IN RE ESTATE OF FRANCIS R. ARMISTEAD, DECEASED

Fla. 1st DCA | 1970-11-10
No. L-478
JOHNSON, C. J., and SPECTOR, J., concur.
240 So. 2d 830 Florida District Court of Appeal, First District (1970) Positive Treatment
Cited by 8 cases

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Synopsis

The court reversed a probate court's rescission of an initial will construction order, holding that a probate court lacks authority to grant a rehearing or motion for new trial after entering a final order absent a rule promulgated by the Florida Supreme Court.


Holding

A probate court lacks jurisdiction to grant a rehearing or motion for new trial after entering a final order absent a rule promulgated by the Florida Supreme Court authorizing such procedure. Only the Florida Supreme Court, through its exclusive constitutional authority to promulgate rules of procedure, may confer such power on probate judges.


Headnotes

[1] A probate court loses jurisdiction over a final order, absent specific rules authorizing rehearing or new trial, except for matters involving inherent power.

[2] The power to promulgate rules of procedure, including those for rehearing petitions, rests exclusively with the Supreme Court of Florida.

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Key Quotes

“In the absence of a rule promulgated by competent authority authorizing a petition for rehearing or motion for new trial subsequent to the entrance of a final order, a probate court loses jurisdiction as to that order save for those matters involving the inherent power and jurisdiction of the probate court”

Establishes the fundamental principle that probate courts lack authority to grant rehearings without applicable rules of procedure

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Facts & Procedural History

Appellee-Executor petitioned the probate court to construe the term "gross estate" in decedent Francis R. Armistead's will. The probate court entered …

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Opinion of the Court
RAWLS, Judge.

RAWLS, Judge.

By this appeal from an order construing her late husband’s will, Appellant *831Elinor Armistead contends there is no authority for granting a rehearing of a final order entered by a probate court.

Appellee-Executor filed a petition in the probate court for construction of decedent’s will. Issue was joined by the widow and upon final hearing the probate court entered its order dated June 13, 1968, construing the term “gross estate” as used in the will to be not inclusive of homestead property and certain personal property held by the husband and wife in an estate by the entireties. The Executor filed a motion for rehearing on June 24, 1968; rehearing was granted by an order dated July 11, 1968; and ultimately on March S, 1969, the probate judge entered an order rescinding the initial construction and including the homestead property in the computation of decedent’s gross estate as defined in the will.

There is no contention by appellee that the initial order entered on June 13, 1968, was not a final order. We observe that it was of “appealable finality.” In the absence of a rule promulgated by competent authority authorizing a petition for rehearing or motion for new trial subsequent to the entrance of a final order, a probate court loses jurisdiction as to that order save for those matters involving the inherent power and jurisdiction of the probate court as discussed in State ex rel. Booth v. Byington, 168 So.2d 164 (Fla.App.1st 1964). Also see The Florida Bar Practice Manual No. 8, Florida Probate Practice § 18.9, p. 777. As noted in the Byington opinion, we were not there reviewing final action upon the mentioned orders.

We cannot find any authority permitting a rehearing or new trial by a probate judge subsequent to the entrance of a final order. Appellee argues strenuously that the procedure of entertaining petitions for rehearing is common among probate courts. We observe that neither the probate courts nor this court has the power or authority to promulgate rules of procedure. Such power is the exclusive prerogative of the Supreme Court of this State conferred upon it by the provisions of Article V, Florida Constitution, 1968, F.S.A. If it be deemed advisable to grant the power of entertaining petitions for rehearing to probate judges, it would be a simple matter for the Supreme Court to promulgate such rule to be incorporated in the Rules of Probate Practice which it has heretofore adopted.

Appellant has also raised a question pertaining to the merits of the County Judge’s abortive order of March 5, 1969. In view of our conclusion that the probate judge was without jurisdiction to consider a rehearing, it necessarily follows that this Court cannot at this late date consider the merits.

The cause is reversed with directions that the final order dated June 13, 1968, be reinstated.

JOHNSON, C. J., and SPECTOR, J., concur.


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Citator

Cited By

  • In re Est. of George E. Beeman, 391 So. 2d 276 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980)
    …rder of February 16, 1978, became absolute upon its rendition and thereafter the court was without jurisdiction to alter, modify or amend it. Though the time sequence is different, the court reached the same conclusion in In re Estate of Armistead, 240 So. 2d 830, 831 (Fla. 1st DCA 1970), and held: In the absence of a rule promulgated by competent authority authorizing a petition for rehearing or motion for new trial subsequent to the entrance of a final order, a probate court loses jurisdiction as [*280] t…
  • In re the Est. of Margaret J. Crissey, 286 So. 2d 585 (Fla. 4th DCA 1973)
    …eal period expires. If no ruling is obtained within the time for the taking of an appeal, a party should abandon the petition, file a notice of appeal and pursue the appeal. . . .” (Emphasis added.) See also In re Estate of Armistead, Fla.App.1970, 240 So. 2d 830. Inasmuch as the petition for rehearing did not have the effect of tolling the time [*586] for the taking of the instant appeal, the filing of the notice of appeal more than 30 days after the order of June 28, 1972 was untimely and could not vest j…
  • …PER CURIAM. Motion to dismiss the appeal herein is granted on authority of In Re Estate of Armistead, 240 So. 2d 830 (Fla.App.1970). SPECTOR, C. J., and RAWLS and JOHNSON, JJ., concur.…

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