Ago

Mr. B. Norris Rickey Pinellas County Senior Assistant Attorney 315 Court Street Clearwater, Florida 33756

Dear Mr. Rickey:

You ask substantially the following question:

Must homestead property be owned by a veteran at the time of his or her death from service-connected causes while on active duty in order for the veteran's surviving spouse to claim the exemption in section 196.081(4), Florida Statutes?

In sum:

Section 196.081(4), Florida Statutes, does not require that homestead property be owned by a veteran at the time of his or her death from service-connected causes while on active duty, but…