What it means
The death of the testator is the event that vests the right to devises. (§ 732.514)
The one exception is a will in which the testator has provided that some other event must happen before a devise vests. The statute leaves the choice of that event to the will.
The section sets when a devise vests. It does not address a devisee who fails to survive the testator. Section 732.603(1) creates a substitute gift in the surviving descendants of a devisee who is a grandparent, or a descendant of a grandparent, of the testator and fails to survive the testator, unless the will shows a contrary intent. Section 732.601 governs cases with insufficient evidence that persons died other than simultaneously.
- The testator's death vests the right to devises (§ 732.514).
- Exception: the will may provide that some other event must happen before a devise vests (§ 732.514).
- The section addresses the timing of vesting only; § 732.603(1) gives a substitute gift when a grandparent-line devisee fails to survive the testator, and § 732.601 governs simultaneous deaths (§ 732.603(1); § 732.601).
Text of the statute (2026)
The death of the testator is the event that vests the right to devises unless the testator in the will has provided that some other event must happen before a devise vests.
Excerpts are the subsections the summary relies on. Read the full official text of § 732.514.
History. s. 1, ch. 74-106; ss. 28, 113, ch. 75-220; s. 964, ch. 97-102; s. 47, ch. 2001-226.
How it applies
Vesting fixes when a devisee's right arises: at the testator's death, not at a later stage of probate or distribution, unless the will names another event. Because the statute leaves other events to the will, the will's own wording controls any condition on the gift. Antilapse under § 732.603 applies to a grandparent-line devisee who fails to survive the testator, unless the will shows a contrary intent; simultaneous deaths are governed by § 732.601. This section addresses neither.
Where this shows up
Pages on this site where § 732.514 does real work:
- Selling an inherited Florida home: who can sign, probate steps, mortgage and taxes
- Out-of-state heirs and Florida property: who can serve, what happens to title, taxes and selling
- Florida homestead exemption in 2026: amounts, March 1 deadline, Save Our Homes and death of the owner
- Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz
- Marilyn Monroe
Questions people ask
Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 732.514 (2026), Online Sunshine / Florida Senate (The death of the testator is the event that vests the right to devises)
- Fla. Stat. § 732.603 (2026), Online Sunshine / Florida Senate (Antilapse; deceased devisee: if a devisee who is a grandparent, or a descendant of a grandparent, of the testator fails to survive the testator, a substitute gift is created in the devisee's surviving descendants)
- Fla. Stat. § 732.601 (2026), Online Sunshine / Florida Senate (Simultaneous Death Law: there is insufficient evidence that the persons have died otherwise than simultaneously)
Last checked: October 17, 2026
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