Intestacy & Wills Flashcards
Does the decedent intent matter in intestacy?
No
Who is entitled to take in intestacy?
Heirs
determined only at death living people do not have heirs
Who qualifies as a spouse?
legally married people ONLY
When will spouse take entire share under intestacy?
When they both have the same children
or spouse only survivior
When will spouse not take the entire estate?
If there are spouse and parents, takes $300,000 & 75% remaining
If spouse and other children, outside marriage spouse gets 225k and 1/2 estate
If spouse and nonspousal kids, spouse takes 150k and 1/2 remaining
What must occur for a child take take intestate?
parent-child relationship
adoptive children are treated the same as biological
What is requirement for posthumously Born Children
conceived before dad born
if born within 280 days of husband death may inherit, rebuttable presumption that child is husbands
300 days under the UPC
What does per stripes require?
divide share equally at the first lineal line & representative will take if child passes
What does per capita require?
divide where there is a first generation that survives
Formal Requirements
signed writing, attested, testamentary intent
Location of Signature
some states require at the end and anything coming after is invalid
UPC and other states say anywhere it is okay
formal signature not required just need into
What is capacity
18 years of age and of sound mind measured at time of signing
Witnesses Presence
in presence of at least two witnesses , sign document doesn’t need to be at the same time
Most JD: testator need to be in presence of witness and vic verse
UPC: witness sing within reaonsable time of testators
Line of Sight v. Conscious Presence requirement
line of sight traditional approach T must observe witness sign
Conscious presence requirement modern approach witness or T must be ware that act is being performed (UPC only requires if will singed on behalf of T)
What is interest witness?
Witness has financial interest in the will
CL: not competent to witness
UPC: abolished
What is purge theory?
interested witness does create invalid, there interest were purged and could gain in excess of what witness would take under intestate succession UNLESS
two other disinterested witness or interest witness would take in intestates and lease share
What is purge theory?
What is testamentary intent require?
present intent to make transfer