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But to protect spouses from being disinherited, most of these states give a surviving spouse the right to claim one-third to one-half of the deceased spouse's estate, no matter what the will provides. (For other limitations on what a will can do, see What a Will Won't Do.)

The Spouse Is the Automatic Beneficiary for Married People A federal law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), governs most pensions and retirement accounts.

Many married couples own most of their assets jointly with the right of survivorship. When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse automatically receives complete ownership of the property. This distribution cannot be changed by Will.

In most states, if you have a will while you are married and then end the marriage, the will is automatically revoked. It's possible to leave an inheritance to your ex, but you have to write a new will that specifically states you are doing so. Disinheriting your spouse.

California is a community property state, which means that following the death of a spouse, the surviving spouse will have entitlement to one-half of the community property (i.e., property that was acquired over the course of the marriage, regardless of which spouse acquired it).

California is a community property state, which means that following the death of a spouse, the surviving spouse will have entitlement to one-half of the community property (i.e., property that was acquired over the course of the marriage, regardless of which spouse acquired it).

This law states that no matter what your will says, your spouse has a right to inherit one-third or one-half (depending on the state and sometimes depending on the length of the marriage) of your total estate. To exercise this right, your spouse has to petition the probate court to enforce the law.

California is a community property state, which means that following the death of a spouse, the surviving spouse will have entitlement to one-half of the community property (i.e., property that was acquired over the course of the marriage, regardless of which spouse acquired it).