Indiana Code 29-1-3-4. Personal right; election by attorney in fact or guardian
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Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the right of election of the surviving spouse is personal to the spouse. It is not transferable and cannot be exercised subsequent to the spouse’s death. A person with a valid power of attorney for the surviving spouse may elect for the spouse if the power of attorney has general authority with respect to estates as provided in IC 30-5-5-15(a)(4). If the surviving spouse is a protected person, the court may order the guardian of the spouse’s estate to elect for the spouse.
(1) The surviving spouse died before the election could be made.
(b) The spousal election may be exercised subsequent to the spouse’s death under the following circumstances:
Terms Used In Indiana Code 29-1-3-4
- Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
(2) The election is being made to recover Medicaid benefits that were paid on behalf of the deceased surviving spouse.
The office of Medicaid policy and planning may exercise the right of election under this subsection. The spousal election is only enforceable up to the amount of Medicaid benefits that were received and the amount may only be distributed to the office of Medicaid policy and planning.
Formerly: Acts 1953, c.112, s.304. As amended by P.L.33-1989, SEC.35; P.L.252-2001, SEC.10; P.L.246-2005, SEC.213.