Opinion ID: 1217215
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Intent of Testator

Text: The children contend that the trial court failed to uphold Mildred's intent as evidenced by her will. Section 62-1-100(4) provides that an act done before July 1, 1987, is any proceeding and any accrued right is not impaired by this code. Section 62-1-102 provides that the code shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies which includes discovering and making effective the intent of a decedent in the distribution of his property. § 62-1-102(b)(2). The children argue that Mildred had accrued the right to dispose of her property as she wished. They also contend that Mildred made her intent clear and that it should be upheld. We disagree. The provisions concerning the elective share do not provide for the testator's intent of the contrary. Furthermore, § 62-1-100(1) provides that the provisions of the code apply to any wills of decedents dying after July 1, 1987. Therefore, we find that the elective share provision may not be ignored by a testator and affirm the trial court's ruling.