The Short Answer

Yes—it's often normal for a Florida personal representative (executor) to request beneficiaries’ Social Security numbers before making distributions, especially when the estate has tax reporting obligations or needs to properly document distributions. That said, the request should be tied to a legitimate estate purpose, and the personal representative should handle that information securely.

What Florida Law Says

In Florida, the executor is called the personal representative, and they have a fiduciary duty to settle and distribute the estate efficiently and in the best interests of the estate and interested persons. As part of that job, the personal representative must properly administer the estate’s finances and comply with tax-related obligations that can arise before assets are distributed.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is Fla. Stat. § 733.602.

This statute establishes that the personal representative is a fiduciary and must settle and distribute the estate as expeditiously and efficiently as is consistent with the estate’s best interests—using their authority for the benefit of interested persons (including creditors).

Practically, beneficiaries’ SSNs may be requested for legitimate reasons such as tax reporting connected to estate income and distributions, and to ensure the personal representative can properly account for and document what was paid and to whom.

If there is uncertainty about who the proper beneficiaries are (or what shares they should receive), Florida law also provides a court process to determine beneficiaries. See Fla. Stat. § 733.105.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the general rule is straightforward, whether an SSN request is appropriate in your situation depends on what’s happening in the estate (income, sales of assets, timing of distributions, disputes, etc.). Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Deadlines: Estates often have tax and closing timelines that can affect when distributions can safely be made, and mistakes can delay closing or trigger liability.
• Burden of Proof: If an heir later challenges a distribution, the personal representative may need clean documentation showing the correct person was paid the correct amount.
• Exceptions: If there’s a dispute about who is entitled to inherit (or the will/intestacy is unclear), the personal representative may need a court determination of beneficiaries before distributing. See Fla. Stat. § 733.105.

If you’re an heir, you should not ignore the request—but you also should not feel pressured to provide sensitive information without understanding why it’s needed and how it will be protected. If you’re the personal representative, collecting SSNs without proper safeguards can create unnecessary risk and conflict.

For related reading, you may find these helpful: How to get an estate EIN in Florida and taxes after selling inherited real estate in Florida.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Florida law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.