Opinion ID: 1217215
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Waiver of Elective Share

Text: Section 62-2-204 provides in pertinent part: The right of election ... may be waived, wholly or partially, before or after marriage, by a written contract, agreement, or waiver signed by the party waiving after fair disclosure. Unless it provides to the contrary, a waiver of all rights in the property or estate of a present or prospective spouse or a complete property settlement entered into after or in anticipation of separation or divorce is a waiver of all rights to elective share.... (emphasis added). Mildred and Murray separated between October 1983 and October 1984. During this separation, Murray conveyed to Mildred his one-half interest in their Goose Creek home thereby giving her 100% ownership of the home. For this interest, Mildred paid Murray $8,000 and executed a promissory note in the amount of $3,000. Murray allegedly gave the $8,000 back to Mildred after they reconciled. In addition, Murray wrote Mildred a letter while they were separated and indicated that he would sign everything over to her if she would take him back. The children contend that these two acts constituted a waiver by Murray of the elective share. We disagree. There is nothing in the record to indicate that Murray knew he was waiving his right to the elective share. Furthermore, the elective share provision was not in existence when Murray wrote the letter in 1984 and the parties reconciled after the alleged waiver occurred. Based upon these facts, we find that these acts did not constitute a waiver of Murray's elective share.