The protection established in § 1858b of this title shall continue after the death of any of the spouses for the benefit of the surviving spouse, so long as he/she continues to occupy the homestead, and after the death of both spouses for the benefit of their children until the youngest reaches legal age. Should a husband or wife abandon his/her family, the protection shall continue in favor of the spouse occupying the property as a residence; and, in the case of divorce, the court granting it may, in the decree, dispose of the homestead estate according to the equities of the case.
In the case of an unmarried person who is the head of a family, because such family, ascendents, and descendents to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, is dependent upon such person for support, the protection shall continue after the death of such person for the benefit of his/her named family members, as long as they continue to occupy the protected home, and until the youngest of such dependents reaches legal age.
History —Sept. 13, 2011, No. 195, § 6.