What rights do probate beneficiaries have?

A beneficiary of a Florida estate is entitled to:

Notice that the estate has been opened (§ 733.212).
Information about the assets. Residuary beneficiaries and heirs receive the inventory, and any beneficiary can ask how an asset they will receive was valued (§ 733.604; Fla. Prob. R. 5.340).
A final accounting and a proposed plan of distribution, with 30 days to object (Fla. Prob. R. 5.400, 5.401).
A personal representative who acts as a fiduciary, held to the standard of a trustee and liable for losses from a breach (§ 733.602, § 733.609).

Notice and information

The personal representative must promptly serve a notice of administration on beneficiaries, which starts the three-month period to challenge the will, venue, or jurisdiction (§ 733.212). The inventory, due within 60 days after letters, must be served on the surviving spouse, heirs in an intestate estate, and residuary beneficiaries, and on anyone else who asks in writing. On written request, a residuary beneficiary is entitled to an explanation of how each inventory value was determined, or a copy of any appraisal; any other beneficiary can get the same for assets distributed or proposed to be distributed to them (§ 733.604; Fla. Prob. R. 5.340). Inventories and accountings are confidential court records, but interested persons may inspect them (§ 733.604).

Accountings

Accountings must be understandable to people unfamiliar with estates, show every cash and property transaction, and list assets at the end of the period (Fla. Prob. R. 5.346). At the end of the administration, the personal representative files a final accounting and a petition for discharge that includes the plan of distribution and the compensation paid to the personal representative, attorneys, and others (Fla. Prob. R. 5.400). Any interested person may object in writing within 30 days after service, stating the specific items and the grounds. A notice of hearing must be served within 90 days, or the objection is abandoned (Fla. Prob. R. 5.401).

When the personal representative is not doing the job

A beneficiary can ask the court to:

Compel an inventory, accounting, or action
Surcharge the personal representative for losses caused by a breach of duty; in such actions the court awards costs and attorney fees (§ 733.609)
Remove the personal representative for causes that include failing to comply with court orders, failing to account, wasting or mismanaging the estate, a conflicting interest, or a felony conviction (§ 733.504)

What beneficiaries are not entitled to

To decide how the estate is run, if the personal representative is acting properly
To receive a specific asset, unless the will gives it to them
To be paid before creditors, taxes, and expenses are addressed

An example

A residuary beneficiary receives the inventory and sees the decedent’s condominium listed at a value she thinks is too low. She asks in writing how it was valued, and the personal representative sends a copy of the appraisal. Later, the final accounting shows a large payment to a contractor without explanation. She files a written objection within 30 days identifying that item and serves a notice of hearing. The personal representative produces invoices, and the court resolves the objection before distribution.

Common mistakes

Waiting until the final accounting to raise concerns about something noticed months earlier
Objecting by email or phone call instead of in writing in the court file
Missing the 30-day objection period or the 90-day hearing-notice requirement
Assuming slow progress is misconduct; ask for a status explanation first

What to gather

The notice of administration and the date you were served
The inventory and any valuation explanations you received
Accountings and the petition for discharge
Your written requests and the responses

Next step

Ask the personal representative or their attorney in writing for the information you are entitled to. If the response is inadequate, consider a petition to compel before the final accounting is filed.

Related guidance

Sources: Florida Statutes § 733.212, § 733.504, § 733.602, § 733.604, and § 733.609 (2026); Florida Probate Rules 5.340, 5.346, 5.400, and 5.401 (October 15, 2026 edition). Checked on October 23, 2026.