Also known as:decedent nonprobate transfers · nonprobate transfers to others · nonprobate transfers · will substitutes
Written by attorneys — see sources below.
Amounts of property that pass outside probate at the decedent's death to recipients other than the surviving spouse. These amounts are valued as of the decedent's death and included in the augmented estate for purposes of calculating the surviving spouse's elective share. The value is reduced by enforceable claims against the surviving spouse and apportioned among recipients when satisfying an unsatisfied elective-share amount.
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How its tested
Common Examples
3
Valuation of Joint Account at Death
Daniel Diaz held a joint bank account with his spouse Destiny Davis immediately before his death. Upon Daniel's death the account balance passes to Destiny outside probate. The value of Daniel's fractional interest is fixed immediately before death for inclusion in the augmented estate calculation under the applicable valuation rule.
Initial Application to Elective Share
Derek Douglas's net probate estate and certain nonprobate transfers pass to recipients other than his surviving spouse Devon Drake. After applying the marital-property portion the elective-share amount remains unsatisfied. The statute directs that the net probate estate and specified nonprobate transfers are applied first and liability is apportioned among their recipients in proportion to the value of their interests.
After applying the net probate estate and initial nonprobate transfers the elective-share amount owed to Dorothy Daniels is still not satisfied. The remaining nonprobate transfers are then applied so that liability for the unsatisfied balance is apportioned among their recipients in proportion to the value of each recipient's interest.
3 common questions
Students Frequently Ask...
How are nonprobate transfers valued when the decedent held joint tenancy property?
The value is determined at the decedent's death. For fractional or ownership interests held as joint tenant or co-owner the values are fixed immediately before death.
Supporting sources
What happens when the initial application of probate and certain nonprobate assets fails to satisfy the elective share?
The statute requires that the remaining nonprobate transfers be applied next with liability apportioned among recipients in proportion to the value of their interests.
Supporting sources
Are nonprobate transfers reduced by claims against the surviving spouse?
Yes. The value of property included is reduced by enforceable claims against the surviving spouse before the elective-share calculation is completed.
Supporting sources
931 N.W.2d 482 (N.D. 2019)
…[N.D.C.C. § 30.1-05-03(1)(a)], and that part of the elective-share amount payable from the decedent’s probate estate and nonprobate transfers to others under [N.D.C.C. § 30.1-05-03(2) and (3)] is less than seventy-five thousand dollars, the surviving spouse is entitled to a supplemental elective-share amount equal to seventy-five thousand…
Trusts and Estates Decedents EstatesIntestate succession · Share of children and more remote descendantsUBEFoundational