What term describes the share of the deceased spouse's estate to which the surviving spouse is entitled?

• A. Statutory share, marital share, or elective share
• B. Marshaling the assets
• C. Dividend
• D. Escheat

Answer: (A)

The surviving spouse’s protection in this context is described by the elective share (also called the statutory share or marital share). This is the portion of the deceased spouse’s estate that the survivor is entitled to claim, regardless of the will’s dispositional provisions, to ensure the spouse isn’t disinherited. The term highlights the right to make an election to receive that share, as determined by state law.

Marshaling the assets refers to gathering and organizing assets to satisfy debts and claims, not to a spousal entitlement. A dividend is a distribution of profits, not a share of an estate. Escheat means property reverting to the state when there are no heirs.