What happens to Party A's property if they die without a will?

Full question:

Party A dies without a will, and is single and has no children. What will happen to Party A's property?

Answer:

If Party A dies without a will and has no children, their property will typically be inherited by their parents. In most states, the father and mother will each inherit half of the property. If one parent is deceased, the surviving parent receives their share, and the deceased parent's share will go to Party A's siblings.

If a sibling has died but has children, those children (nieces or nephews) will inherit their parent's share. If a sibling has died without children, the remaining siblings will share that sibling's portion. If neither parent nor any descendants are alive, the grandparents will inherit the estate equally. If a grandparent has died, their descendants, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins, will inherit the estate.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

If someone dies without a will, their property is distributed according to state intestacy laws. Generally, this means the estate goes to the closest relatives, starting with parents, then siblings, and further down the family tree if necessary. Each state has specific rules about how property is divided among heirs.