Forced Share Law and Legal Definition
Forced Share is the portion of a deceased person's estate that the surviving spouse is entitled to claim under state law. In many states, such share (also called the statutory/elective share) is about one-third of the deceased spouse's property. In some states, however, the amount the surviving spouse can claim depends on whether or not the couple has young children. In a few states, on how long the couple was married. In most states, if the deceased spouse left a will, the surviving spouse must choose either what the will provides or the elective share.