Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research
Administration of Mary E. Smelker's estate is pending in court.
Research context
Review the notice
Carefully read the notice of administration to understand your rights and obligations.
File objections if necessary
If you wish to contest the will, file your objections within 3 months of receiving the notice.
Contact the attorney
Reach out to Thomas P. Moss at Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A. for any questions.
Consider filing for exempt property
If entitled, file a petition for exempt property within 4 months of receiving the notice.
The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.
Notice of Administration IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 35-2026-CP-000231-AXXX01 IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY E. SMELKER A/K/A MARY ELLEN SMELKER Deceased. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION (testate) The administration of the estate of Mary E. Smelker a/k/a Mary Ellen Smelker, deceased, is pending in the Circuit Court for Lake County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 550 West Main Street, Tavares, Florida 32778. The file number for the estate is 35-2026-CP-000231-AXXX01. The estate is testate and the dates of the decedent’s will and any codicils are May 22, 2023. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. The fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in Section 90.5021, Florida Statutes, applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative. Any interested person on whom a copy of the notice of administration is served must file with the court, on or before the date that is 3 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on that person, any objection that challenges the validity of the will, venue, or jurisdiction of the court. The 3-month time period may only be extended for estoppel based upon a misstatement by the personal representative regarding the time period within which an objection must be filed. The time period may not be extended for any other reason, including affirmative representation, failure to disclose information, or misconduct by the personal representative or any other person. Unless sooner barred by section 733.212(3), Florida Statutes, all objections to the validity of the will, venue or the jurisdiction of the court must be filed no later than the earlier of the entry of an order of final discharge of the personal representative or 1 year after service of the notice of administration. Persons who may be entitled to exempt property under section 732.402, Florida Statutes, will be deemed to have waived their rights to claim that property as exempt property unless a petition for determination of exempt property is filed by such persons or on their behalf on or before the later of the date that is 4 months after the date of service of a copy of the notice of administration on such persons or the date that is 40 days after the date of termination of any proceedings involving the construction, admission to probate, or validity of the will or involving any other matter affecting any part of the exempt property. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by the surviving spouse or a beneficiary as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. Unless an extension is granted pursuant to section 732.2135(2), Florida Statutes, an election to take an elective share must be filed on or before the earlier of the date that is 6 months after the date of service of a copy of the notice of administration on the surviving spouse, an attorney in fact or a guardian of the property of the surviving spouse; or the date that is 2 years after the date of the decedent’s death. Under certain circumstances and by failing to contest the will, the recipient of the notice of administration may be waiving his or her right to contest the validity of a trust or other writing incorporated by reference into a will. Attorney for Personal Representative: Thomas P. Moss, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 0157376 Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A. 8913 Conroy Windermere Road Orlando, Florida 32835 Telephone: (407) 909-1900 Fax: (407) 909-1992 E-Mail: tmoss@sawyerandsawyerpa.com Secondary E-Mail: dtaylor@sawyerandsawyerpa.com Personal Representative: Nelson T. Smelker 103 Stoneridge Avenue Mount Dora, Florida 32757 March 13, 2026 March 20, 2026
