Opinion ID: 1385259
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The relationship between W.Va.Code, 42-3-1 [1992] and W.Va.Code, 42-3-7 [1992]

Text: With this background in mind, the first issue is whether the circuit court erred in determining that when the testator executes a premarital will as provided by W.Va.Code, 42-3-7 [1992], the surviving spouse of that testator is precluded from taking an elective share of the decedent spouse's estate pursuant to W.Va.Code, 42-3-1 [1992]. It is clear from the above discussion that the purposes underlying W.Va. Code, 42-3-1 [1992] and W.Va.Code, 42-3-7 [1992] are different: W.Va.Code, 42-3-1 [1992] protects a surviving spouse from disinheritance and W.Va.Code, 42-3-7 [1992] gives a surviving spouse an intestate share in the amount the decedent spouse would have given the surviving spouse had he or she thought about the effect of the premarital will. Common sense dictates that the intestate share provided for under W.Va.Code, 42-3-7 [1992] does not preclude a surviving spouse from taking an elective share pursuant to W.Va.Code, 42-3-1 [1992]. To hold otherwise would allow a spouse to disinherit his or her spouse, thereby defeating the purpose behind the elective-share theory of the Revised Uniform Probate Code. [5] Moreover, the West Virginia legislature added language to W.Va.Code, 42-3-1 after it was enacted in 1992 which clarifies the fact that the intestate share is not preclusive of the elective share: The surviving spouse of a decedent who dies domiciled in this state has a right of election, against either the will or the intestate share, under the limitations and conditions stated in this part, to take an elective-share amount[.] W.Va.Code, 42-3-1(a) [1993], in relevant part (emphasis added). Accordingly, we hold that even though a testator executed a premarital will, as provided by W.Va.Code, 42-3-7 [1992], a surviving spouse of that testator is not precluded from taking an elective share of the decedent spouse's estate pursuant to W.Va. Code, 42-3-1 [1992]. [6]