Pajak v. Pajak

I trust that today’s opinion does not signal a retreat from this Court’s position, evolved over the last decade or so, requiring fair and just treatment for married women.1 It will be cold comfort to Mrs. *34Pajak to hear the majority intone “[ijndeed, it is unfortunate for Mrs. Pajak that William J. Pajak, Sr., died so soon after the couple were married.” 182 W.Va. at 32, 385 S.E.2d at 388. What is truly unfortunate is the majority’s twisting of the law to deprive Mrs. Pajak of her statutory share in her husband’s estate.

Initially, it should be pointed out that this case was decided by way of a…