1,653. In a Yibum Situation, Who Inherits What?

Hilchos Ishus 22:10

If a woman is waiting to perform yibum (levirate marriage), she can sell or give away property that she acquires while in this state; her deceased husband’s brother has no rights to this property until he marries her – not even to the “iron sheep” property that the woman brought into the marriage with his late brother. If the woman dies before yibum, heirs on her father’s side inherit her “melug” property and half of her “iron sheep” property, while her husband’s heirs inherit the value of her kesubah and the other half of her “iron sheep” property. The husband’s heirs are also responsible for the woman's funeral.

Hilchos Ishus 22:11

Money that is owed to a yevama from her kesubah is considered to be a lien on her husband's estate. Accordingly, the husband’s brother may not sell any of the deceased’s property, neither before nor after performing yibum. If he sold this property, gave it away or divided it with other brothers, either before or after yibum, the transaction is ineffective because he is already required to have this property available to pay the widow her kesubah.