The Short Answer

In Florida probate, a hearing notice generally needs to give enough information for interested persons to know what is being heard and when and where it will be heard, and it must be served using the notice method the Probate Code/Probate Rules require for that type of matter. If the notice is defective (wrong recipients, wrong method, or unclear time/place), the court can continue the hearing, deny relief, or later face challenges to orders entered.

What Florida Law Says

Florida probate notice requirements are driven by whether the matter requires formal notice (more stringent service tied to jurisdiction over a person’s interest) or informal notice (less formal notice of hearings and papers). The Probate Code directs that when notice is required, it must be given as provided in the Code or the Florida Probate Rules—so the “must-include” information is typically evaluated in context: the type of petition/motion, who must receive notice, and whether the notice must be formal or informal.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is Fla. Stat. § 731.301.

This statute establishes that when notice to an interested person is required in a probate proceeding, it must be given to the interested person (or their attorney) as provided in the Probate Code or the Florida Probate Rules, and that proper notice can bind recipients to orders entered in that proceeding.

Practically, that means your notice of hearing should clearly identify the hearing date/time, the location (including courthouse/address and, when applicable, the courtroom or hearing room), and the matter to be heard (the specific motion/petition). If the hearing is being conducted remotely or has special appearance requirements, those details matter too—because the point of notice is meaningful opportunity to appear and be heard.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statute provides the general rule, applying it to your specific situation is rarely simple. Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Deadlines: Some probate deadlines are triggered by service of required notices (and missing or misstating them can create major leverage problems or waive rights). A common example is the objection window tied to certain probate notices (often measured in months, not years).
• Burden of Proof: If someone later claims they did not receive proper notice, you may need to prove the correct method of service and that the notice was sufficient for due process—especially when orders are entered after a hearing.
• Exceptions: Different probate events require different notice types (formal vs. informal), different recipients ("interested persons" can be disputed), and different service rules. Using the wrong notice type can undermine the court’s ability to bind a person’s interest in estate property.

Trying to handle notice issues alone can lead to continuances, added expense, or challenges to orders that you thought were final. A Florida probate attorney can evaluate what notice is required for your specific filing, who must receive it, and whether the hearing format (in-person vs. remote) creates additional requirements.

If you want more background on Florida probate process and timing, you may also find these helpful: how to confirm whether a probate estate is open and obtain filings and how to apply for probate and get Letters Testamentary 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.