eLaws of Florida

SECTION 732.401. Descent of homestead.  


Latest version.
  • 1(1) 2If not devised as authorized by law and the constitution, the homestead shall descend in the same manner as other intestate property; but if the decedent is survived by a spouse and one or more descendants, the surviving spouse shall take a life estate in the homestead, with a vested remainder to the descendants in being at the time of the decedent’s death per stirpes.
    67(2) 68In lieu of a life estate under subsection (1), the surviving spouse may elect to take an undivided one-half interest in the homestead as a tenant in common, with the remaining undivided one-half interest vesting in the decedent’s descendants in being at the time of the decedent’s death, per stirpes.
    118(a) 119The right of election may be exercised:
    1261. 127By the surviving spouse; or
    1322. 133With the approval of a court having jurisdiction of the real property, by an attorney in fact or guardian of the property of the surviving spouse. Before approving the election, the court shall determine that the election is in the best interests of the surviving spouse during the spouse’s probable lifetime.
    184(b) 185The election must be made within 6 months after the decedent’s death and during the surviving spouse’s lifetime. The time for making the election may not be extended except as provided in paragraph (c).
    219(c) 220A petition by an attorney in fact or by a guardian of the property of the surviving spouse for approval to make the election must be filed within 6 months after the decedent’s death and during the surviving spouse’s lifetime. If the petition is timely filed, the time for making the election shall be extended for at least 30 days after the rendition of the order allowing the election.
    289(d) 290Once made, the election is irrevocable.
    296(e) 297The election shall be made by filing a notice of election containing the legal description of the homestead property for recording in the official record books of the county or counties where the homestead property is located. The notice must be in substantially the following form:

    343ELECTION OF SURVIVING SPOUSE
    347TO TAKE A ONE-HALF INTEREST OF
    353DECEDENT’S INTEREST IN
    356HOMESTEAD PROPERTY

    358STATE OF

    360COUNTY OF

    3621. 363The decedent, , 365died on 367. On the date of the decedent’s death, The decedent was married to , 380who survived the decedent.
    3842. 385At the time of the decedent’s death, the decedent owned an interest in real property that the affiant believes to be homestead property described in s. 4, Article X of the State Constitution, which real property being in 423County, Florida, and described as: 428(description of homestead property) 432.
    4333. 434Affiant elects to take one-half of decedent’s interest in the homestead as a tenant in common in lieu of a life estate.
    4564. 457If affiant is not the surviving spouse, affiant is the surviving spouse’s attorney in fact or guardian of the property, and an order has been rendered by a court having jurisdiction of the real property authorizing the undersigned to make this election.

    499(Affiant)

    500Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this 509day of 511(month) , 512(year) , 513by 514(affiant)

    515(Signature of Notary Public-State of Florida)

    521(Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary Public)

    530Personally Known OR Produced Identification

    535(Type of Identification Produced)

    539(3) 540Unless and until an election is made under subsection (2), expenses relating to the ownership of the homestead shall be allocated between the surviving spouse, as life tenant, and the decedent’s descendants, as remaindermen, in accordance with chapter 738. If an election is made, expenses relating to the ownership of the homestead shall be allocated between the surviving spouse and the descendants as tenants in common in proportion to their respective shares, effective as of the date the election is filed for recording.
    623(4) 624If the surviving spouse’s life estate created in subsection (1) is disclaimed pursuant to chapter 739, the interests of the decedent’s descendants may not be divested.
    650(5) 651This section does not apply to property that the decedent owned in tenancy by the entireties or in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship.
History.-s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 17, ch. 75-220; s. 37, ch. 2001-226; s. 12, ch. 2007-74; s. 7, ch. 2010-132; s. 3, ch. 2012-109.

Note

Note.-Created from former s. 731.27.

Bills Cite this Section:

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Cited by Court Cases:

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