[MV64]

I think the author and spouse have every reason to expect to profit from their work.

I do not, however, see the point in copyright existing after the author and the spouse have died. But, just to make it so people don't start offing authors hoping to cash in, let's say 10 or 20 years after death. Also, there could be a provision that says if a child outlives the parents, he can keep the copyright until he or she turns 18 or 21, since they can reasonably expect to use profits for living expenses.

The 10 or 20 years would help make publishers more eager to publish works by elderly authors as well, because it guarantees them at least 10 or 20 years of exclusive rights.