Fla. Prob. R. 5.015 · Part I. — GENERAL
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Text — October 1, 2026 edition
(a) General. The definitions and rules of construction stated or referred to in sections 1.01 and 393.12, Florida Statutes, and chapters 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 738, 739, and 744, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, shall apply to these rules, unless otherwise defined in these rules.
(b) Specific Definitions. When used in these rules
(1) “certified copy” means a copy of a document signed and verified as a true copy by the officer to whose custody the original, whether in paper or electronic form, is entrusted;
(2) “formal notice” means notice under rule 5.040(a);
(3) “informal notice” means notice under rule 5.040(b);
(4) “judge” means a judge of the circuit court, including any judge elected, appointed, substituted, or assigned to serve as judge of the court;
(5) “guardian advocate” means a person appointed for a person with a developmental disability pursuant to section 393.12, Florida Statutes;
(6) “guardian” means a person appointed pursuant to chapter 744, Florida Statutes, or a guardian advocate unless a rule indicates otherwise;
(7) “ward” means an individual for whom a guardian is appointed.
Notes and commentary — not rule text
Committee Notes
Rule History
1977 Revision: No change in rule. Correction of typographical error in committee note. This is intended to simplify drafting of these rules and should be liberally construed. See Fla. Prob. R. 5.190 and 5.540 and also §§ 731.201 and 744.102, Fla. Stat.
1988 Revision: Rule was expanded due to deletion of rule 5.190. Committee notes expanded. Citation form changes in rule and committee notes.
1992 Revision: Citation form changes in rule and committee notes.
2000 Revision: Subdivision (b)(2) amended to delete outdated reference to rule 5.550(c).
2007 Revision: Subdivision (a) amended to add reference to chapter 736, Florida Statutes, which was added to the statutes effective July 1, 2007 and which replaces deleted chapter 737, and to add reference to chapter 739, Florida Statutes, which was added effective July 1, 2005. Committee notes revised.
2008 Revision: Subdivision (a) amended to add reference to section 393.12, Florida Statutes, which governs guardian advocates for persons with developmental disabilities. As provided by section 744.102(11), the term “guardian advocate” as used in the Florida Guardianship Law and these rules does not include a guardian advocate appointed for a person determined to lack capacity to consent to treatment under section 394.4598, Florida Statutes. Subdivisions (b)(5) through (b)(7) added to reflect 2008 amendments to section 393.12, Florida Statutes. Committee notes revised.
2020 Revision: Subdivision (b)(1) amended to reference electronic original documents consistent with section 732.526, Florida Statutes. Committee notes revised. Statutory References § 1.01, Fla. Stat. Definitions. § 393.063, Fla. Stat. Definitions. § 393.12, Fla. Stat. Capacity; appointment of guardian advocate. § 731.201, Fla. Stat. General definitions. § 732.526, Fla. Stat. Probate. § 736.0103, Fla. Stat. Definitions. § 738.102, Fla. Stat. Definitions. § 739.102, Fla. Stat. Definitions. § 744.102, Fla. Stat. Definitions.
Source of truth
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- October 1, 2026 edition
- Official file
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