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 Statutory Interpretation -"Shall"
(Estate of Miramontes-Najera)

Statutory Interpretation -"Shall"
(Estate of Miramontes-Najera)

Generally, for purposes of statutory interpretation, "shall" is mandatory and "may" is permissive.  (Sheyko v. Saenz (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 675, 697.)  Moreover, the Probate Code defines the term "shall" as "mandatory."  (§ 12.)  Therefore, we should interpret the "shall set aside" language of section 5021, subdivision (a) as mandatory.  If the "subject to" phrase in section 5021, subdivision (a) were interpreted to give courts discretion to not set aside nonconsensual transfers of community property on equitable grounds, the word "shall" would be meaningless.  "In construing a statute we are required to give independent meaning and significance to each word, phrase, and sentence in a statute and to avoid an interpretation that makes any part of a statute meaningless."  (San Diego Police Officers Assn. v. City of San Diego Civil Service Com. (2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 275, 284.)

Estate of Miramontes-Najera May 13 2004D0422125/13/04 CA4/1

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