right of election
right of election. Wills & estates. A surviving spouse’s statutory right to choose either the gifts given by the deceased spouse in the will or a forced share or a share of the estate as defined in the probate statute. — Also termed widow’s election. See ELECTION(2); augmented estate under ESTATE (3). [Cases: Descent and Distribution 64; Wills 778–818. C.J.S. Wills §§ 1719–1741, 1841–1879.]