IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR
LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
File No. 26-CP-893
Division Probate
IN RE: ESTATE OF
Russell Stewart Bell, Jr
Deceased.
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
(intestate)
The administration of the estate of Russell Stewart Bell, Jr deceased, is pending in the Circuit Court for LEE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 9346, Fort Myers, FL 33902. The file number for the estate is 26-CP-893. The estate is intestate. 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 a will admitted to probate, 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 a will admitted to probate, 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 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. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.
Unless an extension is granted pursuant to section 732.2135(2), Florida Statutes, an election to take 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.
Bar Form No. P-3.0804-1 of 2
Florida Lawyers Support Services, Inc.
Revised January 1. 2026
Under certain circumstances and by failing to contest the will, the recipient of this notice of administration may be waiving his or her right to contest the validity of a trust or other writing incorporated by reference into the will.
MELVILLE G. BRINSON, III, P.A.
Attorneys for Personal Representative
8359 STRINGFELLOW RD.
ST. JAMES CITY, FL 33956
Telephone: (239) 282-0551
Florida Bar No. 0494003
Email Addresses: brinson@afblaw.com suz@afblaw.com [suz@afblaw.com]
Susan S. Foreman
31715 Dagsboro Road,
Delmar, MD 21875
Personal Representative
May 6, 13, 2026
LC0835
