Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2102 (2026)

 Share of surviving spouse.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 2102.  Share of surviving spouse.

The intestate share of a decedent's surviving spouse is:

(1)  If there is no surviving issue or parent of the decedent, the entire intestate estate.

(2)  If there is no surviving issue of the decedent but he is survived by a parent or parents, the first $30,000 plus one-half of the balance of the intestate estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a decedent who died as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a surviving spouse shall be entitled to 100% of any compensation award paid pursuant to the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act (Public Law 107-42, 115 Stat. 230).

(3)  If there are surviving issue of the decedent all of whom are issue of the surviving spouse also, the first $30,000 plus one-half of the balance of the intestate estate.

(4)  If there are surviving issue of the decedent one or more of whom are not issue of the surviving spouse, one-half of the intestate estate.

(5)  In case of partial intestacy any property received by the surviving spouse under the will shall satisfy pro tanto the $30,000 allowance under paragraphs (2) and (3).

(Apr. 18, 1978, P.L.42, No.23, eff. 60 days; July 11, 1980, P.L.565, No.118, eff. 60 days; Oct. 3, 2003, P.L.175, No.26, eff. imd.)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 27 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1981–2024 · leading case: Gillette v. Wurst, 937 A.2d 430 (Pa. 2007).
Gillette v. Wurst, 937 A.2d 430 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 6× “Pennsylvania's intestacy scheme, which is found in the PEF Code, describes the intestate share for a surviving spouse, see 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102, and further provides a right to disclaim, as follows: § 6201.”
Re: Trust Under Deed of D. Kulig Apl of Budke, C., 175 A.3d 222 (Pa. 2017). · cites it 2× “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(4). 9 Children note that, if their view prevails, which undisputedly is consistent with the law at least until 2006, Wife may opt to take $2,287,867.”
Devlin v. City of Philadelphia, 862 A.2d 1234 (Pa. 2004). “l); (3) a guaranteed share of an intestate spouse’s estate, 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102; (4) the testimonial privilege between husband and wife, 42 Pa.”
Est. of: Richard Chennisi, Appeal of: Newman, L., 272 A.3d 67 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 14× “20 Pa.C.S. § 2102 (footnote omitted). Ms.”
Stecyk v. Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., 53 F. Supp. 2d 794 (E.D. Pa. 1999). · cites it 2× “Thereafter, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Intestacy Laws, 20 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 2102 (“Intestacy Laws”), the first $30,-000 was allocated to plaintiff, which further reduced the amount of the wrongful death proceeds to be allocated between plaintiff and plaintiffs minor child…”
Haviland v. Haviland, 481 A.2d 1355 (Pa. 1984). “, 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102 (intestate share of surviving spouse); § 2103(1) (intestate share of children); 20 Pa.”
D'Alfonso v. A.R.E.I. Inv. Corp. (In Re D'Alfonso), 211 B.R. 508 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1997). “Hence, although the issue is apparently not contested, we will lay it to rest. It was established at trial that the Property was titled in the names of Frank and Albert, and not that of the Debtor.”
Est. of: Trust Under Deed of Kulig, D., 131 A.3d 494 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “Pursuant to 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(4), Mary Jo Kulig is entitled to receive one-half of her late husband’s estate.”
Jagnow, C. v. Jagnow, S., 2021 Pa. Super. 133 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “See 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 2102 (spousal share of intestate decedent’s estate), 2201-11 (elective share).”
In Re Est. of Corso, 431 A.2d 253 (Pa. 1981). · cites it 2× “" [3] 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(2) provides that in cases of intestacy the surviving spouse is entitled to a one-half share of the estate "if the decedent is survived by one child only .”
Johnson v. Lomas Mortg. USA, Inc. (In Re Johnson), 140 B.R. 850 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1992). “*857 See 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(3). However, as we held in Evans I, supra, 114 B.”
Gillette v. Wurst, 869 A.2d 488 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005). “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102. The Gillettes’ plan of distribution differs markedly, however, from that described by this section.”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2102(1) — 2 cases
Hooker, P. v. Wagner, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).
Long Est., 7 Pa. D. & C.4th 275 (1990).
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2102(2) — 4 cases
Est. of: Richard Chennisi, Appeal of: Newman, L., 272 A.3d 67 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “20 Pa.C.S. § 2102 (footnote omitted). Ms.”
In Re Est. of Corso, 431 A.2d 253 (Pa. 1981). “" [3] 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(2) provides that in cases of intestacy the surviving spouse is entitled to a one-half share of the estate "if the decedent is survived by one child only .”
Est. of Fulton, 619 A.2d 280 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
Est. of: Richard Chennisi, Appeal of: Newman, L., 272 A.3d 67 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2102(3) — 4 cases
Gillette v. Wurst, 937 A.2d 430 (Pa. 2007). “Pennsylvania's intestacy scheme, which is found in the PEF Code, describes the intestate share for a surviving spouse, see 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102, and further provides a right to disclaim, as follows: § 6201.”
D'Alfonso v. A.R.E.I. Inv. Corp. (In Re D'Alfonso), 211 B.R. 508 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1997). “Hence, although the issue is apparently not contested, we will lay it to rest. It was established at trial that the Property was titled in the names of Frank and Albert, and not that of the Debtor.”
Stecyk v. Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., 53 F. Supp. 2d 794 (E.D. Pa. 1999). “Thereafter, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Intestacy Laws, 20 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 2102 (“Intestacy Laws”), the first $30,-000 was allocated to plaintiff, which further reduced the amount of the wrongful death proceeds to be allocated between plaintiff and plaintiffs minor child…”
Johnson v. Lomas Mortg. USA, Inc. (In Re Johnson), 140 B.R. 850 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1992). “*857 See 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(3). However, as we held in Evans I, supra, 114 B.”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2102(4) — 5 cases
Re: Trust Under Deed of D. Kulig Apl of Budke, C., 175 A.3d 222 (Pa. 2017). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(4). 9 Children note that, if their view prevails, which undisputedly is consistent with the law at least until 2006, Wife may opt to take $2,287,867.”
Est. of: Trust Under Deed of Kulig, D., 131 A.3d 494 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “Pursuant to 20 Pa.C.S. § 2102(4), Mary Jo Kulig is entitled to receive one-half of her late husband’s estate.”
Est. of: Boris Krichmar, Dec'd. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).
Kohut, J. v. Vlahos, D. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
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