Florida Statutes

Fla. Stat. § 736.1108 (2025)

Penalty clause for contest.

✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session

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736.1108 Penalty clause for contest.—

(1) A provision in a trust instrument purporting to penalize any interested person for contesting the trust instrument or instituting other proceedings relating to a trust estate or trust assets is unenforceable.

(2) This section applies to trusts created on or after October 1, 1993. For purposes of this subsection, a revocable trust shall be treated as created when the right of revocation terminates.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2013–2024 · leading case: Dinkins v. Dinkins, 120 So. 3d 601 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013).

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Dinkins v. Dinkins, 120 So. 3d 601 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013). · cites it 4× “” § 736.1108(1), Fla. Stat. (2010). The parties agree that a “no contest” clause, under which a beneficiary forfeits his or her devise for contesting a will or trust, is a penalty clause under the statute.”

William L. Ramos, Jr. v. Michael Halpern, Etc. (Fla. 3d DCA 2021). · cites it 2× “Ramos requested the trial court bifurcate the 1 See § 736.1108(1), Fla. Stat. (2013) (providing: “A provision in a trust instrument purporting to penalize any interested person for contesting the trust instrument or instituting other proceedings relating to a trust estate or…”

In the Matter of the Helene Eicoff Barrington Living Trust U/A/D June 29, 2015, as amended (Del. Ch. 2024). “”); Fla. Stat. Ann. § 736.1108 (1) (“A provision in a trust instrument purporting to penalize any interested person for contesting the trust instrument or instituting other proceedings relating to a trust estate or trust assets is unenforceable.”

— 736.1108(1) — 2 cases

Dinkins v. Dinkins, 120 So. 3d 601 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013). “” § 736.1108(1), Fla. Stat. (2010). The parties agree that a “no contest” clause, under which a beneficiary forfeits his or her devise for contesting a will or trust, is a penalty clause under the statute.”

William L. Ramos, Jr. v. Michael Halpern, Etc. (Fla. 3d DCA 2021). “Ramos requested the trial court bifurcate the 1 See § 736.1108(1), Fla. Stat. (2013) (providing: “A provision in a trust instrument purporting to penalize any interested person for contesting the trust instrument or instituting other proceedings relating to a trust estate or…”

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