Short answer

Yes — funds from the sale of estate property generally become estate assets and can be used to pay reasonable estate-administration expenses, including junk removal and personal-property cleanup, so long as the personal representative (PR) has authority to use estate funds and follows Florida probate priorities and fiduciary duties. When administration is contested or the sale or expense is unusual or large, court approval or beneficiary consent may be required.

Detailed answer: legal framework and practical steps

1. Why sale proceeds are treated as estate funds

When a personal representative sells estate property, the money from that sale becomes part of the estate. The PR holds estate assets for the benefit of creditors and beneficiaries and must use estate funds to pay lawful expenses of administration before distributing assets. Florida’s probate statutes governing estate administration explain these duties and priorities; see Florida Statutes, Chapter 733 (Administration of Estates) and Chapter 735 (Summary Administration) for the summary-administration rules.

Statutes: Fla. Stat. ch. 733, Fla. Stat. ch. 735.

2. What counts as a legitimate estate-administration expense?

Reasonable expenses of administration typically include funeral costs, probate-court fees, attorney and accountant fees, appraisals, costs to preserve estate property, and costs to prepare property for sale or liquidation. Cleaning, debris removal, hauling away junk, and staging/removal of personal property are frequently treated as reasonable when they are necessary to protect the estate’s value or to allow sale of estate assets.

3. Who decides and when court approval is needed

The PR has an initial duty to act in good faith and to follow statutory authority and any directions in the will. If the PR’s authority to sell property or to spend sale proceeds for cleanup is specifically granted by the will or by statute, the PR can act without prior court approval but should keep records and, where appropriate, notify beneficiaries and creditors.

Obtain court approval or beneficiary signed consent when:

• the expense is unusually large relative to the estate;
• the sale or expenditure is not clearly authorized by the will or by ordinary administration powers;
• a beneficiary or creditor objects; or
• you are dealing with a contested administration or unusual asset (e.g., hazardous materials, large commercial property).

4. Priority of payment

Florida law requires that legitimate administration costs be paid from estate assets before distributing the remainder to beneficiaries. That means cleanup and removal costs that are reasonable and necessary to preserve or sell estate property are normally paid from estate funds, including sale proceeds, ahead of distribution. See Florida Statutes, Chapter 733 for rules on payment and priority of estate claims and expenses.

5. Good recordkeeping and best practices

Document everything. Keep invoices, bids, photos, and proof that costs were reasonable and necessary. Use an estate bank account for all receipts and disbursements — never commingle estate funds with personal funds. If you obtained competing bids to keep costs reasonable, note that in the file. These records protect the PR if beneficiaries or the court later question the expenditures.

6. Special scenarios

• If the property was sold by a third party before PR appointment, proceeds may still belong to the estate. The PR should inventory and claim estate funds in probate if necessary.
• Under Florida’s summary-administration rules (small estates), procedures are simplified but the PR or the person obtaining summary administration must still account for necessary expenses before distributing assets. See Fla. Stat. ch. 735.
• If hazardous waste or regulated items are involved, hire licensed contractors and follow environmental rules — failure to do so can create personal liability for the PR.

7. What to do if beneficiaries or creditors object

If someone objects, consider asking the probate court for approval (a petition for instructions or approval). Courts can approve reasonable expenses, authorize distributions, or resolve disputes. Getting approval removes personal-exposure risk for the PR.

8. Hypothetical example

Hypothetical: A decedent’s house contains decades of accumulated personal property that prevents a marketable showing. The PR obtains three removal estimates, hires a licensed junk-removal contractor for a reasonable price, documents the cost, sells the cleaned house, deposits sale proceeds in the estate account, then pays the removal invoice from those proceeds before distributing the remainder to beneficiaries. That sequence is consistent with Florida practice so long as the PR had authority to sell and the costs were reasonable. If a beneficiary later objects, the PR can present documentation or seek a court order approving the actions.

How to proceed step by step

1. Confirm your authority: review the will and applicable statutes to ensure the PR can sell property and use estate funds.
2. Get multiple estimates: for cleanup and removal, obtain at least two competitive bids when feasible.
3. Document: keep invoices, before-and-after photos, contracts, and payment records.
4. Use an estate account: deposit sale proceeds and pay vendors from that account.
5. Notify beneficiaries: provide notice or secure written consent when appropriate, and disclose major expenses in the estate inventory or accounting.
6. Seek court approval if uncertain or if a dispute arises.

Helpful Hints

• Keep all receipts and a contemporaneous file explaining why each expense was necessary.
• If the estate is small, check whether summary administration under Florida law applies and follow that process to avoid unnecessary delay (Fla. Stat. ch. 735).
• When in doubt about authority or a large expense, petition the probate court for instructions or approval before spending estate funds.
• Avoid informal deals with beneficiaries that are not documented; put agreements in writing.
• If hazardous materials are present, hire licensed professionals and save certificates of disposal or manifests.
• Consider consulting a probate attorney early. A short consult can help avoid personal liability for the PR and speed administration.