RIGHT OF ELECTION

right of election.Wills & estates. A surviving spouse’s statutory right to choose either the gifts

given by the deceased spouse in the will or a forced share or a share of the estate as defined in the

probate statute. — Also termed widow’s election. See ELECTION(2); augmented estate under

ESTATE (3). [Cases: Descent and Distribution 64; Wills 778–818.C.J.S. Wills §§ 1719–1741,

1841–1879.] [Blacks Law 8^th]