Law of Wills, 2016A

Problems and Questions ............................................................................................... 64
Chapter Three: Intestacy System (Surviving Spouse) ........................................ 65
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 65
Uniform Probate Code § 2-102. Share of Spouse. ................................................................................ 66
Problems ....................................................................................................................... 66
3.2 Definition of Spouse .................................................................................................. 67
3.2.1 Putative Spouse .................................................................................................. 67
M.S.A. § 518.055 Putative Spouse (Minnesota)................................................................................. 67
Estate of Leslie, 689 P.2d 133 (Cal. 1984) ....................................................................................... 68
Notes, Problems, and Questions .................................................................................. 77
Estate of Hafner, 184 Cal. App. 3d 1371 (Cal. App. Ct. 1986) ...................................................... 78
3.2.2 Common Law Spouse......................................................................................... 89
In re Estate of Duval, 777 N.W.2d 380 (S.D. 2010) ....................................................................... 89
Notes, Problems, and Questions .................................................................................. 94
3.2.3 Same-Sex Spouse ................................................................................................ 95
3.2.4 Other Issues Impacting the Status of Surviving Spouse .................................... 95
3.2.4.1 Legal Separation ............................................................................................. 96
Estate of Lahey, 76 Cal App. 4 th 1056, 91 Cal. Rptr. 30 (Ct. App. Cal. 1 st Dist. Div. 5, 1999) .... 96
Notes, Problems, and Questions .................................................................................. 98
3.2.4.2 Abandonment.................................................................................................. 98
Estate of Joyner v. Joyner, 753 S.E.2d 192 (Ct. App. N.C. 2014) (Constructive Abandonment) ....... 98
Notes, Problems, and Questions ................................................................................ 100
3.3 What does it mean to survive? .................................................................................. 101
3.3.1 Common Law ................................................................................................... 102
3.3.2 Original Uniform Simultaneous Death Act ..................................................... 102
Matter of Bausch’s Estate, 100 Misc.2d 817 (N.Y. 1979) .............................................................. 102
Problems ..................................................................................................................... 103
3.3.3 UPC and Modern USDA (120 Hour Rule) ....................................................... 104
Uniform Probate Act § 2-104. Requirement that Heir Survive Decedent for 120 Hours. .................. 104
Stephens v. Beard, 428 S.W.3d 385 (Ct. App. Tex. 2014) ............................................................ 104
3.3.4 Brain Death vs. Hearth Death .......................................................................... 107
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