Bill > SB1690

This bill establishes that an individual who intentionally and feloniously kills the decedent forfeits all benefits from the decedent's estate, including inheritances, elective shares, homestead allowances, and family allowances, effectively meaning the estate passes as if the killer disclaimed their share. It also revokes any revocable dispositions of property, appointments, powers of appointment, or nominations of the killer to serve in a fiduciary capacity (like an executor or trustee) made in a governing instrument, which is any document signed by the decedent outlining how their property should be handled. Furthermore, if the decedent and killer owned property as joint tenants with the right of survivorship, their ownership is severed into equal tenancies in common, though this severance doesn't affect third parties who bought the property in good faith without notice. The bill clarifies that a conviction for the killing conclusively establishes the killer's status for these purposes, but in the absence of a conviction, a court can determine accountability based on a preponderance of the evidence standard. Payors or third parties are protected from liability for payments or transfers made in good faith before receiving written notice of a claimed forfeiture or revocation, and they can deposit disputed funds with the court. Finally, individuals who purchase property for value without notice are not obligated to return it, but those who receive benefits without giving value must return them to the rightful heir.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=5552594