What is the premise of the 120-hour rule in the Uniform Probate Code?

The premise of the 120-hour rule in the Uniform Probate Code stipulates that a beneficiary must survive the testator by a period of 120 hours in order to inherit from the testator’s estate. This rule is designed to prevent situations where the order of death is ambiguously close. For example, if the testator and the beneficiary die in a common disaster, it might be unclear who died first. The 120-hour rule establishes a clear timeframe within which the beneficiary must survive to ensure that the testator's intentions regarding distribution of their estate are honored.

This rule is significant in estate planning and probate law as it ensures that individuals who do not survive the testator for the requisite time do not inherit, thereby preventing potential disputes and complications in the administration of the estate. It reflects the policy of the law to provide clarity and certainty in the determination of heirs.

The other options do not accurately encapsulate the purpose of the 120-hour rule. It does not concern the validity of the will, nor does it relate specifically to charitable donations or the determination of estate taxes, which makes the understanding of this rule pivotal for both practitioners and individuals involved in creating or contesting a will.