The omission of any or all the lawful heirs in the line of descent, whether they be living at the time of the execution of the will, or whether they are born after the death of the testator, shall annul the institution of an heir, but bequests and improvements* shall be valid as long as they are not inofficious.
The omission of the widower or widow does not annul the institution of the heir, but the omitted party shall preserve the rights which this title grants to him.
If the omitted lawful heirs should predecease the testator, the institution of the heir shall be effective.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 742; June 30, 1978, No. 88, p. 273.