Can creditors claim money from a wrongful death settlement in Florida probate?

No, funds recovered specifically for statutory survivors cannot be seized by estate creditors. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.21, compensation awarded for survivors' direct damages—including emotional anguish and loss of companionship or support—belongs exclusively to those named survivors and does not enter the probate estate as general assets. As a result, decedent creditors have no claim against that portion of the settlement. However, any recovery designated for medical bills or lost earnings directly incurred by the decedent's estate remains available to satisfy valid creditor claims. The Altman Law Firm, led by Jeffrey S. Altman, helps families protect designated survivor proceeds during estate proceedings.