THE GOVERNING LAW
Law — In re the Estate of Harold W. Prewitt
This matter sits in a real jurisdiction. Its law is rendered for reference only and is never editable — editors may edit only the Facts.
State of Florida
Florida
Florida
auto_negligence (m13)
wills_probate (m20)
Structural research pointer only. NO substantive statutory rules — student packets are facts-only; finding the controlling law is the exercise. Chapter-level locators are navigational aids. Instructor notes may cite specifics, verified at publish.
Florida Circuit Court
Trial court of general jurisdiction, organized into 20 judicial circuits by county. Handles higher-value civil (incl. the m13 auto-negligence jury trial), felony criminal, family, and probate matters. Probate is heard in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court.
Florida County Court
Limited jurisdiction (lower-value civil, misdemeanors, traffic).
Florida District Court of Appeal
DCA
Intermediate appellate court, organized into six districts.
Supreme Court of Florida
The court of last resort.
Probate Division of the Circuit Court — estate administration and will contests; captioned 'In re Estate of <Decedent>.'
Florida negligence practice involves distinctive doctrines students should research (e.g., the state's comparative-fault approach and no-fault/PIP motor-vehicle insurance framework). Civil jury trial in the Circuit Court. Students research the current standard themselves.
Florida's constitutional and statutory HOMESTEAD protections sharply constrain how a homestead may be devised and shield it from creditors — the deliberate teaching hook for the m20 probate contest. Students research the current homestead-devise restrictions themselves.
Fla. Stat. § <n>
Fla. Stat. § 768.<n>
Fla. Stat. § 732.<n>
Art. <roman>, § <n>, Fla. Const.
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.<n>
Fla. Prob. R. <n>
R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-<n.n>
So. 3d (Southern Reporter)
<Case Name>, <vol> So. 3d <page> (Fla. <year>)
(Fla. <n>th DCA <year>)
Official government sources only.
https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Constitution
https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/Rules
https://www.flcourts.gov/
https://www.floridabar.org/
Negligence / damages and comparative fault: Fla. Stat. ch. 768 — a starting point for m13.
Wills, probate, and homestead devise: Fla. Stat. chs. 732 and 733, plus Art. X, § 4, Fla. Const. — a starting point for m20.
Structural/navigational reference only, current as of 2026. Verify all law against the official sources above; nothing here is legal advice.