Florida Statute 55.601
“Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act; short title”
What it means
This section is the short title. Sections 55.601-55.607 may be cited as the “Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act.”
The Act covers an out-of-country foreign judgment: a judgment of a foreign state granting or denying recovery of a sum of money, other than a judgment for taxes, a fine, or other penalty (§ 55.602(2)). It applies to a judgment that is final and conclusive and enforceable where rendered, even if an appeal is pending or possible (§ 55.603). A qualifying judgment is conclusive between the parties to the extent it grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, unless a ground for nonrecognition in § 55.605 applies (§ 55.604). The judgment is filed with the clerk and recorded in the public records of the county or counties where enforcement is sought (§ 55.604(1)).
- Sections 55.601-55.607 are the Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act (§ 55.601).
- The Act covers foreign judgments for a sum of money, not judgments for taxes, fines, or other penalties (§ 55.602(2)).
- The judgment must be final and conclusive and enforceable where rendered; a pending or possible appeal does not take it outside the Act (§ 55.603).
- A judgment is filed with the clerk and recorded in the county or counties where enforcement is sought (§ 55.604(1)).
- A judgment is not conclusive if a ground in § 55.605 applies, such as no impartial tribunals, no personal jurisdiction, or no subject matter jurisdiction (§ 55.605(1)).
Text of the statute (2026)
Sections 55.601-55.607 may be cited as the “Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act.”
“Out-of-country foreign judgment” means any judgment of a foreign state granting or denying recovery of a sum of money, other than a judgment for taxes, a fine, or other penalty.
This act applies to any out-of-country foreign judgment that is final and conclusive and enforceable where rendered, even though an appeal therefrom is pending or is subject to appeal.
Excerpts are the subsections the summary relies on. Read the full official text of § 55.601.
History. s. 1, ch. 94-239.
How it applies
The Act matters in a probate when a creditor holds a money judgment from a court of a foreign state, or when the decedent held one. Recognition under the Act and the probate claim process are separate. A claim against a decedent's estate is governed by § 733.702, which requires a claim to be filed in the probate within the stated periods, and by § 733.710, which generally ends liability 2 years after death.
Questions people ask
Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 55.601 (2026) (“Sections 55.601-55.607 may be cited as the” Short title.)
- Fla. Stat. § 55.602 (2026) (“granting or denying recovery of a sum of money, other than a judgment for taxes, a fine, or other penalty” Definition of the judgments covered.)
- Fla. Stat. § 55.603 (2026) (“final and conclusive and enforceable where rendered” Applicability.)
- Fla. Stat. § 55.604 (2026) (“is conclusive between the parties to the extent that it grants or denies recovery of a sum of money” Effect and recording procedure.)
- Fla. Stat. § 733.702 (2026) (“unless filed in the probate proceeding” Probate claim filing requirement.)
Last checked: October 17, 2026
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