The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that a woman can inherit from her husband’s estate, even if they were living apart for more than 30 years.
The court affirmed rulings by lower courts in a dispute about the relationship between Maggie Erwin and her late husband, James Erwin.
The two were married in 1968. The separated in 1976 and James Erwin died in 2012 without a will.
Michigan law says a spouse can lose inheritance rights if he or she was “willfully absent” for a year or more.
Maggie Erwin’s lawyer argued that the couple kept an emotional bond and it must be considered in addition to physical separation.
They Split, And Still Split The Estate
Aug 1, 2018 | 1:28 PM
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