18-C M.R.S. § 2-801
This is the official text of 18-C M.R.S. § 2-801, part of Maine’s M.R.S — part of the compiled statutory law of Maine, published by the state as "M.R.S." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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18-C §2-801. Effect of divorce, annulment and decree of separation
Official statutory text
1. Divorce; annulment; separation. An individual who is divorced from the decedent or whose marriage to the decedent has been annulled is not a surviving spouse unless, by virtue of a subsequent marriage, the individual is married to the decedent at the time of death. A decree of separation that does not terminate the status of spouses is not a divorce for purposes of this section. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2. Not a surviving spouse. For purposes of Parts 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 and of section 3‑203 , a surviving spouse does not include: A. An individual who obtains or consents to a final decree or judgment of divorce from the decedent or an annulment of their marriage, if that decree or judgment is not recognized as valid in this State, unless they subsequently participate in a marriage ceremony purporting to marry each to the other, or subsequently live together as spouses; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. An individual who, following an invalid decree or judgment of divorce or annulment obtained by the decedent, participates in a marriage ceremony with a 3rd individual; or [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] C. An individual who was a party to a valid proceeding concluded by an order purporting to terminate all marital property rights. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2. Not a surviving spouse. For purposes of Parts 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 and of section 3‑203 , a surviving spouse does not include: A. An individual who obtains or consents to a final decree or judgment of divorce from the decedent or an annulment of their marriage, if that decree or judgment is not recognized as valid in this State, unless they subsequently participate in a marriage ceremony purporting to marry each to the other, or subsequently live together as spouses; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. An individual who, following an invalid decree or judgment of divorce or annulment obtained by the decedent, participates in a marriage ceremony with a 3rd individual; or [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] C. An individual who was a party to a valid proceeding concluded by an order purporting to terminate all marital property rights. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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