---
title: "Record death dates against a simultaneous-death rule"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession/check-whether-a-beneficiary-survived-long-enough-to-take/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A17-SF20261022-5-US"
practice_area: "Wills, Estates, Probate & Succession"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Record death dates against a simultaneous-death rule

> The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.601 provides for disposition when the evidence does not show that the deaths were other than…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession/check-whether-a-beneficiary-survived-long-enough-to-take/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Wills, Estates, Probate & Succession](https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.601 provides for disposition when the evidence does not show that the deaths were other than simultaneous. From the will and the death certificates, copy each beneficiary, the date of the testator's death, the date of the beneficiary's death if there is one, and any survival period written in the will. Do not say the gift fails. |
| What the lawyer must review | The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.601 applies unless a contrary intention appears in the governing instrument. If title depends on priority of death and there is insufficient evidence that the persons died otherwise than simultaneously, the property of each is disposed of as if that person survived. The section also states rules for successive beneficiaries, joint tenants, and a life or accident policy when the evidence is insufficient in that same way. It does not state a 120-hour or a 30-day period. The tool copies the dates and any survival period written in the will. It does not say a gift fails. A survival period in another state's statute was not opened. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Check whether a beneficiary survived long enough to take](https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession/check-whether-a-beneficiary-survived-long-enough-to-take.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.601 provides for disposition when the evidence does not show that the deaths were other than simultaneous. From the will and the death certificates, copy each beneficiary, the date of the testator's death, the date of the beneficiary's death if there is one, and any survival period written in the will. Do not say the gift fails.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Wills, intestacy and probate are state law; confirm the governing state before relying on this.
- The Florida example is 2025 Florida Statutes text. The Senate site says the text is unverified. Another state's statute was not opened.
- Do not add a 120-hour period. This section does not state one. Apply a survival period only when the will or another opened instrument states it.

## Sources

- [Florida Statutes section 732.601, Simultaneous Death Law](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/732.601) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*