Okla. Stat. tit. 84, § 84-44
This is the official text of Okla. Stat. tit. 84, § 84-44, part of Oklahoma’s Stat. tit. 84, — part of the compiled statutory law of Oklahoma, published by the state as "Stat. tit. 84,." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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Property which may be disposed of - Election by surviving
Official statutory text
spouse - Homestead.
A. Every estate in property may be disposed of by will;
provided however, that a will shall be subservient to any
antenuptial marriage contract in writing; but no spouse shall
bequeath or devise away from the other so much of the estate of the
testator that the other spouse would receive less in value than
would be obtained through succession by law; provided, however, that
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 84. Wills and Succession Page 12
of the property not acquired by joint industry during coverture the
testator be not required to devise or bequeath more than one-half
(1/2) thereof in value to the surviving spouse; provided further,
that no person shall by will dispose of property which could not be
by the testator alienated, encumbered or conveyed while living,
except that the homestead may be devised by one spouse to the other.
This subsection shall not apply to the estate of a decedent who dies
on or after July 1, 1985.
B. This subsection shall apply to the estate of a decedent who
dies on or after July 1, 1985.
1. Every estate in property may be disposed of by will except
that a will shall be subservient to any antenuptial marriage
contract in writing. In addition, no spouse shall bequeath or
devise away from the other so much of the estate of the testator
that the other spouse would receive less in value than an undivided
one-half (1/2) interest in the property acquired by the joint
industry of the husband and wife during coverture. No person shall
by will dispose of property which could not be by the testator
alienated, encumbered or conveyed while living, except that the
homestead may be devised by one spouse to the other.
2. The spouse of a decedent has a right of election to take
the one-half (1/2) interest in the property as provided in paragraph
1 of this subsection in lieu of all devises, legacies and bequests
for the benefit of the spouse contained in the last will and
testament of the decedent.
3. If the surviving spouse desires to make the election
provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection to take the property
specified therein in lieu of all devises, legacies and bequests for
the benefit of the surviving spouse contained in the last will and
testament of a decedent, then the surviving spouse shall make such
election affirmatively in writing, which writing shall be filed in
the district court in which the estate of the decedent is being
administered on or before the final date for hearing of the petition
for final distribution of the estate. The court clerk shall
immediately mail a copy of such election to the personal
representative of the estate and to all attorneys of record of the
estate. Such written election of the surviving spouse shall be in
the form of a writing separate from all other pleadings and
documents filed in the district court in which the estate is being
administered. Failure of the surviving spouse to substantially
comply with the provisions of this subsection shall render the
attempted election by the surviving spouse void and of no force or
effect; provided that such failure shall not prohibit the surviving
spouse from making a subsequent election within the allotted time
period, which substantially complies with this subsection.
4. The right of election of the surviving spouse provided for
in paragraph 2 of this subsection is personal to the surviving
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 84. Wills and Succession Page 13
spouse and may be exercised only during the lifetime of the
surviving spouse. However, if there has been a guardian or
conservator duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, and
such court has judicially determined the surviving spouse to be
incompetent, then such guardian or conservator may make the election
on behalf of the surviving spouse, but only if the same is approved
by the court having jurisdiction over such guardian or conservator.
urviving spouse. However, if there has been a guardian or
conservator duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, and
such court has judicially determined the surviving spouse to be
incompetent, then such guardian or conservator may make the election
on behalf of the surviving spouse, but only if the same is approved
by the court having jurisdiction over such guardian or conservator.
Further, a certified copy of the document or documents evidencing
the appointment of such guardian or conservator for the surviving
spouse, and a certified copy of the order of the applicable court
approving such guardian's or conservator's making such election on
behalf of the surviving spouse, shall be attached to the election,
which shall also be in substantial compliance with the provisions of
paragraph 3 of this subsection, or such election shall be void and
of no force or effect. The guardian or conservator may be appointed
in any state, and may have been appointed at any time prior to the
expiration of the time permitted for the election to be made as
provided in paragraph 3 of this subsection.
A. Every estate in property may be disposed of by will;
provided however, that a will shall be subservient to any
antenuptial marriage contract in writing; but no spouse shall
bequeath or devise away from the other so much of the estate of the
testator that the other spouse would receive less in value than
would be obtained through succession by law; provided, however, that
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 84. Wills and Succession Page 12
of the property not acquired by joint industry during coverture the
testator be not required to devise or bequeath more than one-half
(1/2) thereof in value to the surviving spouse; provided further,
that no person shall by will dispose of property which could not be
by the testator alienated, encumbered or conveyed while living,
except that the homestead may be devised by one spouse to the other.
This subsection shall not apply to the estate of a decedent who dies
on or after July 1, 1985.
B. This subsection shall apply to the estate of a decedent who
dies on or after July 1, 1985.
1. Every estate in property may be disposed of by will except
that a will shall be subservient to any antenuptial marriage
contract in writing. In addition, no spouse shall bequeath or
devise away from the other so much of the estate of the testator
that the other spouse would receive less in value than an undivided
one-half (1/2) interest in the property acquired by the joint
industry of the husband and wife during coverture. No person shall
by will dispose of property which could not be by the testator
alienated, encumbered or conveyed while living, except that the
homestead may be devised by one spouse to the other.
2. The spouse of a decedent has a right of election to take
the one-half (1/2) interest in the property as provided in paragraph
1 of this subsection in lieu of all devises, legacies and bequests
for the benefit of the spouse contained in the last will and
testament of the decedent.
3. If the surviving spouse desires to make the election
provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection to take the property
specified therein in lieu of all devises, legacies and bequests for
the benefit of the surviving spouse contained in the last will and
testament of a decedent, then the surviving spouse shall make such
election affirmatively in writing, which writing shall be filed in
the district court in which the estate of the decedent is being
administered on or before the final date for hearing of the petition
for final distribution of the estate. The court clerk shall
immediately mail a copy of such election to the personal
representative of the estate and to all attorneys of record of the
estate. Such written election of the surviving spouse shall be in
the form of a writing separate from all other pleadings and
documents filed in the district court in which the estate is being
administered. Failure of the surviving spouse to substantially
comply with the provisions of this subsection shall render the
attempted election by the surviving spouse void and of no force or
effect; provided that such failure shall not prohibit the surviving
spouse from making a subsequent election within the allotted time
period, which substantially complies with this subsection.
4. The right of election of the surviving spouse provided for
in paragraph 2 of this subsection is personal to the surviving
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 84. Wills and Succession Page 13
spouse and may be exercised only during the lifetime of the
surviving spouse. However, if there has been a guardian or
conservator duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, and
such court has judicially determined the surviving spouse to be
incompetent, then such guardian or conservator may make the election
on behalf of the surviving spouse, but only if the same is approved
by the court having jurisdiction over such guardian or conservator.
urviving spouse. However, if there has been a guardian or
conservator duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, and
such court has judicially determined the surviving spouse to be
incompetent, then such guardian or conservator may make the election
on behalf of the surviving spouse, but only if the same is approved
by the court having jurisdiction over such guardian or conservator.
Further, a certified copy of the document or documents evidencing
the appointment of such guardian or conservator for the surviving
spouse, and a certified copy of the order of the applicable court
approving such guardian's or conservator's making such election on
behalf of the surviving spouse, shall be attached to the election,
which shall also be in substantial compliance with the provisions of
paragraph 3 of this subsection, or such election shall be void and
of no force or effect. The guardian or conservator may be appointed
in any state, and may have been appointed at any time prior to the
expiration of the time permitted for the election to be made as
provided in paragraph 3 of this subsection.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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