges include reviewing “the Committee’s proposed materials and obtaining feedback from chief judges,” and providing “input to the Trial Court Budget Commission regarding the potential fiscal impact of administrative probate.”
The order further directs the workgroup to assist the Florida Court Education Council and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section with developing educational materials and training content, and “filing all necessary petitions to amend court rules, responding to comments, and participating in oral argument,” if scheduled.
“The Workgroup must submit its initial petition requesting the establishment of administrative probate, adoption of implied consent for magistrate referral, incorporation of expiration dates into letters of administration, requirements for notices of conclusion of related cases and ancillary administrations, and modernization of probate time standards no later than June 30, 2026,” the order states.
A subsequent petition, “to be filed following collaboration with the Committee and outreach to the chief judges,” must be filed no later than December 31, 2026.
The order requires the workgroup to submit each petition to the committee for comment prior to filing with the Supreme Court.
“The Workgroup shall otherwise continue as previously established pursuant to the directives and membership set forth in Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC24-20,” the order concludes.
