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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Simultaneous death act
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A quick definition of Simultaneous death act:
Simultaneous death act is a law that helps decide how to divide a person's assets when two people die at the same time or within a short period. This law applies to situations where the death of one person affects how the assets would be distributed under intestacy laws. For example, if a husband and wife die in a car accident, the law assumes that each person died before the other. This law is in place to simplify the probate process and ensure that the assets are distributed fairly. Different states have different rules, but many follow the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act, which sets a limit of 120 hours.
A more thorough explanation:
Simultaneous death acts are laws that apply when two people die within a short amount of time. These laws change how assets are distributed when someone dies without a will. The laws treat the deaths as if each person died before the other.
For example, if a husband and wife die in a car accident, the law would act as though each died before the other, even though that is impossible. This is important because it changes how their assets are distributed.
The length of time that people are considered to die simultaneously differs by state, but 21 states and D.C. have adopted the 120 hours limit from the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act.
Overall, simultaneous death acts help ensure that assets are distributed fairly when two people die at the same time.
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