CHAPTER 88
SLAYERS AND ELDER ABUSERS
Sec.
8801. Definitions.
8802. Slayer not to acquire property as result of slaying.
8802.1. Elder abuser not to acquire property.
8803. Descent, distribution, dower, curtesy, and statutory rights as survivor.
8804. Legacies.
8805. Tenancies by the entirety.
8806. Joint tenants, joint owners and joint obligees.
8807. Reversions and vested remainders.
8808. Interests dependent on survivorship or continuance of life.
8809. Contingent remainders and executory or other future interests.
8810. Powers of appointment.
8811. Proceeds of insurance.
8812. Bona fide payment by insurance company or obligor.
8813. Bona fide purchasers.
8814. Record of conviction as evidence.
8814.1. Preadjudication rule.
8815. Broad construction; policy of State.
8816. Intent to transfer notwithstanding elder abuse.
Enactment. Chapter 88 was added June 30, 1972, P.L.508, No.164, effective July 1, 1972.
Chapter Heading. The heading of Chapter 88 was amended July 1, 2024, P.L.444, No.40, effective in 180
days.
Cross References. Chapter 88 is referred to in sections 2106, 2507 of this title.
§ 8801. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings
given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Decedent." A person whose life is so taken.
"Elder abuse." An offense under 18 Pa.C.S. Chs. 27 (relating to assault), 31 (relating to sexual
offenses), 39 (relating to theft and related offenses) and 41 (relating to forgery
and fraudulent practices) and criminal attempt, criminal solicitation and criminal
conspiracy to commit the offense under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 9 (relating to inchoate crimes),
when the offense is committed against a person 60 years of age or older.
"Elder abuser." A person convicted of offenses constituting abuse against the victim under this chapter.
"Property." Real and personal property and any right or interest therein.
"Slayer." A person who participates, either as a principal or as an accessory before the fact,
in the willful and unlawful killing of any other person.
"Victim." A person who is 60 years of age or older against whom elder abuse is committed.
(July 1, 2024, P.L.444, No.40, eff. 180 days)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
16
cases (
1 in the last 5 years), 1986–2024 · leading case:
Ford v. Ford, 512 A.2d 389 (Md. 1986).
Ford v. Ford, 512 A.2d 389 (Md. 1986).
· cites it 2× “465 (1985); 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 8801 (Purdon 1975); R.”
Drumheller v. Marcello, 532 A.2d 807 (Pa. 1987).
· cites it 2× “, effective July 1, 1972, 20 Pa.C.S. § 8801, et seq. [3] In fact, the Act does not even require that the slayer be convicted for its provision to be operable and where, as here, there is no factual dispute but that Mr.”
Com. v. Corbin, J., 317 A.3d 648, 2024 PA Super 114 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).
· cites it 4× “m as a “proper person” under that section, particularly in light of the trial court’s observations that the requested refund through Section 3101(e) not only would flout the punitive and rehabilitative purposes of restitution in this case but also would offend equitable…”
Myers v. Myers, 580 A.2d 384 (Pa. 1990).
“Relying on the Slayer’s Act, 20 Pa.C.S. § 8801 et seq., the Court held that the husband could not be permitted to benefit by his own, wrongful act and, therefore, could not avoid a decree of equitable distribution by killing his or her spouse.”
Drumheller v. Marcello, 505 A.2d 305 (Pa. 1986).
“The Divorce Code was not designed to distribute property of a deceased spouse. With respect to property owned at the time of death by one spouse who has been killed by the other spouse, the rights of the decedent’s heirs are determined by the Slayers Act, 20 Pa.”
Est. of Susan C. McAndrew Appeal of: McAndrew, J, 131 A.3d 988 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).
· cites it 2× “To prevent slayers from acquiring property or benefits from the estates of those they killed, the Slayer Act provides: No slayer shall in any way acquire any property or receive any benefit as the result of the death of the decedent, but such property shall pass as provided in…”
In re Trust Est. of Jamison, 636 A.2d 1190 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1994).
· cites it 3× “, effective July 1, 1972, 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 8801 et seq. 2 . The Slayer’s Act defines the term “slayer” as "any person who participates, either as a principal or as an accessory before the fact, in the willful and unlawful killing of any other person.”
In re Est. of Bartolovich, 616 A.2d 1043 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
· cites it 2× “The trial court determined that the Slayer’s Act, 20 Pa.C.S. § 8801 et seq., bars Mr. Bartolovich’s estate from acquiring any rights in property held by Mr.”
Chase Est., 44 Pa. D. & C.3d 34 (Pa. Orphans' Ct. 1987).
“The Slayer’s Act, 20 Pa.C.S. §8801, defines a slayer as “any person who participates .”
In re Est. of Abbott, K. Appeal of: Abbott, C., No. 1071 WDA 2015 (Pa. Super. Ct. Sept. 16, 2016).
“” 20 Pa.C.S. § 8801. To prevent slayers from acquiring property or benefits from the estates of those they killed, the Slayer Act provides: [“]No slayer shall in any way acquire any property or receive any benefit as the result of the death of the decedent, but such property…”
Com. v. Stahl, D., No. 1937 WDA 2014 (Pa. Super. Ct. Nov. 29, 2016).
“” 20 Pa.C.S. § 8801. - 22 - J-S04009-16 J-S04010-16 J-S04011-16 assertion that the fees that Mr.”
Pruco Life Ins. Co. v. Zelenski, No. 2:18-cv-01515 (W.D. Pa. Mar. 27, 2020).
“) Dan and Senta asserted their own crossclaim against Brandi, arguing a beneficiary change made in October of 2017 is void and that Brenda cannot receive the benefits pursuant to the Pennsylvania Slayers Act, 20 Pa. C.S. §§ 8801–8815, (“Slayers Act”).”
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