IN RE THE ESTATE OF MAMIE JOHNSON MATCHETT, DECEASED. EDNA P. ROGERS, APPELLANT,
v.
EDGAR JOHNSON, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MAMIE JOHNSON MATCHETT, APPELLEE. IN RE THE ESTATE OF FLORENCE JOHNSON LIVINGSTON, DECEASED. EDNA P. ROGERS, APPELLANT, V. EDGAR JOHNSON, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF FLORENCE JOHNSON LIVINGSTON, DECEASED, APPELLEE

Fla. 5th DCA | 1981-01-21
Nos. 79-12, 79-13
ORFINGER, J., concurs., MELVIN, WOODROW M., Associate Judge, dissents with opinion.
394 So. 2d 437 Florida District Court of Appeal, Fifth District (1981) Positive Treatment
Cited by 10 cases

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Synopsis

In two consolidated estate cases, the Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed the trial court's denial of an extension of time for Edna Rogers to file an independent action on claims objected to by the personal representatives. The court held that the personal representative's departure from established probate procedures constituted good cause to extend the statutory 30-day period.


Holding

The court held that the trial judge abused his discretion in refusing to grant an extension of time. The personal representative's departure from established traditional procedures misled appellant and constituted good cause to permit an extension of time within which the claimant may file an independent action.


Headnotes

[1] A personal representative's departure from established probate procedures can constitute good cause for a court to extend the statutory period for a claimant to file an i…

[2] A trial court abuses its discretion by refusing to grant an extension of time for a claimant to file an independent action when the personal representative's actions misl…

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Key Quotes

“The motion to strike or expunge the claim and the hearing scheduled thereon was an unusual departure from probate procedure provided in section 733.705(2) and (3).”

Establishes that the personal representative deviated from standard probate procedures

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Facts & Procedural History

Edna Rogers filed claims in two estates (Mamie Johnson Matchett and Florence Johnson Livingston) on January 10, 1979, alleging she was entitled to fun…

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Opinion of the Court
FRANK D. UPCHURCH, Jr., Judge.

FRANK D. UPCHURCH, Jr., Judge.

Two cases arising from two separate claims filed by the appellant Edna P. Rogers have been consolidated for appeal.

The following dates and acts are the basis for this appeal:

January 10,1979 Claim filed by Edna Rogers.

March 20,1979 Objection to claim with motion to strike or expunge claim filed by personal representative and notice of hearing on claim.

June 5,1979 Motion to strike objection to claim and petition for distribution mailed by Rogers. Notice of hearing on claim, set for June 27, mailed on June 6,1979.

June 26,1979 Motion to quash the motion to strike and notice of hearing filed by personal representative.

June 27,1979 Motion for extension of time to file suit made by Rogers.

July 9,1979 Circuit Court denied Rogers’ motions to strike the objection, notice of hearing and petition for distribution. Personal representative’s motion to quash and Rogers’ motion for extension of time also denied.

Appellant filed a notice of claim in the proceedings on January 10, 1979, alleging that she was a close friend of the decedent, Mamie Johnson Matchett, and that in April, 1976, decedent created a joint and survivor-ship savings account in the name of decedent, decedent’s sister, and appellant. It was further alleged that in 1977, decedent and her sister were adjudged incompetent and that Thomas Dowda was appointed guardian. As guardian, Dowda purportedly closed the account in October, 1977, and deposited the funds in a certificate of deposit. The decedent and her sister died intestate but due to the guardian’s action, appellant did not receive the balance of the savings account. Appellant claims she had and still has possession of both passbooks.

The motion to strike or expunge the claim and the hearing scheduled thereon was an unusual departure from probate procedure provided in section 733.705(2) and (3).1 The purpose of the hearing stated in the notice was to consider the personal representative’s objection to the claim and the motion to strike. The date of the hearing was scheduled for May 21, 1979, more than thirty days after the date of the objection. Unless the personal representative’s notice and motion to strike tolled the thirty day period in which claimant could bring an independent action on the claim, or constituted good cause for the court to extend the time, claimant was barred under section 733.705(3).

Appellant contends that Rule 1.140(b), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, should apply (see Committee note) arguing that Rule 5.025(b), Florida Rules of Probate and Guardianship Procedure, make the Rules of Civil Procedure applicable in adversary proceedings.2 While we agree with appellant’s premise, and the record clearly reveals the adversary nature of this proceeding, we disagree that Rule 1.140(b) applies. The motion to strike was not directed to an “insufficient legal defense” but rather to appellant’s claim.

