(a) Subject to subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), if proceedings for the administration of the decedentâs estate are commenced, the surviving spouse is liable for: (1) The restitution to the decedentâs estate of the decedentâs property if the surviving spouse still has the decedentâs property, together with (A) the net income the surviving spouse received from the decedentâs property and (B) if the surviving spouse encumbered the decedentâs property after the date of death, the amount necessary to satisfy the balance of the encumbrance as of the date the decedentâs property is restored to the estate. (2) The restitution to the decedentâs estate of the fair market value of the decedentâs property if the surviving spouse no longer has the decedentâs property, together with (A) the net income the surviving spouse received from the decedentâs property prior to disposing of it and (B) interest from the date of disposition at the rate of 7 percent per annum on the fair market value of the decedentâs property. For the purposes of this paragraph, the âfair market value of the decedentâs propertyâ is the fair market value of the decedentâs property, determined as of the time of the disposition of the decedentâs property, less the amount of any liens and encumbrances on the decedentâs property at the time of the decedentâs death. (b) Subject to subdivision (c), if proceedings for the administration of the decedentâs estate are commenced and the surviving spouse made a significant improvement to the decedentâs property in the good faith belief that the surviving spouse was the successor of the decedent to the decedentâs property, the surviving spouse is liable for whichever of the following the decedentâs estate elects: (1) The restitution of the decedentâs property, as improved, to the estate of the decedent upon the condition that the estate reimburse the surviving spouse for (A) the amount by which the improvement increases the fair market value of the decedentâs property restored, valued as of the time of restitution, and (B) the amount paid by the surviving spouse for principal and interest on any liens or encumbrances that were on the decedentâs property at the time of the decedentâs death. (2) The restoration to the decedentâs estate of the fair market value of the decedentâs property, valued as of the time of the decedentâs death, excluding the amount of any liens and encumbrances on the decedentâs property at that time, together with interest on the net amount at the rate of 7 percent per annum running from the date of the decedentâs death. (c) The property and amount required to be restored to the estate under this section shall be reduced by any property or amount paid by the surviving spouse to satisfy a liability under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13550). (d) An action to enforce the liability under this section may be brought only by the personal representative of the estate of the decedent. Whether or not the personal representative brings an action under this section, the personal representative may enforce the liability only to the extent necessary to protect the interests of the heirs, devisees, and creditors of the decedent. (e) An action to enforce the liability under this section is forever barred three years after the death of the decedent. The three-year period specified in this subdivision is not tolled for any reason.
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