(a) Rule in Shelley's case.--The rule in Shelley's case and its corollaries shall not be applied, and a devise or bequest directly or in trust which shall express an intent to create an estate for life with remainder to the life tenant's heirs or the heirs of his body or his issue or his next of kin or persons described by words of similar import shall not operate to give such life tenant an estate in fee in real estate or an absolute estate in personalty.
(b) Doctrine of worthier title.--The doctrine of worthier title shall not be applied as a rule of law or as a rule of construction. Language in a governing instrument describing the beneficiaries of a disposition as the transferor's heirs, heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, relatives or family or language of similar import shall not create or presumptively create a reversionary interest in the transferor.
(Dec. 1, 1994, P.L.655, No.102, eff. 60 days)
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES
Section 2501 - Who may make a will
Section 2502 - Form and execution of a will
Section 2503 - Nuncupative wills (Repealed)
Section 2504 - Witnesses (Repealed)
Section 2504.1 - Validity of execution
Section 2505 - Revocation of a will
Section 2506 - Revival of revoked or invalid will
Section 2507 - Modification by circumstances
Section 2508 - Change by election of surviving spouse (Repealed)
Section 2509 - Forfeiture of right of election (Repealed)
Section 2510 - How election made (Repealed)
Section 2511 - Time for making election (Repealed)
Section 2512 - Failure to make an election (Repealed)
Section 2513 - Grantee or lienholder (Repealed)
Section 2514 - Rules of interpretation
Section 2515 - Devise or bequest to trust
Section 2516 - Devise in fee tail abolished
Section 2517 - Rule in Shelley's case and doctrine of worthier title
Section 2519 - Testamentary guardian