Fla. Stat. 61.0401
Application of the law of a foreign country in courts relating to matters arising out of or relating to this chapter and chapter 88

(1)

As used in this section, the term “strong public policy” means public policy of sufficient importance to outweigh the policy of protecting freedom of contract.

(2)

A court may not enforce:A choice of law provision in a contract selecting the law of a foreign country which contravenes the strong public policy of this state or that is unjust or unreasonable.A forum selection clause in a contract that selects a forum in a foreign country if the clause is shown to be unreasonable or unjust or if strong public policy would prohibit the enforceability of the clause under the specific facts of the case.

(a)

A choice of law provision in a contract selecting the law of a foreign country which contravenes the strong public policy of this state or that is unjust or unreasonable.

(b)

A forum selection clause in a contract that selects a forum in a foreign country if the clause is shown to be unreasonable or unjust or if strong public policy would prohibit the enforceability of the clause under the specific facts of the case.

(3)

Before enforcing a judgment or order of a court of a foreign country, a court must review the judgment or order to ensure that it complies with the rule of comity. A judgment or order of a court of a foreign country is not entitled to comity if the parties were not given adequate notice and the opportunity to be heard, the foreign court did not have jurisdiction, or the judgment or order of the foreign court offends the public policy of this state. As used in this subsection, a “foreign court” or “court of a foreign country” includes any court or tribunal that has jurisdiction under the laws of that nation over the subject of matters governed by this chapter or chapter 88.

(4)

Any attempt to apply the law of a foreign country is void if it contravenes the strong public policy of this state or if the law is unjust or unreasonable.

(5)

A trial court may not dismiss an action on the grounds that a satisfactory remedy may be more conveniently sought in a foreign country unless the trial court finds in accordance with all the applicable rules of civil procedure and this section that an adequate alternate forum exists.

(6)

This section applies only to matters governed by or relating to this chapter or chapter 88.

Source: Section 61.0401 — Application of the law of a foreign country in courts relating to matters arising out of or relating to this chapter and chapter 88, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0061.­0401 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

61.001
Purpose of chapter 61.08
Alimony 61.09
Alimony and child support unconnected with dissolution 61.10
Adjudication of obligation to support spouse or minor child unconnected with dissolution 61.11
Writs 61.011
Dissolution in chancery 61.12
Attachment or garnishment of amounts due for alimony or child support 61.13
Support of children 61.14
Enforcement and modification of support, maintenance, or alimony agreements or orders 61.16
Attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs 61.17
Alimony and child support 61.18
Alimony and child support 61.19
Entry of judgment of dissolution of marriage, delay period 61.20
Social investigation and recommendations regarding a parenting plan 61.21
Parenting course authorized 61.021
Residence requirements 61.29
Child support guidelines 61.30
Child support guidelines 61.31
Amount of support for a dependent adult child 61.031
Dissolution of marriage to be a vinculo 61.043
Commencement of a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for alimony and child support 61.044
Certain existing defenses abolished 61.45
Court-ordered parenting plan 61.046
Definitions 61.052
Dissolution of marriage 61.061
Proceedings against nonresidents 61.071
Alimony pendente lite 61.075
Equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities 61.076
Distribution of retirement plans upon dissolution of marriage 61.077
Determination of entitlement to setoffs or credits upon sale of marital home 61.079
Premarital agreements 61.122
Parenting plan recommendation 61.125
Parenting coordination 61.181
Depositories for alimony transactions, support, maintenance, and support payments 61.183
Mediation of certain contested issues 61.191
Application 61.401
Appointment of guardian ad litem 61.0401
Application of the law of a foreign country in courts relating to matters arising out of or relating to this chapter and chapter 88 61.402
Qualifications of guardians ad litem 61.403
Guardians ad litem 61.404
Guardians ad litem 61.405
Guardians ad litem 61.455
Court-ordered parenting plan 61.1255
Support for dependent adult children 61.1301
Income deduction orders 61.1354
Sharing of information between consumer reporting agencies and the IV-D agency 61.1811
Clerk of the Court Child Support Enforcement Collection System Trust Fund 61.1812
Child Support Incentive Trust Fund 61.1814
Child Support Enforcement Application and Program Revenue Trust Fund 61.1816
Child Support Clearing Trust Fund 61.1824
State Disbursement Unit 61.1825
State Case Registry 61.1826
Procurement of services for State Disbursement Unit and the non-Title IV-D component of the State Case Registry 61.1827
Identifying information concerning applicants for and recipients of child support services 61.13001
Parental relocation with a child 61.13003
Court-ordered electronic communication between a parent and a child 61.13015
Petition for suspension or denial of professional licenses and certificates 61.13016
Suspension of driver licenses and motor vehicle registrations

Current through Fall 2025

§ 61.0401. Application of the law of a foreign country in courts relating to matters arising out of or relating to this chapter & chapter 88's source at flsenate​.gov