Can a surviving spouse claim an intestate estate against the wishes of other heirs?

In Washington, a surviving spouse can normally claim an intestate estate against the wishes of other heirs. According to state intestacy laws, if the deceased had a surviving spouse but no children or other close relatives, the surviving spouse would be entitled to the entire estate. If the deceased had a surviving spouse and children, the surviving spouse would be entitled to one-half, while the other half would be distributed to the children. Even if there are other heirs, like siblings, parents or distant relatives, the surviving spouse can still claim the intestate estate. Washington law states that the surviving spouse is entitled to the first $150,000 of the estate, plus one-half of the remaining amount. Any amount that remains after the surviving spouse is given their share is then divided among the other heirs in accordance with the law. In some cases, the surviving spouse may not be able to claim the entire intestate estate against the wishes of other heirs. If the deceased had relatives who were either adopted or legally dependent, they may be entitled to a portion of the estate that would normally pass to the surviving spouse. In such cases, the intestate estate must be divided in accordance with the law.

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Can a surviving spouse claim an intestate estate against the wishes of other heirs?

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