Permits court to effectuate equitable distribution when complaint for divorce or dissolution of civil union has been filed and either party has died prior to final judgment; provides that surviving party would not receive intestate or elective share.

This bill changes New Jersey's inheritance rules for spouses in pending divorce cases. If a divorce or civil union dissolution complaint is filed (but not dismissed) before one spouse dies, the surviving spouse loses their right to inherit the deceased's estate under intestate succession or elective share laws. The bill specifically excludes such surviving spouses from receiving any share of the estate that would otherwise go to a surviving spouse, even if no children are involved. This directly affects individuals whose divorce proceedings were ongoing at the time of their partner's death. The change takes effect when the bill is enacted, modifying existing intestate succession statutes.