A fixation device for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve comprising: a central element defining a central axis; a distal portion comprising: at least one arm (108, 110) coupled to the central element, the at least one arm moveable to a selected position between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and at least one leg (168, 169) operatively coupled to the at least one arm and configured to move the at least one arm to the selected position between the fully open position and the fully closed position, wherein the at least one arm includes a contact portion configured to engage native heart valve tissue, the contact portion defining a contact portion axis, wherein the distal portion includes a flexure portion configured to enable the contact portion in the selected position to move within a flex angle range between an undeformed contact portion angle relative to the central axis and a flexed contact portion angle relative to the central axis, wherein the flexed contact portion angle is greater than the undeformed contact portion angle, the flex angle range being about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees, wherein the at least one arm comprises the flexure portion, wherein the at least one arm extends from a first end proximate the central element to an opposing second end, wherein the contact portion is proximate the opposing second end, the contact portion is defined only along an outer half of the length of the arm, and the flexure portion is adjacent the contact portion; and at least one gripping element (116, 118) moveable relative to the at least one arm to capture a native leaflet therebetween. a central element defining a central axis; a distal portion comprising: at least one arm (108, 110) coupled to the central element, the at least one arm moveable to a selected position between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and at least one leg (168, 169) operatively coupled to the at least one arm and configured to move the at least one arm to the selected position between the fully open position and the fully closed position, wherein the at least one arm includes a contact portion configured to engage native heart valve tissue, the contact portion defining a contact portion axis, wherein the distal portion includes a flexure portion configured to enable the contact portion in the selected position to move within a flex angle range between an undeformed contact portion angle relative to the central axis and a flexed contact portion angle relative to the central axis, wherein the flexed contact portion angle is greater than the undeformed contact portion angle, the flex angle range being about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees, wherein the at least one arm comprises the flexure portion, wherein the at least one arm extends from a first end proximate the central element to an opposing second end, wherein the contact portion is proximate the opposing second end, the contact portion is defined only along an outer half of the length of the arm, and the flexure portion is adjacent the contact portion; and at least one arm (108, 110) coupled to the central element, the at least one arm moveable to a selected position between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and at least one leg (168, 169) operatively coupled to the at least one arm and configured to move the at least one arm to the selected position between the fully open position and the fully closed position, wherein the at least one arm includes a contact portion configured to engage native heart valve tissue, the contact portion defining a contact portion axis, wherein the distal portion includes a flexure portion configured to enable the contact portion in the selected position to move within a flex angle range between an undeformed contact portion angle relative to the central axis and a flexed contact portion angle relative to the central axis, wherein the flexed contact portion angle is greater than the undeformed contact portion angle, the flex angle range being about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees, wherein the at least one arm comprises the flexure portion, wherein the at least one arm extends from a first end proximate the central element to an opposing second end, wherein the contact portion is proximate the opposing second end, the contact portion is defined only along an outer half of the length of the arm, and the flexure portion is adjacent the contact portion; and at least one gripping element (116, 118) moveable relative to the at least one arm to capture a native leaflet therebetween.