To answer this question properly, the specifics of how a couple’s property is titled and the exact content of the language of the Last Will and Testament is crucial.
When each spouse has a Will, upon the death of the first spouse the property owned by that spouse is distributed per the terms of the Will document.
But most ‘husband and wife Wills’ have language that makes assets pass to the surviving spouse.
If an asset is jointly-owned marital property (for example, a house with the right of survivorship or a joint bank account, etc.), then the asset becomes the sole property of the surviving spouse, not subject to any specific bequests.
So a wife would not have pay out any gifts from the property transferred to her as detailed above, should she outlive her husband.
But if specific bequests are made to persons other than the spouse, and those bequests are made from the husband’s exclusive property only (assuming any such property exists to make such gifts), those assets would be transferred to the named beneficiary as directed.
If your personal scenario regarding your accounts and Will language is unclear, we suggest you contact an attorney for a review of your assets and Will documents; you can find a local attorney for FREE at Standard Legal’s Attorney Find page.