Opinion ID: 902003
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Claim Against Mildred's Estate

Text: [¶ 10.] The Home also argues that the circuit court erred in concluding that it could only file a claim against Mildred's estate if she had received property from Ernest's estate. The Home contends that SDCL 33-18-16 only ensured that Mildred received Ernest's property without such interests [being] diluted by the claim of the State Veterans' Home. After the death of the inheriting spouse, however, the Home asserts that it may file a claim against both the member's and the spouse's entire estates. [¶ 11.] SDCL 33-18-16 provides, in relevant part, that upon the death of the spouse or other dependent, the state home shall file a claim against the estate of the deceased spouse or other dependent for any claim against the estate of both the deceased husband and wife as provided in § 33-18-15. When read in context, this language presupposes that the estate of the deceased member will have passed to a spouse or other dependent. Because Ernest left no estate, Mildred did not have any of Ernest's estate for the Home to file a claim against. Consequently, we affirm the circuit court on this issue. []