The Short Answer

In Florida probate, an incorrect address can be a serious problem if it affects whether you received legally required notice (or whether deadlines started running against you). The usual legal focus is not the typo itself, but whether the estate complied with Florida’s notice requirements and whether the error prejudiced your rights.

What Florida Law Says

Probate cases involve required notices to “interested persons” and, in many estates, required notices to creditors. If a filing or notice uses the wrong address, the key legal questions become (1) whether the notice was required, (2) whether it was served in the manner required by the Florida Probate Code/Rules, and (3) whether the lack of proper notice impacts your ability to object or participate.

The Statute

The primary law governing notice in Florida probate 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 as provided in the Probate Code or the Florida Probate Rules, and that persons given proper notice are bound by orders entered in that proceeding.

In addition, Florida law requires the personal representative to serve a Notice of Administration on certain people (including beneficiaries and the surviving spouse) and that notice must include specific information, including the court’s address and the personal representative/attorney addresses. See Fla. Stat. § 733.212.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the concept sounds straightforward (“they used the wrong address”), the legal consequences can be high-stakes because probate rights often turn on whether notice was properly served and whether objection deadlines were triggered.

• Strict Deadlines: If you were properly served with a Notice of Administration, objections that challenge the validity of the will, venue, or the court’s jurisdiction generally must be filed within 3 months after service (with very limited extension circumstances). See Fla. Stat. § 733.212(3).
• Burden of Proof: If you are arguing you did not receive required notice because it went to the wrong address, you may need evidence showing what address was used, what your correct address was at the time, and how the error affected your ability to protect your interests.
• Exceptions and Remedies: Whether an address mistake is “harmless” or grounds to set aside an order can depend on what type of notice it was (formal notice vs. other notice), who was entitled to receive it, and what orders were entered while you were unaware of the case.

If you suspect an incorrect address caused you to miss notice or deadlines, it’s worth speaking with a Florida probate attorney quickly to evaluate whether you have a viable challenge and what relief may be available under the Probate Code and Rules.

For related background, you may find these helpful: executor (personal representative) responsibilities in Florida probate and Florida probate notice to creditors overview.

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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.