Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/671

–575– -575§ 651. Insufficient evidence of survivorship Where the title to property or the devolution thereof depends upon priority of death and there is not sufficient evidence that the persons have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property of each person shall be disposed of as if he had survived, except as provided otherwise in this chapter. § 652. Beneficiaries of another person's disposition of property Where two or more beneficiaries are designated to take successively by reason of survivorship under another person's disposition of property and there is not sufficient evidence that these beneficiaries have died otherwise than simultaneously the property thus disposed of shall be divided into as many equal portions as there are successive beneficiaries and these portions shall be distributed respectively to those who would have taken in the event that each designated beneficiary had survived. § 653. Joint tenants Where there is not sufficient evidence that two joint tenants have died otherwise than simultaneously the property so held shall be distributed one-half as if one had survived and one-half as if the other had survived. If there are more than two joint tenants and all of them have so died the property thus distributed shall be in the proportion that one bears to the whole number of joint tenants. § 654. Insurance policies Where the insured and the beneficiary in a policy of life or accident insurance have died and there is not sufficient evidence that they have died otherwise than simultaneously the proceeds of the policy shall be distributed as if the insured had survived the beneficiary. § 655. Husband and wife Where a husband and wife have died, leaving community property, and there is not sufficient evidence that they have died otherwise than simultaneously, one-half of all the community property shall be administered upon, distributed, or otherwise dealt with, as if the husband had survived and as if such one-half were his separate property and the other one-half thereof shall be administered upon, distributed, or otherwise dealt with, as if the wife had survived and as if such other one-half were her separate property, except as provided in section 654 of this title. § 656. Chapter not retroactive This chapter does not apply to the distribution of the property of a person who has died before the effective date of this Code. § 657. Inapplicability of chapter if decedent provides different distribution This chapter does not apply in the case of wills, living trusts, deeds, or contracts of insurance wherein provision has been made for distribution of property different from the provisions of this chapter. § 658. Uniformity of interpretation This chapter shall be so construed and interpreted as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law in those states which enact it.

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