Michigan § 700.2301 - Entitlement of spouse; premarital will.
Full text of Michigan Michigan Compiled Laws § 700.2301 — Entitlement of spouse; premarital will., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 700.2301. Entitlement of spouse; premarital will.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), if a testator's surviving spouse marries the testator after the testator executes his or her will, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive, as an intestate share, not less than the value of the share of the estate the surviving spouse would have received if the testator had died intestate as to that portion of the testator's estate, if any, that is not any of the following:
(a) Property devised to or in trust for the benefit of a child of the testator who was born before the testator married the surviving spouse and who is not the surviving spouse's child.
(b) Property devised to or in trust for the benefit of a descendant of a child described in subdivision (a).
(c) Property that passes under section 2603 or 2604 to a child described in subdivision (a) or to a descendant of such a child.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if any of the following are true:
(a) From the will or other evidence, it appears that the will was made in contemplation of the testator's marriage to the surviving spouse.
(b) The will expresses the intention that it is to be effective notwithstanding a subsequent marriage.
(c) The testator provided for the spouse by transfer outside the will, and the intent that the transfer be a substitute for a testamentary provision is shown by the testator's statements or is reasonably inferred from the amount of the transfer or other evidence.
(3) In satisfying the share provided by this section, devises made by the will to the testator's surviving spouse, if any, are applied first, and other devises, other than a devise to or in trust for the benefit of a child of the testator who was born before the testator married the surviving spouse and who is not the surviving spouse's child or a devise or substitute gift under section 2603 or 2604 to a descendant of such a child, abate as provided in section 3902.
(4) A spouse who receives an intestate share under this section may also exercise the right of election under section 2202, but the intestate share received by the spouse under this section reduces the sum available to the spouse under section 2202(2)(b).
Source: official Michigan text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan § 700.2301
What does Michigan Compiled Laws § 700.2301 cover?
Section 700.2301 ("Entitlement of spouse; premarital will.") is part of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the codified statutory law of Michigan. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Michigan § 700.2301?
A common citation format is "Michigan Compiled Laws § 700.2301" (Michigan). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Michigan law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Michigan official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
How does Michigan § 700.2301 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Michigan can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Michigan.