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I’ve written recently about probate courts being reversed for failing to appoint the personal representative named in a decedent’s will (see here and here).  This opinion picks up on the themes outlined in those cases . . . but in the intestate context.

Case Study

Garcia v. Morrow, — So.2d —-, 2007 WL 983053 (Fla. 3d DCA Apr 04, 2007)

In this case the probate judge was reversed for refusing to appoint the statutorily preferred person as personal representative in the absence of evidence that he lacked “the necessary qualities and characteristics” to assume the position as personal representative.

The key word here is evidence.  In other words, it’s reversible error for a trial court to refuse to appoint as personal representative the person with preference under F.S. 733.301 in the absence of specific findings of fact – developed in the context of a formal evidentiary hearing – that the statutorily preferred person lacks the necessary qualities and characteristics to assume the position as personal representative.  Quoting the 5th DCA in DeVaughn v. DeVaughn, 840 So.2d 1128, 1132 (Fla. 5th DCA 2003), here’s how the 3d DCA articulated the rule:

[W]e know that the probate court has the inherent authority to consider a person’s character, ability, and experience to serve as personal representative. See Padgett v. Estate of Gilbert, 676 So.2d 440, 443 (Fla. 1st DCA 1996). However, if the statutorily preferred person is not appointed, the record must show that the person is not fit to be appointed. If the record supports the conclusion that the statutorily preferred person “lacks the necessary qualities and characteristics,” the court has discretion to refuse to make the appointment. Id.