Wiktionary
n. 1 (context legal English) A spouse that outlives the person to whom they are married, thereby obtaining legal rights with respect to the property of the deceased spouse. 2 (context taxation US English) An unmarried taxpayer whose spouse has been deceased for less than two taxable years, and who provides a home for one or more dependents of the deceased.
Wikipedia
Usage examples of "surviving spouse".
It's like people who read the obituaries and call the surviving spouse for a date immediately after the funeral.
You'd be surprised how many spouses don't give a rat's ass if the murderer of their departed honey-bun is found, notwithstanding the surviving spouse's hidden desire to personally thank the culprit.
Minerva Shelton Hastings claims under a will, and Adelle Sterling Hastings, the defendant in this case, claims as the surviving spouse.