Late Spousal Election Allowed Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

It was not an abuse of discretion or an error of law for the Orphans’ Court to allow a late spousal election under 20 Pa.C.S. § 2210 by the guardian of an incapacitated spouse when the COVID-19 pandemic struck between the date of death and the six month filing deadline, the estate was not harmed by the delay, all parties were aware that the guardian intended to make the election, and inequities and gross injustice would otherwise result. In re: Estate of Terri Garbutt, 616 EDA 2022 (Pa. Super. 2/27/2023) (non-precedential), aff’g Garbutt Estate, 1 Fid.Rep.4th 29 (Chester O.C. 2022). [Updated on 6/5/2023 to add citation to the O.C. opinion.]

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