Bill > A07069

This bill amends the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law to clarify the circumstances under which a surviving spouse can be disqualified from inheriting or receiving certain legal benefits. Specifically, the bill modifies existing provisions by expanding the conditions that would prevent a spouse from being considered a "surviving spouse" after their partner's death. The key changes include allowing for a marriage to be deemed a nullity if an annulment or voiding decree is issued after the spouse's death, which means the surviving spouse would lose their legal status and associated rights. The bill also updates language around divorce, void marriages (such as incestuous or bigamous marriages), and separation decrees. Additionally, the bill makes a minor grammatical change, replacing "he or she" with the gender-neutral term "they" when referring to a spouse's support obligations. The modifications aim to provide clearer legal guidance about spousal status in complex marital dissolution scenarios, ensuring that individuals cannot benefit from an inheritance if their marriage was legally invalid or terminated under specific circumstances.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7069