What can I do if a family member named as executor won’t provide information about estate accounts? - Florida
The Short Answer
In Florida probate, the “executor” (called the personal representative) is a fiduciary and generally must provide beneficiaries with key estate information, including an inventory and accountings. If a personal representative refuses to share estate account information, you may be able to request disclosures you are entitled to and, if necessary, ask the probate court to compel compliance and protect the estate.
What Florida Law Says
Florida law treats the personal representative as a fiduciary who must administer the estate for the benefit of interested persons and in accordance with the will and the Probate Code. That fiduciary role typically includes transparency through required filings (like inventories and accountings) and providing certain information to beneficiaries—especially when a beneficiary makes a written request.
If what you’re dealing with is actually a trust (common in Florida, even when there is also a probate case), different disclosure rules may apply, and beneficiaries may have separate rights to information and accountings from a trustee.
The Statute
The primary law governing access to estate inventories and accountings is Fla. Stat. § 733.604.
This statute requires a personal representative to file a verified inventory (unless already filed), makes inventories and accountings confidential in many situations, and confirms that an interested person can obtain access. It also provides that, upon written request, certain beneficiaries are entitled to a written explanation of how inventory values were determined (and sometimes a copy of an appraisal).
More broadly, Florida also states that a personal representative is a fiduciary who must act in the best interests of interested persons. See Fla. Stat. § 733.602.
Related reading: What are a personal representative’s responsibilities during probate in Florida?
Why You Should Speak with an Attorney
Even when the law is on your side, getting meaningful information (and stopping potential misuse of funds) can be legally and factually complicated. Outcomes often depend on:
- Strict Deadlines: Probate disputes and objections can be time-sensitive, and delays can affect your leverage and remedies—especially if distributions are made before issues are addressed.
- Burden of Proof: If you suspect missing money or improper transactions, you typically need evidence (bank records, transaction histories, explanations of disbursements) to support court relief.
- Exceptions and “What Proceeding Are We In?”: Your rights can differ depending on whether this is a formal probate administration, summary administration, or primarily a trust administration. The confidentiality rules in Fla. Stat. § 733.604 can also confuse families—records may not be “public,” but that does not mean beneficiaries have no access.
A Florida probate attorney can evaluate whether you qualify as an “interested person,” identify what disclosures you can demand, and pursue court intervention when a personal representative refuses to cooperate. If the facts suggest mismanagement, an attorney can also advise on stronger remedies (including seeking removal or financial responsibility), without you accidentally escalating the conflict in a way that harms your position.
Related reading: How can I challenge an executor’s accounting in Florida?
Get Connected with a Florida Attorney
Do not leave your legal outcome to chance. We can connect you with a pre-screened Probate attorney in Florida to discuss your specific facts and options.
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.