Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Florida Statutes Title XLII. Estates and Trusts § 732.401. Descent of homestead

Current as of January 01, 2023 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(1) If 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.

(2) In 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.

(a) The right of election may be exercised:

1. By the surviving spouse;  or

2. With 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.

(b) The 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).

(c) A 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.

(d) Once made, the election is irrevocable.

(e) The 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:

ELECTION OF SURVIVING SPOUSE TO TAKE A ONE-HALF INTEREST OF DECEDENT'S INTEREST IN HOMESTEAD PROPERTY

STATE OF__________

COUNTY OF__________

1. The decedent, _______________, died on _______________ On the date of the decedent's death, The decedent was married to _______________, who survived the decedent.

2. At 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 __________ County, Florida, and described as:   (description of homestead property)

3. Affiant elects to take one-half of decedent's interest in the homestead as a tenant in common in lieu of a life estate.

4. If 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.

__________
(Affiant)

Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this ___ day of (month) , (year) , by (affiant)

(Signature of Notary Public-State of Florida)

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

Personally Known OR Produced Identification

(Type of Identification Produced)

(3) Unless 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.

(4) If 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.

(5) This section does not apply to property that the decedent owned in tenancy by the entireties or in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Florida Statutes Title XLII. Estates and Trusts § 732.401. Descent of homestead - last updated January 01, 2023 | https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xlii-estates-and-trusts/fl-st-sect-732-401/

Read this complete Florida Statutes Title XLII. Estates and Trusts § 732.401. Descent of homestead on Westlaw

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all Florida Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

    More Options
    Copied to clipboard