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Descent

The following is a chapter from "The History of Jefferson County, Iowa", Pages 293-294, published by the Western Historical Company of Chicago in 1879.

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DESCENT.

The personal property of the deceased (except (1) that necessary for payment of debts and expenses of administration; (2) property set apart to widow, as exempt from execution; (3) allowance by court, if necessary, of twelve months' support to widow, and to children under fifteen years of age), including life insurance, descends as does real estate.

One-third in value (absolutely) of all estates in real property, possessed by husband at any time during marriage, which have not been sold on execution or other judicial sale, and to which the wife has made no relinquishment of her right, shall be set apart as her property, in fee simple, if she survive him.

The same share shall be set apart to the surviving husband of a deceased wife.

The widow's share cannot be affected by any will of her husband's, unless she consents, in writing thereto, within six months after notice to her of provisions in the will.

The provisions of the statutes of descent apply alike to surviving husband or surviving wife.

Subject to the above, the remaining estate of which the decedent died siezed, shall in absence of other arrangements by will, descend

First. To his or her children and their descendants in equal parts; the descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the share of their deceased parents in equal shares among them.

Second. Where there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and no widow or surviving husband, then to the parents of the deceased in equal parts; the surviving parent, if either be dead, taking the whole; and if there is no parent living, then to the brothers and sisters of the intestate and their descendants.

Third. When there is a widow or surviving husband, and no child or children, or desdendants of the same, then one-half of the estate shall descend to such widow or surviving husband, absolutely; and the other half of the estate shall descend as in other cases where there is no widow or surviving husband, or child or children, or descendants of the same.

Fourth. If there is no child, parent, brother or sister, or descendants of either of them, then to wife of intestate, or to her heirs, if dead, according to like rules.

Fifth. If any intestate leaves no child, parent, brother or sister, or descendants of either of them, and no widow or surviving husband, and no child, parent, brother or sister (or descendant of either of them) of such widow or surviving husband, it shall escheat to the State.


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