Matter of Estate of Parsons

*17UHLENHOPP, Justice.

Ronald L. Parsons was killed on October 3,1973. He was survived by his widow and his two adopted children from a prior marriage. The probate court appointed Parsons’ widow as administrator of his estate. At that time § 633.336 of the 1973 Code provided:

When a wrongful act produces death, damages recovered therefor shall be disposed of as personal property belonging to the estate of the deceased, but if the deceased leaves a spouse, child, or parent, it shall not be liable for the payment of debts of the estate, except debts and charges of the first, second, third and fifth…