Widows have first preference on sharing property

“Under the revised law, the surviving spouse has preference over any other person in the administration of a deceased’s estate,” he explained. “However, this preference is not absolute. Courts retain the power to set it aside where the spouse is not a fit and proper person to administer the estate.” 

For years, families torn apart by the death of breadwinners have faced protracted battles over who should administer estates and how inheritance should be divided.