Skip to Navigation | Skip to Main Content | Skip to Site Map

MyFloridaHouse.gov | Mobile Site

Senate Tracker: Sign Up | Login

The Florida Senate

2017 Florida Statutes

Title XLV TORTS
Chapter 771
ACTIONS FOR ALIENATION OF AFFECTIONS, CRIMINAL CONVERSATION, SEDUCTION, OR BREACH OF CONTRACT TO MARRY
CHAPTER 771
CHAPTER 771
ACTIONS FOR ALIENATION OF AFFECTIONS, CRIMINAL CONVERSATION,
SEDUCTION, OR BREACH OF CONTRACT TO MARRY
771.01 Certain tort actions abolished.
771.04 No act done in state to give cause of action.
771.05 Unlawful to file certain causes of action.
771.06 Validity of certain contracts.
771.07 Penalties.
771.08 Construction of law.
771.01 Certain tort actions abolished.—The rights of action heretofore existing to recover sums of money as damage for the alienation of affections, criminal conversation, seduction or breach of contract to marry are hereby abolished.
History.—s. 1, ch. 23138, 1945.
771.04 No act done in state to give cause of action.—No act hereafter done within this state shall operate to give rise, either within or without this state, to any of the rights of action abolished by this law. No contract to marry hereafter made or entered into in this state shall operate to give rise, either within or without this state, to any cause or right of action for the breach thereof.
History.—s. 4, ch. 23138, 1945.
771.05 Unlawful to file certain causes of action.—It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person, either as a party or attorney, or an agent or other person in behalf of either, to file or serve, cause to be filed or served, threaten to file or serve, or threaten to cause to be filed or served, any process or pleading, in any court of the state, setting forth or seeking to recover a sum of money upon any cause of action abolished or barred by this law, whether such cause of action arose within or without the state.
History.—s. 5, ch. 23138, 1945; s. 234, ch. 77-104.
771.06 Validity of certain contracts.—All contracts and instruments of every kind, name, nature or description, which may hereafter be executed within this state in payment, satisfaction, settlement or compromise of any claim or cause of action abolished or barred by this law, whether such claim or cause of action arose within or without this state, are hereby declared to be contrary to the public policy of this state and absolutely void. It shall be unlawful to cause, induce or procure any person to execute such a contract or instrument; or cause, induce or procure any person to give, pay, transfer or deliver any money or thing of value in payment, satisfaction, settlement or compromise of any such claim or cause of action; or to receive, take, or accept any such money or thing of value as such payment, satisfaction, settlement, or compromise. It shall be unlawful to commence or cause to be commenced, either as party or attorney, or as agent or otherwise in behalf of either, in any court of this state, any proceeding or action seeking to enforce or recover upon any such contract or instrument, knowing it to be such, whether the same shall have been executed within or without this state; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to the payment, satisfaction, settlement, or compromise of any causes of action which are not abolished or barred by this law, or any contracts or instruments heretofore executed, or to the bona fide holder in due course of any negotiable instrument which may be hereafter executed.
History.—s. 6, ch. 23138, 1945.
771.07 Penalties.—Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.—s. 7, ch. 23138, 1945; s. 698, ch. 71-136.
771.08 Construction of law.—This law shall be liberally construed to effectuate the objects and purposes thereof and the public policy of the state as hereby declared. This law shall supersede all laws and parts of laws, inconsistent with this law, to the extent of such inconsistency, but in all other respects shall be deemed supplemental to such laws and parts of laws. Nothing contained in this law shall be construed as a repeal of any of the provisions of the penal law or the code of criminal procedure or of any other law of this state relating to criminal or quasi-criminal actions or proceedings.
History.—ss. 8, 9, ch. 23138, 1945.