What is the deadline to file a creditor claim against Brenda Gail Hays's estate?

Creditors must file by the later of 3 months after first publication (May 20, 2026) or 30 days after being served; otherwise claims are barred.

Who is the personal representative of the estate?

Lanette Muehler is listed as the personal representative.

Where is the probate case being handled?

In Polk County Probate Division, Circuit Court at 425 S. Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830.

How do I contest the will?

File an objection challenging the will within 3 months after receiving the notice of administration or by statutory deadlines noted in the notice.

May 20, 2026 Probate: 425 S. Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL, Winter Haven

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF: BRENDA GAIL HAYS Deceased. CASE NO. 2026CP-000967 NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION and NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Testate) The administration of the Estate of BRENDA GAIL HAYS, deceased, whose date of death was October 23, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Polk County, Probate Division, the address of which is 425 S. Broadway Ave Bartow, Florida 33830 Judge Dana Y. Moore. The estate is testate. The names and address of the Petitioner and Petitioner's attorney is set forth below. The fiduciary lawyer - client privilege in section 90.5021, Florida Statutes, applies with respect to the petitioner and any attorney employed by the petitioner. 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 Sec. 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 a will or involving any other matter affecting any part of the exempt property. The petitioner has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of Decedent's death by Decedent or 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 agent under chapter 709, Florida Statutes, or a guardian of the property of the surviving spouse; or the date that is 2 years after the date of Decedent's death. ALL CREDITORS of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREEVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. Under certain circumstances and by failing to contest the will, if any, 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. The date of first publication of this Notice is May 20, 2026. Personal Representative: Lanette Muehler Attorneys for Personal Representative KEITH D. MILLER, ESQ. Attorney for Petitioner Florida Bar Number: 0159573 BOSWELL & DUNLAP, LLP Post Office Drawer 30 Bartow, FL 33831 Telephone: (863) 533-7117 Fax: (863)533-7412 E-Mail: kmiller@bosdun.com Secondary E-Mail: angela@bosdun.com kristin@bosdun.com May 20, 27, 2026 209654

Probate — 425 S. Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL (2026CP-000967)

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Related Notices

This is a notice to creditors for the estate of Angela Diaz, deceased, advising creditors to file claims by statutory deadlines or be forever barred. The personal representative and counsel contact information and filing deadlines are provided.

Notice to creditors for the estate of Patricia McCrea Benedict (died June 3, 2025) announces probate administration in Polk County. Creditors must file claims by statutory deadlines or be forever barred; first publication was May 13, 2026.

Notice of administration for the estate of Stephen John Vincent Benya informs creditors and interested persons that probate proceedings are pending in Polk County and sets deadlines to file claims or objections or be forever barred.

Notice to creditors in the probate of Shena Nekeisha Carty (deceased) informs potential claimants that they must file claims by statutory deadlines, or those claims will be permanently barred from the estate.

This is a notice to creditors for the probate of the estate of Donald Earl Thompson, who died January 20, 2026. Creditors must file claims by specified deadlines or be forever barred from recovery against the estate.

This is a notice to creditors for the probate of Stephanie Elizabeth Ingle, who died April 9, 2026, informing interested parties to file claims against the estate by specified deadlines or be forever barred.

Notice to creditors in the estate of Sandra Lee Martin, who died November 13, 2025; creditors must file claims by statutory deadlines or be barred. Personal representative Amanda M. Anthony and counsel Roberta J. Creighton are identified with contact information.

Notice to creditors in the probate of Ruth Elizabeth Pansler, who died January 13, 2026, informs creditors and claimants of filing deadlines and that claims not timely filed will be barred. The estate is being administered in Polk County Probate Court.

Notice to creditors in the probate of Kayla Kashel Lind, who died December 27, 2025. Creditors must file claims by specified deadlines or be forever barred from recovering from the estate.

A Petition for Summary Administration was filed for the estate of Helen M. Sulentic (died Dec 13, 2025) with an estate value of $11,572.14, to be assigned to Larry A. Derry; creditors must file claims under Florida law or be barred.

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