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Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-85

No. CS/HB 131

Curators of Estates
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SPONSOR
Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee; Maggard
FILED BY
Randall Maggard — District 54, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Legal.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Curators of Estates; Revising the requirements for a court to appoint a curator of estates; revising bond requirements for a curator of estates; clarifying who may subject a curator of estates to removal and surcharge; requiring a curator to file reports with the court in specified circumstances; requiring that certain details be included in such reports; requiring the court to review such reports; authorizing the court to require more frequent reporting or additional documents under certain circumstances, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Courts gain broad discretion to appoint curators and set bond amounts.

Courts may now appoint a curator in any proper case to protect estate interests, not just when property is in great danger of being wasted or removed.

Courts must set a reasonable bond amount for curators, but they may waive the bond entirely if they choose to do so.

Curators must file reports detailing their actions when the court deems it necessary, and the court must review these reports to ensure effective management.

Courts may require more frequent reporting or additional documentation from curators as they deem necessary to protect the interests of the estate.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Expanded Appointment Authority majors. 733.501(1)(c)

AICourts gain broader discretion to appoint curators in any case deemed necessary to protect estate interests, not just when property is in danger of being wasted or removed.

“In any other proper case, the court may appoint a curator when deemed necessary to protect the interests of the estate or a decedent's heirs.” bill text, line 36 →
§ 2 Discretionary Bond Waiver majors. 733.501(2)

AICourts may now waive bond requirements for curators, whereas previously bonds were mandatory unless the curator was a bank or trust company.

“Unless waived by the court, curators must post a reasonable bond in an amount to be determined by the court.” bill text, line 39 →
§ 3 Mandatory Court Reporting and Review majors. 733.501(5)(a)

AICurators must file reports detailing their actions when the court deems it necessary, and the court is required to review these reports to ensure effective estate management.

“The curator shall file reports with the court when the court deems it necessary. Such reports must detail the actions taken by the curator in managing the estate.” bill text, line 50 →
§ 4 Authority for Additional Oversight moderates. 733.501(5)(b)

AICourts may require more frequent reporting or additional documentation from curators as they deem necessary to protect estate interests.

“The court may require more frequent reporting or additional documentation as it deems necessary to protect the interests of the estate.” bill text, line 55 →
TIMELINE
5/22/2026
Chapter No. 2026-85
5/21/2026
Approved by Governor
5/6/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/5/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/5/2026
In Messages
3/5/2026
CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 588
3/5/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 588
3/5/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 588
3/5/2026
Substituted for CS/SB 326 -SJ 588
3/5/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/5/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 588
2/18/2026
Received
2/18/2026
Referred to Rules
2/17/2026
In Messages
2/17/2026
CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0
2/17/2026
Read 3rd time
2/17/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/17/2026
Read 2nd time
2/10/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)
1/27/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
1/27/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
1/27/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
1/27/2026
Favorable by Judiciary Committee
1/23/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
1/22/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/22/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
1/22/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/21/2026
CS Filed
1/21/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/21/2026
Reported out of Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/21/2026
Favorable with CS by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/16/2026
Added to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
10/14/2025
Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
10/14/2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
10/14/2025
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
10/8/2025
Filed
31 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 733.501
+170 / −21
s. 733.501
+0 / −0
s. 90.5021
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES