Question of the day… Do You have a will? No?
When a person dies without a will and owns property, the process varies considerably based on the deceased’s relationship status.
If the person who dies without a will is single with or without children, the process is generally easier than if the deceased is married or has a domestic partner.
What If the Person Who Dies Without a Will Is Single?
If a person who is not married dies without a will, the person’s estate goes to his or her child or is split evenly between multiple children.
If the person who dies without a will has no children, then the estate goes to his or her parents. If the parents are deceased, the estate is split among siblings.
What If the Person Who Dies Without a Will Is Married?
State laws vary far more widely if a person dies without a will and leaves behind a spouse or domestic partner, children and other relatives.
If there are children in the relationship, they may inherit up to two-thirds of the estate while the spouse receives the remainder.
If there are no children in the relationship, the surviving spouse may inherit the entire estate — or, depending on the state, as little as one-third of the property and assets, with the rest going to the parents and siblings of the deceased.
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