What is the key requirement stated by some jurisdictions for posthumous conception to be recognized for inheritance purposes?

• A. Consent in writing by the decedent.
• B. Consent by the surviving spouse only.
• C. No consent required if the posthumous child is conceived within 9 months.
• D. There is no requirement; posthumous conception is always recognized.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that, in some jurisdictions, a posthumously conceived child can be recognized for inheritance only if the decedent gave explicit written consent before death. This written consent serves as clear evidence of the decedent’s intent to allow inheritance rights for a child conceived after death, balancing the interests of the surviving family with the decedent’s wishes and reducing disputes.

That’s why the best answer is consent in writing by the decedent. It directly reflects the formal authorization required by those laws. The other options don’t fit because surviving-spouse consent alone doesn’t prove the decedent’s own authorization; a fixed time window like nine months isn’t a standard rule; and saying there’s no requirement contradicts jurisdictions that require the decedent’s explicit consent for posthumous inheritance recognition.