SB 956 Summary

• Increases a surviving spouse's statutory share from a life estate of one-third to one-half in value of the deceased spouse's property for estates of spouses dying on or after October 1, 2018
• Maintains the one-third life estate share for spouses dying on or before September 30, 2018
• Surviving spouse must file written notice of intent to take the statutory share with Probate Court within 150 days of the will's admission to probate, or forfeit the right
• Surviving spouse may elect the statutory share in lieu of any provision made in the deceased spouse's will
• Effective July 1, 2018