Exam 28: Disinheritance and Intestacy

Dower was a right that a widow had to a ________ estate in one-third of all real property owned by her husband during marriage.

Today, all states have abolished common law dower and curtesy.

What term describes a child omitted by a testator from a will?

The law protects surviving spouses against being disinherited by their late husbands and wives.

Match the terms with their descriptions: -Homestead exemption

What state applies to children the statutory share for surviving spouses?

In many states, a homestead allowance up to a certain sum of money continues after the death of the head of household.

What number is assigned to each relationship to determine the closest relatives?

What term describes a statutory sum given to a surviving spouse disclaiming provisions made for him or her in a deceased spouse's will?

What does the phrase "waive a spouse's will" mean?

What term describes a court action to determine whether a person is the father of a child born out of wedlock?

In Delaware, if nobody can inherit the intestate estate, the state will take title to it.

Under early English law, the laws of ________ and distribution distinguished real property from personal property.

Gwen and Rob, a married couple, own a large estate. Discuss who will inherit this estate if Rob dies intestate.

What exemptions allow families to keep their homes out of reach of creditors?

Define a homestead exemption. Discuss the purpose of a homestead exemption and identify how it works.

Define a pretermitted child. Discuss what protection against disinheritance is available for them.

Today, under most state laws, adopted children inherit from and through their natural parents.

Relatives having only one parent in common are called ________ relatives.

In what country were the rights of dower and curtesy developed?