Florida Statute 731.011
“Determination of substantive rights; procedures”
What it means
The Probate Code became effective on January 1, 1976. Substantive rights of all persons that vested before that date are determined as provided in former chapters 731-737 and 744-746.
The procedures for enforcing vested substantive rights are those in the Florida Probate Rules. The date therefore controls which body of law decides the right, while current rules govern how it is enforced.
- The code became effective on January 1, 1976 (§ 731.011).
- Substantive rights vested before January 1, 1976 are determined under former chapters 731-737 and 744-746 (§ 731.011).
- Procedures for enforcing vested substantive rights are as provided in the Florida Probate Rules (§ 731.011).
Text of the statute (2026)
The code became effective on January 1, 1976. The substantive rights of all persons that vested prior to January 1, 1976, shall be determined as provided in former chapters 731-737 and 744-746. The procedures for the enforcement of vested substantive rights shall be as provided in the Florida Probate Rules.
Excerpts are the subsections the summary relies on. Read the full official text of § 731.011.
History. s. 4, ch. 74-106; ss. 2, 113, ch. 75-220; s. 5, ch. 2001-226.
How it applies
The section matters when the facts that created a right happened before January 1, 1976, for example a death in the early 1970s or earlier. For such a right, the former chapters listed in the section supply the substantive rules, and the Florida Probate Rules supply the procedure for enforcing it.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 731.011 (2026), flsenate.gov (Effective date of the code, former chapters for pre-1976 vested rights, and procedure under the Florida Probate Rules.)
Last checked: October 17, 2026
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