District of Columbia Code
Chapter 1 - Rights of Surviving Spouse or Domestic Partner, and Children
§ 19–112. Devise or bequest to a spouse or domestic partner

Subject to section 19-114 , and unless it is otherwise expressed in the will, a devise of real estate or an interest therein, or a bequest of personal estate or an interest therein, to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, bars his or her share in the decedent’s estate.
(Sept. 14, 1965, 79 Stat. 696, Pub. L. 89-183, § 1; Apr. 27, 2001, D.C. Law 13-292, § 801(f), 48 DCR 2087; Apr. 4, 2006, D.C. Law 16-79, § 5(g), 53 DCR 1035; Mar. 2, 2007, D.C. Law 16-191, § 92(c), 53 DCR 6794.)
1981 Ed., § 19-112.
1973 Ed., § 19-112.
This section is referenced in § 19-113.
D.C. Law 13-292 deleted “, and his or her dower rights” following “decedent’s estate”.
D.C. Law 16-79 rewrote section which had read as follows: “Subject to section 19-114, and unless it is otherwise expressed in the will, a devise of real estate or an interest therein, or a bequest of personal estate or an interest therein, to the surviving spouse, bars his or her share in the decedent’s estate.”
D.C. Law 16-191, in the section credit for D.C. Law 13-292, validated a previously made technical correction.

Structure District of Columbia Code

District of Columbia Code

Title 19 - Descent, Distribution, and Trusts. [Enacted title]

Chapter 1 - Rights of Surviving Spouse or Domestic Partner, and Children

§ 19–101. Family allowance; construction; penalties. [Repealed]

§ 19–101.01. Applicable law

§ 19–101.02. Homestead allowance

§ 19–101.03. Exempt property

§ 19–101.04. Family allowance

§ 19–101.05. Source, determination, and documentation; equitable apportionment when minor children are not in custody of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner

§ 19–101.06. Penalties

§ 19–102. Dower and curtesy abolished

§ 19–103. Forfeiture of dower by desertion and adultery. [Repealed]

§ 19–104. Absent or incompetent spouse. [Repealed]

§ 19–105. Jointure before marriage as bar to dower. [Repealed]

§ 19–106. Jointure after marriage; election. [Repealed]

§ 19–107. Effect of acts of one spouse. [Repealed]

§ 19–107a. Release of dower. [Repealed]

§ 19–108. Recovery of dower withheld; damages. [Repealed]

§ 19–109. Recovery of dower obtained by default or collusion; damages. [Repealed]

§ 19–110. Assignment by guardian; rights of heir. [Repealed]

§ 19–111. Reendowment upon eviction from jointure. [Repealed]

§ 19–112. Devise or bequest to a spouse or domestic partner

§ 19–113. Renunciation of devises and bequests; election; time limitations; renunciation or election by guardian or fiduciary; maximum rights; effect of no devise or bequest or if nothing passes under either; antenuptial or postnuptial agreements

§ 19–114. Right of surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner if there is no renunciation

§ 19–115. Definitions