Elective share

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Wills, trusts and estates
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Estate administration
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Related topics
Advance directive (Living will) Blind trust Forced heirship Totten trust
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An elective share is a term used in American law relating to inheritance, which describes a proportion of an estate which the surviving spouse of the deceased may claim in place of what they were left in the decedent's will. It may also be called a widow's share, statutory share, election against the will, or forced share.