(a) Elective share amount. The surviving spouse of a decedent who dies domiciled in this state has a right of election, under the limitations and conditions stated in this part, to take an elective-share amount equal to the value of the elective-share percentage of the augmented estate, determined by the length of time the spouse and the decedent were married to each other, in accordance with the following schedule:

If the decedent and the spouse were married to each other: The elective-share percentage is:
Less than one year Supplemental amount only
One year but less than two years Three percent of the augmented estate
Two years but less than three years Six percent of the augmented estate
Three years but less than four years Nine percent of the augmented estate
Four years but less than five years 12 percent of the augmented estate
Five years but less than six years 15 percent of the augmented estate
Six years but less than seven years 18 percent of the augmented estate
Seven years but less than eight years 21 percent of the augmented estate
Eight years but less than nine years 24 percent of the augmented estate
Nine years but less than ten years 27 percent of the augmented estate
Ten years but less than 11 years 30 percent of the augmented estate
11 years but less than 12 years 34 percent of the augmented estate
12 years but less than 13 years 38 percent of the augmented estate
13 years but less than 14 years 42 percent of the augmented estate
14 years but less than 15 years 46 percent of the augmented estate
15 years or more 50 percent of the augmented estate
will 560x170

Ask a will, trust or estate question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified estate & trust lawyers.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 524.2-202

  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44

(b) Supplemental elective-share amount. If the sum of the amounts described in sections 524.2-207, 524.2-209, paragraph (a), clause (1), and that part of the elective-share amount payable from the decedent’s probate estate and nonprobate transfers to others under section 524.2-209, paragraphs (b) and (c), is less than $75,000, the surviving spouse is entitled to a supplemental elective-share amount equal to $75,000, minus the sum of the amounts described in those sections. The supplemental elective-share amount is payable from the decedent’s probate estate and from recipients of the decedent’s nonprobate transfers to others in the order of priority set forth in section 524.2-209, paragraphs (b) and (c).

(c) Effect of election on statutory benefits. If the right of election is exercised by or on behalf of the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse’s homestead rights and other allowances under sections 524.2-402, 524.2-403 and 524.2-404, if any, are not charged against but are in addition to the elective-share and supplemental elective-share amounts.

(d) Nondomiciliary. The right, if any, of the surviving spouse of a decedent who dies domiciled outside this state to take an elective share in property in this state is governed by the law of the decedent’s domicile at death.