A statutory right entitling a surviving spouse and/or minor children to receive support from the deceased's estate for a period of one year following death, taking priority over most other claims against the estate.
When someone dies, their spouse and young children can claim money from the estate to cover living expenses for a year. This gets paid before most other debts or inheritances.
⏱ When you'll encounter this term
- A spouse dies and the surviving partner needs immediate financial support
- Filing claims against an estate in probate court
- Calculating what beneficiaries will receive after priority payments
- Estate planning to ensure family is provided for
"After John passed away, his wife Sarah applied for year's support to cover the mortgage and household bills while the estate was being settled."
⚖️ Compare: Year's Support vs Family Provision
Automatic entitlement for one year. Common in US states like Georgia. Paid before creditors.
Court application required. Common in Australia and UK. Must prove inadequate provision in the will.
💡 Did you know?
In some US states, year's support can be substantial—in Georgia, it can include the family home and enough money to maintain the family's standard of living for 12 months, regardless of what the will says.