However, we do agree that the personal representative’s failure to follow established, traditional procedures misled appellant and constitutes good cause to permit an extension of time within which claimant may file an independent action. The granting or refusal of an extension of time to commence action upon a claim to which objection has been properly made is a matter within the broad judicial discretion of the probate judge. In re Estate of Herskowitz, 342 So. 2d 530 (Fla. 3d DCA 1977). In In re Kemp’s Estate, 177 So. 2d 757 (Fla. 1st DCA 1965), however, the court inferred that actions or representations of a representative of an estate which have the effect of inducing a claimant to delay institution of his action beyond the statutory period may justify an extension of time within which to bring suit. The action of the personal representative in the instant case in departing from established procedure had the effect of lulling appellant into a false sense of security and induced her to ignore the clear provision of the statute. This is especially true since the personal representative initiated this departure. Therefore, under the peculiar facts of this case, we hold that the trial judge abused his discretion in refusing to grant an extension. See also, Sessions v. Jelks, 194 So. 2d 307 (Fla. 1st DCA 1967).

We therefore reverse and remand to the trial court for entry of an order extending the period (not to exceed fifteen (15) days) within which appellant may bring an independent action.

REVERSED and REMANDED.

ORFINGER, J., concurs.

MELVIN, WOODROW M., Associate Judge, dissents with opinion.

. Section 733.705, Florida Statutes (1979), provides:

(2) On or before the expiration of 4 months from the first publication of notice of administration, a personal representative or other interested person may file a written objection to any claim. An objection filed to an unma-tured claim matures it for the purpose of bringing an action on it. If an objection is filed, the person filing it shall serve a copy of the objection by registered or certified mail to the address of the claimant as shown on the claim or delivery to the claimant to whose claim he objects or the claimant’s attorney of record, if any, not later than 10 days after it has been filed, and also on the personal representative if the objection is filed by any interested person other than the personal representative. Failure to serve a copy of the objection constitutes an abandonment of the objection.

(3) The claimant shall be limited to 30 days from the date of service of an objection within which to bring an independent action upon the claim. For good cause, the court may extend the time for filing an objection to any claim or the time for serving the objection, and may likewise extend the time for filing an action or proceeding after objection is filed. The extension of time shall be granted only after notice. No action or proceeding shall be brought against the personal representative after the time limited above. If an objection is filed to the claim of any creditor and an action is brought by the creditor to establish his claim, a judgment establishing the claim shall give it no priority over claims of the same class to which it belongs.

. The basis of this argument is that the personal representative’s motion was one to strike an insufficient legal defense which under Rule 1.140(b), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, would toll the time for a responsive pleading.

Dissent
MELVIN, WOODROW M., Associate Judge,

MELVIN, WOODROW M., Associate Judge,

dissenting.

I respectfully note my dissent to that portion of the court’s opinion that concludes that the able trial judge abused his discretion in denying the appellant-claimant additional time within which to file suit upon her claim, which had been previously objected to by the personal representative. The objection filed by the personal representative was clear and concise. The personal representative did nothing that would induce the claimant to conclude that her claim would be willingly paid. The claimant did not file suit upon her claim within the required period of time. Ignorance of or indifference to applicable statutes and rules of procedure is insufficient in my judgment to establish good cause for the trial court to grant an extension of time or for this court to fault the trial court for failure to grant such extension. I perceive the trial court correctly disposed of this matter and I would affirm.


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Citator

Cited By

  • Johnson v. Est. OF Cleo J. Fraedrich, 472 So. 2d 1266 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985)
    …which an objection has been properly filed is a matter within the broad judicial discretion of the judge in probate. In re Estate of Herskowitz, 342 So. 2d 530, 531 (Fla. 3d DCA 1977), cert. den. 360 So. 2d 378 (Fla.1978); In re Estate of Matchett, 394 So. 2d 437 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981), reh. den. The task of the court reviewing the denial of an extension is to determine if the trial court “in the light of the facts and circumstances of this case, abused its judicial discretion in denying [the] petition.” In re…
  • Black v. Brammer, 440 So. 2d 24 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983)
    …or the time for serving the objection, and may likewise extend the time for filing an action or proceeding after objection is filed. The trial court has broad discretion to grant or deny an extension of time to file suit. In Re: Estate of Matchett, 394 So. 2d 437 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981); In Re: Estate of Herskowitz, 342 So. 2d 530 (Fla. 3d DCA 1977). It has been held that a legal excuse for extension exists where a claimant ... forgoes the commencement of an independent action under the belief that his objected…
  • Sireci v. Deal, 603 So. 2d 35 (Fla. 3d DCA 1992)
    …ely no factual basis for the probate court’s conclusion, it would require an impermissible factual redetermination by the appellate court to override the exercise of that discretion.” Herskowitz, 360 So. 2d at 379. See also In re Estate of Matchett, 394 So. 2d 437 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981); In re Estate of Kemp, 177 So. 2d 757 (Fla. 1st DCA 1965). In the instant case, the probate court’s order does not state the court’s reasons for granting the extension of time for filing the claim. However, during the hearing, D…

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