Alabama § 43-8-73 - Procedure for Making Election; Petition; Time Limit; Notice and Hearing; Withdrawal of Demand; Order of Court; Enforcement of Order.

§ 43-8-73. Procedure for Making Election; Petition; Time Limit; Notice and Hearing; Withdrawal of Demand; Order of Court; Enforcement of Order.

(a) The surviving spouse may elect to take his or her elective share by filing with the court and mailing or delivering to the personal representative, if any, a petition for the elective share within six months after the date of death, or within six months after the probate of the decedent’s will, whichever limitation last expires.

The court may extend the time for election for cause shown by the surviving spouse before the time for election has expired.

(b) The surviving spouse shall give notice of the time and place set for hearing to persons interested in the estate whose interests will be adversely affected by the taking of the elective share.

(c) The surviving spouse may withdraw his or her demand for an elective share at any time before entry of a final determination by the court.

(d) After notice and hearing, the court shall determine the amount of the elective share and shall order its satisfaction from the assets of the estate. If it appears that a fund or property included in the estate has not come into the possession of the personal representative, or has been distributed by the personal representative, the court nevertheless shall fix the liability of any person who has any interest in the fund or property or who has possession thereof, whether as trustee or otherwise. The proceeding may be maintained against fewer than all persons against whom relief could be sought, but no person is subject to contribution in any greater amount than he or she would have been if relief had been secured against all persons subject to contribution.

(e) The order or judgment of the court may be enforced as necessary in suit for contribution or payment in other courts of this state or other jurisdictions.