A forfeiture provision may be drafted such that a couple must remain married in order for both spouses to receive distributions or withdrawals from the estate. Such a provision would not be invalid because the provision does not encourage divorce or disrupt the family relations. None of the Restatements of Law, which are legal treatises, prohibit forfeiture provisions upon divorce. In fact, some states allow reasonable restrictions upon remarriage of a surviving spouse.
Certain provisions in a will or trust may be held invalid on the basis that they would disrupt family relations. For example, a provision which provides for the payment of money to a beneficiary if he divorces or separates from a spouse may be invalid. Similarly, a provision which prohibits distributions to a beneficiary if he does not divorce or separate from a spouse may be invalid. Also, a provision cannot deny a bequest until a beneficiary’s spouse dies or the beneficiary divorces his spouse. Likewise, a trust or will provision must not prohibit marriage altogether or severely limit a beneficiary’s choice of spouse.
A dispositive instrument, will or trust, may provide for a beneficiary in the event of a divorce or death. A special disposition to an unmarried beneficiary may be available to relieve pressure upon the beneficiary to remain in or enter a marriage. Wills and trusts can be custom drafted to fit many varied situations. Whenever possible, the construction of a trust instrument will be favored that upholds the validity of the trust and renders the instrument effective. Despite judicial inclination to uphold trusts, provisions violating public policy will be held invalid.
Nevada Estate Planning and Probate 